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A Single Market for services
Commission recommends principles to ensure effective protection of consumers in the online gambling services sector
14/07/2014
The European Commission adopted the Recommendation on principles for the protection of consumers and players of online gambling services and the prevention of minors from gambling.
Business services crucial for keeping Europe’s industry fit
09/04/2014
The importance of business services should be adequately reflected in the Europe 2020 Strategy according to a report which the High Level Group on Business Services delivered today. The group was launched by Vice-President Tajani and Commissioner Barnier in March 2013 to help define a European policy agenda for this important sector.
Helping to improve services for businesses and consumers
31/03/2014
Encouraging national reforms in services markets and making sure companies do not face unjustified barriers when they do business abroad remains a clear priority. That’s why the European Commission has adopted today two working documents and an implementing decision in the area of services and e-signatures.
Commissioner Barnier opens high-level group on retail competitiveness
20/01/2014
Today’s inaugural meeting of the High Level Group on Retail Competitiveness was opened by Commissioner Barnier in Brussels. The group, which is composed of executive managers representing the different stakeholders in the retail chain, will advise the Commission on retail policy.
Commission presents roadmap for completing the single market for parcel delivery
16/12/2013
Christmas season is a time when more people than usual are sending parcels, and the delivery market is being put to the test. The Commission has today adopted a communication on completing the single market for parcel delivery to boost e-commerce in the EU, and to ensure that e-retailers and consumers have access to affordable and high-quality parcel delivery services.
Commissioner Barnier replies to emails calling for stronger rules to stop unfair trading practices between supermarkets and their suppliers
28/11/2013
Commissioner Barnier has received a large number of identical emails calling for stronger and enforced rules at the EU level to stop unfair trading practices between supermarkets and their suppliers. Given the amount of received messages, it was not possible for the Commissioner to reply individually to each sender, so he chose to reply on this website.
Join the final Single Market Month on-line debate on e-commerce and chat with President Barroso
11/10/2013
Monday 14 October will mark the opening of the fourth and final round of live, interactive online debates – this time on e-commerce - between citizens, businesses, organisations, and policy makers in the framework of Single Market Month. This is an opportunity for citizens and stakeholders to make proposals for the future of the EU, and to debate these proposals online, in real time, with other citizens, stakeholders, officials and leaders, and experts from all over Europe.
European Commission and Member States to assess barriers restricting access to regulated professions
02/10/2013
Mobility of professionals across the European Union is still low. Conditions for accessing certain professions can be complex, burdensome and very often vary greatly from one Member State to another. The European Commission has today adopted a communication announcing the start of an evaluation of national regulations on access to professions.
Towards a Digital Single Market
19/09/2013
“In these times that remain difficult for Spain and for Europe in general, the construction of a digital single market brings along many promises. (...) But for all these promises to materialise, we have many challenges to face”. Speech by Commissioner Barnier at the conference “Towards a digital single market in the EU”.
Statement by the European Commission on the Digital Single Market
04/07/2013
"Our contribution to the October European Council will be an important opportunity for the Commission to set out the course of action for the months, and indeed years ahead." Statement by Commissioner Barnier.
Digital Single Market: let’s make reality match our vision!
28/05/2013
“Here is my vision: a genuine, empowering digital single market; acting as a multiplier of the single market as we know it”. Speech by Commissionner Barnier at the conference The EU Digital Single Market: From rhetoric to reality.
What is the European Commission doing to fight against organised crime and corruption in the single market?
27/05/2013
"Tax evasion, money laundering, corruption, counterfeiting, piracy, all threaten the integrity of the single market and the confidence of our citizens". Speech by Commissioner Barnier at the European Parliament's special commission on Organised Crime, Corruption and Money Laundering.
Commission adopts a European Retail Action Plan and consults on unfair trading practices
31/01/2013
Retailers play an important role in bringing the Single Market to EU consumers. However, barriers to the creation of an efficient and competitive single market in retail remain. The European Commission has adopted an Action plan setting out a strategy to improve the competitiveness of this sector. It has also adopted a Green paper on unfair trading practices in the business-to-business food and non-food supply chain.
Commission launches consultation on integrated parcel delivery market to boost e-commerce in the EU
29/11/2012
57% of e-retailers consider cross-border delivery to be an obstacle to trading, while 47% of consumers worry about delivery in cross-border transactions. An efficient delivery (and return) system is key to facilitating further growth in e-commerce and therefore consumer choice and convenience. This is why the Commission has today adopted a Green Paper consultation on the delivery of parcels, with special emphasis on cross-border issues and e-commerce needs. Stakeholders are invited to respond to the consultation before 15 February 2013.
Commission sets out an action plan for online gambling
23/10/2012
Online gambling in the EU is characterised by diverse national rules. Today, the Commission is unveiling an action plan, with a series of initiatives over the next two years aimed at clarifying the regulation of online gambling and encouraging cooperation between Member States.
Online Betting and Gambling in Europe: from Consultation to Action
27/06/2012
"Almost 7 million Europeans gamble online. Our aim must be to provide protection for these consumers (…)whilst responding to the legitimate expectations of online betting and gambling operators". Speech by Commissioner Barnier at the European Parliament conference "How to Regulate Betting and Gambling in Europe – Track record and future perspectives".
More growth through better single market governance and boosting services
08/06/2012
The Single Market is a key driving force behind economic growth. But to deliver growth and jobs, better implementation of existing rules is essential. This is why the European Commission has today adopted a communication on governance to ensure that Single Market rules work better in practice. The Commission is also proposing measures to improve the way the services sector works, which is vital as the Services Directive accounts for more than 45% of EU GDP.
Commission adopts an action plan for doubling the volume of e-commerce in Europe by 2015
11/01/2012
In the difficult circumstances facing Europe we must seize every source of activity and new jobs as a matter of urgency. The development of electronic commerce and online services offers enormous potential for beneficial economic, social and societal change. That is why the Commission has today adopted a Communication presenting 16 targeted initiatives aimed at doubling the share of e-commerce in retail sales (currently 3.4 %) and that of the Internet sector in European GDP (currently less than 3 %) by 2015.
Online gambling - Green paper to provide "panoramic view of the situation" - Interview
10/06/2011
Commissioner Barnier believes that it is too early to predict the results of the consultation launched on 24 March with the publication of the Green paper on online gambling. He says that this exercise must be conducted in a "spirit of openness". Interview by Sophie Mosca. Europolitics, Supplement to N° 4219.
On-line gambling in Europe: let's discuss
24/03/2011
On-line gambling is a fast developing business in Europe. National legal frameworks vary enormously across the EU, with different rules applying to licensing, related on-line services, payments, public interest objectives, and the fight against fraud. In order to ensure legal certainty and effective protection of EU citizens in this fast-growing cross-border service activity, the Commission has launched a consultation to evaluate how possibly differing models can co-exist within the Single Market. Contributions can be submitted until 31 July 2011.
The Services Directive one year on: continuing the momentum to seek growth
31/01/2011
Speech by Commissioner Barnier at the Business Europe and Eurochambres' joint conference "Implementation Of The Services Directive: One Year On. "
The Internal Market Information System and the Services Directive: how to realise the potential of the Single Market by reinventing administrative cooperation
27/01/2011
Speech by Commissioner Barnier at the conference "The IMI Network and the Services Directive - Releasing the Full Potential"
Modernising public procurement and deepening the Single Market for services: two key initiatives to stimulate growth
27/01/2011
The European Commission has launched today a consultation on the modernisation of the rules on public procurement. It has also adopted an ambitious action plan to further unlock the potential of the Single Market for services.
Towards a fairer and more sustainable retail and distribution sector: keys for reinvented competitiveness
12/01/2011
Speech by Commissioner Barnier at the Eurocommerce conference "A competitive business sector: key for sustainable food supply chain".
Public services and the Single Market Act
12/01/2011
To remain competitive the European Union must be ambitious on services of general interest. Speech by Commissioner Barnier to the Public Services Intergroup of the European Parliament.
Pay-TV services: Commission proposes to ratify the Council of Europe "Conditional Access" Convention to strengthen protection against piracy
15/12/2010
In its efforts to further step up the EU's fight against piracy, the European Commission has proposed today to the Member States of the European Union to sign and ratify the Council of Europe's Convention on conditional access systems...
Online gambling: a reality to be reckoned with – to know and regulate better
12/10/2010
Closing speech by Commissioner Barnier at the “Conference on the Role of Authorities in Regulating Gambling”.
Commission identifies barriers hampering more efficient and fairer retail services in Europe (IP/10/885)
05/07/2010
Commission identifies barriers hampering more efficient and fairer retail services in Europe (IP/10/885)
05/07/2010
Retail Market Monitoring Report: Frequently Asked Questions (MEMO/10/297)
05/07/2010
Retail Market Monitoring Report: Frequently Asked Questions (MEMO/10/297)
05/07/2010
Services Directive: Commission consults interested stakeholders in the context of the Directive's implementation process (IP/10/862)
30/06/2010
Services Directive: good progress on implementation, but more needs to be done (IP/10/821)
24/06/2010
Internal Market: the Commission takes action to enforce the right of self‑employed persons to provide services in Belgium (IP/10/680)
03/06/2010
Services: Commission calls on Greece to end fixed minimum fees for lawyers (IP/10/498)
05/05/2010
Establishment: Commission refers Greece to Court over discriminatory rules on petrol stations (IP/10/506)
05/05/2010
Patient rights: Commission acts to protect patients' rights in Spain, Slovakia and Denmark (IP/10/505)
05/05/2010
Establishment: Commission action makes setting up business in Ireland easier (IP/10/502)
05/05/2010
The future of the postal sector and the digital revolution: a partnership for the future
29/04/2010
In his speech to the second high level conference on Postal Services in Valencia, Commisioner Barnier gave his vision for the future of the postal sector in the digital age.
Services Directive - the situation today and the next steps 
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27/04/2010
At the inter-parliamentary committee meeting with national parliaments on 'making the internal market for services work: state of play and challenges ahead', Mr Barnier gave an update on the Services Directive.
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Direct taxation: The European Commission requests Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands to change restrictive exit tax provisions for companies and closes a similar case against Sweden (IP/10/299)
18/03/2010
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