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techUK Deputy CEO Antony Walker comments on launch of Digital Single Market package from the European Commission

Digital Single Market must deliver on promise to create 3.8 million jobs

EU must make it easier for Europe's businesses to innovate and grow

techUK yesterday welcomed the launch of the European Commission's Digital Single Market (DSM) strategy and supports the approach based on three pillars: better access for consumers and businesses to online goods and services; creating the conditions for digital networks and services to flourish; and maximising the growth potential of the EU's digital economy. But the trade association has warned that the only way to secure 3.8 million new jobs in Europe will be to make it easier, not harder for businesses to innovate.

Antony Walker, techUK's Deputy CEO said yesterday:

"European policy makers have a unique opportunity to secure Europe's future in the fast moving global digital economy, but the DSM needs to make it easier for digital businesses to innovate and grow across Europe.

"There are many elements we support in today's strategy. Having different rules in 28 member states has held back the growth of Europe's digital economy. Proposals to eliminate barriers to the delivery of digital goods and services across the EU will be good for business, good for consumers and good for growth. The focus on accelerating the digitisation of all sectors of the economy will be essential for driving Europe's productivity.

"But we have to guard against new barriers being erected: Europe should be driving the development of global standards not regional ones; it should be creating a regulatory framework for the future, not reinforcing regulation designed for the past; and it needs to ensure that new proposals for legislation are based on a clear understanding of the facts, not assumptions about how the digital economy works or attempts to rein-in Europe's competitors.

"Europe works best when it makes life simpler and clearer for consumers and businesses. Core concepts such as the Country of Origin principle mean that small innovative European businesses know that if their products and practices are compliant in one country they are compliant everywhere. This gives them the confidence to invest and scale across Europe and enables simple one stop shop solutions to regulatory compliance. Europe must not back away from these essential harmonising concepts that support growth."

>>> Read more about the Digital Single Market package here

>>> According to recent research by the Boston Consulting Group, the UK's digital economy is world leading in terms of proportion of GDP

>>> Read techUK's paper Creating a Digital Single Market for Jobs and Inclusive Growth

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