By Emilie Prouzet

The dysfunctions of the single market are having a direct impact on the cost of living and the EESC regrets that the situation is getting worse. The cost of living is more than ever the primary concern of our fellow citizens, especially young people. Most affected are the 94.6 million Europeans living at risk of poverty or social exclusion.

The IMF estimates that non-tariff barriers within the EU are equivalent to customs duties of around 44% for goods, which is three times as much as the barriers between US states, to use the now-customary comparison. For the services market, the figure is 110%!

Food, housing, energy, healthcare, education: many areas are affected, and European initiatives exist. We all need to step up: Member States, private operators and the European Commission in its role as Guardian of the Treaties. I will cite three of the key recommendations made in our report.

Firstly, we urgently need to address territorial supply constraints and national segmentation by private operators, which restrict competition and lead to higher prices for consumers. Fourteen billion dollars: this is the extra cost to consumers every year, according to a 2020 JRC study. Taking inflation into account, it makes sense that their main goal now is to improve the single market. The Commission, primarily through the SMET, is working on this. Though the problem is complex, proposals have been put forward. Let us assess their impact and make quick progress on the issue.

We also propose speeding up proceedings against national rules that infringe EU law. We should examine the possibility of interim injunctions against clear breaches of EU rules. We must not allow barriers to be put in place. The protectionism of certain Member States has direct consequences. What are we to make of the fact that medicines can expire before they can be redirected to where they are needed?

Finally, we have a duty to find a balanced approach between preventing erosion of high standards for sustainability, well-being and protection of workers, reducing unnecessary administrative burdens and facilitating cross-border trade to foster a fair and competitive single market.

Fragmentation of the single market is directly impacting the cost of living in the EU, pushing many Europeans to the brink of poverty. We asked Emilie Prouzet, rapporteur for the opinion on this topic, what the EESC recommends to address this issue and create a fair and competitive single market.