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Business First Issue2 Vol5 CH3:Layout 1 23/10/2009 15:57 Page 20
Services Directive
Doing business in Europe
is becoming easier!
B
usinesses in around two-thirds of the services sector will soon
be able to take greater advantage of European markets thanks
to the EU Services Directive. As an EU* business you will Example: using the Point
benefit from:
• Online licence applications through a web-based
of Single Contact
Point of Single Contact in every country to
establish legal requirements for operating locally. What was the problem?
• Streamlined regulation, including greater A small UK travel agent was set up in 1993 to offer small
recognition of licences in other European group bus tours, personalised holidays and city breaks in
countries Northern Ireland. They decided to expand their business
• Less red tape as European countries remove
by setting up as a travel agent in another EU country.
unnecessary barriers to business
Under the present law, to set up there they would have to
• A wider customer base.
deal with numerous different authorities often at
national, regional and local level all with different
Business Minister Ian Lucas notes that “the market for services in
procedures and forms.
Europe is opening up. It's important that UK firms are ready to
grasp the opportunities this presents for new jobs and growth." Mr.
How could the Point of Single Contact help?
Lucas added that opening up European markets for services would
also be good news for consumers with greater choice and lower
The company would be able to identify the other
prices.
country’s Point of Single Contact by the EUGO logo on
the website. The company would then be able to identify
To ensure consumers anywhere in Europe consider buying
and complete all necessary authorisation processes at all
services from abroad, the Services Directive will ensure they have
levels of government through this website. They could do
access to a minimum amount of information no matter where in
this electronically and from their own office without
Europe a business is based. From the end of 2009, businesses will
having to travel to the country in question. All their on-
have to ensure that clients have access to certain information
line applications through the point of single contact
about the service they provide. The requirements are simple and
would be clearly identified and would involve a definite
should not need businesses to take much action to fulfil them.
time period for notification, which would give them
certainty in their business planning.
The Directive will benefit those in the service industry in a variety
of ways. For example a locally based event organiser wishes to
operate in France. They would be able to log onto the Point of
Single Contact portal in France and there they would be able to
find out what authorisations, if any, they needed to operate in
France.
Similarly a British construction company wants to set up business
in Sweden. They go to the Swedish Point of Single Contact portal
where they can find out what they need to do to open a branch
there, fill out any necessary applications, and receive their permits
online.
The Services Directive comes into force across the EU on 28
December 2009.
You can visit www.bis.gov.uk/servicesdirective for more details
on how this can benefit your business, including FAQs and
Business Link - the UK Point of Single Contact will be
business guidance or e-mail servicesdirective@bis.gsi.gov.uk with
provided at www.businesslink.gov.uk, and will be
any queries.
available for use by UK businesses as well as other
* The Directive applies across the European Economic Area, i.e.
European businesses.
EU countries plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
EUGO Logo - This branding will be on the Points of
Single Contact in each Member state.
20
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