Europe’s Single Market Strategy: from vision to action

The European Commission’s Single Market Strategy places renewed emphasis on the role of circularity and waste management in advancing European competitiveness and sustainability.

The strategy outlines measures to address long-standing barriers within the EU’s internal market. By proposing harmonised principles and streamlined reporting requirements, the Commission aims to reduce administrative burdens for industry and enhance the efficiency of waste management across Member States. The strategy also calls for faster and more consistent procedures for cross-border shipments of waste, recognising the need for a more integrated approach to resource use.

The identification of the so-called "terrible ten" obstacles that continue to hamper the Single Market is an important step. Fragmented rules on packaging and labelling appear on this list, with the Commission acknowledging the challenge of striking a balance between providing clear consumer information and minimising barriers for businesses.

“The Single Market Strategy just released by the European Commission is sending a strong message: we can no longer treat our Single Market as a leftover. Now, all EU institutions and national governments too are called in to do their part. This means putting an end to EU legislation that encourages gold plating and to national barriers that impede free movement of goods within EU borders,” said Francesca Siciliano Stevens, Secretary General of EUROPEN.

“It is unsurprising to see national measures on packaging, labelling and waste in the terrible ten list of the most impactful barriers. We have firsthand evidence of the disruptions they caused in pursuing Europe’s circular economy goals. The Commission’s recognition of the strong bond between a functioning Single Market and Europe’s sustainability goals is an important milestone to achieve one European circular economy instead of 27 mini versions of it,” she concluded.

Safeguarding the integrity of the Single Market will require joint ownership by the European Commission and Member States. This includes a stronger commitment to timely and consistent enforcement of existing rules, as well as more robust legal mechanisms for early notification and proportionality assessments of new national measures.