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Effective market surveillance ensures that the rules of Europe’s Single Market are respected. This is vital for knowledge-intensive EU sectors, such as machinery, which must compete against low-cost – and sometimes low-quality – manufacturers. This was the subject of a recent conference, which also saw the launch of a Common Industry Platform for Market Surveillance. Full story
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Although Europe’s construction products sector is economically important, it has not yet fully exploited the opportunities offered by the single market due to remaining trade barriers. To address this, a new Regulation aims to simplify the legislative framework and strengthen the credibility of the system. The EU has also been working on several initiatives to promote the sustainability and the competitiveness of the construction sector on the whole. Full story
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By outlining clear requirements for goods and services, standards help protect consumers, create new and larger markets and boost innovation. The European Commission has put forward proposals to modernise the European standardisation system to meet the challenges of our ever faster changing world, thus contributing to the objectives of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Full story
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The Single Market is one of Europe’s key achievements, but it needs to be further strengthened in some areas so as to fully deploy its potential as creator of growth and jobs. In the field of registration of vehicles previously registered in another Member State, for example, the lack of harmonisation continues to act as a barrier to the free movement of goods, thus resulting in administrative burden for both businesses and citizens. With a view to addressing this issue, the European Commission recently launched a public consultation in order to get those most affected involved in finding a solution. Full story
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European consumers will soon have the convenience of a single charger for mobile phones produced by major manufacturers, thanks to new standards promoted by the European Commission. This agreement, involving 14 phone makers, will also benefit the environment by cutting waste. Full story
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The single market is a key driver of growth and jobs, but it needs timely and effective implementation of relevant legislation in order to function smoothly. As guardian of the EU Treaties, the European Commission monitors the application of EU law and investigates any infringements committed, so as to ensure that citizens and businesses can fully enjoy the benefits of the Union's basic principles, such as the free movement of goods. Full story
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The European Commission has launched an information campaign and a new website that explain the role and meaning of the CE marking both to consumers and professionals. It also provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide for professionals to how this familiar marking works and is implemented. Full story
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Market surveillance helps protect both consumers and businesses from unsafe products, by ensuring that all economic actors stick to the rules. That is why it is so important to the efficient functioning of the EU's single market and the recent entry into force of improved rules on market surveillance is welcome news. Full story
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The CE marking is familiar to millions of people across Europe. But what exactly is it and how does it benefit businesses and consumers? Full story
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Design can be a crucial building block of the EU's innovation policy and not only makes Europe more competitive but also helps tackle a wide array of socio-economic and environmental challenges, according to Vice-President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Irini Pari. Full story
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Personal protective equipment helps keep Europeans safe and healthy whether at work, home or play. EU legislation in this area ensures that these products give the highest level of protection against hazards, while generating fair competition within the industry. Full story
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Companies which wish to trade their goods between Member States too often find barriers in their way, despite free movement of goods being one of the Union's basic principles. A recent Regulation aims to help firms overcome those barriers, by setting out clear procedures for Member States to justify any refusal to allow a product onto their market. Moreover, product contact points have been set up in each Member State to help economic operators obtain all relevant information on the technical rules which may apply to their products. Full story
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Reducing packaging waste is a key goal of EU environmental policy, and so increasing reuse or recycling of beverage containers is an important factor in reaching the Union's targets. The European Commission has adopted a Communication providing Member States and economic operators with a comprehensive overview of EU rules on deposit schemes. This aims to ensure that national collection schemes for used drink containers do not create disproportionate barriers to trade in the Single Market while meeting environmental protection targets. Full story
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The EU has updated the safety requirements for toys, ensuring high levels of protection continue to apply to all children using toys purchased in the Single Market. The updated Toys Safety Directive extends safety provisions to areas unknown when the old rules were agreed, and brings improvements to make enforcement across the Union more effective. Full story
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The issue of whether electromagnetic field (EMF) emissions are a human health problem is the subject of on-going research and public debate. The EU regularly reviews the scientific research to ensure legislation and recommendations provide a high level of protection and health safety for citizens. Full story
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After a scientific opinion confirmed the health risk of prolonged exposure to loud sounds from personal music players, the European Commission and Member States are now working with consumer and industry groups to establish how to better protect consumers. Full story
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