The diversity with respect to national regulations, standardization and conformity certification procedures has a barrier-to-trade effect. Sometimes it discourages trade but it always means an increase of costs. Exporting enterprises are obliged to adapt their products to different requirements...

Over the years, the demand for services of general interest and the manner they are provided have evolved significantly. Services that the state would traditionally provide in a direct form have been increasingly outsourced by national, regional and local authorities, and are now often provided...