ESA issues a reasoned opinion to Iceland over single entry-point website shortcomings

The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has today delivered a reasoned opinion to Iceland for failing to establish a functional Point of Single Contact.

Points of Single Contact (PSCs) are online government portals that help businesses and professionals from one EEA country provide their services in another. These portals support various sectors, including regulated professions, tourism, and construction. PSCs enable users to complete business registration or have their professional qualifications recognised online through a single website.

In ESA's view, Iceland has failed to fully establish a single-entry point website as a PSC for the country. The website designated as the official PSC (island.is) falls short of complying with the requirements set out by EEA rules, as it does not provide the necessary information to service providers from other EEA States.

The lack of a functional PSC website means that users are forced to navigate a large amount of information and procedures spread across different websites and run by different authorities.

ESA's decision follows the opening of an own-initiative case in 2020. A letter of formal notice was sent to Iceland in March 2023, setting out that, by not having established a single entry-point website serving as a PSC, Iceland had failed to meet its obligations.

While the Icelandic government has made progress in setting up the Icelandic PSC, relevant information is still lacking. Moreover, the way how island.is is structured, it is not apparent for foreign service providers that this website constitutes the Icelandic PSC.

A reasoned opinion is the second step in formal infringement proceedings against an EEA EFTA State. Iceland now has two months to take the necessary measures before ESA may decide to bring the case to the EFTA Court.

Read ESA´s decision here.

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