2.4 Single European Act

Fact Sheet 2.4 The Single European Act (SEA)

The Single European Act (SEA):

Provided the legal framework for the Single Market.
Declared that the single internal EC market would be completed by December 1992 & all remaining barriers to intra-Community trade removed.
Extended the scope of Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) in the Council, ending the national veto in most areas pertaining to the single market. QMV was extended to:

All types of autonomous modification or suspension of the duties applicable under the common customs tariff
Measures on the protection of savings & the exercise of medical, paramedical & pharmaceutical professions
The freedom to provide services
The free movement of capital
The common policy on sea & air transport
The approximation of national legislation aimed at completing the internal market (with the exception of taxation, freedom of movement for persons, & measures concerning the rights & interests of employed persons for which unanimity was still required).

Gave formal standing to the European Council, by which the heads of state & government of the member states meet to discuss & determine policy.
Added 6 new policy areas to European Community competence:

Extended European Parliament's (EP) powers: The EP had the right to be consulted twice over certain types of legislation (the cooperation procedure) and to veto accession treaties and Association Agreements (the assent procedure).
Provided for the introduction of "common measures" on police cooperation, visas, extradition and immigration.
Provided for cooperation in foreign policy and called for closer cooperation on European security, though as not to conflict with NATO or the WEU.
The Act's Preamble referred to monetary union as a goal.
The Court of First Instance was created.

Main sources: Steven McGiffen, The European Union: a critical guide, Pluto Press, 2001.

RL, February 2007