Internal Market Information (IMI) System
Welcome to the webpage for the Internal Market Information (IMI) system, which aims to make it easier for authorities to contact each other across the EU. This page has been developed to help authorities to register and use the system to its full potential, saving time and money in licensing businesses and registering professionals.
Latest News
New BIS IMI coordinator - Phil Sydenham has now started as IMI coordinator. Please contact him with any queries about IMI at 0207 215 5365 or philip.sydenham@bis.gsi.gov.uk. Emails to
sdimi@bis.gsi.gov.uk
will also be dealt with.
The IMI system is now being used to send and receive REAL requests for information and a number of UK authorities have already used the system and taken advantage of this facility. We highly recommend that all authorities that have not registered do so as soon as possible and establish an internal structure that suits your authority best. (Further guidance is provided at the links below)
The facility to send fictional requests has now been removed from the system but should authorities wish to send a practice request there is a ‘Training Database’ available. This database requires separate log in details. Please contact sdimi@bis.gsi.gov.uk if you wish to use this facility.
What is IMI?
The Internal Market Information (IMI) System is an internet based, secure messaging system developed by the European Commission. Under Article 29 of the Service Directive, Member States are obliged to provide mutual assistance to each other if requested and this must be achieved through electronic means. The IMI system has been developed to facilitate such assistance as well as promoting confidence and trust across all Member States through increased communication and overcoming existing barriers such as administrative and working cultures, different languages and a lack of clearly identified partners. Its principle aim therefore, is to reduce the administrative burdens on stakeholders involved and to increase efficiency and effectiveness in cooperation between Member States.
The IMI system allows competent authorities (including local authorities) within the EU to be easily identified and information requests and responses to be submitted in a clear, efficient and secure environment. It is an electronic tool enabling more effective day-to-day cooperation. Key to this is an accurate translation service, including pre-translated question sets, that facilitate communications between relevant authorities and allows for appropriate regulation of service providers across the EU.
The IMI system for the Services Directive has now moved into the 'live' phase enabling registered authorities to send and receive 'real' requests for information about service providers operating across borders. UK authorities are already receiving requests from other Member States which underlines the importance of registering NOW for the IMI system and ensuring that your authority has an internal structure ready.
Advantages of registering NOW for the IMI include:
- Increased availability of expert help and assistance from BIS representatives.
- An increased time will allow authorities the opportunity to decide the appropriate internal structure of their organisation.
- Authorities will have the opportunity to train and develop staff that will be using the system.
- Your feedback will help shape future versions of the system, ensuring it meets the needs of your authority
- Ensure your authority is prepared for receiving 'real' requests for information.
Don’t just take our word for it!
"For a system that has to span the EU, I found the system reasonably intuitive and easy to follow when requesting information from other authorities. In principle, it's a simple process, with the fixed template question framework being easy to use. The translation service reduces the potential of language issues and this should save time and expense."
- Eddie Clark, Environment Agency
"Don’t be put off by the comprehensive question sets – they help to make sure you are asking what you think you’re asking!"
- Graham Simms, Wychavon District Council
Can I practice using the system without sending a real request for information?
Yes, although the facility that allows authorities to send 'fictional' requests has been removed the European Commission have developed a 'training database.' Although not exactly the same as the real system, this facility has been vastly improved in recent months and will allow your authority to practice using the IMI system and understand the processes involved without fear of making mistakes. Access to the training database requires a separate log in which can be obtained from sdimi@bis.gsi.gov.uk
How do I register my authority?
Registration to use the IMI system is an extremely simple process. Send an email to sdimi@bis.gsi.gov.uk indicating your wish to register. You will receive a very quick form to fill in, after which you will be granted access, be able to register additional users from within your authority and also use the system to send requests.
Who to contact in the event of an IMI query?
In the event of any queries or complications with regard to the IMI system, such as access problems or difficulties in locating the correct authority please contact sdimi@bis.gsi.gov.uk
National Liaison Point
A UK National Liaison Point (NLP) based in BIS monitors the use of the IMI system for administrative cooperation requests involving the UK and is on hand to help out with any problems or disputes. The NLP can direct competent authorities in other EEA states to their opposite number or to the relevant authority in the UK, and vice versa. The NLP will also be able to liaise with their counterparts in other EEA states if UK authorities experience delays in obtaining information from other authorities. You can contact the NLP at: sdimi@bis.gsi.gov.uk
Communities of Practice for Local Government forum
We have set up a forum on the Community of Practice website to enable local authorities to share information, best practice and knowledge development relating to the Services Directive in a secure environment. Please feel free to start a forum debate or ask a question to the forum.
To register please visit the Communities of Practice website, http://www.communities.idea.gov.uk/welcome.do, and follow the registration instructions. After registration, search for 'EU Service Directive' not the 'Champion Group' to see and interact with our online community. If there are any problems please feel free to contact us at sdimi@bis.gsi.gov.uk.
Training materials available
In order to ensure that all authorities are suitably prepared and trained for use of the IMI system, BIS alongside the European Commission have prepared some training materials. These are easy to use and take you through the whole process of registration to sending and receiving a request as well as more detailed aspects of the IMI such a partial replies and forwarding a request. We welcome any feedback that you have on these training packages especially areas where you believe they could be improved.
Further links
Elsewhere on our website we have comprehensive information for local authorities and competent authorities. Each local authority and competent authority should now have a primary liaison point (PLP) who should be the main liaison point with BIS and be coordinating implementation within their organisation: if you work in either a local authority or any other competent authority, please make sure you know who your PLP is and be in regular contact with them. If you do not know your PLP please contact BIS at servicesdirective@bis.gsi.gov.uk
The European Commission IMI website is a good source of further information such as data protection issues, training materials and history of the Services Directive.
The Commission have also published a brochure setting out the benefits of the IMI system (PDF)
There is further information available on:
