Subject files - Modernisation of Customs - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

May 15, 2014, 11:25 am

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The purpose of the report is to raise political profile of the modernisation of the EU customs strategy and customs instruments as customs has an important role to play in improving and influencing EU economic competitiveness, guaranteeing safety and security, protecting intellectual property rights, and contributing to the fight against fraud.

Rapporteur: Matteo Salvini (EFD)

Shadow Rapporteurs: Eija-Riitta Korhola (EPP), Sylvana Rapti(S&D), Olle Schmidt (ALDE), Pascal Canfin (GREENS/EFA), Malcolm Harbour (ECR), Cornelis de Jong (GUE,/NGL)

Source : © European Union, 2014 - EP

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Subject files - Union Customs Code (recast) - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

May 15, 2014, 11:40 am

≫ Next: Subject files - Customs programme 2014-2020 - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

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The Union Customs Code recast, adopted by the Parliament in its first/single reading at the September 2013 plenary session following the ordinary procedure, was the result of huge efforts from the three Institutions to reach a balance compromise text acceptable by all parties, after several all day-long technical meetings and trilogues. The EP negotiating team (IMCO rapporteur, its shadows and IMCO Chair) succeeded in its intention to provide economic operators, including and especially small and medium-sized enterprises, with a less burdensome administrative environment. Furthermore, thanks to an amendment inserted by MEPs, the companies that are now granted the status of "authorized economic operator" (AEO), would get preferential treatment, such as lighter customs controls with fewer physical and document checks. This status, if mutually recognised by the EU and a third country, should also make it easier for these companies to trade outside the EU. The EP prerogative to have in the basic act or via delegation of power issues linked to data requirements, time-limits and thresholds has also been kept in the negotiated text.

The new regulation entered into force since 30 October 2013 (with the exception of certain provisions which will apply from 1 June 2016).

Rapporteur: Constance Le Grip (EPP)

Shadow Rapporteurs: Sylvana Rapti (S&D), Olle Schmidt (ALDE), Pascal Canfin (GREENS/EFA), Adam Bielan (ECR), Matteo Salvini (EFD)

Opinion - JURI and INTA

Source : © European Union, 2014 - EP

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Subject files - Customs programme 2014-2020 - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

May 15, 2014, 11:55 am

≫ Next: Subject files - Customs enforcement of intellectual property rights - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

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To ensure the convergent and harmonised application of the EU customs legislation, the Customs programme 2014-2020, conceived as a supportive measure to the Union legal framework, was adopted by the Parliament at first/single reading on 21 November 2013. Most prerogatives of the Parliament were endorsed in the new regulation, including: IMCO’s specific objectives (such as fight against fraud, protection of intellectual property rights, increase of safety and security; strengthening of the administrative capacity of customs authorities and promotion of the competitiveness of European businesses); the indicative allocation of funds to the eligible actions in the basic act (joint actions: maximum 20 %; IT capacity building: c. 75 %; human competency building: maximum 5 %); a list of indicators in the annex of the regulation with a flexibility clause to amend them via delegated acts. The financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme for the period 2014-2020 has been set at EUR 522 943 000 in current prices.

Source : © European Union, 2014 - EP

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Subject files - Customs enforcement of intellectual property rights - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

May 15, 2014, 12:25 pm

≫ Next: Subject files - Consumer Rights Directive - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

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To improve the legal framework on customs enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPRs), the Parliament adopted on 11 June 2013 a regulation in an early second reading replacing Regulation No 1383/2003. It foresees an extension of the range of IPR infringements; the safeguard of high quality information by customs authorities; a new legal basis for a central database for recording applications for customs action and detentions as well as exchange of information between customs authorities; provisions on data collection, processing, retention periods, exercise of rights and responsibilities in accordance with existing legislation on data protection; reduction of administrative burden The new regulation has been in force since 1 January 2014 (with the exception of certain measures).

