The services sector in the European Union

The EESC:

• highlights the need to harmonise the Services Directive and the Professional Qualifications Directive to address fragmentation in the EU services sector;
• considers that a ‘100 Professions Package’ should be introduced to tackle the most significant regulatory barriers across the Member States;
• considers that digitalisation should play a central role in modernising administrative processes. A single digital declaration portal and the digitisation of A1 forms would not only reduce administrative burdens for SMEs but also streamline cross-border services, ensuring faster, more accessible services for businesses and consumers alike;
• considers that targeted, sector-specific reforms are necessary to address barriers in industries such as construction, retail and financial services;
• underlines that labour protection, collective bargaining and collective agreements must not be seen as undue burdens;
• stresses the need for data collection on the services sector, particularly in relation to SMEs, to support policy-making and remove single market barriers;
• considers that a comprehensive sector-specific action plan for the integration of the services market should be included in the updated Single Market Strategy.