# Single Market Strategy Canonical URL: https://digital-acquis.eu/initiative/single-market-strategy Entry type: policy initiative Source edition current through: 31 August 2026 (2026-08-31). This is not a page modification date. Status: not recorded. A delivered policy initiative is not necessarily legislation in force. Document type: Communication Release date: 2025-05-21 ## Summary The Single Market Strategy addresses obstacles to operating, trading and working across EU borders. It combines simplification and stronger implementation with changes to company rules, public procurement, product regulation and services. Digital procedures, common standards and better recognition of qualifications are intended to reduce fragmentation. The strategy also covers worker mobility, construction and business services, communications networks and transport. Measures for SMEs and small mid-caps seek to make compliance more proportionate and improve access to markets and finance. Cooperation with national authorities and potential changes to preventive and enforcement tools support the wider programme. ## Sources - [Official source]() ## Action items (51; complete published list) ### 1. Action item 320001 Adopt simplification omnibus packages to reduce unnecessary burden to safeguard effective implementation of policy objectives such as the Digital Omnibus aimed at streamlining and simplifying certain elements of the EU digital acquis and the Omnibus to ease compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility obligations (ongoing) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 1. Digital dimension: yes. ### 2. Action item 320002 Competitiveness Checks during the impact assessment phase to ensure Single Market consistency and further innovation (ongoing) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 2. Digital dimension: yes. ### 3. Action item 320003 Review of national and European agencies in the field of the Single Market with a view to effective application of the law (Q1 2026) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 3. Digital dimension: yes. ### 4. Action item 320004 Revise the Public Procurement framework to centralise and streamline its fragmented and complex provisions, and to mainstream the use of sustainability, resilience, social and, in certain technologies and strategic sectors, European preference criteria in EU public procurement while ensuring competitive tenders (2026) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 4. Digital dimension: yes. ### 5. Action item 320005 In coordination with the revision of the Public Procurement framework, revise the Directive on defence and sensitive security procurements19 to simplify and harmonise rules and procedures for defence procurements and to take into account a possible European preference (2026) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 5. Digital dimension: yes. ### 6. Action item 320006 Call a first meeting of the high-level Single Market Sherpas (Q4 2025) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 6. Digital dimension: yes. ### 7. Action item 320007 Organise a first SMET annual high-level political meeting (Q4 2025) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 7. Digital dimension: yes. ### 8. Action item 320008 Propose a Single Market Barriers Prevention Act (Q3 2027, if necessary, based on the assessment of the functioning of existing preventive tools) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 8. Digital dimension: yes. ### 9. Action item 320009 Establish common rules to facilitate the digital setup of businesses and their operations across the Single Market (Legislative proposal on ‘28th regime’ - Q1 2026) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 9. Digital dimension: yes. ### 10. Action item 320010 Revise the Commission Recommendation on business transfers26 (Q4 2025) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 10. Digital dimension: yes. ### 11. Action item 320011 Explore EU legislation to address barriers to the mobility of workers. Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 11. Digital dimension: yes. ### 12. Action item 320012 Make the procedures for the recognition of professional qualifications faster and more efficient through the greater use of digital tools (Q4 2026) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 12. Digital dimension: yes. ### 13. Action item 320013 Facilitate the recognition of professional qualifications by extending automatic recognition schemes, for instance via Common Training Frameworks (Q4 2026) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 13. Digital dimension: yes. ### 14. Action item 320014 Explore EU legislation to establish common rules for the recognition and validation of qualifications and skills of third country nationals (Q4 2026) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 14. Digital dimension: yes. ### 15. Action item 320015 Allow the Commission to establish common specifications when needed (Omnibus proposal adopted together with the Strategy) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 15. Digital dimension: yes. ### 16. Action item 320016 Review the Standardisation Regulation (Legislative proposal - Q2 2026) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 16. Digital dimension: yes. ### 17. Action item 320017 Harmonise labelling rules via sectoral legislation and facilitate rollout of digital Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 17. Digital dimension: yes. ### 18. Action item 320018 