Adoption of proposals to improve competitiveness of services economy

The European Commission adopted on 10 January 2017 a package of legislative proposals aimed at improving competitiveness in the European Union's services sector. These proposals were not meant to reopen the 2006 Services Directive - which regulates the principles of freedom of establishment and freedom to provide services - but to facilitate the application of some of its provisions.

The package includes the following proposals:

+ the creation of a European Services e-card;

+ a proportionality assessment of national rules on professional services;

+ guidance for national reforms in regulation of professions;

+ improved notification of draft national laws on services.

European Commission: DG Communication: MEMO/17/11, 10.01.17, A services economy that works for Europeans: Questions and Answers http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-17-11_en.htm

EurActiv, 11.01.17: Commission wants to open up legal, architectural, and engineering professions http://www.euractiv.com/section/innovation-industry/news/commission-wants-to-open-up-legal-architectural-and-engineering-professions/

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