Opening borders for business
News from Enterprise Europe Yorkshire
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From the end of December this year, it should become easier for service providers based in Yorkshire & the Humber to do business elsewhere in Europe, thanks to a European Directive adopted in 2006.
From 28th December, firms which offer services should be able to set up a new business or branch under simpler and faster procedures, or alternatively offer their services more easily in other EU countries without having to establish a business. They should also be able to get information and complete the necessary paperwork through a “Point of Single Contact” in each country.
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Individuals and businesses offering a wide range of services should find things easier, including retailers, construction firms, catering and tourism businesses, as well as many regulated professions such as architects and engineers. Some sectors are excluded, including financial and transport services (which are covered by other rules) and healthcare.
Whilst goods have been able to move around the EU more freely for some time, legal and administrative barriers have meant that it has been much more difficult to offer services in other countries. Hopefully this will now change.
Here in the UK, it is the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) which is responsible for implementing the Directive. As part of this role, it is going to be closely monitoring things to make sure that they are working as they should for UK firms.
In order to do this, BIS is currently inviting companies to let it know in which areas it should be concentrating its efforts. If you are interested in giving your views, please click here, to go to the website of our colleagues in the South East who are helping to compile the feedback.
If you want to know more about the so-called Services Directive and what it might mean for your business, please call the Enterprise Europe Network hotline on 0800 052 8156.
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