DEPARTMENT FOR
BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM News Release (2007/090)
issued by The Government News Network on 5 November 2007
The government
today launched its consultation on proposals to implement the
Services Directive.
The landmark agreement on the Directive means EU governments must
cut red tape and provide practical help to make it easier for
service providers to expand into other EU markets.
The UK, with its strong services sector, will be one of the
largest beneficiaries with benefits of up to £6 billion a year and
thousands of new jobs for the economy.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Consumer
Affairs, Gareth Thomas said:
"Small and medium sized firms that are often hardest hit by
the cost and time involved in trying to enter new markets will
benefit the most. Consumers will also benefit from a greater
choice of services, increased quality and lower prices.
"The Directive achieves these goals without affecting
essential protections in areas such as health and safety, and employment.
"We want to make the single market a reality across the EU.
We are already reforming regulation to simplify and remove
unnecessary burdens on business and I want to hear from as many
people as possible to help ensure we deliver this in a way that
will most benefit UK businesses and consumers." Eventually,
businesses wishing to operate in another EU country will be able
to use a new website to find out what they need to do to expand in
that country.
The consultation document includes proposals on:
* Increasing cooperation between regulatory and supervisory
bodies in the UK and European member states;
* Improving the quality of services and the rights of customers;
* Establishing an online point of single contact which will
provide essential information for service providers who want to
set up in the UK and enable them to complete the necessary
formalities; and
* Emerging conclusions from a review of regulation affecting
service provision.
The consultation will close on 11 February 2008. To contribute,
visit: http://www.berr.gov.uk/europeandtrade/europe/services-directive/page9583.html
Notes to editors:
1. The Directive was agreed in December 2006 and the Government
is required to implement requirements into UK legislation and
practices before 28 December 2009.
2. A draft impact assessment is also open for comment.
3. The Directive covers a wide range of services. These include:
* Business services - such as management consultancy;
advertising; facilities management and office management.
* Services to business and consumers - legal advice, estate
agents and letting agents, architects and distributive
trades.
* Consumer services - tourism including tour guides
and travel agents; leisure services, amusement parks, plumbers and electricians.
4. A number of industries and activities are excluded from the
Directive because they are covered, or will be covered, by
European law. These include financial services, electronic
communications services and networks, transport services,
temporary work agencies, healthcare services, audiovisual services
and gambling.
Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory
Reform
7th Floor, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET
Public enquiries +44 (0)20 7215 5000
Textphone +44 (0)20 7215
6740 (for those with hearing impairment)
http://www.berr.gov.uk