Development and implementation
The EU internal market is gradually being developed and implemented. EU work is thus characterised by a number of general mechanisms.
Review of the internal market
In order to bring the EU nearer to the people, the Commission proposed in May 2006 that, as one of several initiatives, the concrete advantages of the internal market should be highlighted and clarified. The Commission therefore intends to conduct a complete review of the internal market, its foundations and substance. The objective is to present a report on the internal market in the 21st century which the European Union heads of state and government can agree upon in June 2007. As a first step in producing the report, the Commission conducted a public consultation on the Internet with the general public and stakeholders in the early summer of 2006. The comments and viewpoints submitted during the public consultation will, together with the viewpoints of the Member States, constitute an important component of the coming report.
Internal market scoreboard
The internal market scoreboard is published annually by the EU Commission. It presents a picture of development in the internal market in terms of both development of the legal aspects (for example, implementation of internal market directives in national law, the Commission's infringement cases against Member States), as well as how countries, their companies and consumers have benefited from the internal market from an economic perspective. The Nordic countries are often among the best when it comes to implementing directives in national law - something which is very important for creating equal conditions and healthy competition in the internal market.
The Lisbon strategy
At the 2000 EU summit in Lisbon, the heads of state and government decided to set a new strategic objective to be achieved by 2010: the EU is to become the world's most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy with sustainable economic growth, more and better jobs and greater social cohesion. During the Swedish EU Presidency in the spring of 2001, the European Council decided to widen the ambition from the Lisbon summit to also include sustainable ecological development. The Lisbon strategy thus now includes three parts, in which economic reforms, employment and social issues, as well as environmental issues are regarded as interdependent. An evaluation and follow-up of this objective is carried out at every EU spring summit. Every year the heads of state and government compile their conclusions in which they specify the measures that are necessary in order to lead the work in the right direction.
The open method of coordination
It was also decided at the Lisbon summit that a new working method would be introduced, the open method of coordination. This method enables cooperation between EU Member States in areas that are not normally covered by the EU decision-making authority. The method is based on agreement on common policy goals, and on Member States learning from each other and the results of the policy being compared. The idea is that Member States will be encouraged to achieve better results. The method is also open so that there is room for national differences within the EU. This method is not legally binding; rather it complements legislation. One example of how this open method of coordination works is the EU employment strategy.
Network of contact points
In order to effectively remove trade barriers and other problems in the internal market, the EU Commission has established a network of contact points in all Member States to which individuals and companies can turn for help. In Sweden, the National Board of Trade is the contact point for companies and individuals encountering problems in the internal market. The National Board of Trade is also the national centre for SOLVIT, a database set up in 2002 to make work to remove trade barriers more effective. The EU Commission is now working on creating a new and modern information tool to be shared by authorities in the Member States concerning vital internal market issues (IMI System Internal Market Information System).
Package of measures for improved and simplified regulatory framework
Improving and simplifying EU regulations has long been one of the EUs express priorities and is one of Sweden's profile issues. In June 2002 the Commission adopted a comprehensive package of measures with the aim of reducing costs for companies and administrative bodies and making the regulations more transparent for citizens. Where new regulations are concerned, this will be achieved by systematic consultation with the public as well as analyses of the expected economic, social and environmental effects of a legislative proposal. As regards existing legislation, it is proposed that a review be conducted in order to make the legislative texts more consistent, straightforward and modern. Legal texts that are completely outdated will be removed. This will also affect national regulations.
The European business test panel
In 2003, a European business test panel was set up as a part of the efforts to improve and simplify the EU regulatory framework. Through this, European companies have an opportunity to examine proposals for new common legislation in advance and to give their views. The panel comprises some 3 000 European companies; 126 of these places are reserved for Swedish companies. The participation of Swedish companies in the panel is coordinated by the National Board of Trade.
