TAIEX Seminar on the Directive on Services in the Internal Market Warsaw, Points of single contact Sophie Malétras

Administrative simplification Program of administrative simplification and modernisation applying to all procedures and formalities necessary for access to and exercise of a service activity –Apply both in case of establishment and temporary provisions of services –No distinction between domestic and foreign providers 3 pillars –Simplification of procedures and formalities applicable to service providers –Setting-up of the « points of single contact » –Electronic procedures

Administrative simplification Simplification of procedures and formalities Broad notion of procedures and formalities: any administrative step which businesses are required to take. Assessment by MS of all administrative requirements in the light of their necessity. Assessment by MS of requirements imposing the production of documents in a specific form. MS have to accept equivalent documents from other MS

Administrative simplification Points of single contact Art 6: MS shall ensure that it is possible for providers to complete the procedures and formalities needed for access to or exercise of a service activities.  The setting up of points of single contact as single interlocutors for service providers  Objective: reduction of red tape and facilitation of the completion of procedures by the service providers

Administrative simplification - Completion of procedures and formalities - PSC have to be available for completion of procedures and formalities that providers have to comply with in a MS  It includes: authorisations, declarations, notifications, allocation of a company registration number… Through PSC, providers should be able to –Obtain all pertinent information, forms and documents –Submit documents and applications –Receive the decisions and other replies relating to their application.

Administrative simplification -the setting-up of PSC- Each MS free to decide how to organise the PSC in its territory but has to ensure that the PSC is single for the provider. Competences of PSC –Coordinating role –Allocation of certain decisional powers MS free to decide to whom attributing the task of PSC

Administrative simplification Information to be provided through PSC accessible at distance and via electronic means covers –requirements service providers have to comply with –means of and conditions for accessing public registers and databases –contact details of the competent authorities

Administrative simplification Assistance to be provided through PSC On request, PSC should provide assistance on the way requirements are applied or interpreted. Additionnal information to be provided in a clear and unambiguous manner. Encouraging the use of other languages.

Administrative simplification Electronic procedures Essential tool to make administrative procedures at distance less burdensome Contribution to the modernisation of public administrations Legal commitment under the Services Directive to put in place electronic procedures by the end of 2009.

Thank you for your attention Sophie Malétras European Commission DG Internal Market and Services