This week, the Communication from the European Commission on the new Single Market Strategy was a key subject of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection in the European Parliament. MEPs voted on a respective report, which welcomes the Commission plans.

Short explanation of the Single Market Strategy

Last year, the European Commission presented its new Single Market Strategy, in which it focusses among other on the following topics:

• The development of new business models within the scope of a participatory economy
• Easy and quick access to information and capital for SMEs and start-ups
• Cross-border provision of services
• Geo-blocking
• Public procurement

More detailed information on the Commission's Single Market Strategy is available here. In its Position Paper, the AK urges the Commission to include that a coordinated employment strategy has to be an essential element. Precarious working conditions and related to these, difficult access to social security systems are a great challenge within the collaborative economy. Apart from that, it has been criticised that the allocation of more risk capital is more important than more rigorous tests, which are to ensure that small and medium companies do not overcommit. In addition, debtors and those, who are affected by insolvency, shall be considered with regard to the principle of the second chance.

Bericht – Lara Comi

As a next step, the IMCO Committee voted on the amendments and the final report; the original draft had been written by the Italian EPP MEP Lara Comi. With regard to over 380 amendments, the majority of the factions agreed on 23 compromises. Key aspects of the report are the agreement with regard to Value Added Tax, making the tender processes with regard to innovations less complicated, consumer protection, small companies and start-ups and the participatory economy. The report was adopted with three votes against, which means that the Communication from the Commission has the support of the Committee. However, the shadow rapporteur of the S&D faction commented that unfortunately some important points on the subjects of REFIT platform, social economy and services did not make it into the report.

Further information:

AK Position Paper

Communication from the Commission on the Single Market Strategy

Draft report Lara Comi (available only in English)

Amendments Part I (available only in English)

Amendments Part II (available only in English)