The slow implementation of recent legislation remains a source of concern because it fragments the Internal Market and delays economic reform. Measures adjusting rules to take account of technological developments and new provisions to improve consumer protection or protect the environment cannot take full effect if not implemented in all Member States. Infringements and simplification Similarly, early resolution of legal disputes between Commission and the Member States remains crucial to the efficient functioning of the Internal Market. Infringements activity remains relatively high but more importantly disputes continue to take too long to resolve. Performance is uneven among Member States.
Cases concerning Portugal, Luxembourg, France and Belgium show the lowest rate of resolution.
The high proportion of reasoned opinions and referrals to the Court for certain Member States in part reflects this difficulty. It may result from political or legal problems or, more simply, from the fact that administrations take a long time to take the necessary measures to resolve the problem. Results from a new business survey for the Scoreboard conducted in September 1999 among 4000 business people confirm the view that there is a continuing improvement in the functioning of the Internal Market. The majority of interviewees perceive a reduction in barriers to doing business in other countries of the Union. This improvement is attributed to improved communications and access to information.