About: single market

Von Der Leyen urged to prioritise single market to counter slowdown

The European economy is undergoing a rapid transition, with digital technology and climate change needs set to transform normal commerce. Is the EU’s single market flexible enough to handle the change?

EU citizens at a legal crossroad

Download PDF  

The Single Market has torn down the economic barriers all across the EU but the legal discrepancies still stand and citizens find themselves too often at a legal crossroad. A strong EU justice system and legal cooperation across the bloc is key to help Europeans deal with their day to day problems.

Food industry hails new EU rules on mutual recognition of goods

Food industry representatives welcomed the recently revised EU legislation on mutual recognition of goods as a major step forward in the completion of the EU single market. But they said more efforts were needed to improve standardisation, even the well-harmonised food sector.

No deal Brexit ‘almost inevitable’ after UK MPs fail to break deadlock

A 'no deal' Brexit has become 'almost inevitable" after UK lawmakers again failed to break the Brexit deadlock on Monday night (1 April), narrowly rejecting all four alternatives to Prime Minister Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement.

Romanian exporters face an artificial barrier, costs transferred to EU citizens

Visions of trucks being stuck at the border in the event of a 'no deal' Brexit should also remind people of the delays faced by Romanian companies exporting into the Schengen area, writes Stefan Radu-Oprea.

How to level the playing field in the European digital services market?

How can European companies operating in the digital services and e-commerce market be supported, while at the same time making sure consumers are protected? And how can tax policy be rethought to fit the digital marketplace?

In search of fairness on the European Digital Market

Although the European Digital Market has been in place since 2015, much remains to be done to tackle disparities between EU member states and to ensure fair taxation.

Barnier insists current Brexit deal is the ‘only one possible’

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has reflected on what can and what cannot be negotiated between the EU and the United Kingdom, with only 65 days until the scheduled severance date. EURACTIV France reports.

Reform of EU family law

Download PDF  

There are more than 16 million international couples in the EU, according to the European Commission. From January 2019, their rights and obligations will be secured by a European regulation for matrimonial property regimes and so-called "registered partnerships".

Why Europe needs a single market for philanthropy

"Who do I call if I want to speak to Europe?" The quote is associated with Henry Kissinger but he never actually said it. He knew very well who to call if he wanted to. Similarly, European institutions have no problem with reaching out to European philanthropy, Felix Oldenburg writes.

Most Swiss back plan for new treaty with EU

Most Swiss support the government's plan to forge a new treaty with the European Union that would have arbitration panels to help settle disputes, a poll published on Sunday (29 April) showed.

The unbearable lightness of Brexit delusions

This week’s developments might cheer those who want to see the UK leave the EU. But they are a rude awakening for those who argued leaving the EU had no costs and a sad reminder that leaving the EU will be an act of self-harm, writes Petros Fassoulas.

British PM to outline post-Brexit trade ties with EU

British Prime Minister Theresa May will detail plans today (2 March) for a new economic relationship with the EU after Brexit, amid heightened tensions with Brussels over the implications for Northern Ireland.

Tony Blair is right on immigration but did nothing to control freedom of movement

After Brexit, the rest of Europe will control freedom of movement sensibly without discriminating on grounds of nationality, adhering to the principle that has been in all European treaties since 1950, writes Denis MacShane.

A market that’s not on the menu

“If economic interests triumph, then we are looking at the EEA.” So said Norwegian political consultant Paal Frisvold of the UK’s future trade relations with the EU, addressing a EURACTIV event on the future of EU integration on Friday (12 January). And his view appears to be shared by the Scottish government.

Sturgeon sees ‘golden’ chance to argue for UK to remain in single market

Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon said on Sunday (14 January) there was a "golden opportunity" to argue for Britain to remain in the European single market after Brexit, as no-one had yet demonstrated the benefit of loosening trade ties with the EU.

UK won’t pay to access single market post-Brexit

The British government yesterday (11 January) ruled out paying the European Union to access the single market after leaving the bloc, as Prime Minister Theresa May tried to reassure finance sector players over Brexit.

Bemused Commission defends planning for ‘no deal’ Brexit

The European Commission has dismissed claims that it was ‘discriminating’ against British businesses by starting contingency planning for a possible 'no deal' outcome, in the latest row over the UK’s access to the single market after it formally leaves the EU next year.

Food and drink industry calls for ‘functioning’ single market, Brexit certainty

Europe’s food and drink industry relies heavily on the EU single market to underpin its steady growth rate, but it has warned that Brexit poses a real threat to the future of many businesses.

Agri-food industries highlight risks of hard Brexit, demand clarity

The EU’s food and drink industry has joined forces with farmers and agri-food traders to call for a smooth Brexit transition and highlight the damage a cliff-edge EU exit would do to the bloc’s food chain.

France opts for colour coded nutrition labelling

France's ministers for health, agriculture and the economy signed on Tuesday (31 October) a decree introducing a voluntary labelling scheme for food products to reduce obesity, causing upheaval in the food industry.

Spain to join the gastro-nationalism wave on origin of milk

Spain has notified the European Commission on 5 September it will create a new law to include the origin of milk on the label of milk and dairy products, adding fuel to the gastro-nationalism debate.