The Internal Market Information System (IMI Regulation)

Administrative cooperation through the Internal Market Information System (IMI)
Administrative cooperation through the Internal Market Information System (IMI)

Following an agreement at first reading, on 25 October 2012 the European Parliament and the Council adopted a regulation (Regulation (EU) No 1024/2012) that lays down the rules governing the use of the Internal Market Information System for the implementation of administrative cooperation between the Member States' competent authorities and between the Member States' competent authorities and the Commission.

The Internal Market Information System (IMI) is a software application accessible via the internet which was developed by the Commission in cooperation with the Member States. The system is used to assist Member States with the practical implementation of information exchange requirements laid down in Union acts by providing a centralized communication mechanism.

The new Regulation establishes a legal framework for the IMI and a set of common rules to ensure that it functions efficiently and to enable its use to be extended to other areas of EU law.

The IMI is notably being used for administrative cooperation in the following eight areas: Professional Qualifications; Services; Cross-border road transport of euro cash; SOLVIT; Patients' rights in cross-border healthcare; and, on a pilot basis, Posted Workers; E-commerce; and Train Driving Licences.