Information for Business
The Services Directive will open up the market for services in Europe. It is important that Northern Ireland companies, including SMEs, are ready to grasp the opportunities that this presents.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has produced a guidance document aimed at businesses and advisers who are involved in the service industry, with the main exceptions of financial services, electronic communications, transport, temporary work agencies, healthcare audiovisual, gambling and social services.
It explains what the Provision of Services Regulations 2009 mean and how they apply in practice.
It will be relevant to you if you are wanting to, or are currently offering or providing relevant services within the Uk. It will also be relevant to you if you are wanting to, or are currently providing relevant services within the European Economic Area (i.e. the EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway).
It tells you what your obligations are with regards to providing information to the users of your services; about the opportunity to apply online for authorisation and licences; and what to expect from the authorities that regulate your service business.
This guidance may also be useful to users of relevant services, and competent authorities.
The Provision of Services Regulations 2009 apply UK-wide and come into force on 28 December 2009.
Guidance for Business on the Provision of Services Regulations
Further information can be accessed at the BIS Services Directive implementation website by clicking the following link: BIS
Information Leaflets
BIS has produced two leaflets for business. The first explains the Directive's key benefits and the second sets out the information and requirements that the Directive introduces.