Rapporteur: Jürgen Creutzmann (ALDE)

Shadow Rapporteurs: Marielle Gallo (EPP), Anna Hedh (S&D), Christian Engström (GREENS/EFA), Emma McClarkin (ECR), Cornelis de Jong (GUE,/NGL), Matteo Salvini (EFD)

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Subject files - Consumer Rights Directive - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

May 21, 2014, 8:10 am

≫ Next: Subject files - The Internal Market - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

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Andreas Schwab (EPP, DE), Rapporteur on Consumer Rights, © European Union

In 2011, the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee has agreed with the Council upon a new Directive on consumer rights which aims at establishing an updated, clear and more uniform set of rules on consumer rights when purchasing goods and services, ensuring at the same time a better functioning of the internal market. The field harmonized covers rules on information, such as the essential characteristics of the product and how much it will cost when shopping online or ordering from a catalogue, rules on the right of withdrawal for buying online or for doorstep selling and rules on delivery. Also, a number of consumer 'traps' are being prohibited, such as the use of pre-ticked boxes generating hidden costs on websites, and the levying of excessive charges for the use of telephone helplines or certain payment means.

The Parliament has endorsed the text agreed with Council on 23 June 2011. Member States had until 13 December 2013 to transpose the Directive into national law; the provisions of the Directive will apply to contracts concluded after 13 June 2014.

Rapporteur: Andreas Schwab (EPP)

Shadow rapporteurs: Evelyne Gebhardt (S&D), Robert Rochefort (ALDE), Emilie Turunen (Greens/EFA), Adam Bielan (ECR), Kyriacos Triantaphyllides (GUE/NGL), Matteo Salvini (EFD)

Opinion-giving Committees: JURI (associated Committee under Rule 50), ECON

Source : © European Union, 2014 - EP

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Subject files - The Internal Market - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

May 21, 2014, 8:25 am

≫ Next: Highlights - The internal market in a nutshell - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

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The internal market (also referred to as the Single Market [SM]) - an area of free movement for goods, people, services and capital - is at the heart of the European project. To bring this into being, IMCO has been extremely active to remove technical, regulatory, and legal barriers within the Union. The creation of the internal market encouraged EU Member States to liberalise the monopolistic public utility markets that had been protected until that point. By aligning their national laws, Member States set about harmonising rules and standards within the EU.

Source : © European Union, 2014 - EP

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Highlights - The internal market in a nutshell - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

May 21, 2014, 8:25 am

≫ Next: Highlights - Women’s rights and gender equality - key studies from the Policy Departments - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

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Further information
Want to know more? See our subject file…

Source : © European Union, 2014 - EP

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Highlights - Women’s rights and gender equality - key studies from the Policy Departments - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

May 28, 2014, 12:10 am

≫ Next: Highlights - Quality of life - key studies from the Policy Departments - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

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Equality between men and women is one of the founding values of the Union and enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. 51 % of the Union’s population are women. Taking into account their needs is relevant for better law-making. The Strategy for equality between men and women 2010-2015 is the main tool to support gender equality in the implementation of the prominent EU2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. In this framework, a number of studies and workshop contributions were published by the European Parliament’s Policy Departments to enable evidence-based policy making. You can find the study on "Consumer behaviour in a digital environment" and other key publications here.

Further information
Key studies

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Highlights - Quality of life - key studies from the Policy Departments - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

May 28, 2014, 12:10 am

≫ Next: Highlights - Consequences of the crisis - key publications by the Policy Departments - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

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The European Union, through its actions in a wide range of areas, has delivered nearly sixty years of peace, stability and economic progress to EU citizens, thus contributing to the improvement of their quality of life. ‘Quality of life’ is a broad, multidimensional concept, going beyond traditional categories such as ‘economic production’ or ‘living standards’. ‘Quality of life’ includes not only the material aspects of life, but rather everything that one may value in living. Among the features that shape quality of life are health, environmental conditions, economic security, education, social connections, physical integrity, activities that people engage in and their ability to participate as full citizens in the framing of policies. The study on Consumer Protection Aspects of Financial Services is amongst the list of studies that were published by the European Parliament’s Policy Departments, illustrating the EU’s capacity to contribute to the improvement of the citizens’ quality of life. These studies are available here.

