The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has endorsed the European Commission’s new strategy to overhaul the single market, while calling for fully-fledged implementation of single market-related measures and effective enforcement of EU legislation.

In an opinion adopted at its December plenary, the EESC welcomed the Commission’s focus on reducing internal barriers, modernising the rules on services, supporting SMEs and scale-ups, improving digitalisation and streamlining legislation. It pointed out that the success of the new Single Market Strategy, set out in May 2025, now depends on rapid and effective implementation.

The opinion was drafted by three rapporteurs representing the EESC’s groups – Employers, Workers and Civil Society Organisations – reflecting the joint position of Europe’s organised civil society.

‘We stress the need for a coherent and collective European response – a common policy – understood and applied consistently from Brussels to the capitals of the Member States’, said rapporteur Emilie Prouzet (Employers).

The EESC described regulatory simplification as essential in the current geopolitical and economic climate but said it would maintain a ‘vigilant stance’ as the simplification packages moved forward.

‘Regulatory simplification is a strategic lever, but it must take place with full respect for social and workers’ rights. It is therefore essential that European and national parliaments and social partners be structurally involved from the early stages of the legislative process, particularly with regard to the Omnibus packages’, said Angelo Pagliara (Workers).

Giuseppe Guerini (Civil Society Organisations) highlighted that the new strategy for the European single market must take better account of accessibility for social economy entities: ‘the Commission should strengthen, not withdraw, the proposal on the European Cross-Border Association (ECBA)’.

With inflation and high living costs still affecting households, the EESC reiterated its call for EU action on territorial supply constraints and divergences in product labelling, noting that these disparities undermine fair competition and create unequal conditions across Member States.

The EESC also expressed its support for the Commission’s upcoming proposal for an optional ‘28th regime’, which would offer companies a voluntary, EU-wide legal framework to make it easier for them to expand across borders. However, it stressed that the system must not become a means to bypass existing obligations. (ll)