Site navigation
Website content
Accessing markets
The European Union wants to make sure that accessing foreign markets is made easier for everyone.
The Market Access Database helps EU businesses export worldwide by providing information on market access conditions.
Fight against protectionism
The Market Access Strategy is part of the EU's efforts to create the best possible conditions for European firms to export around the world and to make sure international trade rules are enforced.
WATCH: Italian SME Framesi benefitted from the EU's market access policy.
Trade and investment barriers
Published in June 2020, and prefaced by Commissioner Phil Hogan’s foreword (other languages), the Trade and Investment Barriers Report (2019) (other languages) analyses trade and investment barriers reported by businesses and Member States to the European Commission through the Market Access Partnership.
What are the main takeaways of the report?
Read this year's featured story on how our work removing trade barriers helps EU citizens and companies, especially SMEs.
The EU main market access policies
Goods and services in the EU's export markets
The EU's market access strategy, removing of tariff barriers and non-tariff barriers such as technical barriers to trade and sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
Public procurement
Public procurement rules in EU trade deals, revision of global trade rules.
EU intellectual property protection & enforcement in non-EU countries
Intellectual property rights in world trade, patents, access to medicines, enforcement, geographical indications (GIs).
Rules on investment
The EU's investment policy, statistics, info on the new investment court system, EU membership of international investment groups.
Defending the EU market against unfair trade
Includes trade defence against unfair subsidies and dumping.
Taking action during international trade disputes
Bilateral dispute settlement rules, WTO-specific dispute settlement procedures, investment dispute rules.
More on accessing markets
Trade and Investment Barriers reports
- Trade and Investment Barriers Report (2019)
- Trade and Investment Barriers Report (2018)
- Trade and Investment Barriers Report (2017)
- Trade and Investment Barriers Report (2016)
- Trade and Investment Barriers Report (2015)
- Trade and Investment Barriers Report (2014)
- Trade and Investment Barriers Report (2013)
- Trade and Investment Barriers Report (2012)
- Trade and Investment Barriers Report (2011)