The difference between ELMS and IMI
The ELMS (Electronic Licence Management System) and the IMI (Internal Market Information) system are two different systems designed to ease the burdens placed upon authorities and service providers alike.
Essentially, the ELMS system is authority facing, used by service providers and competent authorities and the IMI system is used only by competent authorities.
ELMS
http://elmsportal.businesslink.gov.uk/
ELMS forms part of the online application system for service providers who wish to apply for licences in the UK.
Service providers use the website businesslink.gov.uk, a single point of contact that allows potential service providers to find the information they require about how to apply for a licence. It also stores all of the information they need to help them apply for a licence, and the application form itself. As a competent authority (an authority who grants licences or maintains a register) you use ELMS, which is connected to businesslink.gov.uk
ELMS allows you to download completed applications made through businesslink.gov.uk and feed them into your case management process; you will also be able to keep in electronic contact with each applicant, and inform individual applicants of the success or failure of their application. In addition, ELMS lets you manage your authority's content on businesslink.gov.uk, and update it when necessary.
Note that while ELMS provides a convenient interface between your authority and service providers who are applying for licences, it does not replace your existing licence application processes.
Further information is available at the link below or please contact the implementation team at servicesdirective@bis.gsi.gov.uk
IMI
The IMI system is only accessible to registered authorities and registered users within those authorities (including local authorities). It is not accessible to the wider public or service providers. Article 29 of the Services Directive obliges Member States to provide mutual assistance to each other and this must be achieved through electronic means. In order to achieve this, the European Commission established the IMI system.
Benefits of the system can be seen on the links below but include automatic translation, easy access to corresponding authorities and indicated date of replies. Authorities do not need to make available any forms on the IMI system but the system does make available any registers that authorities hold that are in scope of the Services Directive. These must be made available on the same basis for all EEA regulators.
Further information is available at the European Commission IMI website links below or contact the IMI National Liaison Point (NLP) at sdimi@bis.gsi.gov.uk
