European Union News - Internal Market

The Communication presented by the European Commission sets out a strategy to move to full e-procurement for all public purchases by 2016. It proposes a series of flanking measures meant to support all stakeholders, including SMEs, in completing the transition on time. So far, e-procurement is still used in only 5-10% of procurement procedures carried out across the EU.

A document endorsed for public consultation by the European Central Bank gathers recommendations for the security of internet payment. In particular, the text is aimed to contribute to fighting payment fraud and enhancing consumer trust in such services by harmonising minimum security recommendations.

The European Parliament refused to remove diesel tax advantage over petrol according to a resolution that was passed in plenary session on the proposal to reform energy taxation. The report approved by the Parliament also provides recommendations to the Council of Ministers, which must decide unanimously for any changes to take effect.

MEPs support the use of a common consolidated corporate tax base (CCCTB). Moreover, for them the system should be compulsory. The CCCTB would only apply to European cooperative societies, which are by nature cross-border. After five years, it would apply to all companies except small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which could opt in if they so wish.

The European Commission presented a set of concrete measures that have as main goal to boost jobs. In particular, the package focuses on the demand-side of job creation, and identifies the areas with the biggest job potential for the future as well as sets out ways for Member States to encourage hiring by reducing taxes on labour or supporting business start-ups more.

MEPs approved the regulation that has as main aim to reinforce the social protection for cross-border workers, which will reinforce at the same time the functioning of the single market. Among others, airline staff and cross-border self-employed workers will benefit of these new rules.