At midnight on 31 December 1992, the concept of the Single European Market officially becomes a reality. As a result of a proposal presented by the Royal Mail to the postal administrations of the other EC countries, member states of the Community have issued stamps to celebrate this landmark in European history.

An integrated European market was envisaged in the 1957 Treaty of Rome, on which the European Community is based. Under the 1987 Single European Act, the first major amendment to this treaty, member states of the Community agreed to create a Single European Market by 31 December 1992.

The directives aim to remove all barriers to the free movement within the European Community of goods, services and people and enable the Community to act as a single commercial and consumer entity. Although some directives will be phased in after 31 December 1992 and the effects of many are likely to be gradual, there is no denying that this date marks a significant watershed in European history.