The ECR Group welcomes that the European Commission is refocusing its actions on the Single Market, the cornerstone of Europe’s prosperity and resilience.

For the European Conservatives and Reformists, a functioning single market is the EU’s most effective means of supporting jobs, investment and innovation.

Speaking after the publication, Piotr Müller MEP, ECR Coordinator in the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO), said:

“Europe doesn’t need patchwork — it needs a Single Market that delivers. For years, businesses have struggled with fragmented rules, red tape, and administrative overload. We, the ECR Group, have long called for reform, and finally we see an approach that addresses some of the issues.”

The ECR strongly supports the strategy’s focus on reducing bureaucracy, simplifying EU services and product legislation, and eliminating the so-called ‘Terrible Ten’ barriers. These range from cumbersome procedures and unharmonised rules, to delays in recognising professional qualifications, and unjustified price discrimination. Nevertheless, certain ideas require a more thorough evaluation. For example, in the defence sector, Member States should maintain full sovereignty and continue to play a pivotal role.

Müller also emphasised the importance of public procurement reform:

“Public procurement must be open, competitive and accessible, especially for innovative businesses and cross-border bidders. We need less complexity and more value for money”, he said

Müller is leading Parliament’s efforts on this file, which should send a strong message to the Commission about how to shape the EU rules for the next decade.

While the ECR acknowledges the Commission’s constructive steps, the group remains cautious about the risk of superficial fixes and the harmonisation of typical, impractical EU rules. The group is concerned that while the Commission is talking about improving the business environment, it is also working on a set of laws that will artificially split the market, for example in the transport sector.

“All too often, we end up with a strategy full of good intentions but lacking in execution,” Müller warned. ‘Our companies don’t need another round of slogans — they need legal certainty, fair competition, and structural reform.’ We are ready to support projects that provide real added value, rather than harmonising the most invasive regulatory measures. This is not what entrepreneurs are asking for.”

The ECR welcomes the foreseen targeted measures to support SMEs and ‘small mid-caps’, such as the introduction of a digital SME ID and a strengthened SME Envoy Network to facilitate cross-border operations. These practical tools reflect the ECR’s long-standing demands to facilitate the growth of small businesses and mid-sized companies within the European market.

The ECR Group will work constructively in Parliament to scrutinise subsequent legislative proposals, defend the integrity of the Single Market, and ensure that ambition turns into action.