What to do in a supply chain crisis - IMERA
If a crisis causes disruptions to supply-chains or other difficulties for your business, you need to know how to get in touch with relevant authorities and where to find reliable information about any crisis management measures put in place.
The Internal Market Emergency and Resilience Act (IMERA) ensures that EU countries work together with businesses to quickly identify threats to supply chains and resolve any disruptions. It is designed to
- avoid conflicting national measures
- support the continued movement of people, goods and services
- and provide you with clear guidance during times of disruption.
In an emergency, your main point of contact will be the single point of contact in the EU country where you are located.
How IMERA works
IMERA is organised around three phases — contingency planning, vigilance and emergency response — which describe how authorities prepare for, monitor and manage serious disruptions.
Depending on the situation, you may be invited by your national authorities to take part in preparedness activities, receive early information about risks, or respond to opportunities such as public procurement linked to crisis needs.
Contingency planning
Before a crisis occurs, the focus is on preparing for potential crisis, so businesses and authorities are ready if a disruption happens. Activities may include:
- crisis simulations and stress tests
- training on how to react fast, stay operational and coordinate with authorities during a crisis
- early warning alerts when potential risks are identified
- a governance structure ensuring cooperation, information sharing, and crisis communication
You may be invited by your national authorities to participate in voluntary exercises, training, or preparedness activities.
Vigilance mode
If risks begin to emerge, but a full crisis has not yet been declared, national authorities will increase monitoring and engagement with relevant business sectors. Activities may include:
- monitoring of critical supply chains of goods and services
- early warning alerts to help prevent disruptions
- public procurement for critical goods and services, creating opportunities for companies to bid
You may be asked for limited information to help authorities understand and resolve potential disruptions as quickly and effectively as possible. There may also be opportunities to participate in procurement of critical goods. Measures are targeted and designed to minimise impact on your daily operations.
Emergency mode
If a major crisis is declared, temporary EU measures can be activated to keep trade flowing and maintain the supply of essential goods and services.
What it could mean for your business:
- fast-tracked certification procedures may be introduced for crisis-relevant products, relieving businesses from burdensome paperwork
- businesses may be invited to voluntarily expand or repurpose production towards these crisis-relevant goods
- companies may be informed of procurement or production opportunities to support the supply of critical goods, services, or infrastructure during an emergency
- requests for information to businesses are targeted, harmonised, and proportional
Where to go for information during a crisis
In times of a significant crisis, your first point of contact is the national single point of contact in your EU country.
The single point of contact is there to support you by:
- giving you clear information on the emergency measures that apply to your business
- directing you to the right authority or service
- helping you understand what actions (if any) you are invited to take
Find your national single point of contact:
Choose country
- Austria*
- Belgium*
- Bulgaria*
- Croatia*
- Cyprus*
- Czechia*
- Denmark*
- Estonia*
- Finland
- France*
- Germany*
- Greece*
- Hungary*
- Iceland*
- Ireland*
- Italy*
- Latvia*
- Liechtenstein*
- Lithuania*
- Luxembourg*
- Malta*
- Netherlands*
- Norway*
- Poland*
- Portugal*
- Romania*
- Slovakia*
- Slovenia*
- Spain*
- Sweden*