Press release
28 October 2008
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Consultation begins on 600 pages of measures to simplify trade in services
Clear rules for the trade in services in Europe, simpler administration for service providers and strengthened rights for consumers. This is the purpose of the measures presented in the Ministry Memorandum "Implementation of the Services Directive" (Ds 2008:75).
The memorandum is now being circulated for consultation during the next three months. The Government expects to then be able to present a bill on the Services Directive in spring 2009. The Directive has to be implemented in EU Member States and EEA countries by 28 December 2009.
"Swedish companies are ready to expand in the European services market. I see it as my task as Minister for Trade to remove legal and administrative barriers obstructing this development. Effective implementation of the EU Services Directive is an important tool in the process and I am now looking forward to comments and ideas about how we can best go about this," says Minister for Trade Ewa Björling.
The Services Directive states the rules and conditions that are to apply to service providers that want to set up operations or provide temporary services in the EU's internal market.
The Government Offices and agencies concerned have carried out a broad review of regulations in the service sector to weed out trade barriers that are against the rules. To ensure that Sweden fulfils the provisions of the Services Directive concerning freedom of establishment and free movement of services, a memorandum has been drawn up with proposals on how existing legislation in the sector should be amended or revoked. A new horizontal act on services in the internal market is also proposed.
To simplify contact with the authorities and improve information to companies and consumers, it is proposed that a Swedish contact point be set up in 2009. In addition, an information system will be developed that will simplify cross-cutting interagency cooperation to the benefit of both companies and government agencies.
The Ministry Memorandum also contains proposals aimed at strengthening consumer rights and raising the quality of services.
Contact
Jens SöderblomPolitical Adviser to Ewa Björling
+46 8 405 27 44
+46 76 766 39 99
email to Jens Söderblom Anna Rudérus
Special Advisor
Tel 08-4053980
