Republic Of Bulgaria

The information system of the internal market (IMI) is an e-device, representing the system for exchanging information in a manner which allows Member States to participate in more effective cooperation in daily application of internal market legislation. IMI helps to overcome the major practical barriers such as different administrative and working cultures, language differences and lack of a clearly identified partner authorities in other Member States. Its aim is to reduce congestion and improve administration efficiency and effectiveness of daily cooperation between Member States.

For more information, please visit IMI: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/imi-net

IMI is being developed by the European Commission together with Member States. The legal basis of the requiring from the Commission and Member States to elaborate and use is contained in Regulation (EU) No 1024/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on administrative cooperation through the Internal Market Information System and repealing Commission Decision 2008/49/EC ( ‘the IMI Regulation’ ) Text with EEA relevance, Official Journal L 316 , 14/11/2012 P. 0001 – 0011. It is directly applicable in all Member States, which means that no national legislation is required to make it binding. The Regulation consolidates the legal framework of IMI paves the way for expansion of IMI to further areas.

1. Directive 2005/36/EC regarding the recognition of vocational qualifications
   • Art. 8 - Administrative cooperation
   • Art. 50 – Documents
   • Art. 56 - Authorities
2. Directive 2006/123/EC on IM Services
   • Art. 28-36, and in particular art. 34
   • Art. 34
3. Regulation (EU) No 1024/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on administrative cooperation through the Internal Market Information System and repealing Commission Decision 2008/49/EC (‘the IMI Regulation’)

IMI was established as a common system to support many areas of internal market legislation and is considering further expanding its use in support of other areas of law in the future.

In 2013 IMI will be used for the Directive on Patients' Rights, for the problem solving network SOLVIT and for notifications under the Services Directive and the e-commerce Directive.

European Commission

• Develops, maintains and manages IMI (data center in Luxembourg)
• Provides translations
• Maintain a central office for assistance (Helpdesk)

IMI coordinators - national and delegate

• Technical and administrative assistance
• Focal point
• Interchange of information through the system with other coordinators

Competent authorities

• Find the right of competent authorities in other countries
• Implement the exchange of information with competent authorities in other Member States
• Administration of data and users in their area in the IMI

National structure of IMI for Republic of Bulgaria includes the following participants (see the graph below):

• National Coordinator (NIMIK). This function is implemented by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.
• Delegated coordinator for the legislative district of Directive 2005/36/EC concerning the recognition of professional qualifications. This function is performed by the National Center for Information and Documentation.
• Delegated coordinator for the legislative district of Directive 2006/123/EC - services in the domestic market. This function is implemented by the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism.
• Competent authorities under Directive 2005/36/EC concerning the recognition of professional qualifications.
• Competent Authorities under Directive 2006/123/EC regarding services in the domestic market.

Problems with IMI, which could not be resolved by the competent authorities under Directive 2005/36/EC regarding the recognition of professional qualifications locally, could be referred towards the functioning office for assistance in NACID as a delegated coordinator concerning the Legislative District Council Directive 2005/36/EC