An "internal market test" needed for any new EU legislation, say MEPs

A properly functioning internal market is one where firms are not wary of creating new jobs and where consumers are not anxious about buying goods and services.  Europe's growth and competitiveness depend on this: the spending of 499 million consumers represents half the wealth generated in the EU.  But for this to happen, European law must be applied correctly and in good time by the Member States.

 

Two of the three own-initiative resolutions approved today, one by Róża Thun (EPP, PL) on the internal market scoreboard, the other by Anna Hedh (S&D, SV) on consumer protection, look at progress made in implementing EU law and the quality of implementation. The two resolutions aim to make the Commission and the Member States face up to their responsibilities with regard to the transposition and implementation of EU internal market and consumer legislation.

 

The resolution on the internal market scoreboard calls on the Commission to subject any planned legislation to an "internal market test", a politically controversial issue in the eyes of some MEPs (this point was adopted by 369 votes in favour, 260 against, 11 abstentions). It also asks the Commission to hold an annual internal market forum so that representatives of Member States and other parties can jointly seek the best solutions to problems of transposition and implementation of EU law. 

 

The resolution on consumer protection urges Member States to set up a special consumer ombudsman for the extra-judicial settlement of disputes and calls on the Commission to provide follow-up to its Green Paper on consumer collective redress as quickly as possible.

 

The third resolution, by Cristian Silviu Buşoi (ALDE, RO), calls for the SOLVIT network to be better promoted, and to be strengthened with more qualified staff at national level.  SOLVIT was launched in 2002 to resolve problems encountered by consumers and companies because of poor application of internal market law. 

 

The resolution by Róża Thun was adopted by 530 votes to 85, with 3 abstentions.  The resolutions by Anna Hedh and Cristian Silviu Buşoi were adopted by show of hands.