Press Release: Services Directive: good progress on implementation, but more needs to be done

The European Commission has taken a new step to ensure that work is speeded up in the twelve Member States that have not yet finalised implementation of the Services Directive. The Directive (Directive 2006/123/EC) was adopted at the end of 2006 and it had to be implemented in all EU countries by 28 December 2009. It covers a large variety of economic activities – such as retail, construction services, tourism services and the services of many regulated professions – representing around 40% of EU GDP and employment. The Directive commits Member States to carry out an ambitious reform programme, combining the lifting of unjustified regulatory barriers and administrative simplification. It is expected to significantly contribute to boosting growth and job creation. Overall, the preliminary results of the Directive's complex implementation process are encouraging. The large majority of Member States have already adopted "horizontal" implementing legislation and in most countries a number of changes to specific regulations have also already been made. The Commission has sent a reasoned opinion to those Member States who have not yet notified to the Commission the adoption of all the regulatory changes required by the Directive – namely Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Luxemburg, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and the United Kingdom.