Single European Act – EC Library Guide: Introduction
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Single European Act (SEA)
Signed: 17 February 1986 (Luxembourg) / 28 February 1986 (The Hague)
Entered into force: 1 July 1987
Purpose: to reform the institutions in preparation for Portugal and Spain's membership and speed up decision-making in preparation for the single market.
Main changes: extension of qualified majority voting in the Council (making it harder for a single country to veto proposed legislation), creation of the cooperation and assent procedures, giving Parliament more influence.
The Single European Act launches a vast 6-year programme to sort these out and thus create a single market. The act, ..., also gives the European Parliament more say and strengthens the powers of the European Communities in environmental protection.
Sources: European Union, Founding agreements (accessed 2 April 2025) and History of the European Union 1980-89, EU portal (accessed 2 April 2025)