The Single Market at 30 – how to further improve the functioning of the Single Market

EESC exploratory opinion on ''30 years of the Single Market: how to improve the functioning of the Single Market''

Key points

The EESC:

• considers that the internal market has been, and still is, one of the great political and economic successes of the European integration process. Citizens and companies have benefited from it, and it should be considered as a process of continuous improvement that is always adapting to new needs as they arise.
• is of the view that a critical review and a new improvement is still needed, not only in terms of what remains to be achieved, but also in terms of the new challenges to be faced such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy crisis or Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• hopes that the "Single Market Program 2021-2027", aimed at improving the functioning of the internal market and the competitiveness and sustainability of businesses, will be accompanied by adequate control and protection tools regarding the quality of work, a level playing field for all companies, citizens' rights, and consumer protection.
• welcomes the move to reduce critical dependencies on third countries and calls on the European Commission to adopt all necessary measures to update European industrial policy by preserving and strengthening the Single Market and benefits for consumers, workers, and businesses.
• considers the free movement of people and workers to be one of the cornerstones of the Single Market, and so it calls for an acceleration in the recognition of qualifications and diplomas between Member States.
• believes that the most worrying trend that affect the competitiveness and sustainability of European businesses is the increasing emergence of national regulatory initiatives that enter into force before the publication of European initiatives, and which then make it difficult to harmonise rules.
• considers that of all the new challenges facing the Single Market, priority must be given to promoting the EU's open strategic autonomy in relation to supply and trade, in the energy sector, in critical raw materials and, more generally, in innovation leadership, digitisation and advanced research.

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