The 12 new priorities of the Single Market Act, to be published by
the European Commission on 3 October, spotlight classic network services
and the digital economy. They also target mobility for citizens and
businesses and dedicate a modest chapter to the development of
non-discriminating inclusive growth.
The Single Market Act, version two, previewed by Europolitics, does not include any really innovative legislative actions, unlike the first version, unveiled in April 2011. In large measure, it formalises the agenda of issues set to be addressed shortly and already debated, for which the Commission agrees to make proposals – legislative or otherwise – by the end of 2013. In other words, there are no real surprises, especially on the five sectors announced as the key levers for growth, on 8 June, namely networks and services (see Europolitics 4440).
This new version of priorities is based on four areas: 1. the development of fully integrated networks in the single market; 2. the encouragement of transnational mobility for citizens and businesses; 3. support for the digital economy; and 4. strengthening of social cohesion, consumer confidence and the prevention of discrimination.
The top priority is liberalisation of national passenger transport. The EU executive will present by the end of the year the fourth railway package that will address, among other issues, the touchy matter of the relationship between infrastructure managers and incumbent transport operators and the award of public service contracts by tendering procedures rather than direct award (see Europolitics 4489).
The second chapter concerns organisation of the single market for maritime transport or a ‘Blue Belt’ linking European ports. It will include legislative and non-legislative measures planned for the second quarter of 2013 to encourage the delivery of more efficient services by European ports, better tracking of ships and a reduction of port formalities for freight (4440), among other issues.
The executive also wishes to end fragmentation of the air transport market. In the second quarter of next year, it will present proposals to facilitate implementation of the Single European Sky (improving safety and environmental impacts, lowering costs, etc – 4469).
The Commission also intends to take stock of the EU energy network and announces an action plan (in October) on achievement, by 2014, of the third energy package, highlighting the main barriers to be eliminated to ensure a smoothly running energy market (4492).
The EU executive intends to boost the digital economy and to tackle the problem of fragmentation of online services. It has identified three priority actions to this effect (priorities 8, 9 and 10). One will aim, in the second quarter of 2013, to improve online payment services and will include a text on commissions on bank cards (4492), another on parcel delivery (4325) and another on tackling unfair commercial practices (4285). Another action will focus on improving the costs and efficiency of broadband by means of a legislative proposal in the first quarter of 2013 (4450). At the same time, the Commission will spell out the third chapter of its digital strategy that concerns general use of electronic invoicing for public procurement (4449).
Product mobility within a more secure framework for consumers is another priority for the EU executive. It forms part of the fourth area of the Commission’s initiative because it concerns consumer confidence in the single market. Between July and September 2013, the executive will present a legislative proposal to boost product safety rules, a key measure of its agenda for European consumers (4429).
The 12th priority concerns social cohesion and access to a basic low-cost bank account for everyday transactions, which is not yet available throughout the EU despite being essential to economic and social integration and mobility (4458). The Commission will make this a fundamental right in the single market in a draft directive announced for next November, based on the resolution adopted by the European Parliament, on 4 July.
The EU executive intends to boost the digital economy and to tackle the problem of fragmentation of online services.
Article from: http://euxtra.com/en/2012/10/01/new-priorities-focus-on-networks-and-mobility/
The Single Market Act, version two, previewed by Europolitics, does not include any really innovative legislative actions, unlike the first version, unveiled in April 2011. In large measure, it formalises the agenda of issues set to be addressed shortly and already debated, for which the Commission agrees to make proposals – legislative or otherwise – by the end of 2013. In other words, there are no real surprises, especially on the five sectors announced as the key levers for growth, on 8 June, namely networks and services (see Europolitics 4440).
This new version of priorities is based on four areas: 1. the development of fully integrated networks in the single market; 2. the encouragement of transnational mobility for citizens and businesses; 3. support for the digital economy; and 4. strengthening of social cohesion, consumer confidence and the prevention of discrimination.
TRANSPORT AND ENERGY NETWORKS
The Commission chooses to focus its attention first on the classic networks, transport and energy, described as “the backbone of the single market” although they are “still too fragmented and not efficient enough,” leading to unnecessarily high costs for European citizens and businesses.The top priority is liberalisation of national passenger transport. The EU executive will present by the end of the year the fourth railway package that will address, among other issues, the touchy matter of the relationship between infrastructure managers and incumbent transport operators and the award of public service contracts by tendering procedures rather than direct award (see Europolitics 4489).
The second chapter concerns organisation of the single market for maritime transport or a ‘Blue Belt’ linking European ports. It will include legislative and non-legislative measures planned for the second quarter of 2013 to encourage the delivery of more efficient services by European ports, better tracking of ships and a reduction of port formalities for freight (4440), among other issues.
The executive also wishes to end fragmentation of the air transport market. In the second quarter of next year, it will present proposals to facilitate implementation of the Single European Sky (improving safety and environmental impacts, lowering costs, etc – 4469).
The Commission also intends to take stock of the EU energy network and announces an action plan (in October) on achievement, by 2014, of the third energy package, highlighting the main barriers to be eliminated to ensure a smoothly running energy market (4492).
The EU executive intends to boost the digital economy and to tackle the problem of fragmentation of online services. It has identified three priority actions to this effect (priorities 8, 9 and 10). One will aim, in the second quarter of 2013, to improve online payment services and will include a text on commissions on bank cards (4492), another on parcel delivery (4325) and another on tackling unfair commercial practices (4285). Another action will focus on improving the costs and efficiency of broadband by means of a legislative proposal in the first quarter of 2013 (4450). At the same time, the Commission will spell out the third chapter of its digital strategy that concerns general use of electronic invoicing for public procurement (4449).
JOBS, BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS
The 11th priority concerning transnational mobility of citizens and businesses includes actions to encourage a better match between available jobs and job seekers, financing means and a better business environment. This will be put into effect in the fourth quarter of 2013 with: a legislative proposal to improve the EURES job mobility portal; another in the second quarter on business financing possibilities by long-term investment funds (4474); and a legislative text at the end of the year on cross-border insolvency procedures (4397).Product mobility within a more secure framework for consumers is another priority for the EU executive. It forms part of the fourth area of the Commission’s initiative because it concerns consumer confidence in the single market. Between July and September 2013, the executive will present a legislative proposal to boost product safety rules, a key measure of its agenda for European consumers (4429).
The 12th priority concerns social cohesion and access to a basic low-cost bank account for everyday transactions, which is not yet available throughout the EU despite being essential to economic and social integration and mobility (4458). The Commission will make this a fundamental right in the single market in a draft directive announced for next November, based on the resolution adopted by the European Parliament, on 4 July.
The EU executive intends to boost the digital economy and to tackle the problem of fragmentation of online services.
Article from: http://euxtra.com/en/2012/10/01/new-priorities-focus-on-networks-and-mobility/
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