The “mutual evaluation process” consisted of a thorough evaluation of the regulatory framework applicable to services activities in the Member States following the implementation of the Services Directive. It was based upon the results of the review of national legislation on the establishment and cross-border provision of services, under­taken by Member States during the implementation period. This covered different types of requirements (e.g. prior authorisations, registration requirements, territorial restrictions, etc), which may constitute unjustified barriers to the functioning of the Single Market.

Since the beginning of 2010, Member States have engaged, together with the European Commission, in a process of mutually evaluating a number of the reviewed national measures. This innovative working method is known as the “mutual evaluation process” and it is foreseen by the Directive itself, which also provides, in the same context, for a consultation of stakeholders. The Commission has presented the results of the mutual evaluation process as well as suggested additional measures to further deepen the single market for services at the beginning of 2011.

In January 2011 the Commission presented the results of the mutual evaluation process as well as suggested additional measures to further deepen the single market for services.

Among these measures it was announced a “performance check” to assess how the Services Directive and other instruments work in practice. This fact-finding exercise will allow us to determine whether the interaction of the different pieces of EU legislation applying to services is satisfactory or whether greater clarity or new measures are needed.

Learn more about the publishing of scenarios and questionnaires by the Commission addressed to Member States