labelling solutions via the Digital Product Passport (DPP) (progressive introduction of DPP, including possible inclusion via the New Legislative Framework review in Q2 2026) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 18. Digital dimension: yes. ### 19. Action item 320019 Remove unjustified authorised representative requirements from EPR schemes and reduce reporting obligations, including by limiting them to an annual frequency (Omnibus proposal Q4 2025) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 19. Digital dimension: yes. ### 20. Action item 320020 Address the fragmentation created by heterogenous national EPR schemes through further harmonisation, simplification and digitalisation, including through a digital one- stop shop for information, registration and reporting (as part of the legislative proposal for a Circular Economy Act Q4 2026) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 20. Digital dimension: yes. ### 21. Action item 320021 Reform end-of-waste and by-product criteria and provide a more harmonised, leaner framework in the Single Market for reaching end-of-waste and by-product status. Ease the adoption of EU-wide end-of-waste criteria and enable the adoption of such criteria for priority waste feedstocks. Facilitate cross-border shipments of waste feedstocks for recycling (as part of the legislative proposal for a Circular Economy Act - Q4 2026). Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 21. Digital dimension: yes. ### 22. Action item 320022 Take effective action to increase product compliance by tapping into synergies with capacities of the EU and national customs and market surveillance authorities and potentially establishing an EU Market Surveillance Authority (as of Q3 2025) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 22. Digital dimension: yes. ### 23. Action item 320023 Modernise product legislation framework to harness digitalisation, promote circularity and strengthen safeguards (Review of the New Legislative Framework – possible legislative proposal Q2 2026) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 23. Digital dimension: yes. ### 24. Action item 320024 Launch an initiative to facilitate the provision of pan-EU services by providers authorised or certified in one Member State on the basis of EU law, potentially including the harmonisation of such authorisation and certification schemes (Q2 2026) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 24. Digital dimension: yes. ### 25. Action item 320025 Develop legal guidance and recommendations to Member States to provide clarity on the right to provide services cross-border on a temporary basis (Q2 2026) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 25. Digital dimension: yes. ### 26. Action item 320026 Continue supporting the co-legislators to conclude negotiations on: Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 26. Digital dimension: yes. ### 27. Action item 320027 the revision of Regulations (EC) Nos 883/2004 and 987/2009 on social security coordination; Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 27. Digital dimension: yes. ### 28. Action item 320028 the proposal for a public interface for the declaration of posting of workers (COM 2024/531). Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 28. Digital dimension: yes. ### 29. Action item 320029 Launch a Fair Labour Mobility Package (2026), including – inter alia: Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 29. Digital dimension: yes. ### 30. Action item 320030 Following up to the ongoing pilot activities, proposal of a European Social Security Pass (ESSPASS) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 30. Digital dimension: yes. ### 31. Action item 320031 Proposal for strengthening of the European Labour Authority (ELA) including reviewing its mandate Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 31. Digital dimension: yes. ### 32. Action item 320032 Consider measures to make it easier to temporarily provide services cross- border, while protecting workers’ rights Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 32. Digital dimension: yes. ### 33. Action item 320033 Develop tools to act against unjustified Territorial Supply Constraints to cover situations beyond those captured by competition law, such as unilateral practices of large manufacturers (Proposal - Q4 2026) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 33. Digital dimension: yes. ### 34. Action item 320034 Propose a Construction Services Act to lower barriers to cross-border market access for construction and installation services (Q4 2026) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 34. Digital dimension: no. ### 35. Action item 320035 Work with Member States to simplify permitting and planning procedures to increase the supply of housing in the context of the European Affordable Housing Plan and the European Strategy for Housing Construction (Q1 2026) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 35. Digital dimension: yes. ### 36. Action item 320036 Launch initiative to facilitate the cross-border provision of industry-related services such as installation, maintenance and repair services (Q4 2025) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 36. Digital dimension: yes. ### 37. Action item 320037 Issue guidance and recommendations to Member States to free regulated business services from unnecessary regulation hindering investment and trade (Q1 2026) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 37. Digital