Sell your services to Europe!
In common with countries across Europe, the Government is finalising plans that will make it easier for businesses to set up or offer their services anywhere in the EU (and the European Economic Area, which includes Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein).
Most service sectors are covered - such as accountants, builders, vets, travel agents, hair stylists, consultants...
As a UK business, from the end of 2009 you will benefit from:
- Electronic portals called ‘Points of Single Contact' in each EU country. You will be able to find out in one place all the information you need to do business in a particular country (or region of a country) and, crucially complete any required applications and licences electronically.
- Less red tape and reduced barriers to trade across Europe. All EU countries are removing or amending regulatory and administrative barriers that make it difficult to trade across borders, eg requirements based on nationality.
- Streamlined regulation. Having supplied information to a UK regulator you should not need to supply the same information to the equivalent regulator in another EU country.
- A wider customer base. For individual businesses, this initiative (the Services Directive) will provide opportunities to diversify into new markets, secure new customers and make new business relationships.
For further information, including which sectors are in and outside the scope of this initiative, please visit the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills website at www.bis.gov.uk/servicesdirective or email servicesdirective@bis.gsi.gov.uk with any queries.
Flyers about the initiative can also be found here: www.berr.gov.uk/files/file51036.pdf and
www.berr.gov.uk/files/file51035.pdf