The European Commission adopted a Quality Framework for Services of General Interest in the EU that, according to the European institution, will provide an essential safety net for citizens in areas such as health care, care for the elderly, child care, assistance to disabled persons and social housing. In addition, the framework intends to help Member States to ensure that the regulatory environment at EU level continues to reinforce the social dimension of the single market.

The adoption of the Quality Framework for Services of General Interest in the EU supposes, according to the Commission, an essential safety net for citizens in areas such as health care, care for the elderly, child care, assistance to disabled persons and social housing. The Commission also assures that this Framework also has a key role to play in the knowledge economy in the area of schools, training centres and university. In January, the Commission already published a Guide on efficiency criteria for delivering services of general interest.

In particular, the quality framework consists of three complementary strands of action. First, it will enhance clarity and legal certainty on how EU rules apply to services of general interest (SGI), and revising the rules when necessary to ensure that specific needs are catered for. It will also ensure access to essential services and it will promote quality in the field of social services, and will use the achievements in this area as a model for other services of general interest.

The President of the Commission, José Manuel Barroso underlines that the quality framework adopted is a confirmation of the European Commission's determination to support innovative, high quality public services, which are even more essential in the current difficult economic situation. He added that when public authorities are confronted with the need for fiscal consolidation, it is essential to ensure that right framework is in place so that high-quality services can be provided as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.