By: Peter Bouwhuis
For as long as I can remember in my 43 years in logistics, we’ve talked about the promise of the EU Single Market like it’s some kind of magic potion—freedom of movement, free trade, all streamlined. In theory, it sounds fantastic. In practice? It’s like hauling a 100-ton cable reel through molasses.
Now, Brussels is finally saying the quiet part out loud. The “Terrible 10”—those persistent barriers that have plagued business across the EU for decades—are getting called out. About time!
Let me tell you, coordinating a project that moves across five or six EU countries shouldn’t feel like international diplomacy. But it often does. From ridiculous customs inconsistencies to the nightmare of posting skilled workers across borders, it feels like each country plays by its own rulebook. That’s not a single market—that’s 27 overlapping mini-markets.
I remember trying to move specialized cargo from Germany to Italy a few years back. It should’ve been routine. Instead, we got tied up in weeks of certification mismatches, labor documentation, and a mind-numbing loop of emails between government agencies that couldn’t agree on basic interpretations of the same regulation. Multiply that across all the freight, energy, and project cargo operations happening daily in Europe, and you can see how the friction piles up.
So yes, these “Terrible 10” issues hit home.
Let’s unpack a few that have always made my blood boil:
- Overly complex EU rules: The red tape is so thick, sometimes you need a machete. Cutting administrative clutter and public procurement hurdles could be revolutionary—if it actually happens.
- Professional qualifications: How do we still not have a real-time, unified recognition system for engineers, technicians, and specialists? These aren’t fringe workers. These are the backbone of cross-border infrastructure.
- Territorial supply constraints: This one’s the hidden monster. Ever tried sourcing a part in Spain only to be told it’s not “available in your territory”? It’s like going to a grocery store and being told the milk is for locals only.
But here’s the kicker: most of these problems have been around for 20 years. We’ve had initiative after initiative, white paper after white paper. And yet, nothing’s really budged.
So while I want to be excited about the Commission’s new push—I really do—I’m also tired of the song and dance. We in the logistics industry are doers. We don’t have the luxury of pushing paper around while deadlines and cargo ships wait.
That’s why the idea of Single Market “Sherpas”—people whose job is to actually make member states walk the talk—is both refreshing and long overdue. Someone has to own this mess. Because if no one’s accountable, nothing will change.
And Europe needs change. As the report bluntly states, our share of global GDP is slipping, productivity is lagging, and intra-EU services trade is stagnant. Meanwhile, global supply chains get more fragile by the day. We don’t have time for more polite meetings and coffee-table reports.
So here’s my plea to Brussels: This isn’t just about making Europe “attractive” again. It’s about survival in a hyper-competitive world. Simplify the rules. Harmonize the systems. And for heaven’s sake—enforce them.
We logistics professionals will be watching. And if this ends up being just another well-worded announcement that gathers dust… don’t expect us to applaud.
