THE MOVEMENT OF GOODS DURING A MAJOR CRISIS

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION VOTED ON THE PROPOSAL FOR A MECHANISM TO ENSURE BETTER MOVEMENT OF GOODS DURING A LARGE-SCALE CRISIS — THE SMEI

The European Commission‘s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO), responsible for overseeing European Union legislation and monitoring rules, has voted on the European Commission’s proposal for the Single Market Emergency Instrument (SMEI).

In September 2022, the European Commission proposed the SMEI, with the aim of ensuring that the European Union is better prepared to deal with future large-scale crises. This decision follows the EU’s previous emergency measures during Covid-19, which maintained the movement of goods during the pandemic. Thus, the SMEI is designated to ensure exchanges between member states and the supply of essential services and goods.

Raluca Marian, IRU Director, commented: «The European Parliament‘s IMCO Committee recognizes the vital role of the free movement of goods and services, especially road. During Covid-19, it was mainly road transport that kept the internal market functioning».

She also reinforced how restricting the free movement of goods and passengers during an emergency should be avoided at all costs. It is essential to keep borders and supply chains open and ensure availability of goods and services.

IRU says that in the general approach reached in June, the European Council left some questions unanswered, including clarifying regulations, specifying and defining various aspects of SMEI.

It is important that Parliament and Council ensure that this emergency mechanism is efficient.

Both the Council’s and IMCO’s position diverge significantly with regard to the Council’s original proposal, as it aims to retain Council Regulation 2679/98 on the functioning of the internal market in relation to the free movement of goods between member states.

Raluca Marian reinforced: «It’s to be seen how coexistence will be maintained. This is a positive point for the Council’s position, as it also retains an instrument to deal with low-scale obstacles to the free movement of goods. Of course, in taking this position, the Council and the European Parliament will have to commit to transforming Council Regulation 2679/98 into what is known as the “Strawberry Regulation”, a much more effective instrument than it is today».

The text approved in the European Parliament’s IMCO Committee will go to a plenary vote in Strasbourg, which will most likely be held in September. Shortly after the vote, negotiations with the Council will start.