Communication on taking stock of and updating the reform recommendations for regulation in professional services of 2017

Summary:

Communication published by the European Commission on 9 July 2021, taking stock and updating a set of recommendations aimed at reforming regulation in professional services.

Further information:

In January 2017, the European Commission issued a Communication comprising recommendations to the Member States of the European Union (EU) on national reforms for regulation in professional services. The aim was to encourage and assist Member States in creating a regulatory environment conducive to growth, innovation and job creation. However, the Commission argues that there was only limited progress on reforming professional regulation in the EU ever since, and much of it was prompted by infringement procedures. The weakness of a single market for services was highlighted in the Annual Single Market Report 2021.

This Communication monitors the reform progress, increases awareness of burdensome regulation, and identifies areas for reforms with the highest economic potential. It takes stock of action on regulation in professional services, and updates the recommendations laid out in 2017 to take into account existing priorities and the socioeconomic context. The recommendations focus on seven professional business services: architects, engineers, lawyers, accountants, patent agents, real estate agents and tourist guides. They address national rules that regulate access to and exercise of these services.

The document is in line with the latest Communication on the EU's industrial strategy. It also a deliverable of the Commission's 2020 Enforcement Action Plan. The accompanying Staff Working Document (SWD) comprises more detailed analysis of the national rules on specific professional services accompanies the recommendations.

• Primary Source

Official

EUR-LEX: SWD(2021)185: Staff Working Document accompanying the Communication - Detailed information on the assessment of regulation in professional services https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2021:185:FIN

European Commission: Press Release, 09/07/2021: Commission calls on Member States to build a more competitive and dynamic business services market https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_3404

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