dimension: yes. ### 38. Action item 320038 Develop guidance to Member States on the proportionality of their retail regulation (Q4 2026) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 38. Digital dimension: no. ### 39. Action item 320039 Propose a new EU Delivery Act, to replace the Postal Services Directive and Cross-border Parcels Regulation (legislative proposal Q4 2026) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 39. Digital dimension: no. ### 40. Action item 320040 Propose a Digital Networks Act to simplify the legal framework and foster the completion of a Single Market for electronic communications (Q4 2025) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 40. Digital dimension: yes. ### 41. Action item 320041 Launch initiative for single digital booking and ticketing for rail (Q4 2025) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 41. Digital dimension: yes. ### 42. Action item 320042 Launch initiative for paperless mobility for passengers and goods (Q4 2026) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 42. Digital dimension: no. ### 43. Action item 320043 Launch initiative on cross-border car rentals (Q3 2025) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 43. Digital dimension: no. ### 44. Action item 320044 Ensure harmonised implementation and enforcement of the existing horizontal legal framework (EU Services Directive57) (ongoing) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 44. Digital dimension: no. ### 45. Action item 320045 Provide an SME ID tool based on self-declaration available in all EU languages to facilitate proof of SME status, where appropriate (together with the Single Market Strategy) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 45. Digital dimension: yes. ### 46. Action item 320046 Reinforce the Network of SME Envoys, including to encourage the voluntary adoption of measures encouraging SME cross-border trade and contribute to the administrative burden reduction agenda (Q3 2025) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 46. Digital dimension: no. ### 47. Action item 320047 Publish best practice examples of SME-friendly provisions that can be systematically considered for inclusion in draft legislative acts and negotiations (Q3 2025) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 47. Digital dimension: yes. ### 48. Action item 320048 Adopt a definition of small mid-caps and an SMC omnibus (together with the Single Market Strategy) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 48. Digital dimension: yes. ### 49. Action item 320049 Extend the existing SME fund, implemented by the EUIPO, for 2026 and possibly 2027 (Q4 2025) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 49. Digital dimension: yes. ### 50. Action item 320050 Adopt a Commission Recommendation for a ‘Voluntary SME’ standard (VSME) to manage sustainability requests to SMEs stemming from their value chain and financial partners (Q3 2025) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 50. Digital dimension: yes. ### 51. Action item 320051 Develop a voluntary streamlined approach to help SMEs demonstrate their sustainability efforts and improve their access to sustainable finance, including by assessing the need to amend the Taxonomy Disclosures Delegated Act to allow financial institutions to better reflect their financing activities of those SMEs (Q1 2026 / Q2 2026) Provenance: source document doc-033, paragraph 51. Digital dimension: yes. ## Referenced entries - [Digital Networks Act (DNA)]() — status: in progress. This law will build a true Single Market for connectivity by harmonising authorisations and spectrum policy, enabling cross-border services and a coordinated path to 6G. It modernises the telecom rulebook to spur investment in fibre, 5G and cloud/edge networks, integrates satellite services, and tackles market fragmentation that keeps Europe split into various national markets. It will streamline permits, clarify open-internet rules for innovative services, support copper switch-off and cloud-based network transformation, and target up to a 50% reduction in reporting burdens. A stronger EU governance model will replace patchwork oversight, boosting resilience, security and scale for operators and users. Source document doc-033, action item 320040: > Propose a Digital Networks Act to simplify the legal framework and foster the completion of a Single Market for electronic communications (Q4 2025) - [Fair Labour Mobility Package]() — status: forthcoming. The Package will remove frictions to cross-border work while safeguarding rights, making Europe’s labour market more efficient. It will propose a European Social Security Pass for digital verification of entitlements, streamline posting procedures, and clarify social-security coordination for cross-border remote work. The package will strengthen the European Labour Authority’s mandate and data capabilities to improve enforcement and joint inspections. A Skills Portability Initiative will simplify recognition of qualifications and interoperable digital credentials, including for third-country nationals. Together, these measures cut administrative burden for employers and workers, enable service provision, and support talent circulation across the Single Market. Source document doc-033, action item 320029: > Launch a Fair Labour Mobility Package (2026), including – inter alia: - [Circular Economy Act (CEA)]() — status: forthcoming. The Act will create a true Single Market for waste and secondary raw materials, boosting