The rules abolish the costly and lengthy procedure, which is currently used 10,000 times per year to get judgments in civil and commercial matters recognised in other EU countries.
Starting this week, such cross-border judgments will be automatically enforceable across the EU.
Consumers will also be better protected when buying from non-EU merchants; and businesses will have more legal certainty when doing business across the EU. The new measures deliver on the EU’s promise to cut red tape and strengthen the EU’s Single Market to boost sustainable economic growth.
“This is very good news for Europe’s citizens and SMEs”, Vera Jourová, the EU’s Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality said.
“These new rules could bring savings of between €2,000 and €12,000 per individual case. It is a successful delivery on the promise to cut red tape and strengthen the EU’s Single Market. Such action will make a significant difference in particular for small and medium enterprises and will open up many more opportunities for business across Europe”.