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Vision of a Modern Single European Market
The European Commission presented a package of initiatives to modernise the European single market. Building on past success, it is designed to bring more benefits to Europeans citizens. The single market has already helped to create competitive companies, to reduce prices, to provide more choice for consumers and to make Europe more attractive for investors. The Commission's measures are based on extensive consultation. They are intended to ensure that the Single Market benefits from the effects of globalisation and strengthen the position of consumers in the EU. The measures will open the market for small businesses, stimulate innovations and help maintain high social and environmental standards.
The initiative to modernise the Single Market will move forward in several areas: Consumer rights will be increased. In the future, it will be easier for consumers to exercise their contractual rights and get redress across borders. It will become easier to gain access to all necessary information. For small businesses, the commission plans to formulate a Small Business Act, that will strengthen the positions of smaller companies. In order to increase the mobility of researchers in the EU, a “researcher passport” will be introduced. Additional goals are to better communicate how European rules and regulations apply to social services and to the population in general. The quality of social services will be increased and weaknesses in the system of the single market are going to be addressed.
In his statement, Commission President José Manuel Barroso underlined the social dimensions of the single market: “A single market for all means a strong social dimension, which is why we are also presenting today the Commission's social vision and a specific way forward on services and social services of general interest. This balanced package will mean a single market that does more to boost Europe's response to globalisation, to create growth and jobs, to ensure fair prices and to contribute to social and environmental protection."
This Communication completes the hearing on the topic „Social reality stocktaking: interim report to the 2007 spring European Council“. This project continues until February 15th, 2008. The results will be the basis for the development of a new social agenda, scheduled to be presented by the European commission in the summer of 2008.
The initiative to modernise the Single Market will move forward in several areas: Consumer rights will be increased. In the future, it will be easier for consumers to exercise their contractual rights and get redress across borders. It will become easier to gain access to all necessary information. For small businesses, the commission plans to formulate a Small Business Act, that will strengthen the positions of smaller companies. In order to increase the mobility of researchers in the EU, a “researcher passport” will be introduced. Additional goals are to better communicate how European rules and regulations apply to social services and to the population in general. The quality of social services will be increased and weaknesses in the system of the single market are going to be addressed.
In his statement, Commission President José Manuel Barroso underlined the social dimensions of the single market: “A single market for all means a strong social dimension, which is why we are also presenting today the Commission's social vision and a specific way forward on services and social services of general interest. This balanced package will mean a single market that does more to boost Europe's response to globalisation, to create growth and jobs, to ensure fair prices and to contribute to social and environmental protection."
This Communication completes the hearing on the topic „Social reality stocktaking: interim report to the 2007 spring European Council“. This project continues until February 15th, 2008. The results will be the basis for the development of a new social agenda, scheduled to be presented by the European commission in the summer of 2008.
