Our mission

The DG’s mission is to develop and maintain a dynamic and open European single market that enables citizens to meet the challenges of globalisation. We aim to provide a regulatory environment that enhances competitiveness, stimulates innovation, and promotes financial stability. We also aim to improve the range and quality of products and services available at competitive prices throughout the Single Market in order to deliver higher living standards, better job opportunities, and a prosperous economic future for all citizens.

In this context, the Internal Market and Services Directorate-general is directly responsible for proposing and – once laws are adopted by the European Parliament and Council – controlling the implementing of a European legal framework in the following specific areas: regulated professions, services, company law and corporate governance, public procurement, intellectual and industrial property and postal services’ In the area of financial services, it aims at establishing the legal framework for the integration of the Union’s capital markets and the creation of a single market for financial services.

The first role of the Directorate-general is therefore to bring forward proposals for legislation aiming to remove barriers, thus simplifying life for consumers and for businesses, stimulating competition, reducing prices and widening choice. This involves not only making it easier for goods and services to circulate, but also making it easier for EU citizens to work and to live in other EU countries.

The second responsibility of the Directorate-General is to ensure that the opportunities offered by the Single Market are fully exploited. It does so by controlling the full and timely respect of Community law in co-operation with the Member States and by monitoring closely how EU law is being applied in practice.

The third task for the Directorate-general is to inform citizens and businesses about the rights they have within the Single Market and of the benefits available to them.

More details on our mission, activities and priorities can be found in the DG Internal Market and Services’ Management Plan for 2014(716 KB).

The policies we are responsible for

In addition to our general responsibilities for making the Single Market work and removing the obstacles to free movement of services and capital and to freedom of establishment, our Directorate-General is charged with developing the Single Market and implementing an European legal framework in these specific sectors:

The policy areas related to free movement of people, in particular residency issues and visa policy, fall within the remit of the DGs Justice and Home Affairs; free movement of workers is a matter for DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion; and free movement of goods is the responsibility of DG Enterprise. Several other Commission Directorate-Generals, for example those responsible for taxation and customs union, the information society, transport and energy, the environment and health and consumer protection are also involved in taking forward the Single Market in the sectors in which they specialise.

The legislation we are responsible for

Here is a list of the EU legislation adopted in the specific sectors above and for which DG Internal Market and Services is responsible:

Legislation in force (24.01.2012)