Single market will make or break EU’s competitive ambitions

A stronger, future-proof single market will provide a unique environment from which to grow internationally. In contrast, fragmented and excessive regulation will cripple fledgling companies. 

That is the consistent message from Europe's technology industries as the European Commission releases its Single Market Strategy today. 

"The EU single market is Europe’s greatest strategic asset: we have to leverage it. If we get this right, Europe will be a powerhouse of innovation and technology. But we cannot be globally competitive with fragmented rules and heavy legislation," said Orgalim Director General Ulrich Adam. 

Reducing fragmentation and barriers

Reducing unnecessary fragmentation and red tape saves time and operational costs and - crucially for a continent striving to become more competitive - it will deliver a faster scale-up of new technologies for all 27 Member States.

"The EU's single market is unique: nowhere else in the world can you find countries working together to streamline products for a market of 440 million consumers. We must now ensure this is a springboard to drive competitiveness forward, rather than a weight that holds us back," continues Adam.

A clear and effective European standardisation system is a strong step towards making Europe's economy more competitive and future-ready, but implementing and enforcing those rules are equally important.

Orgalim proposes that common specifications be applied with caution to avoid undermining the standardisation system. Our primary position is that harmonised standards are the best and most effective tool to support harmonised legislation and, as such, their use should be prioritised.

Digital product information

From machinery to electronic equipment, today these arrive with a number of documents - in paper form - that manufacturers feel forced to include with each product that is sold.

Moving to digital versions has clear benefits for users and businesses.

It is also better for the environment, given the significant amount of printing currently required. In 2023, in Germany alone, paper booklets that accompanied domestic and consumer goods (kitchen appliances, televisions, smartphones etc) alongside the booklets printed to accompany products in the industrial sector (such as sensors for example) required roughly the equivalent of 2,000,000m² of forest being cleared. That is a surface area of approximately three times the size of the Brussels metropolitan area. 

Orgalim calls for legal clarity so manufacturers can choose the best format based on the product and end user, but ultimately believes that sharing information online, such as through a QR code, should be recognised as the new standard.

Orgalim welcomes the newly proposed Omnibus, which clarifies and aligns the rules. This is a sustainable and fast solution, which also supports the efforts of the EU to reduce bureaucracy.

Orgalim underlines the vital role of Member States in market surveillance - to make sure only compliant products are available in the single market. In addition, emphasis should not only focus on consumer products, but business-to-business (B2B) markets as well.