Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

Personal tools
Sections
You are here: Home topics SMEs SMEs Guides
Document Actions

SMEs Guides

Up one level
Guides on the EU Enterprise policy for small- and medium-sized enterprises.
EU sanctions against employers of illegally staying third-country nationals - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 19 February 2009, 23:53 CET
Questions and Answers on sanctions against employers of illegally staying third-country nationals
Review of the VAT invoicing rules - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 29 January 2009, 15:06 CET
The European Commission adopted a proposal on 28 January to change the VAT Directive 2006/112/EC in respect to the invoicing rules, based on a Communication on the technological developments in the field of electronic invoicing. The aim of the proposal is to increase the use of electronic invoicing, reduce burdens on business, support small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and help EU Member States to tackle fraud. The proposal simplifies, modernises and harmonises the VAT invoicing rules. In particular, it eliminates the current barriers to e-invoicing in the VAT Directive by treating paper and electronic invoices equally. The proposal is a key element of the Commission's Action Programme to reduce burdens on business by 25% by 2012, and is part of the Commission's strategy to combat VAT fraud more efficiently.
Bordeaux Communiqué - European Vocational Education and Training policy (VET) - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 26 November 2008, 20:05 CET
On 25-26 November 2008, in Bordeaux, ministers responsible for vocational education and training (VET) of the EU Member States, the EFTA/EEA and candidate countries, the European Commission and the European Social Partners adopted the Bordeaux Communiqué which reviews the Copenhagen process on enhanced cooperation in VET.
Industrial Property Rights Strategy for Europe - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 16 July 2008, 17:05 CET
The European Commission adopted on 16 July two initiatives in the area of copyright. First, the Commission proposes to align the copyright term for performers with that applicable to authors, in this way bridging the income gap that performers face toward the end of their lives. Second, the Commission proposes to fully harmonise the copyright term that applies to co-written musical compositions. In parallel, the Commission also adopted a Green Paper on Copyright in the Knowledge Economy. The consultation document focuses on topics that appear relevant for the development of a modern economy, driven by the rapid dissemination of knowledge and information. Both of these initiatives comprise a unique mix of social, economic and cultural measures aimed at maintaining Europe as a prime location for cultural creators in the entertainment and knowledge sectors.
Regulation automatically approving aid for jobs and growth - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 07 July 2008, 17:22 CET
The European Commission has adopted a Regulation, which will come into force in the coming weeks, giving automatic approval for a range of state aid measures and so allowing EU Member States to grant such aid without first notifying the Commission. The Regulation authorises aid in favour of SMEs, research, innovation, regional development, training, employment and risk capital. The Regulation also authorises environmental protection aid, aid measures promoting entrepreneurship, such as aid for young innovative businesses, aid for newly created small businesses in assisted regions, and measures tackling problems, like difficulties in access to finance, faced by female entrepreneurs. As well as encouraging Member States to focus their state resources on aid that will be of real benefit to job creation and Europe's competitiveness, the Regulation reduces the administrative burden for public authorities, the beneficiaries and the Commission. This new General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) consolidates into one text and harmonises the rules previously existing in five separate Regulations, and enlarges the categories of state aid covered by the exemption. It will take effect 20 days after publication in the Official Journal, allowing Member States to grant better targeted aid immediately.
Communication on VAT reduced rates - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 07 July 2008, 14:06 CET
The European Commission made a proposal on 7 July 2008 to change the VAT Directive 2006/112/EC so as to provide EU Member States with the flexibility to apply reduced VAT rates for some specific services on a permanent basis. The Commission proposal covers areas where there is sufficient evidence that reduced rates do not create problems for the proper functioning of the Internal Market. The sectors concerned are mainly so called labour-intensive services and locally supplied services, including restaurant services. The proposal is also part of the small business act as SMEs dominate the sectors concerned. The proposal does not alter the principle that the application of reduced rates is optional for Member States.
Equal treatment beyond the workplace - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 02 July 2008, 14:27 CET
The Commission on 2 July 2008 adopted a proposal for a directive which provides for protection from discrimination on grounds of age, disability, sexual orientation and religion or belief beyond the workplace. This new directive would ensure equal treatment in the areas of social protection, including social security and health care, education and access to and supply of goods and services which are commercially available to the public, including housing. Eurobarometer surveys show that a large majority of Europeans support such legislation: 77% back measures to protect people from discrimination in education and 68% in access to goods and services.
European Private Company - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 25 June 2008, 22:10 CET
European Commission proposal for a Regulation on a Statute for a European Private Company - guide
Small Business Act for Europe (SBA) - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 25 June 2008, 22:08 CET
Most jobs in the EU are provided for by Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), companies of 250 employees or less. Despite having a crucial importance for future development, they very often face enormous bureaucratic hurdles and obstacles. To help European SMEs fully unlock their potential of long term sustainable growth and of more job creation, the European Commission unveiled on 25 June 2008 the Small Business Act for Europe (SBA), based on ten guiding principles and proposes policy actions to be undertaken by both the Commission and EU Member States.
Small Business Act - public procurement guidelines by EUbusiness — last modified 25 June 2008, 13:30 CET
In the context of the Small Business Act (SBA), the European Commission has published a set of practical examples and guidelines which will enable Member States and public authorities to make their public procurement rules and practices more friendly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Public procurement in the EU – i.e. the purchases of goods, services and public works by governments and public utilities - is a vast market, worth €1800 billion in 2006 and estimated at about 16% of GDP.
