EFTA Surveillance Authority : publishes the 39th Internal Market Scoreboard

31.1.2017

The EFTA Surveillance Authority has published its 39th Internal Market Scoreboard, monitoring how Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway comply with their transposition obligations under the EEA Agreement.

The scoreboard reveals that Norway continues to perform well, with only 3 directives awaiting full implementation, translating into a transposition deficit for directives of 0.4%. Liechtenstein's performance has continued to improve, with 7 directives not fully transposed, making a transposition deficit of 0.9%. However, Iceland's performance has deteriorated once again, with 18 directives overdue. This means its transposition deficit for directives has risen, once again, to 2.2%.

Norway has 5 overdue regulations, resulting in a transposition deficit for regulations of 0.2%. Iceland has 65 overdue regulations, meaning its transposition deficit for regulations has risen to a disappointing 2.6%.

The purpose of monitoring the Member States' timely compliance with their transposition obligations is to ensure the full benefits of the EEA agreement for all stakeholders. The Internal Market is a key driver of growth and jobs. However, it does not deliver benefits automatically. Fragmentation and different sets of rules in the various EEA countries prevent citizens and businesses from reaping the full benefits of the common European market. This is why the EFTA States are called upon to improve their records and implement Internal Market legislation within the agreed deadlines.

The European Commission will publish its own Internal Market Scoreboard in Spring 2017. An updated version of this Scoreboard, including the data from the EU member states, will be published at the same time.

Please find the Scoreboard here: Internal Market Scoreboard No. 39