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EFBS: No force on the SEPA-implementation - Deadline for direct debit transfers totally inapplicable — 02 February 2010, 22:47 CET

On the occasion of the hearings at the European Parliament the commissioner designate for the internal market, Michel Barnier, announced the intention of a deadline concerning national direct debit transfers which should be replaced by a European direct debit transfer SEPA- procedure. This proposition does not conform to the European Commission’s commitment to allow stakeholders to introduce the SEPA-procedure voluntarily.

Is there light at the end of the tunnel for small business after all? — 28 January 2010, 15:24 CET

Today, the Legal Affairs Committee of the European Parliament voted in favour of a Commission proposal to exempt micro-entities from certain disproportionately burdensome accounting rules. The vote signals an important step forward for the EU’s overall goal to reduce administrative burden by 25% by 2012.

Indecisive Council and European Parliament Threaten Credibility of EU Plan to Reduce Administrative Burdens — 18 January 2010, 16:38 CET

In January 2007, the European Commission presented a far-reaching Action Programme for the reduction of administrative burden in the European Union, in which it committed itself to reducing red tape on European businesses by 25% by 2012.

EU 2020 strategy must not turn a blind eye to the public sector, warn SMEs — 14 January 2010, 16:05 CET

The EU 2020 strategy must focus more on the quality, implementation and enforcement of public regulations if it is to live up to its role as Europe's long-term policy agenda, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers' organisation. Publishing today its response to the European Commission's consultation on the issue (1), UEAPME stressed the need to incorporate the quality of regulatory systems and their ability to enforce European law in the EU 2020 strategy, including a better integration of the "Think Small First" principles into the text. The organisation also recommended adding a fourth priority, namely improving the effectiveness and accessibility of the public sector. Moreover, it warned that the new strategy will only work if Member States take ownership of the process, which was not always the case in the past, and if stakeholders at all levels are not only involved but fully committed to putting jointly agreed policies into practice.

Doing business in Europe is becoming easier! — 08 January 2010, 17:57 CET

Businesses in around two-thirds of the services sector will soon be able to take greater advantage of European markets thanks to the EU Services Directive.

Parliament vote on Microfinance Facility: positive idea diluted by funding confusion — 18 December 2009, 01:13 CET

While today’s agreement on the content of the proposed “European Microfinance Facility for Employment and Social Inclusion” is a positive sign for entrepreneurs, it is undermined by the lack of agreement on how it will be funded.

European Buildings- Are they really green enough? — 10 December 2009, 23:28 CET

Despite the recent EU agreement to transform the building sector with the adoption of ambitious energy efficiency legislation, practical barriers remain in Europe, according to the latest RICS report "Towards an Energy Efficient European Building Stock".

Business prospects for 2010 lowest in a decade — 03 December 2009, 23:24 CET

Businesses in Europe expect to invest and employ less in 2010 than at any time in the last decade. Also turnover and export forecasts are at their lowest level since 2000, while businesses do not anticipate any changes in domestic sales for the coming year.

Small Business Act: a not so happy birthday, say SMEs — 03 December 2009, 00:08 CET

The Small Business Act adopted exactly one year ago by the Council has had a limited impact on the ground so far and much remains to be done to ensure the full application of its principles and guidelines, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers' organisation.

Greenpeace reaction to EU environment Council — 24 November 2009, 18:09 CET

European environment ministers met yesterday in Brussels to put the final touches to the EU position going into the Copenhagen climate summit in December. Greenpeace welcomes the statement by the EU Presidency noting that the “EU is moving closer to 30% emission reductions.” However, Greenpeace urges the EU to lead by example and to align its emission reduction target with climate science as soon as possible.

EU-Turkey Chambers Forum: a practical step forward in Turkish preparation for EU accession — 17 November 2009, 00:30 CET

One year ago, a EUROCHAMBRES/TOBB survey showed that Turkish businesses are not yet ready for EU accession mainly because of a lack of information on EU legislation. Today, part of this information gap has been filled thanks to the ETCF project (EU-Turkey Chambers Forum).

