European Single Market: Evolution and Modern Challenges

Abstract

This paper draws on the methods of analysis and synthesis to study the regulatory framework governing the modern operating mechanism of the EU single market. Statistical analysis made it possible to reflect the market dynamics with reference to the pre-and post-COVID crisis periods. Consolidation was applied to merge data on the trade of goods and servicesthe key elements of the EU Member States' trade indicators. Finally, the method of comparative analysis was employed to compare the single market environment of the EU with markets of other countries. The functioning of the single market depends on shared responsibility between the EU's centralized management and the many policies of its Member States. There are barriers within the single market system that limit the free movement of goods, services, people and capital and lead to an imbalance. These are sanitary and phytosanitary standards, tariff measures, and technical and quantitative barriers.

Is there a Common Digital Market in the European Union? Implications for the European Digitalization Strategy

“…On the other hand, each country is responsible for defining and implementing its own information society development policies. The functioning of a fully digital single market depends on shared responsibility between the EU's centralized management and the specific policies of its Member States, but there are still barriers within the single digital market that continue to lead to a digital divide (Loktionova et al, 2022). The development of an internet marketplace has created major regulatory challenges at the EU level, such as data protection issues and the taxation of e‐commerce (Fickers and Schafer, 2020).…”