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The 1992 Programme: a blueprint for action

5 important questions on The 1992 Programme: a blueprint for action

In 1985, newly appointed Commission President Jacques Delors and Internal Market Commissioner Lord Cockfield put together a package of proposals that aimed to achieve the completion of the single market by 1992. Those proposals became a Commission White Paper entitled 'Completing the Internal Market'. As what became the final product known?

The '1992 Programme'.

1992 Programme = The Commission's programme and timetable for implementation of the internal market. In its 1985 White Paper, the Commission listed some 300 legislative measures to be taken to implement the single market programme. These included the elimination of physical, technical, and tax frontiers. See single market (programme); Single European Act.

The White Paper grouped the remaining obstacles to trade in which three major categories?

Physical, technical, and fiscal barriers.

Lord Cockfield used this simple categorization to do what?

To introduce legislative proposals across good, services, capital and labour markets to improve market access, and to prevent distortions to competition and restrictive business practices.

At the core of the single market project was the concept of mutual recognition, the consequence of which would be what?

Increased competition not only among firms within the EU, but also among different national regulatory systems.

Despite a deadline of 1992, the single market remained incomplete. Why?

Because the completion of the single market meant tackling politically difficult dossiers and ensuring that legislation was put into effect in all member states; otherwise the confidence of consumers and producers in realizing economic benefits would be undermined.