Policy Brief

The Single Market is Europe’s primary economic asset, crucial for growth, prosperity and resilience amid increasing global economic uncertainties and geopolitical challenges. However, the market is still hampered by significant barriers, such as, overly complex EU rules, fragmented national regulations, burdensome administrative procedures, slow digitalisation and inconsistent enforcement. These bottlenecks prevent firms, especially SMEs, from exploiting the full potential of crossborder opportunities, thereby undermining Europe’s competitiveness, productivity and strategic autonomy.

The European Commission published the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, addressing the urgent need for Europe to position itself as a global startup powerhouse. While Europe already has a robust foundation, including a skilled workforce, a stable regulatory environment, and an advanced research and innovation framework, significant challenges persist.

The European Union’s economic competitiveness, resilience, and innovation capacity rest fundamentally on its people. Yet for the past decades, the EU has experienced a deepening skills crisis that threatens its ability to thrive in a rapidly changing global landscape. The Union of Skills initiative, announced in March 2025, is the European Commission’s strategic response to this challenge.

The European Commission has unveiled a new Simplification and Implementation agenda aimed at reducing regulatory burdens, enhancing policy effectiveness, and fostering a more business-friendly environment across the EU. This initiative aligns with the Commission’s broader objectives of improving competitiveness, accelerating the green and digital transitions, and ensuring that EU policies yield tangible benefits. For SMEs, these reforms could be transformative, streamlining administrative processes and facilitating access to funding and markets.

The Clean Industrial Deal is a European Commission strategy which aims to drive the decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries, promote circular economy principles, and enhance the competitiveness of European manufacturing through green innovation and investment.

The European Commission has presented a Communication on the EU’s budgetary priorities and the financial challenges in funding its strategic objectives, ahead of issuing a proposal for a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2028-2034

The European Commission has introduced the Competitiveness Compass to address long-standing economic challenges and reinvigorate Europe’s global standing. Over time, the EU has lagged behind competitors in productivity growth, innovation, and technological leadership. The EU faces stiff competition from the United States in advanced technologies and from China in industrial expansion. Furthermore, businesses within the EU struggle with high energy prices, regulatory complexity, and supply chain vulnerabilities.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: New Packaging Regulations for a Sustainable Future. Discover the latest rules on recyclable packaging, minimum recycled content, package minimization, and bans on single-use plastics in hotels and food establishments.

The initiative aims to bolster Europe’s economic and strategic autonomy, by focusing on resilience, sustainability, and digital competitiveness.

The latest initiative on Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing is set to revolutionize the EU’s approach towards sustainable production. Discover how the EU proposes to tackle regulatory hurdles, boost innovation, and foster investment to unlock the full potential of biotech.

The EU is revising the framework to ensure fair, transparent, and informative traineeships. Key measures include fair pay, social protection, and preventing disguised employment.

These changes aim to bridge skills gaps and support young professionals

The EU’s Transition Pathway Platform focuses on a sustainable and resilient agri-food system by 2030.

The European Commission aims to make Europe the world’s first cliamte-neutral continent by 2050

The European Commission has unveiled a holistic strategy to enhance Europe’s Digital Infrastructures of tomorrow

The new European Economic Security Strategy paves the way for the European economy of the future

The EU prioritizes advanced materials for green and digital transitions

The revised package travel directive proposes changes to the functioning of travel package operators, on the aspects of refunds, downpayments, insolvency protection, and linked travel arrangements, among others.

EU proposes recycling-oriented Packaging Directive revision; businesses face challenges; call for clear guidelines and support.

EU proposes Short Term Rental regulation for fair play, host registration, and transparency in accommodation services.

EU adopts directives for fair compensation, updates liability rules, includes AI, aligns with circular economy.

EU’s Listing Act addresses finance gaps, offering viable alternatives for European companies’ sustainable growth.

EU proposes Industrial Design Reform for broader product scope, digital forms, and defence mechanisms.

EU proposes Right to Repair Directive to cut product waste, boost circularity, and enhance consumer protection.

EU proposes Directive to curb misleading green claims by companies, ensuring reliability, preventing greenwashing, and promoting circular economy.

EU’s Net Zero Industry Act accelerates net-zero tech production, faster permits, sustainability in public procurement.

EU Council Recommendations emphasize digital education, skills, and strategies for Member States’ implementation.

EU Cyber Security Package boosts resilience, skills; Malta adopts measures, National Cyber Security Strategy.

EU proposes IP regulations for transparent framework, covering patents, crisis licensing, and supplementary protection certificates.

Revised EU directives target energy efficiency, renewables, emissions reduction, sustainable fuels, infrastructure, and tax reform.

EU proposes amendments to enhance digital tools in Company Law, reduce administrative burdens for businesses.

EU proposes major pharmaceutical legislation reform for better access, affordability, innovation; addressing patient access, supply security, and AMR.

EU proposes Customs Union reform for streamlined procedures, digital transformation, risk management, and e-commerce focus.

EU’s CBAM sets rules for carbon-equivalent pricing on imports, reporting obligations, penalties for non-compliance.

EU proposes measures for euro banknotes, coins, and a legal framework for a digital euro. Prioritizes accessibility, privacy, and monetary sovereignty.

EU proposes Waste Framework Directive revision focusing on textile and food waste reduction targets. Key obligations outlined for producers.

EU businesses, especially SMEs, face late payment challenges; proposed Late Payment Regulation aims to improve payment discipline, protect companies.

EU Commission proposes ADR framework review, broadening digital tools, simplifying consumer redress for cross-border disputes.

EU unveils Skills and Talent Mobility package, featuring EU Talent Pool, qualifications recognition, and learner mobility.

EU introduces VAT overhaul: real-time reporting, updated rules for transport platforms, single registration for businesses.