eGovernment Competence Centre and new media - EU Services Directive

Administrative procedures are to become simpler

The European Union (EU) aims to ensure greater transparency in the 'administrative jungle'. Dealings with the various authorities are to be made easier for companies and citizens alike.

The issuing of the EU Services Directive is seen as an important step towards reducing bureaucracy. This makes provision in particular for the introduction of a so-called 'single point of contact' for European companies by the end of 2009. This means that every service company anywhere in the territory of the European Union may contact this department or the responsible authority with its concern. The single point of contact must ensure that the concern is dealt with conclusively within a defined period of time.

This would be a huge simplification in administration but would also throw up a number of organisational and technical questions: How do the various authorities and departments deal with one another? Work is currently ongoing with regard to the corresponding procedural guidelines and amendments to laws.

The state capital of Düsseldorf supports the goals of the EU Services Directive and is starting with some frequently sought-after services that it offers, including from the areas of business registration, gastronomic establishments and building, as early as the beginning of 2009.

The templates required for these processes are provided in electronic form and can be processed by both the sender and the departments of the municipal administration online (electronically).

The aim is to have set up a service portal - similar to the already existing Virtual SME office - by the end of 2009, via which European service companies can handle their administrative processes online in future.

Virtual SME Office
The Düsseldorf company portal for all company-related services.
Further information