Single Market: Member States and Commission prioritise work on removing barriers to free movement of goods and services

Yesterday, in the second formal meeting of the Single Market Enforcement Task Force (SMET) Member States’ and Commission representatives discussed a plan to prioritise work on removing the key barriers that hamper the functioning of the Single Market. The work plan aims, among others, to prevent possible restrictions linked to a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic as well as to address other restrictions in key industrial ecosystems, like construction and tourism, with a view to improving the single market’s resilience. Commissioner Breton, responsible for the Internal Market, said: “Created just months ago, the Single Market Task Force is a key  tool for working together with all Member States to ensure the good functioning of our single market by establishing a coordinated approach to addressing restrictions and enforcing EU rules. We now agreed on a set of priority areas – including coronavirus related restrictions and barriers in key industrial ecosystems – to ensure that the single market can play its full role in contributing to Europe’s resilience and recovery. ” In this meeting, the SMET focused on how to address  barriers in the agri-food sector and to regulated professional services as well as discussed a coordinated EU approach to building stockpiles of medicines and medical equipment that prevents possible shortages and ensures transparency. The task force approved a strong and clear mandate that will allow it to strengthen enforcement measures to avoid inadequate or overly differentiated implementation by Member States. During the meeting, the task force also discussed a strong and clear mandate that will allow it to strengthen enforcement measures to avoid inadequate or overly differentiated implementation by Member States. Member States’ commitment to the SMET work was reiterated during the Competitiveness Council on 18 September.