Further information
Studies

Source : © European Union, 2014 - EP

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Highlights - Consequences of the crisis - key publications by the Policy Departments - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

May 28, 2014, 8:25 am

≫ Next: Subject files - Consumer programme 2014-2020 - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

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The European Parliament’s Policy Departments have prepared a number of publications in relation to the crisis and its consequences. A wide range of issues are discussed, from the social effects of the crisis, to the impacts of the recession on public spending. The publications not only focus on the direct repercussions of the crisis (on employment, living conditions, mental health, SMEs, etc.), they also deal with its indirect outcomes, namely the reforms introduced at EU and national levels and the new instruments set up as a response to the crisis. The analysis goes even beyond: it is shown that, above all, the economic downturn has modified the way of considering policies and has raised fundamental issues such as EU governance. The study on "Consumer Protection Aspects of Financial Services" and a selection of other publications are available here.

Further information
Studies

Source : © European Union, 2014 - EP

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Subject files - Consumer programme 2014-2020 - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

June 2, 2014, 2:10 am

≫ Next: Subject files - Protection of Consumers in Utilities Services - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

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The Consumer Programme 2014-2020 with a budget of EUR 188,8 million will support EU consumer policy in the years to come. The purpose of an effective consumer policy is to ensure healthy markets in which consumers can operate safely and with confidence, and where cross-border trading and innovation are encouraged.

The Consumer programme was adopted by the Parliament at first reading during the Plenary session of January 2014 following the ordinary procedure. It was the result of intensive and fruitful negotiations from the three Institutions during technical meetings and trilogues.

In June 2012, the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection adopted a report on the proposal which highlighted notably the importance of vulnerable consumers and reaffirmed the role of consumer organisations.

The most important issue in trilogue negotiations (in addition to the setting of the financial envelope which was tied to the MFF negotiations which incidentally postponed the final negotiations) related to the adoption annual work programme. A political agreement, reached in October 2013, limited the scope of the annual work plan to the adoption through implementing acts by the Commission of a small number of provisions. It maintained several key elements in the main legislation where the Parliament is necessarily involved. The agreement also ensures a timely mid-programme review after which (if it suggested changes), the EP would again have a say.

The new Regulation entered into force on 21 March 2014 but applies from 1 January 2014.

Rapporteur: Robert Rochefort (ALDE)

Shadows: Roberta Metsola (EPP), Maria Irigoyen Pérez (S&D), Heidi Rühle (Greens), Malcolm Harbour (ECR), Kyriacos Triantaphyllides (GUE), Matteo Salvini (EFD)

Opinion-giving committees: JURI and BUDG

Source : © European Union, 2014 - EP

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Subject files - Protection of Consumers in Utilities Services - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

June 2, 2014, 7:25 am

≫ Next: Subject files - New Agenda for European Consumer Policy - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

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The non-legislative resolution on Protection of Consumers in Utilities Services does not come as a reply to a specific proposal or document issued by the Commission, but rather intents to exemplify the importance of consumer protection in utility services.

The resolution sets out recommendations on how to improve consumer protection in fundamental utilities such as energy, postal services and transport. It underlines the importance of utilities services and the significance of the protection of consumers' rights at Union level. But at the same time, the resolution also stressed the importance of the competences of the Member States in that regard and their role in enforcing the existing legislation before developing new legislation in that broad subject.

The resolution emphasises that access to utility services should be facilitated for all consumers, irrespective of their financial circumstances. In particular it says that in specific circumstances, vulnerable consumers may require appropriate arrangements and recalls that it is the task of Member States to address the various factors linked to vulnerable consumers.

The text stresses that consumers must have access to clear, understandable and comparable information on tariffs, conditions and means of redress. It also says that it should be easier for consumers to switch their energy or telecommunication provider. It calls for new infrastructures to narrow the digital divide and more delivery options in postal services.

Finally, it supports the existence of strong and independent consumer organisations to facilitate comprehensive consumer protection.

