Internal Market Information

Background - What is IMI?

The Internal Market Information (IMI) system is an internet-based, secure messaging system developed by the European Commission. Under Article 29 of the Services Directive, Member States' Competent Authorities (including Local Authorities) are obliged to provide 'mutual assistance' to each other, in cases where a service provider is operating across borders. Such requests for information will not only ensure that service providers are properly regulated but also reduce the administrative burdens placed upon them.

The IMI system allows Competent Authorities within the EEA to be easily identified and information requests and responses to be submitted in a clear, efficient and secure environment. A key element of the IMI system is the automatic translation service including pre-translated question sets and free text area.

Should your authority receive a request for information on the IMI system, you are legally obliged to respond using the IMI system. For this reason we highly recommend that your authority establishes an internal structure for dealing with requests. For further guidance please see the Guide for the first-time user.

Further information about IMI

Further information about IMI can be found on the BIS IMI webpage including background information, peer reviews, training materials, Communities of Practice guidance and all the latest news and developments. Information regarding data protection and privacy notices is available on the IMI - Data Protection and Privacy Notices page on the BIS website.

Last updated: 04 Apr 2011, 16:17