A single market is a type of trade bloc which is composed of a free trade area (for goods) with common policies on product regulation, and freedom of movement of the factors of production (capital and labour) and of enterprise and services. The goal is that the movement of capital, labour, goods, and services between the members is as easy as within them. The physical (borders), technical (standards) and fiscal (taxes) barriers among the member states are removed to the maximum extent possible. These barriers obstruct the freedom of movement of the four factors of production.
A common market is a first stage towards a single market, and may be limited initially to a free trade area with relatively free movement of capital and of services, but not so advanced in reduction of the rest of the trade barriers.
The European Economic Community was the first example of a both common and single market, but it was an economic union since it had additionally a customs union.
Read more about Single Market: Benefits and Costs, List of Single Markets
Famous quotes containing the words single and/or market:
“The pure serene of memory in one man,—
A ripple widening from a single stone
Winding around the waters of the world.”
—Theodore Roethke (1908–1963)
“The market came with the dawn of civilization and it is not an invention of capitalism.... If it leads to improving the well-being of the people there is no contradiction with socialism.”
—Mikhail Gorbachev (b. 1931)