The Services Directive (2009, European Union) aims at making it easier for European service providers to establish their business or provide services in another Member State. The Dutch Services Act (Dienstenwet) is the transposition of this Directive into Dutch legislation. One of the requirements that was set out in the Directive, was that all EU countries had to establish so-called Points of Single Contact by 2009 to make it possible for service providers to arrange all their business affairs through one, digital service counter.
Point of Single Contact
A Point of Single Contact offers extensive information about the procedures that are covered by the Services Act. In the Netherlands, for these procedures you can also make use of Message Box, a secure email application to digitally apply for documents such as permits. The European Commission's website contains a list of all Points of Single Contact within the EU.
Sectors covered by Services Act
The Services Act applies to almost all service-providing business owners in the EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. However, a number of sectors are not covered by the Act.