The European Commission is set to implement a strategy aimed at revitalizing the Single Market, which boasts a GDP of €18 trillion ($20.58 trillion), making it the world’s second-largest economy and nearly 18% of the global economic output. This market encompasses 30 countries, catering to around 450 million consumers and housing 26 million businesses, thereby providing extensive access to a diverse array of products, services, and investment opportunities.
In response to a request from the European Council in April 2024, the Commission is developing a comprehensive Single Market strategy targeted for completion by June 2025. This extensive plan features over 50 initiatives designed to streamline business operations within the Single Market by focusing on removing trade barriers, encouraging job creation, and stimulating economic growth.
The strategy highlights several key priorities, including the elimination of trade obstacles, revitalization of the service sector in Europe, support for the growth and expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), simplification of existing regulations, integration of digitalization, and improvement of collaborative governance and ownership of the Single Market.
The sporting goods sector, represented by the Federation of European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI), has expressed strong support for the identification and planned removal of fragmented labeling requirements and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, which are part of the “Terrible Ten” barriers outlined in the new Single Market strategy.
Jérôme Pero, Secretary General of FESI, remarked, “The acknowledgment of challenges related to packaging, labeling, and EPR as significant market barriers reflects the longstanding concerns we have raised in our industry. Today’s strategy is a positive step forward, and we are eager to see these commitments put into action.”
The anticipated changes are expected to significantly ease the burden on businesses, especially SMEs that have struggled with varying compliance responsibilities across different countries.
However, FESI has raised concerns about recent European Commission actions that seem to contradict the intended goals of the strategy, particularly the approval of France’s Ecoscore system shortly before the strategy was announced, which may lead to increased regulatory fragmentation.
“We appreciate the ambitious goals of the strategy, but consistency will be crucial. Approving national measures like Ecoscore while promoting harmonization raises concerns. We urge the Commission to ensure that its actions do not undermine the objectives set forth today,” Pero stated.
FESI is committed to supporting the implementation of the proposed strategy and is keen to work with both the Commission and member states to achieve swift and enforceable outcomes. Additionally, the sporting goods industry in Europe, mainly comprised of SMEs, is eager to actively contribute towards creating a more competitive, sustainable, and fully integrated Single Market.
FESI represents around 1,800 manufacturers, with 70 to 75% of its membership being SMEs.
