Parliament presses Commission to deliver “real” single market 

Brussels — The European Parliament’s Internal Market Committee (IMCO) in a structured dialogue with Stéphane Séjourné sharpened its message to the Commission. Political momentum on competitiveness must now translate into tangible progress on the single market.

The exchange comes as strengthening Europe’s economic competitiveness has become a defining priority of the 2024–2029 legislative cycle.

Presenting the Commission’s approach, Commission for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy Séjourné outlined a broad package of initiatives aimed at deepening the single market. Arguing that fragmentation remains one of the EU’s most persistent economic constraints, he stressed that “simplification is above all about harmonisation,” pointing to a shift towards regulations rather than directives to avoid divergent national rules.

Central to this effort is the so-called “28th regime,” a proposed optional EU-wide legal framework designed to allow companies to operate seamlessly across borders. The initiative, alongside flagship files such as the Product Act, Circular Economy Act and plans for an integrated Savings and Investments Union, forms part of a wider roadmap targeting delivery by the end of 2027.

Séjourné acknowledged that the single market has too often failed to be treated as a political priority. To address this, Member States have been asked to appoint high-level “Sherpas” tasked with driving national-level implementation and overcoming domestic resistance.

Political backing, but demands for delivery

MEPs across political groups broadly welcomed the Commission’s direction but questioned whether it would be sufficient to overcome long-standing barriers.

Doubts arose around risks of little action and weak Council engagement, calling for “less but better regulation” and a “genuine rather than theoretical single market.”

Similarly, the debate emphasised that incomplete market integration remains a “homemade disadvantage” for Europe’s competitiveness, urging the Commission to address Member States’ reluctance to remove national barriers.

Questions also focused on the broader competitiveness framework, seeking updates on the Commission’s roadmap and the removal of key obstacles identified in the so-called “Terrible Ten” barriers to the single market.

Séjourné responded that progress will depend heavily on political will in national capitals, while reaffirming the Commission’s intention to pursue a more sector-based approach targeting high-potential areas such as services, construction and retail.

Fault lines on regulation and sovereignty

Lawmakers from the Greens warned against allowing the competitiveness agenda to slide into a “race to deregulation,” arguing instead for a more strategic use of public procurement to strengthen Europe’s technological base.

The Commission confirmed that a dedicated proposal on digital sovereignty will be tabled by the end of May, with procurement rules expected to play a central role in shaping the outcome.

Tensions also surfaced around the Commission’s “Made in Europe” approach under the Industrial Accelerator Act. While the Commission framed the initiative as a tool to secure reciprocal access to third-country procurement markets, lawmakers from across the political spectrum questioned whether it could introduce new frictions within the single market.

The Commission defended the proposal as a form of “commercial leverage,” arguing that persistent asymmetries in global procurement markets require a more assertive EU stance. 

Consumer protection and market surveillance

If industrial policy revealed one set of fault lines, consumer protection exposed another, particularly in the fast-growing e-commerce sector, where enforcement gaps remain significant.

Lawmakers from the S&D Group raised concerns about the continued influx of non-compliant products via online marketplaces, while the EPP Group worries that extending liability too far could disadvantage European platforms compared to larger international competitors.

The Commission presented the Product Act as a key instrument to strengthen oversight, and while details remain under development, stricter liability for online platforms is expected to form part of the package.

A familiar balancing act

The exchange reflects a broader tension at the heart of the EU’s competitiveness agenda. As Brussels pushes forward with an ambitious legislative pipeline the challenge lies in implementing them coherently.

While efforts to deepen the single market and reduce regulatory fragmentation are widely seen as essential to closing the gap with competitors, disagreements persist over how to balance openness with strategic autonomy. 

For now, Parliament appears aligned with the Commission on the direction of their work. But political credibility will ultimately depend on delivery.