The non-legislative resolution was adopted at the Plenary of April 2014.

Rapporteur: Josef Weidenholzer (S&D)

Shadows: Ildikó Gáll-Pelcz (EPP), Olle Schmidt (ALDE), Heidi Rühle (Greens), Malcolm Harbour (ECR), Thomas Händel (GUE), Matteo Salvini (EFD)

Opinion-giving committees: none

Source : © European Union, 2014 - EP

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Subject files - New Agenda for European Consumer Policy - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

June 2, 2014, 8:10 am

≫ Next: Subject files - Alternative dispute resolution and Online dispute resolution - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

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The New Agenda for European Consumer Policy, together with its financial instrument: EU Consumer Programme 2014-2020 establishes the financial and policy framework for improving consumer protection and rights in the Single Market for the period from 2014 to 2020. It gives concrete shape to the principle set out in the Treaty on European Union under which consumer interests must be taken into account in all relevant EU policies.

Built around four main objectives, the European Consumer Agenda aims to increase confidence by: reinforcing consumer safety; enhancing knowledge; stepping up enforcement and securing redress; aligning consumer rights and policies to changes in society and in the economy. It also presents a number of key actions to be implemented in the field of food safety, health, energy, transport, financial and digital products.

In its report, IMCO committee stresses notably that e-commerce needs to ensure the quality of products, that market information must be reliable, clear and comparable and, that vulnerable groups of the population such as children and the elderly needs special attention. It emphasises the importance of the current financial crisis regarding both the economic as well as the social context as this affects consumers' confidence and the need to develop a European Approach to Collective Redress in addition to ADR and ODR.

Last but not least, it calls for improving the enforcement on non-compliance with Union legislation and the need for close cooperation between European, national and local authorities.

Rapporteur: Vicente Garcés Ramón (S&D)

Shadows: (EPP) S. Kalniete, (ALDE) R. Rochefort, (ECR) M. Harbour, (GUE) K. Triantaphyllides, (EFD) M. Salvini

Source : © European Union, 2014 - EP

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Subject files - Alternative dispute resolution and Online dispute resolution - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

June 2, 2014, 9:10 am

≫ Next: Subject files - Revision of the General Product Safety Directive and the related issue of Market Surveillance - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

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On 12 March 2013 the Parliament adopted in plenary two legal acts as first-reading agreements being the result of negotiations with the Council on the basis of earlier IMCO reports, namely a Directive on alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes (ADR) and a Regulation on online dispute resolution for consumer disputes (ODR). Whereas the ADR directive will ensure that quality out-of-court entities exist to deal with any contractual dispute between a consumer and a business, the ODR regulation will establish a European electronic platform offering a single point of entry to those who seek to resolve a dispute which has arisen from a cross-border e-commerce transaction.

Alternative dispute resolution schemes usually use a third party such as an arbitrator, mediator or an ombudsman to help the consumer and the trader to reach a solution in case of a dispute. Their advantage is offering more flexibility than going to court and better meeting the needs of both consumers and professionals. Compared to a court case these schemes are cheaper, quicker and more informal. In view of the fact that these out-of-court mechanisms have been developed differently across the European Union and that consumers often refrain from cross-border purchases because of uncertainty about who to turn to in case of a problem with a foreign trader, the need for regulatory action at the European level was identified and the Commission submitted legislative proposals in the end of 2012.

Following the vote of the Parliament, the Council has formally adopted the agreement on 24 April 2013, and both institutions have signed the Directive and the Regulation on 25 May 2013, allowing for their publication in the Official Journal on 18 June 2013. Member States will have to implement the ADR/ODR rules by July 2015; the ODR platform will be operational in January 2016.

Rapporteurs: ADR - Louis Grech (S&D), ODR - Róża Gräfin von Thun und Hohenstein (EPP)

Shadows rapporteurs: ADR - Hans-Peter Mayer (EPP), ODR - Mitro Repo (S&D), ADR/ODR - Robert Rochefort (ALDE), ADR/ODR - Heide Rühle (Greens/EFA), ADR/ODR - Ashley Fox (ECR), ADR - Denis de Jong (GUE/NGL), ODR - Kyriacos Triantaphyllides (GUE/NGL), ADR/ODR - Matteo Salvini (EDF).

