SMEs in the EU

News and information about the European Union's policies for small and medium-sized businesses.

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European enterprise promotion awards 2012 — 04 October 2012, 16:11 CET

Fourteen projects have been shortlisted for the 2012 European Enterprise Promotion Awards (EEPA). Over 402 projects competed in this year’s national competitions for a chance to enter. Slightly more than in 2011, the Awards also received entries from a record-breaking 30 European countries - all 27 EU Member States as well as Croatia, Serbia and Turkey. A high-level jury representing business, government and academia reviewed the 57 national winner entries and established a shortlist of 14 nominees in five categories. The winners for each of the five categories will be announced at the first ever SME Assembly on 15 November 2012 in Cyprus, to which all nominees will be invited. One project will also receive the prestigious Grand Jury Prize.

Single Market Act II: not the greatest of sequels, say SMEs — 03 October 2012, 19:32 CET

UEAPME welcomes points on transport, energy networks, second chance; concerned with costs linked to e-invoicing and MIF

Single Market Act II: twelve priority actions for new growth — 03 October 2012, 18:28 CET

This year being the 20th anniversary of the Single Market, the European Commission on 3 October adopted Single Market Act II, putting forward twelve key actions for rapid adoption by the EU institutions. These actions are concentrated on four main drivers for growth, employment and confidence: a) integrated networks, b) cross border mobility of citizens and businesses, c) the digital economy, and d) actions that reinforce cohesion and consumer benefits.

The top 10 most burdensome legislative acts for SMEs - consultation — 02 October 2012, 19:27 CET

Complaints are often aired about the red tape created by European law. The European Commission says it wants to cut red tape; and that it can cut red tape. However, it admits there is a definite lack of concrete proposals to reduce this burden. With this in mind, the Commission is calling upon businesses: "Let us know what could be done better - we would like your ideas for reducing red tape!" — the leitmotif of a consultation launched today by the Commission. This consultation process for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and their representative organisations, will help to identify the top ten EU legislative acts considered most burdensome by micro-companies and SMEs. It will run until 21 December 2012, and once complete, the Commission will analyse the results and consider how situation for SMEs could be improved.

Cloud computing: EC strategy goes in the right direction, say SMEs — 27 September 2012, 15:31 CET

UEAPME welcomes focus on data security, legal certainty, access to broadband; doubts basis for model contract terms

Design for Growth and Prosperity — 20 September 2012, 17:42 CET

In order to fully exploit the design's potential to boost innovation, growth and job creation, the European Commission has set up the European Design Innovation Initiative. Its policy recommendations - the report "Design for Growth and Prosperity" were presented to Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani at the European Design Innovation Summit in Helsinki, the World Design Capital in 2012.

ESBA welcomes the adoption of the Rübig Report — 20 September 2012, 00:13 CET

ESBA welcomes the adoption of the report on Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs): competitiveness and business opportunities

SMEs' jobs potential is the key to solve the employment crisis — 06 September 2012, 22:52 CET

With unemployment hovering around double digits and Europe on the brink of a new recession, it is absolutely crucial to better take into account the needs of SMEs as the main source of jobs in the EU. This is the message brought forward by UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers' organisation, on the occasion of the "Employment Policy Conference" opening today in Brussels.

EUR 8 billion FP7 call: how much for SMEs? — 09 July 2012, 20:10 CET

On the day that the next set of calls under the 7th EU Research and Technological Framework Programme (FP7) were announced, EUROCHAMBRES urged the European Commission to address the issue of SME participation. To date, only 13.7% of the FP7 budget has gone to SMEs, an alarmingly low figure given smaller businesses’ economic predominance.

Capital Requirements Directive: An SME Perspective — 21 June 2012, 12:40 CET

In light of current negotiations, ESBA would like to remind the European Institutions of the impact the Capital Requirements Directive may have on SMEs.

New Regulation on e-Signature: finally a European digital market in sight! — 06 June 2012, 22:58 CET

ChamberSign, the Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry that provides e-Signature in Europe, warmly welcomed today’s European Commission Regulation on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions.

Electronic identification, signatures and trust services - guide — 05 June 2012, 22:48 CET

The European Commission has proposed new rules to enable cross-border and secure electronic transactions in Europe. The proposed Regulation will ensure people and businesses can use their own national electronic identification schemes (e-IDs) to access public services in other EU countries where e-IDs are available. It also creates an internal market for e-Signatures and related online trust services across borders, by ensuring these services will work across borders and have the same legal status as traditional paper based processes. This will give full effect to the major potential savings of eProcurement. The proposal fully respects both existing national ID systems and the preferences of those Member States without national ID schemes. It allows countries with e-ID to opt-in or to remain outside of the European scheme. Once a Member State notifies that they wish to join the pan-European scheme, they must offer the same access to public services via e-ID that they offer to their own citizens.

ESBA Welcomes Council Decision on COSME — 31 May 2012, 17:53 CET

The European Small Business Alliance (ESBA) welcomes the partial general approach on the Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and small and medium sized enterprises (COSME) which was agreed upon today by the Competitiveness Council.

Access to finance — 29 May 2012, 00:42 CET

A guide on the financial support available to businesses in Cyprus.

Doing business in Slovenia: Sustainability — 17 May 2012, 01:25 CET

The Slovenian Development Strategy is the document that provides businesses with guidance on how to become more sustainable.

Basel III: Parliament's committee vote a key step in the right direction, say SMEs — 15 May 2012, 12:35 CET

UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers' organisation, warmly welcomed yesterday's vote at the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee on the implementation in the EU of the "Basel III" rules on capital requirements.

Doing business in Portugal: Environmental rules — 01 May 2012, 16:34 CET

Businesses in Portugal are obliged to comply with certain environmental legislation in order to be able to operate.

Doing business in Portugal: Staff welfare — 01 May 2012, 15:58 CET

The Portuguese Labour Code defines the workplace rules applicable to the employees of a business.

Doing business in Luxembourg: Sustainability — 01 May 2012, 23:00 CET

Even though legislation in Luxembourg does not oblige businesses to adopt sustainability practices, the government gives advice on how improving companies' corporate social responsibility can be beneficial for them.

Doing business in Luxembourg: Environmental rules — 29 April 2012, 17:39 CET

Legislation in Luxembourg obliges businesses to comply with environmental rules in order to reduce their negative impact on the environment.

Doing business in Luxembourg: Staff welfare — 28 April 2012, 13:23 CET

The Labour Code in Luxembourg covers employee rights regarding health and safety in the workplace, discrimination, recruitment, dismissal, and employment contracts.

Doing business in Lithuania: Environmental rules — 27 April 2012, 23:16 CET

Legislation in Lithuania has set out environmental rules that businesses have to follow in order to be able to operate.

Doing business in Lithuania: Staff welfare — 27 April 2012, 22:01 CET

This guide outlines the major social rules on staff welfare in Lithuania.

Doing business in Lithuania: Sustainability — 27 April 2012, 23:21 CET

Several legal acts in Lithuania regulate sustainable development. However, businesses can voluntariliy choose whether to undertake corporate social initiatives.

Doing business in Latvia: Sustainability — 25 April 2012, 22:22 CET

Many companies in Latvia have incorporated corporate social responsibility (CSR) into their practice and voluntarily contribute to social development and environmental protection.