BusinessEurope welcomes today’s launch of the European Commission’s Single Market Strategy, which seeks to tackle fragmentation and strengthen governance across the EU.
BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer said:
“The Single Market is the EU’s greatest asset for ensuring the welfare of Europeans and defending our interests on the global stage. This Strategy is a promising step forward, as it clearly tackles some of the most pressing Single Market barriers - the so-called “terrible 10”. BusinessEurope will support those measures which tangibly contribute to doing business across borders like home.
What we need now are clear, longer-term objectives and stronger enforcement commitments; otherwise, the impact of this Strategy may be limited. While it largely focuses on short-term operational tasks, the Strategy’s long-term impact must be secured to guide future reforms, as called for in the Letta and Draghi reports.
Similarly, the commitment to reinforce Single Market governance comes at a critical moment, given rising geopolitical tensions. However, despite the welcome emphasis on Member States, the Strategy provides limited detail on how the Commission itself will step up enforcement and more clarity is only expected in 2026. Addressing enforcement challenges cannot be postponed: the EU should urgently pursue the objective of zero barriers stemming from non-compliance with Single Market regulations.”
Today, BusinessEurope publishes the first in a series of short papers showcasing practical barriers in the Single Market. These cover areas including the posting of workers, packaging legislation, transport infrastructure and implementation of corporate sustainability due diligence. Read it in full here.
