EFG Welcomes New EU Single Market Strategy

Jun 30, 2025

The European Federation of Geologists (EFG) welcomes the European Commission’s newly released Single Market Strategy (21 May 2025), which aims to reduce regulatory barriers and boost professional mobility across the EU. EFG supports the Strategy’s focus on simplifying procedures, enhancing cross-border recognition of professional qualifications, and strengthening digital infrastructure, all critical to fostering a competitive, knowledge-based economy.

EFG is pleased that several of its recommendations, submitted during the public consultation, have been reflected in the final Strategy. These include the promotion of mutual recognition through the EQF and PQD, the development of Common Training Frameworks for geoscientists, and improved access to cross-border data and services. Geoscientific expertise is essential for implementing key EU policies such as the Green Deal, the Critical Raw Materials Act, and the Net Zero Industry Act. EFG remains committed to supporting the Strategy’s implementation in collaboration with EU institutions and stakeholders.

You can consult the full EFG Statement on the EU Single Market Strategy here below:

EFG welcomes European Commission’s Single Market Strategy

The European Federation of Geologists (EFG) welcomes the European Commission’s publication of the Single Market Strategy on 21 May 2025, aimed at addressing persistent regulatory and administrative barriers across the internal market. EFG strongly supports the Strategy’s emphasis on simplification of procedures, regulatory convergence, and enhanced mobility of professionals, all of which are pivotal to fostering a resilient and competitive European economy.

EFG participated in the Commission’s preparatory public consultation earlier this year, and we are pleased to note that several key elements from our submission have been integrated into both the synopsis of stakeholder contributions and the Commission Communication on the Strategy.

Specifically, EFG commends the following strategic priorities:

  • Mutual recognition of professional qualifications: EFG reiterates that current disparities in recognition frameworks for regulated professions impede professional mobility and weaken Europe’s knowledge-based economy. We therefore strongly support the Strategy’s call for simplifying cross-border recognition through existing instruments, including the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the Professional Qualifications Directive (PQD).
  • Expansion of Common Training Frameworks (CTFs): EFG has long advocated for the development of a CTF for Geosciences as a means to establish shared professional standards, ensure quality assurance, and facilitate automatic recognition. The inclusion of this approach in the Strategy is an important step toward regulatory coherence and labour market responsiveness, particularly in fields essential to the green and digital transitions.
  • Cross-border access to services and knowledge: For specialised technical professions such as geology, access to scientific data, digital services, and professional opportunities across Member States remains fragmented. EFG supports the Strategy’s vision to enhance the Single Market’s digital infrastructure and remove legal obstacles for service provision across borders.

Geoscientific expertise is critical for delivering on multiple EU policy priorities—including the Green Deal, the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), and the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA). Efficient recognition of geoscientific qualifications and mobility of expertise are prerequisites for achieving these objectives.

EFG remains committed to working with European institutions, national regulators, and other stakeholders to ensure that the revised Single Market facilitates strategic workforce development and deployment.

We encourage continued dialogue on the practical implementation of these measures and stand ready to provide technical input through our network of certified European Geologists (EurGeols) and subject-matter Panels of Experts.

Further information: