The Single Market at 30

Summary:

Communication adopted by the European Commission on 16 March 2023, celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the European Union's (EU) Single Market.

Further information:

The EU Single Market celebrates the thirtieth anniversary in 2023. Since its creation in 1993, citizens and businesses have benefitted from the free movement of workers, services, goods and capital to an extent exceeding some of the initial expectations. Originally conceived as an area of free trade without tariff or non-tariff barriers among its member, the Single Market became the world's largest integrated single market area. The European Commission argues it is more than a legal framework or a market.

The Single Market is regarded as a key asset and driver of the EU's competitiveness. It is the source of the EU's regulatory, financial and supply chain integration. It is also an important factor of the EU's economic resilience during crises and provides a significant geopolitical lever. However, the Single Market must be able to adapt to new realities and take account of the changing environment. A collective effort, based on joint ownership of the Single Market at EU and national level, is therefore required.

Looking ahead, the Commission sets a renewed focus on enforcing existing Single Market rules, and removing Member State-level barriers. In this context, cooperation with Member States as part of the Single Market Enforcement Task Force (SMET) is deemed essential.

Official

European Commission: Press Release, 16/03/2023: EU competitiveness beyond 2030: looking ahead at the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Single Market https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_1668

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