The European Parliament adopted a legislative resolution approving the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a programme for the internal market, competitiveness of enterprises, including small and medium-sized enterprises, the area of plants, animals, food and feed, and European statistics (Single Market Programme) and repealing Regulations (EU) No 99/2013, (EU) No 1287/2013, (EU) No 254/2014 and (EU) No 652/2014.
The proposal aims to implement the programme during the period of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027. It is part of the sectoral proposals completing the package of horizontal proposals on the MFF for this period.
The programme brings together activities funded during the previous MFF period under six previous programmes: (i) European Statistical Programme, (ii) COSME, (iii) Consumer Programme, (iv) Programme to support specific activities in the field of financial reporting and auditing, (v) Regulation on the food production chain, animal health and welfare and plant health and reproductive material, (vi) Regulation on the involvement of consumers and other financial service end-users, but also includes new initiatives.
Programme objectives
The objectives of the Programme are the following:
- to improve the functioning of the internal market, and especially to protect and empower citizens, consumers and businesses, in particular SMEs, by enforcing Union law, facilitating market access, setting standards and promoting human, animal and plant health and animal welfare, whilst respecting the principles of sustainable development and ensuring a high level of consumer protection;
- to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of SMEs;
- to develop, produce and disseminate high-quality, comparable, timely and reliable European statistics.
Budget
The financial envelope for the implementation of the programme for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027 is set at EUR 4 208 041 000 in current prices. The total cost of administrative and technical assistance will not exceed 5% of the value of the financial envelope.
The regulation lays down the forms of EU funding, the rules for granting such funding, and the system of governance of the programme.