Opinion-giving committees: JURI

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Subject files - Revision of the General Product Safety Directive and the related issue of Market Surveillance - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

June 3, 2014, 6:40 am

≫ Next: Subject files - Product Safety and Market Surveillance Package - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

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The purpose of this report is to stress the need to revise General Product Safety Directive and to enhance market surveillance, especially at the EU borders. Special attention is paid to products bought online and necessity of risk analysis during the design phase. European Commission is called upon to establish Consumer Product Safety Information Database, including a platform for complaints.

Rapporteur: Christel Schaldemose (S&D)

Shadow Rapporteurs: Eija-Riitta Korhola (EPP), Jürgen Creutzmann (ALDE), Heide Rühle (GREENS/EFA), Ashley Fox (ECR), Kyriacos Triantaphyllides (GUE,/NGL), Matteo Salvini (EFD)

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Subject files - Product Safety and Market Surveillance Package - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

June 3, 2014, 7:25 am

≫ Next: Subject files - Package travel and assisted travel arrangements - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

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Pietikainen and Schaldemose - Product Safety and Market Surveillance

On 13 February 2013 the European Commission adopted a comprehensive package on Product Safety and Market Surveillance in order to improve safety of consumer products, in particular by strengthening product identification and traceability, and to simplify and improve the framework of market surveillance of products, particularly by eliminating currently existing overlaps and inconsistencies. The package, which is a key action of the Single Market Act II, consists of two legislative initiatives: a proposal for a new Regulation on Consumer Product Safety and a proposal for a single Regulation on Market Surveillance of Products.

On 17 October 2013 draft reports on Consumer Product Safety and Market Surveillance have been adopted in IMCO Committee by an overwhelming majority. With regard to Market Surveillance of Products the Members agreed to harmonise penalties for infringements of the proposed Regulation to at least offset the economic advantage sought through the infringement as well as to encourage the allocation of revenues collected from such penalties to market surveillance activities. The Committee also called on the Commission to establish a Pan-European Injuries Database. A clear distinction with regard to non-compliant products and products presenting a risk as well as a call on the market surveillance authorities to carry out sample checks on sufficient numbers of products has been established in the final report. With regard to the Consumer Product Safety the Members seek to ensure that the regulation will stand as a safety net for the product legislation and to oblige manufacturers and importers to place a country of origin marking on their products. The Rapporteur furthermore found support for her proposal for an "EU Safety Tested" mark to attest that the product has been tested and found safe by an independent third party.

Although the IMCO Committee unanimously approved the mandate to enter trialogue negotiations on both draft reports, due to the developments in the Council no progress has been achieved and the reports were submitted to the 2014 April II plenary. The IMCO reports were adopted by the Plenary on 15 April 2014, however the proposal to introduce a voluntary 'EU Safety Tested' marking was rejected."

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Subject files - Package travel and assisted travel arrangements - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

June 4, 2014, 5:55 am

≫ Next: Subject files - The Consumer Credit Directive and its implementation report - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

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On 12 March 2014 the EP adopted its 1st reading position on the Commission's proposal for a directive on package travel and assisted travel arrangements. Mr Mayer's Report on the file was adopted in IMCO on 11 February.

The revision of the 1990 directive on package travel appeared to be necessary following the development of online sales and the liberalisation in the airline sector which changed the way the consumers organise their holidays. The overall objective of the revision was to enhance the functioning of the Internal Market and achieve a high level of consumer protection through the approximation of rules on packages and other combinations of travel services.

