Memo: European Parliament committee backs Commission proposal to slash red tape in the Member States

The Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) on 17 December 2013 supported proposals by the European Commission to do away with bureaucratic rubber-stamping exercises for citizens and businesses in Europe.

Currently, citizens who move to another EU country have to spend time and money demonstrating that their public documents from another Member State (such as birth or marriage certificates) are authentic. This involves the so-called 'Apostille' certificate used by public authorities as proof that public documents are genuine. Businesses operating across EU borders in the EU’s Single Market are also affected.

The committee's vote endorsed the Commission’s proposal to scrap the Apostille stamp and a further series of arcane administrative requirements Member States still require for certifying public documents for people living and working in other Member States.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: No more costly and bureaucratic stamps for public documents – European Commission acts to slash red tape in all Member States http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-no-more-costly-and-bureaucratic-stamps-for-public-documents-european-commission-acts-to-slash-red-tape-in-all-member-states/

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