Single Market and Customs Programme 2028-2034

EESC opinion on the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Single Market and Customs Programme for the period 2028-2034 and repealing Regulations (EU) 2021/444, (EU) 2021/690, (EU) 2021/785, (EU) 2021/847 and (EU) 2021/1077 - COM(2025) 590 final – 2025/0590 (COD)

Key points

The EESC:

• considers that the programme in question pursues the right strategy by devising measures and support aimed at increasing and improving cooperation between the Commission and Member States, and among the Member States, in matters pertaining to the single market, Customs Union, taxation and fraud-combating efforts;
• urges the European Commission to encourage Member States to boost human resources when it comes to customs as well as tax services collecting customs duties and taxes, especially in those Member States that receive the most imports from Asia, and with regard to parcels sent via digital platforms that are located there;
• calls for the simplification of EU regulations to be accompanied by the same manner of changes in every Member State’s legislation, so that national laws do not make it difficult for individuals and businesses to apply the rules;
• recommends that digitalisation of the procedures to be followed by individuals and businesses not be accompanied by increased complexity or an increase in their reporting or other obligations;
• considers it important to support consumer associations, given the key role they play in consumer dispute resolution arrangements, in monitoring the compliance of products circulating on the single market, and in efforts to boost financial literacy.

Practical information

Composition of the study group

Administrator in charge:  Marco MANFRONI
Assistant: Alexandra SEIDENBERG

For more information please contact the INT Section Secretariat