On the 21st of May, the European Commission adopted the Single Market Strategy. The Commission highlights the success of the single market, stressing it is the main driver of EU competitiveness and, with 450 million consumers, constitutes the second largest global market.
The measures proposed in the strategy aim at boosting economic growth, enhancing consumer protection while reducing administrative burdens for companies. Digitalisation should become the norm and EU companies should be able to submit documents needed to comply with EU legislation digitally. These digitalisation efforts also concern the transport sector with an initiative for paperless mobility of passengers and goods expected in Q4 2026.
The Strategy also underlines the importance of the energy sector in ensuring the seamless functioning of the single market. The upcoming European Grid Package, for example will ensure the modernisation and expansion of the grids and interconnector. At the same, a forthcoming White Paper will explore how electricity markets can become further integrated.
Through this Communication, the Commission finally reiterates its commitment to simplification for companies, especially focussing on SMEs. The document refers to additional Omnibus packages in the fields of environment, digital and defence. The Commission especially prioritises preventing the trickle down of sustainability reporting requirements to SMEs, even if they are not themselves subject to reporting requirements such as those under the CSRD or CSDDD.
The Strategy can be accessed here.
