One of the most contentious pieces of legislation ever proposed by the EU is going ahead after the European Parliament finally rubber-stamped the EU Services Directive. This means that by 2010 all barriers to trading in services should be removed.
The directive will make it easier for service providers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, to set up and offer services in other member states.
As services account for around two-thirds of EU GDP this measure is generally acknowledged as one of the biggest improvements to the internal market since its original creation.
The directive covers business services including management consultancy, intellectual property services, legal and financial advice, facilities management and office management, estate agents and letting agents.
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