1. The Internal Market Information (IMI) System –
Better communication, better service
Workshop on Regulatory Practices WTO Geneva, 11 April 2011
Wiebke Pankauke, European Commission, DG Internal Market and Services

2. Why develop an IT tool for cooperation?
In order to facilitate mobility, more and more EU legislation requires cooperation between Member States
Adopting legal texts is only the first step
Need to put cooperation into practice
Challenge particularly in complex areas (example EU Services Directive)

3. Secure and data protection friendly
What is IMI?
A web-based tool for information exchange between public authorities at all levels
Secure and data protection friendly
In all EU languages
Easily adaptable to different policy areas SV BG IS CS NO DA FI DE SL SK ET RO EL PT EN PL ES LI NL FR MT IT HU GA LV LT

4. IMI addresses obstacles to cooperation
Language barriers – 23 official EU languages
Lack of clearly identified partners in other countries
Different administrative structures and cultures
Lack of procedures for cross-border cooperation
Multilingual interface, pretranslated questions and answers
Searchable database of authorities
Flexible set-up to reflect administrative realities
Agreed workflows, tracking mechanism

5. Secure access through the IMI website
Access only with username - password - security code

6. Search for an authority in your
own language

7. IMI blends into any existing administrative structure
European Commission ( IMI Administration and Helpdesk)
Member State 2
Member State 1
National
IMI Coordinator
National
IMI Coordinator
Delegated
IMI Coordinators
Competent Authorities
Competent Authorities

8. Facts and figures
Today used for professional qualifications and services
More than 6000 authorities registered
160 requests for information per month
58% answered within two weeks

9. Faster replies from authorities
How does IMI help citizens and businesses?
Faster replies from authorities
Less need to produce translations of documents
Less rejections of applications due to lack of information

10. Lessons learned
Establishing a large network of very different authorities and keeping it alive is a challenge
Involving Member State actors as coordinators allows decentralised management of the network
Using IMI is easy, but mindset and habits need to change
Continuous follow-up and training necessary

11. Expanding IMI
IMI as a toolbox for administrative cooperation
New policy areas
New functionality
Links with existing systems
Cheaper and faster than building new tailored systems, exploiting synergies

12. For further information contact: or consult the IMI website:
or consult the IMI website: