SERVICES DIRECTIVE : SURVEY: 18 MEMBER STATES FAIL ON IMPLEMENTATION.

A new survey by Eurochambres of its member chambers of commerce indicates that only nine out of the 27 EU member states have so far complied fully with the Services Directive. Implementation in the remaining 18 countries is either "average" or downright "unsatisfactory," according to the association. The deadline for implementation was 28 December 2009. The survey points to shortcomings concerning both legislative screening (of whether existing national regulations constitute barriers) and slow establishment of key points of single contact (PSCs) to facilitate entry of non-national companies on home markets.

INFRINGEMENT PROCEDURES

Speaking at the presentation of the Eurochambres report, an official promised that the European Commission will put pressure on member states, including infringement procedures "when required". "We are not going to shy away," said the official. The Commission also hopes that further pressure will come from member states in the Council itself. Both the Ecofin, in February, and the Competitiveness Council...