Strengthening enforcement of Single Market Rules: revision of current tools and framework

Background

Since 2016, EU enforcement has paired preventive cooperation with targeted infringement action According to the Commission’s Stocktaking Report, this prioritisation has been effective: the 2023 Single Market Scoreboard reported fewer new directives to transpose, stronger implementation support for Member States, and wider use of EU Pilot.

Yet gaps persist: incomplete and uneven application of Single Market rules still harms prosperity and competitiveness, hindering the ability of citizens and businesses to fully benefit from EU legislation. 

However, as of 2024, several reforms have been introduced. Commissioners are now required to present annual enforcement progress to the European Parliament and Council; the Single Market Strategy recommends appointing a high-level “Sherpa” to drive rule application and tackle national barriers. It also supports upgrading SOLVIT and strengthening the Single Market Enforcement Task Force (SMET); the Rule of Law Reports are expanded to cover Single Market issues, with a focus on cross-border firms and SMEs.

For the EESC, the next step should be faster, more transparent, and better-coordinated enforcement ─ matched by Member States removing existing obstacles and avoiding new ones.

Key points

In its opinion, the EESC:

• stresses the central role of enforcement in reducing the fragmentation of the Single Market and calls on the Commission to implement a clear and coordinated approach between preventive, collaborative and remedial tools. It also stresses the primary obligation of Member States to implement EU law in due time and correctly;
• considers that the adequate implementation of EU law should be integrated into all steps of the legislative process, and legislation should include clauses dedicated to enforcement. Gold-plating, i.e. adding to EU legislation supplementary national requirements, should be avoided. The EESC asks for active engagement from the co-legislators in this regard, as well as the Member States;
• asks the Commission to update the Communication on enforcement of EU law to strengthen and simplify the enforcement tools and accelerate the handling of infringement procedures, while increasing their transparency.

Read the  opinion.

Additional information

Section: Single Market, Production and Consumption

Opinion number: INT/1085

Opinion type: Own-initiative opinion

Rapporteur: Isabel Yglesias

Reference: Rule 52(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Date of adoption by section: 02/09/2025

Date of adoption in plenary: 18/09/2025

Result of the vote: 96 in favour/ 0 against/1 abstention

Contacts

Press officer: Laura Lui/Flavia-Estelle Badircea

Tel.: +32 2 546 9189

Email: laurairena.lui@eesc.europa.eu

Administrator: Annalisa Tessarolo

Tel.: +32 2 546 9732

Email: annalisa.tessarolo@eesc.europa.eu