SMEs Guides

Design for Growth and Prosperity by EUbusiness — last modified 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.

Electronic identification, signatures and trust services - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 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.

Access to finance by Ina Dimireva — last modified 29 May 2012, 00:42 CET

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

Doing business in Slovenia: Sustainability by Ina Dimireva — last modified 17 May 2012, 01:25 CET

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

Doing business in Portugal: Environmental rules by Ina Dimireva — last modified 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 by Ina Dimireva — last modified 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 by Ina Dimireva — last modified 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 by Ina Dimireva — last modified 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 by Ina Dimireva — last modified 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 by Ina Dimireva — last modified 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 by Ina Dimireva — last modified 27 April 2012, 22:01 CET

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

Doing business in Lithuania: Sustainability by Ina Dimireva — last modified 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 by Ina Dimireva — last modified 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.

A strategy for e-Procurement - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 26 April 2012, 16:55 CET

In the context of the modernisation of the European Public procurement Directives, adopted in December 2011, the European Commission has proposed to make e-procurement the rule rather than the exception, by making it the standard method of procurement in the EU by mid-2016.

Doing business in Latvia: Environmental rules by Ina Dimireva — last modified 24 April 2012, 14:00 CET

The guide summarizes the Latvian laws on environmental protection and how businesses should take these into consideration.

Doing business in Latvia: Staff welfare by Ina Dimireva — last modified 24 April 2012, 12:33 CET

The guide summarizes the main legislation that sets out employment and social rules in Latvia.

Doing business in Ireland: Environmental rules by Ina Dimireva — last modified 23 April 2012, 18:35 CET

Businesses in Ireland must comply with certain European and national laws to lessen their environmental footprint. The areas covered by these laws include waste management and chemicals.

Doing business in Ireland: Staff welfare by Ina Dimireva — last modified 23 April 2012, 17:26 CET

Irish employment law and practice is based on a number of sources including Irish and EU-based legislation, decisions of the courts and custom and practice in this area.

Doing business in Hungary: Sustainability by Ina Dimireva — last modified 11 April 2012, 23:12 CET

Hungarian legislation defines certain rules that businesses have to follow in order to ensure that their activities do not have adverse social and environmental impacts.

Doing business in Hungary: Environmental rules by Ina Dimireva — last modified 11 April 2012, 22:48 CET

After joining the EU, Hungary redrafted nearly all of its environmental protection legislation.