European Commission outlines a vision of 80% renewable energy by 2050 — 17 November 2009, 00:26 CET

Over 550 high-level political decision makers at EU, national and regional level, representatives of the renewable energy industry, NGOs and scientists gathered in Brussels for the 3rd European Renewable Energy Policy Conference, organized by EREC as an official event of the Swedish EU Presidency. The conference showed a broad consensus that renewable energy will be the mainstream source of Europe's energy supply by 2050.

Red Tape: Commission leads reduction efforts at EU level but companies still struggling — 22 October 2009, 15:26 CET

EUROCHAMBRES welcomes today’s report by the European Commission on the initiatives it has taken to reduce administrative burdens in the EU. However, the feeling from businesses is that such positive announcements don't match reality.

Europe continues to block fair climate agreement — 21 October 2009, 16:30 CET

A just and fair international agreement on combating climate change is no nearer after Europe's environment ministers today failed to show Europe is willing to live up to its historical responsibilities for causing the climate crisis.

Korea trade deal goes against interest of major European industries and their workforce — 15 October 2009, 15:24 CET

The European Commission has, today, initialled a free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea that consents to unfair competition and goes against the interest of major manufacturing industries in Europe, including the automotive sector, and their millions of employees.

Giuffrè Editore partnering with Caselex — 08 October 2009, 23:58 CET

Caselex has entered into a distribution agreement authorizing Italy’s leading legal publisher Giuffrè Editore to distribute Caselex’ case law service.

A first step towards improved energy bills for consumers — 01 October 2009, 17:42 CET

The European Commission's Citizens' Energy Forum has yesterday endorsed a report on good practice guidance as well as ten recommendations on energy billing.

Need to Promote Cord Blood Stem Cells - Europe is behind the United States and Asian Pacific countries — 01 October 2009, 16:33 CET

Cord Blood Europe calls for better education and understanding about the value of cord blood stem cells among parents-to-be.

Open Letter to EU Member States on FTA South Korea — 28 September 2009, 15:20 CET

The European Commission should improve the conditions of the upcoming free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea and ensure a more transparent process for all stakeholders. The FTA will have a significant impact on jobs and competitiveness in the EU economy and rushing into signing a bad agreement is wrong.

Consuming the world's resources: Europe's role, Europe's responsibilities — 17 September 2009, 21:56 CET

Europe is using increasing quantities of the world's natural resources, according to a new report launched by Friends of the Earth Europe at the 'World Resources Forum' in Davos, Switzerland. The report also shows that Europe is more dependant on imported resources than other global regions.

Greenpeace welcomes European Commission support for international bluefin tuna trade ban — 08 September 2009, 22:23 CET

Greenpeace welcomes the European Commission’s decision today to support a ban on the international trade of North Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna.

Energy-saving light bulbs: good for consumers but outstanding issues need to be addressed — 26 August 2009, 11:33 CET

From 1st September 2009, incandescent light bulbs will gradually be removed from the European market. ANEC, the European Consumer Voice in Standardisation and BEUC, the European Consumers' Organisation, welcome the phasing-out of incandescent light bulbs. Not only will consumers benefit financially from the measure, but most importantly, they will be able to contribute to improved energy efficiency by reducing their energy consumption.

5th EUROCHAMBRES survey on the Services Directive — 23 July 2009, 17:27 CET

About 40% of European national Chambers of Commerce believe that their country will not have fully implemented the Services Directive by the 28 December 2009 deadline. This marks the first drop in Chambers' confidence on the directive's implementation throughout EUROCHAMBRES' monitoring of the process.

Joint press release: SEPA risks failure unless corrections are made, say end users — 16 July 2009, 11:48 CET

The Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) that aims to establish one set of Europe-wide rules for credit transfers, debt transfers and payment card services risks not being sufficiently taken up by the market and failing to meet its objective to improve the efficiency of cross border euro payments, according to 8 leading European business and consumer organisations.

One year later, EUROCHAMBRES deplores deadlock of Union for the Mediterranean — 09 July 2009, 15:40 CET

One year after the optimistic launch of the "Union for Mediterranean", EUROCHAMBRES regrets that none of its two main components have advanced: the ambitious aim of creating a Union for political dialogue on shared Euro-Med challenges was repeatedly blocked by different countries, making their cooperation in this matter conditional on the solution of political conflicts in the region, and the identified priority projects still wait to be kick-started as they suffer from a lack of financing and ownership, with the secretariat of the Union still to be created.