Implementation deficit
EU directives can only develop their effect if they are properly implemented in national law in a timely manner. If member states fail to implement EU directives on time, there is a gap in the EU legal framework. Instead of a single market that includes all Member States, a much smaller, fragmented single market is emerging. If a member state fails to meet its obligations, the economic interests of all member states will be harmed.
Implementation deficit
There is an implementation deficit if an EC directive is not implemented in national law within the deadline set by it. Long delays in implementation are detrimental to the proper functioning of the internal market. The longer the delay, the more severe the consequences for citizens and businesses. On average, the member states need an additional 7.3 months to implement EU directives. Failure to do so is considered a violation of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Therefore, infringement proceedings can be initiated against the Member State . The respective guideline may have immediate effect despite not being implemented.
Concordance deficit
The so-called concordance deficit indicates for how many directives the EU Commission had to initiate infringement proceedings for non-compliance.
Incompletion rate
The "incompleteness rate" indicates the proportion of directives that have not yet been implemented by one or more Member States in relation to the total number of internal market directives.
Source: EU internal market scoreboard
See also: enforcement deficit
