The benefits of the single market for goods
EU business benefit from
- a 'home market' of over 450 million consumers for their products
- easier access to a wide range of suppliers and consumers
- lower unit costs
- greater commercial opportunities
EU citizens benefit from
- lower prices
- more innovation and faster technological development
- higher standards of safety and environmental protection
On this website
- New legislative framework - to improve the internal market for goods and strengthen the conditions for placing a wide range of products on the EU market, the new legislative framework was adopted in 2008. More about the new legislative framework
- Building blocks of single market - legislation on single market for goods aims to ensure that products placed on the EU market meet high health, safety and environmental requirements. Products allowed to be sold in the EU can circulate without barriers to trade and with a minimum of administrative burden. More about the building blocks of single market
- Free movement in harmonised and non-harmonised sectors - the principle of free movement of goods ensures that these provisions do not lead to the creation of unjustified barriers to trade. More about the free movement of goods
- International aspects of the single market - through its relations with non-member countries, the EU tries to ensure the best possible conditions for international trade in regulated products. More about the international aspects
Guidance on the application of Articles 34-36 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union on the free movement of goods in the single market
This guidance document includes the most relevant EU Court of Justice case law on obstacles affecting goods and economic operators in the single market such as registrations, certifications, authorisations, and other product requirements including selling arrangements, as well as their possible justifications and proportionality. It offers an overview of the EU Court of Justice’s views on barriers related to main EU ecosystems and sectors e.g. pharma, veterinary and blood products, gas and electricity, construction, precious metals, car registrations and agriculture products, etc.
Guidance on EU product rules
- Comprehensive guidance on the implementation of EU product rules can be found in the so-called Blue Guide (2MB)
- The application of treaty provisions governing the free movement of goods
Brexit
