The specificity of social services of general interest is recognized at the European level

Publication

27 April 2006 à 07h53

Updated on 24 March 2013 à 19h12

Reading time

3 minutes

Publication: 27 April 2006 à 07h53, Updated on 24 March 2013 à 19h12

Reading time: 3 minutes

The European Commission has adopted, last 26 April, a communication on social services of general interest. This document launches a consultation on the criteria that could qualify them. It also clarifies the relations with Community law as regards competition and State aids. (Ref.06414)

Publication

27 April 2006 à 07h53

Updated on 24 March 2013 à 19h12

Reading time

3 minutes

Publication: 27 April 2006 à 07h53, Updated on 24 March 2013 à 19h12

Reading time: 3 minutes

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For social services of general interest (SSGI), it is important to be distinguished from economic services of general interest: the confusion or the connection with economic services could force them to comply with Community rules on competition, freedom to provide services, and restrictions for State aids. Establishing distinction criteria also allows to clarify the fate of services that are in the “gray zone”, meaning there economic or social nature is not obvious.

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