The European Commission has published a new strategy aimed at revitalizing the European single market, which is the cornerstone of Europe’s prosperity and resilience. For the European Conservatives and Reformists, a well-functioning single market is the most effective way to support jobs, investment, and innovation in the EU. MEP Piotr Müller, ECR coordinator in the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and leader of the Parliament’s efforts on this issue, commented on the matter.
“Europe does not need a patchwork—it needs a single market that meets expectations. For years, businesses have struggled with fragmented regulations, bureaucracy, and administrative burdens. The ECR Group has long called for reforms, and we are finally seeing an approach that addresses some of these issues,” said the MEP.
The ECR Group strongly supports focusing the strategy on reducing bureaucracy, simplifying EU product regulations, and eliminating the so-called “dreaded 10” barriers—which include cumbersome procedures and non-harmonized regulations, delays in the recognition of professional qualifications, and unjustified price discrimination.
Müller also emphasized the importance of public procurement reform: “Public procurement must be open, competitive, and accessible, especially for innovative companies and cross-border bidders. We need less complexity and more value for money.”
The ECR welcomes the fact that the Commission has taken the first steps, but the group remains cautious about the risk of superficial reforms. “All too often, the Commission ends up with a strategy full of good intentions but lacking results,” Müller warned. “Our companies don’t need another round of slogans—they need legal certainty, fair competition, and structural reform. That is exactly what entrepreneurs are asking for,” added the PiS politician. The ECR welcomes the planned targeted measures aimed at supporting SMEs and “small mid-cap companies,” such as the introduction of a digital SME identifier and a strengthened network of SME ombudsmen to facilitate cross-border operations. These practical tools reflect the ECR’s long-standing calls to facilitate the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in the European market.
The ECR Group will work constructively in Parliament, examine upcoming legislative proposals, and defend the integrity of the single market to ensure that ambitious goals are translated into action.
