A new European strategy for the Internal Market

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    Reference number
    INT/1043

    Background

    This opinion has been requested by the Belgian presidency of the EU. It also aims to contribute to Enrico Letta's report on the future of the Single Market, announced by Ursula von der Leyen in her 2023 State of the Union address.

    It stems from the need for the internal market to rise to the challenges of a very different world to the one for which it was created back in the 1990s - one that has witnessed globalisation, the rise of China as an economic superpower and a series of macro crises, from the climate emergency to COVID 19 and the war in Ukraine. As a result, it is now torn between opposing pressures: the need for a level playing field on the one hand and industries' calls for subsidies on the other, keeping jobs in Europe and ensuring EU businesses stay competitive, securing raw materials and upholding labour and environmental standards.

    The opinion outlines a path for the EU to follow focusing on three pillars of Europe's economy and society: business, public services and the social economy.

     

    Key points

    The EESC suggests:

    • Focusing the future strategy for the internal market on the following aspects:
    • adopting a truly European industrial policy;
    • creating favourable conditions for businesses and SMEs and for the social economy;
    • securing public support for the European project;
    • promoting efficient services of general interest;
    • taking steps to preserve and develop Europe's social model.
    • Assessing how the liberalisation of Services of General Economic Interest (SGEI) has impacted the EU's economic, social and territorial cohesion and exploring the need to create EU instruments for public intervention in SGEI sectors.
    • Developing a long-needed legal framework for the social economy and social services of general interest. The EESC suggests clarifying the concept of "not-for-profit" in EU law through a protocol on the diverse forms of enterprise in Europe to be appended to the EU Treaty.
       
    • Avoiding an excessive regulatory -burden and excessive notification requirements, documentation and evidence is an indispensable condition for making the Single Market fit for SMEs' core business, which is once more becoming increasingly difficult. Consistency between EU legislation and its implementation and enforcement in Member States must be the priority.

    Link to full opinion

     

    Additional information

    EESC section responsible: Single Market, Production and Consumption (INT)

    Opinion type: exploratory consultation

    Rapporteur: Sandra PARTHIE (Employers – DE)

    Co-rapporteur:  Alain COHEUR (Civil Society Organisations – BE)

    Date of adoption by section: 20/12/2023

    Result of the vote: 83 votes in favour, none against, with no abstentions

    Date of adoption by plenary: 17/01/2024

    Result of the vote: 228 votes in favour, none against, with 3 abstentions

     

    Contacts

    Daniela MARANGONI

    Press officer

    Tel.: + 32 2 546 8422 | Mob: +32 475 99 94 32

    email: daniela.marangoni@eesc.europa.eu

     

    Silvia STAFFA

    Policy officer

    Tel.: +32 2 546 8378

    email: silvia.staffa@eesc.europa.eu

    Work organisation