A Spanish student wanted to start her university studies in Belgium, but was refused because the original certified diploma of her secondary education had not been issued yet by the Spanish authorities. SOLVIT persuaded the university to accept other evidence so that she would not miss an entire academic year. A British manufacturer of marine radio equipment was asked by the German authorities to retest its products in Germany even though they had already been tested and placed on the market in other EU Member States. SOLVIT intervened to ensure that the products could be sold in Germany without costly retesting.

These are only two examples of the hundreds of problems that SOLVIT managed to solve for citizens and businesses in 2007. Last year, the EU's SOLVIT network handled 819 problems encountered by citizens and businesses in exercising their Single Market rights, of which 679 (83%) were solved. In the fifth year of its existence, SOLVIT saw a growth in case volume of 75% compared with 2006 and managed to keep resolution rates high and case handling times short.

The SOLVIT report highlighted some main reasons for the increase in activities in 2007:

• The entry of Bulgaria and Romania into the SOLVIT network resulted in a 15% increase in case submissions.
• The intensification of awareness-raising activities and the introduction of a web complaint form in December 2005 were at the basis of the significant increase in the number of cases handled.
• SOLVIT also received strong support from the European Parliament in 2007 which crystallized in the creation of a new budget line for further development and promotion of SOLVIT.

SOLVIT 2007 facts and figures

• The overall number of cases handled increased by 75%. 819 cases were considered suitable to be handled in SOLVIT representing around 20% of all queries received. The remainder was referred to other instances or networks.
• The average resolution rate for SOLVIT cases was 83 %.
• Of all resolved cases, 77% were resolved within the deadline of ten weeks. Case handling time was maintained at an average of 58 days.
• 82% of SOLVIT cases were submitted by citizens. The major problem areas for citizens were social security (32%), recognition of professional qualifications (24%) and residence rights, especially for third country spouses of EU citizens (18%).
• 18% of SOLVIT cases were submitted by businesses. Their main problem areas are taxation (30%), market access for products (20%) and the provision of services and establishment (20%).

SOLVIT success story from 2007

A British company manufacturing medical scales wished to expand its market in France. The company was already marketing its product in the United Kingdom and a number of other EU countries, and thus conformed to EU rules. However, the French authorities refused to accept the product on their market and requested additional testing. For over a year, the company tried to have their product accepted and in the end asked SOLVIT for help. The company and SOLVIT worked closely together to successfully market the product in France in a matter of weeks. According to the company, SOLVIT helped them avert a considerable loss. Solved within 11 weeks.

What is SOLVIT?

The Commission and Member States set up the SOLVIT network in 2002 to help solve practical problems in the Single Market. SOLVIT has since dealt with more than 2,300 cases relating to a variety of areas such as residence permits, recognition of professional qualifications, employment and social security rights, market access for products, provision of services, VAT reimbursements or border controls for businesses. SOLVIT delivers pragmatic solutions to complainants within an average period of ten weeks. SOLVIT is a free-of-charge, easy-to-use service. Complainants can submit their complaints via a webform in their native language or contact their national SOLVIT centre.