With their vote, MEPs decided to exempt packages put together by occasional organisers and packages with a duration of less than 24 hours and without accommodation, while clarifying that Member States may decide to cover those packages in national legislation. The possibilities for alteration of the price of a package will also be limited, and if the price increases by more than 8%, the traveller should be able to terminate the contract and be reimbursed, or be offered an equivalent package. By default, the buyer should get a refund for any price reduction over 3%. If "unavoidable" and "unforeseeable" circumstances make it impossible for the traveller to return home on time, the organiser will have to arrange accommodation for him at a similar level to the accommodation originally booked or alternatively pay for a stay of 5 nights up to 125 euros per night. Lastly, travellers will be repatriated in case of insolvency of their travel organiser while they are abroad on holiday.

Negotiations with the Council are expected during the next legislature.

Rapporteur: Hans-Peter Mayer (EPP)

Shadow rapporteurs: Sergio Cofferati (S&D), Jorgo Chatzimarkakis (ALDE), Heide Rühle (Greens), Emma McClarkin (ECR), - (GUE), Matteo Salvini (EFD)

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Subject files - The Consumer Credit Directive and its implementation report - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

June 4, 2014, 7:10 am

≫ Next: Subject files - Consumer policy - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

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The implementation of the 2008 Credit Consumer Directive -which had to be transposed by 11 June 2010 - was the subject of a follow-up report by IMCO as an opinion-giving Committee (under Rule 50, enhanced cooperation) with ECON being the lead Committee. The Directive aims to harmonise certain aspects of Member States' legislation on credit loans agreements of a value from €200 to €75,000. The resolution adopted by Plenary in November 2012 identified the shortcomings in the implementation of the Credit Consumer Directive, noted the insufficient increase in the cross-border take-up of consumer credit, and invited the Commission to further assess the application of the Directive before initiating any future review.

Rapporteur: Birgit Collin-Langen (EPP)

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Subject files - Consumer policy - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

June 4, 2014, 7:40 am

≫ Next: Subject files - The Single Market Act - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

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An effective consumer policy can change our citizens’ lives for the better. The IMCO Committee is working hard to ensure consumers can operate safely and with confidence when buying products and services in the EU, whether in their local shop or when shopping online across borders.

Many EU policies directly affect consumers. It is the case especially in such areas as product safety, internal market, trade, competition, financial services, transport, telecommunications, or energy. A stronger consumer dimension is needed across all policies. Confident, informed and empowered consumers are the motor of economic evolution: they are keys to the efficient functioning of markets, as they reward traders that operate fairly and respond best to consumers' needs.

Consumers should be offered a wider choice of high quality products and services at competitive prices. This is particularly essential in the current economic crisis in order to fight against growing inequalities and protect vulnerable consumers and low-income groups.

Key actions to empower EU consumers are related to enhancing consumer rights and redress mechanisms, providing accurate information, ensuring market transparency and guaranteeing safe and high quality products and services.

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Subject files - The Single Market Act - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

June 4, 2014, 8:10 am

≫ Next: Subject files - Single Market Act I and II - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

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Sandra Kalniete (EPP, LV), Rapporteur on

In its resolution of 20 May 2010, the European Parliament called on the Commission to produce a clear set of political priorities through the adoption of a "Single Market Act", which should cover both legislative and non-legislative initiatives, aimed at creating a highly competitive social market and green economy. On 27 October 2010, the European Commission adopted the Communication "Towards a Single Market Act. For a highly competitive social market economy", providing 50 concrete proposals.

In response to the Commission communication, and following deliberations in ten parliamentary Committees under the leadership of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, on 6 April 2011 the European Parliament adopted three own-initiative reports corresponding to the 3 pillars of the Single Market Act:

Governance and Partnership in the Single Market. Rapporteur: Sandra Kalniete (EPP, LV)
A Single Market for Europeans. Rapporteur: Antonio Fernando Correia De Campos (S&D, PT)
A Single Market for Enterprises and Growth. Rapporteur: Cristian Silviu Buşoi (ALDE, RO)

On 13 April 2011, the European Commission adopted the final version of the Single Market Act which contains twelve projects on which to relaunch the Single Market for 2012, so that the twentieth anniversary of the Single Market can be celebrated with renewed dynamism.

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