EU Services Directive

From 2010, businesses will benefit from:

• Online licence applications
• Streamlined regulation
• Less red tape
• Wider customer base

Sell your services to Europe! (PDF, 73KB)

Service providers will also need to provide a minimum set of information to customers: see Keeping your customers informed (PDF, 92KB)

EU Member states were required to implement the Directive by 28 December 2009. BIS leads on implementation in the UK and has worked closely with other Government Departments, the devolved administrations, local authorities, regulators and others in tasks such as screening legislation for compliance with the Directive. We have also worked to establish an online ‘Point of Single Contact’ for service providers to find out about doing business in the UK and apply for licences online.

Are you a business in the services industry?

Our are you a business page has information about facilities to apply for licences online.

Other Government Departments, Devolved Administrations and Competent Authorities including Local Authorities

We have published practical guidance on how to remain compliant with the continuing obligations of the Services Directive: 

What to do if your work affects service businesses: guidance for departments and competent authorities on the Provision of Service Regulations 2009 (PDF, 951 Kb) 

The Directive was brought into UK law by the Provision of Services Regulations 2009, which came into effect on the 28th December 2009. The Regulations affect a very wide range of service businesses. This guidance is aimed at those bodies who set rules or requirements which service providers have to comply with, and those who are involved in authorising service providers (i.e. ‘competent authorities’). These bodies include Government Departments, Devolved Administrations, local authorities, licensing and authorisation bodies and other authorities such as professional bodies or bodies who maintain required registers or deliver required training qualifications. The guidance contains user friendly flowcharts which will guide you through the steps that you need to take, and point you to the sections of the guidance that you will need to look at.

Competent Authorities including Local Authorities

• Information for Local Authorities 
• Information for Competent Authorities 
• List of formalities within scope of the directive
• Internal Market Information system (IMI): an internet based, secure messaging system developed by the European Commission. Under Article 29 of the Service Directive, Competent Authorities in all EEA Member States are obliged to provide mutual assistance to each other if requested, by electronic means.
• The Electronic Licence Marketing System (ELMS) is a resource is intended to help you and your colleagues implement and maintain the Services Directive within your authority and meet your legal obligations under the “Provision of Services Regulations 2009”.  

Other Government Departments and Devolved Administrations

For the latest Primary Legislation Checklists, click here for our Services Directive Implementation Updates page.

Screening flowcharts and formality lists can now be found on the Legislation pages.

Consumers

The European Consumer Centre for Services is a portal with information about your rights when buying services in other EEA countries.

EU Service Directive Final Text 27 December 2006 (PDF) 

If you require further information or would like to receive regular updates, give feedback, ask questions or share views on the Services Directive, please email us at: servicesdirective@bis.gsi.gov.uk

Recent Changes

Previous updates can be found on our old home page

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