European Parliament / Committees

This study first outlines the economic benefits of the EU single market and consumer protection from a general perspective. It then presents key achievements of the Europe 2020 flagship initiatives in deepening the single market and improving consumer protection, as well as remaining barriers. Based on evidence collected with regard to potentially significant economic benefits (including untapped potential in areas beyond the explicit scope of the flagship initiatives), it advocates further leveraging of single market and consumer protection policies in the Europe 2020 strategy to reignite growth.

On 22 January Members voted on the draft report on Single Market governance within the European Semester 2015 and on the mandate to enter trialogue negotiations on package travel and assisted travel arrangements. They also voted on the opinions on undeclared work and EU competition policy.

On 22 January, the hearing brought together MEPs, lawyers and experts in the field of customs.

The first panel looked into different customs sanctioning systems in the member states, with particular attention to the liability and the thresholds to distinguish criminal/non-criminal infringements and sanctions. The second panel discussed the impact of the absence of an EU legal framework for customs sanctions on the single market and on the economic operators.

Ms Dana Reizniece-Ozola (Minister for Economics) presented the main priorities of the Latvian Presidency. More competitive EU as a basis for growth, increased well-being and future development, Strengthening the information society and making use of its benefits for the future development of the EU and Strengthening the EU role on a global scale and building a space of security and prosperity in the neighbouring regions are three potential areas to be focused on.