Notice on state aid in the form of Guarantees - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 20 May 2008, 19:06 CET
The European Commission on 20 May 2008 adopted a new Notice on state aid in the form of guarantees. The text sets out clear and transparent methodologies to calculate the aid element in a guarantee and provides simplified rules for SMEs, including predefined safe-harbour premiums and single premium rates for low-amount guarantees. The new Notice was foreseen in the State Aid Action Plan as part of the Commission's efforts to clarify and simplify the state aid rules.
Mediation in civil and commercial matters - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 23 April 2008, 23:58 CET
The European Parliament and the EU's Council on 23 April 2008 gave the go-ahead for an EU law to encourage mediation for cross-border legal disputes. The directive promotes the use of mediation as a faster and cheaper alternative to going to court in civil and commercial cross-border disputes.
Mediation in civil and commercial matters - summary by EUbusiness — last modified 23 April 2008, 23:54 CET
The European Parliament and the EU Council on 23 April 2008 gave the go-ahead for an EU law to encourage mediation for cross-border legal disputes. The proposed directive is aimed at promoting the use of mediation as a faster and cheaper alternative to going to court in civil and commercial cross-border disputes.
Antitrust: EC policy paper on compensating consumer and business victims of competition breaches - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 03 April 2008, 13:44 CET
The European Commission on 3 April 2008 published a White Paper suggesting a new model for achieving compensation for consumers and businesses who are the victims of antitrust violations (breaches of EC Treaty rules on restrictive business practices and abuse of dominant market positions). At present, there are serious obstacles in most EU Member States that discourage consumers and businesses from claiming compensation in court in private antitrust damages actions. The White Paper includes suggestions to make damages claims by victims more efficient, whilst ensuring respect for European legal systems and traditions. The model outlined by the Commission is based on compensation through single damages for the harm suffered. The White Paper's other key recommendations cover collective redress, disclosure of evidence and the effect of final decisions of competition authorities in subsequent damages actions. The recommendations balance rights and obligations of both the claimant and the defendant and include safeguards against abuses of litigation. Interested parties are invited to comment on the recommendations until 15 July 2008. The Commission will then reflect on concrete measures in the light of responses to the White Paper.
Common framework for the marketing of products - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 21 February 2008, 23:10 CET
The European Parliament on 21 February 2008 adopted a broad package of measures to facilitate the functioning of the EU's internal market for goods. This will make it easier for companies, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, to sell their products in the EU whilst increasing the protection of consumers. For industrial products, existing market surveillance systems will be strengthened and, for the first time, aligned with import controls. Accreditation has also been introduced. This is a formal system which may now be used to ensure that conformity assessment bodies (or testing and certification laboratories) provide the high quality services that manufacturers need. The introduction of these measures serves to reinforce the role and credibility of CE marking. Improvements are also proposed for the trade with goods which do not fall under EU-legislation. From now on it will also be the duty of an EU Member State that intends to refuse market access for products that are legally marketed in other Member States to talk to the enterprise and to give detailed objective reasons for any possible refusal. This is intended to create new benefits for entrepreneurs as well as helping consumers broaden their choice. It is expected that the Council of the EU will approve the package of measures soon, so that it can enter into force next year.
Supplementary pension schemes and mobility in Europe: studies by EUbusiness — last modified 24 January 2008, 19:55 CET
Supplementary pension schemes continue to pose obstacles to mobility for workers across Europe according to two new independent studies, presented by the European Commission on 22 January 2008. The Commission says the studies support the case for a Europe-wide initiative to improve people's access to supplementary pension rights when changing jobs or working in another EU country. The Commission's proposal for a directive on the issue – revised in October 2007 – forms part of the work programme for the Slovenian EU Presidency.
Unfair commercial practices Directive - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 13 December 2007, 13:21 CET
The European Union's unfair commercial practices Directive - questions and answers
A Single Market for 21st Century Europe - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 20 November 2007, 17:04 CET
The European Commission on 20 November 2007 set out a package of initiatives to modernise the European single market and to bring more benefits to Europeans, building on past successes. The single market has already helped create competitive companies, reduced prices, more choice for consumers and a Europe attractive for investors. The Commission says its measures - which are based on "extensive consultation" - will ensure that the single market does even more to take advantage of globalisation, empower consumers, open up for small businesses, stimulate innovation and help maintain high social and environmental standards. Among the most important policy actions set out in today's single market package are initiatives to: help consumers to exercise their contractual rights and get redress across borders; provide better information for consumers and small businesses; respond to weaknesses in sectors where the single market should deliver more; propose a Small Business Act; and introduce a "researcher passport"; clarify how EU rules apply to services and social services of general interest; and promote the quality of social services across the EU.
EU directive to improve remedies in the area of public procurement - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 16 November 2007, 15:04 CET
The Council of the European Union and the European Parliament on 15 November 2007 adopted a Commission proposal for a Directive reviewing EU rules on remedies in the area of public procurement. This new Directive improves the national review procedures that businesses can use when they consider that a public authority has awarded a contract unfairly.
EU Single Market - benefits by EUbusiness — last modified 16 November 2007, 13:54 CET
Ten ways in which Europeans have benefited from the Single Market