EU adopts digital single market strategy

The European Commission on Wednesday adopted its digital single market strategy, unveiling detailed plans to create a single market for the digital economy.

The strategy is built on three pillars: better access for consumers and businesses to digital goods and services across Europe; creating the right conditions and a level playing field for digital networks and innovative services to flourish; and maximizing the growth potential of the digital economy.

It includes 16 targeted key actions to be delivered by the end of next year, including rules to make cross-border e-commerce easier, more efficient and affordable parcel delivery, according to a European Commission press release.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said: "We lay the groundwork for Europe's digital future. The 16 steps of our digital single market strategy will help make the single market fit for a digital age."

European Commission Vice-President for the digital single market Andrus Ansip said: "Our strategy is an ambitious and necessary program of initiatives that target areas where the EU can make a real difference. They prepare Europe to reap the benefits of a digital future."

The European Commission has identified the completion of the digital single market as one of its 10 political priorities with a view to tear down regulatory walls and finally move from 28 national markets to a single one.

A fully functional digital single market could contribute 415 billion euros (468 billion U.S. dollars) per year to the EU economy and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs. Endit