supply and demand for quality recyclates at competitive prices. It will harmonise end-of-waste criteria, simplify and expand extended producer responsibility (including a one-stop producer registry), and revise e-waste rules to recover critical materials, while aligning with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products framework. Public procurement criteria, incentives for scrap use, and digitalised demolition permits will accelerate circular design and recycling. Strong enforcement—including for e-commerce channels—will ensure compliance. Source document doc-033, action item 320020: > Address the fragmentation created by heterogenous national EPR schemes through further harmonisation, simplification and digitalisation, including through a digital one- stop shop for information, registration and reporting (as part of the legislative proposal for a Circular Economy Act Q4 2026) Source document doc-033, action item 320021: > Reform end-of-waste and by-product criteria and provide a more harmonised, leaner framework in the Single Market for reaching end-of-waste and by-product status. Ease the adoption of EU-wide end-of-waste criteria and enable the adoption of such criteria for priority waste feedstocks. Facilitate cross-border shipments of waste feedstocks for recycling (as part of the legislative proposal for a Circular Economy Act - Q4 2026). - [EU Inc. – 28th Regime]() — status: in progress. It will create an optional, EU-wide corporate framework—digital by default—to let innovative firms set up, operate, and raise capital seamlessly across borders. The proposal may rely on TFEU Article 352 or a harmonised national form via Articles 50/114, with a progressive, modular design. It targets 48-hour incorporation and “once-only” data sharing via BRIS, EUID, and an EU Company Certificate, leveraging the European Business Wallet. Investment-friendly options under consideration include simpler capital increases, flexible share classes, and standard private-equity terms. Complementing the European Innovation Act, it cuts failure costs, fragmentation, and compliance burdens. Source document doc-033, action item 320009: > Establish common rules to facilitate the digital setup of businesses and their operations across the Single Market (Legislative proposal on ‘28th regime’ - Q1 2026) - [Single Digital Booking and Ticketing]() — status: in progress. The Commission will propose an EU framework enabling passengers to buy a single ticket for cross-border rail journeys across multiple operators, with passengers’ rights applying across the whole trip. It will mandate interoperable data and open, non-discriminatory APIs for schedules, fares and reservation systems; ensure through-ticketing, real-time disruption information and seamless refunds/re-routing; and set governance for liability, revenue settlement and dispute resolution. The initiative complements paperless mobility actions and aims to make rail a convenient, default choice for long-distance travel while boosting tourism and Single Market integration. Source document doc-033, action item 320041: > Launch initiative for single digital booking and ticketing for rail (Q4 2025) - [Single Market Barriers Prevention Act]() — status: forthcoming. The EU will move from reacting to fragmentation to preventing it at source. Building on the Single Market Strategy, the Act would systematise ex-ante screening of draft national measures, reinforce notification/transparency obligations, and require Member States to self-assess EU-law compliance before adoption, curbing “gold-plating.” It would hard-wire a competitiveness/SME check for significant amendments, introduce rapid-reaction deadlines to fix non-compliant rules, and align agencies and regulators to ensure uniform application. Annual progress reporting and more decisive infringement where needed will anchor accountability, complemented by a shift to digital-by-default administration and a “1-in, 27-out” simplification ethos to keep new barriers from emerging. Source document doc-033, action item 320008: > Propose a Single Market Barriers Prevention Act (Q3 2027, if necessary, based on the assessment of the functioning of existing preventive tools) - [Review of National and European Agencies]() — status: forthcoming. The Commission will audit mandates, governance and resources of Single Market authorities to eliminate overlap, gaps and conflicting procedures. The review will benchmark performance, map workflows, and propose consolidation, clarified competences, interoperable IT, joint inspections and mutual recognition of decisions. It will align agency tasks with the ‘Terrible Ten’ barrier agenda and forthcoming Omnibus simplifications, reducing compliance friction for SMEs and small mid-caps. Deliverables include a reform blueprint and actions to streamline supervision in priority sectors. Expected outcomes: accountability, faster enforcement, consistent interpretation of EU law, lower costs, and improved consumer protection. Source document doc-033, action item 320003: > Review of national and European agencies in the field of the Single Market with a view to effective application of the law (Q1 2026) ## Associated policy priorities - [Infrastructure & Strategic Resources]() - [Competitiveness, Innovation & Strategic Investment]() - [Human Capital, Skills & Talent Mobility]() - [Single Market Deepening & Harmonisation]() - [Implementation, Simplification & Better Regulation]() --- [Reading guide and interpretation notes]() · [Methodology]()