Single market information tool (SMIT)

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details September 2018
Publication Date September 2018
Content Type

Competition and consumer protection in the single market are often undermined by measures such as price discrimination based on residency, geo-blocking of online audio-visual content, or limited cross-border parcel delivery. While many businesses do not cooperate with the European Commission by e.g. disclosing their pricing structure, Member States often do not have the means or the tools to collect and deliver the required information to the Commission.

On 2 May 2017, the Commission presented a 'compliance package' of three proposals on enhancing the practical functioning of the single market. One of these introduces the single market information tool (SMIT).

The use of SMIT would be a measure of last resort and subject to confidentiality requirements. SMIT would provide the Commission with e.g. powers to request business-related information (such as cost structure or product volumes sold), and to address regulatory and market failures in a more timely and efficient way.

Author: Cemal Karakas

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2017/608634/EPRS_BRI(2017)608634_EN.pdf
Related Links
EP: EPRS: Briefing: Initial Appraisal of a European Commission Impact Assessment, October 2017: Single Market Information Tool http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2017/610985/EPRS_BRI(2017)610985_EN.pdf
EP: EPRS: Plenary at a Glance, October 2018: Single Market Information Tool (SMIT) http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2018/628226/EPRS_ATA(2018)628226_EN.pdf

Subject Categories
Countries / Regions