Deepening the single market through digitalisation

Background

Digital technologies have become an integral part of daily life for people and businesses in Europe in the 30 years since the foundation of the EU's single market. Such technologies, which include mobile devices, e-commerce and cloud computing, are also key to the core EU rights of free movement of goods, services, people and capital.

The widespread use of digital technology has generated a fifth EU freedom – the free movement of data – which helps to foster a competitive EU economy and a higher standard of living.

This own-initiative opinion from the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) seeks to highlight the potential of the digital transition to broaden the benefits of the single market enjoyed by EU consumers and companies. The opinion notes the EU's active role in supporting digitalisation by developing EU-wide regulations and standards that have led to improved connectivity, innovative products and services and economic growth.

However, as the opinion makes clear, the single market is far from perfect. Given the evident need to further develop the functioning and integration of the single market, the EESC calls for a better integrated, more targeted approach to promoting digitalisation in a manner that extends advantages to all Europeans and improves their quality of life.

Key points

The EESC recommends:

• improving the functioning of the EU single market in data. The free movement of data will help ensure that people and businesses can fully exercise the EU's other four freedoms;
• further harmonising digital financial services across the EU and increasing funding for innovative digital solutions to boost FinTech applications;
• developing and scaling up EU digitalisation initiatives, especially in the field of social security and labour mobility, and introducing schemes such as the European Social Security Pass;
• putting the withdrawn Commission proposal for a "services e-card", aimed at helping service providers operate across borders, back on the EU agenda.

Link to full opinion

Additional information

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

Opinion type: own-initiative opinion

Rapporteur: Mira-Maria Danisman (Employers - FI)

Date of adoption by section: 03/10/2023

Result of the vote: 48 votes in favour, none against, with no abstentions

Date of adoption by plenary: 25/10/2023

Result of the vote: 210 votes in favour, none against, with 7 abstentions

Contacts

Press officer

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

email: daniela.marangoni@eesc.europa.eu

Policy officer

Tel.: +32 2 546 9140

email: marco.manfroni@eesc.europa.eu