European Union News - Internal Market

MEPs at the Internal Market Committee in the European Parliament approved a non-binding resolution that analyses and sets out proposals to remove obstacles to greater use of the digital single market. The resolution recommends to introduce a "European Trustmark" certifying that an online shop fully complies with EU law.

The European Commission confirms that the Single European Sky is "not delivering" after 10 years on. However, the Commission also announced its intention to present new legislative proposals in Spring 2013 to accelerate implementation, as well as taking all enforcement actions possible, including infringements where necessary. According to the Commission, inefficiencies caused by Europe's fragmented airspace bring extra costs of close to €5 billion each year.

The Review assessing the implementation of the rules on public procurement in the EU has been published by the European Commission. Purchases by public authorities and utility companies, when they are of a cross-border nature, fall within the scope of EU law and account for nearly 20% of EU GDP.

MEPs at the Environment Committee voted in favour to make mandatory accounting for farm and forestry emissions. They also recommended a future obligation to account for emissions from wetlands. The draft legislation explicitly does not put any administrative burden on "private parties" such as farmers or forest managers.

The Council reached an agreement on a partial general approach on a draft regulation laying down the terms and conditions for the participation in research projects funded under Horizon 2020. Ministers also reached the same approach on a draft regulation amending the rules of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). This draft regulation will enable the EIT to be an integral part of Horizon 2020.

At the Retail Forum in Brussels celebrated on 9 October, European retailers highlighted that is needed to move to a resource efficient economy, and looking to the sustainability goals they had set themselves in key areas in precious years, such as selling more green products, they noted strong progress.

The financial transaction tax proposal – the so-called Tobin tax, has been requested to the Council by 11 member states. Now member states must submit a request to the Commission, specifying the scope and the objectives of the enhanced cooperation, and the Commission may submit a proposal to the Council to that effect. On the other hand, the Council adopted a decision modifying the conditions underpinning financial assistance to Portugal, granting it an additional year, until 2014, to correct its excessive deficit.

The Single Market Week will take place from 15 to 20 October and will bring together policy-makers, social partners, businesses and citizens to discuss the achievements and challenges of the single market. Under the slogan ''Together for new growth'', this year's week marks the twentieth anniversary of the European Single Market.