SMEs Guides

Doing business in Denmark: Environmental rules by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 March 2012, 00:39 CET

This guide outlines the most important environmental legislation in Denmark.

Doing business in the Netherlands: Staff welfare by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 March 2012, 00:48 CET

In the Netherlands, government rules on staff welfare can be found in the Working Conditions Act, the Working Conditions Decree, the government's Health and Safety Regulations and also its Guidelines on Working Conditions, including standards.

Doing business in the Netherlands: Sustainability by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 March 2012, 00:42 CET

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the Netherlands applies to all core business processes, from buying and production through to personnel policy and marketing.

Doing business in the Netherlands: Environmental rules by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 March 2012, 00:37 CET

Dutch businesses must comply with specific environmental regulations, which are based on the Environmental Management Act and incorporated within general environmental rules such as the Environmental Activities Decree or environmental licensing.

Doing business in Italy: Staff welfare by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 March 2012, 00:49 CET

This guide summarizes the main rules that regulate employers' social obligations to their workers.

Doing business in Italy: Sustainability by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 March 2012, 00:41 CET

The Italian government encourages businesses to improve environmental standards and act responsibly in this area. The government does not impose measures on sustainability but provides incentives for businesses that wish to do so.

Doing business in Italy: Environmental rules by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 March 2012, 00:42 CET

National policies on environmental legislation aim to reduce pollution and promote sustainable energy. In Italy, businesses are held responsible for the environmental impact of their activities.

Doing business in France: Staff welfare by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 March 2012, 00:49 CET

France's labour code sets out employees' rights in relation to non-discrimination, gender equality in the workplace, health, maternity and paternity leave, harassment, etc.

Doing business in France: Sustainability by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 March 2012, 00:40 CET

CSR encourages businesses to take account of social and environmental concerns in their business strategies, management and operation methods, and the design of their products and services.

Doing business in France: Environmental rules by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 March 2012, 00:47 CET

France adopted its national sustainable development strategy in 2003 and its environment charter in 2004. The purpose of sustainable development for businesses is to improve and assess environmental, social and economic performance.

Doing business in Belgium: Environmental rules by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 March 2012, 00:43 CET

The following guidlines provide information about the environmental regulations in Belgium that help companies run sustainable businesses without adversely impacting the environment.

Doing business in the UK: Environmental rules by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 March 2012, 00:42 CET

Businesses in the UK have a legal responsibility for the impact they have on the environment.

Doing business in Germany: Sustainability by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 March 2012, 00:41 CET

Germany has no overall Act covering sustainable development, but rather a sustainability strategy adopted by the Federal Government in 2002.

Doing business in Germany: Staff welfare by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 March 2012, 00:49 CET

Social support in Germany is handled via the individual branches of social security: statutory medical, healthcare, pension, unemployment and accident insurance. The legal basis is provided by the Social Security Code (Sozialgesetzbuch) and the specific Acts.

Doing business in Germany: Environmental rules by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 March 2012, 00:48 CET

The devolution of competences to the Länder means that the Federal Government is responsible for some aspects of environmental protection while the Länder handle others.

Doing business in Belgium: Staff welfare by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 March 2012, 00:48 CET

Social legislation in Belgium prohibits discrimination and advocates equal opportunity and gender equality. Employers are responsible for promoting welfare within the company.

Doing business in Belgium: Sustainability by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 March 2012, 00:39 CET

The following guidlines provide information about the environmental regulations in Belgium that help companies run sustainable businesses without adversely impacting the environment.

Reducing administrative burdens on small businesses - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 23 February 2012, 19:40 CET

European Commission efforts to reduce regulatory burden, including administrative burden, are part of its smart regulation agenda. Smart regulation is intended to ensure that European laws benefit people and businesses. It is essential if the EU is to deliver the ambitious objectives for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth set out by the Europe 2020 Strategy. The Commission therefore evaluates the impact of legislation during the whole policy cycle: when a policy is designed, when it is in place, and when it is revised. As smart regulation is a shared responsibility of all those involved in EU policy-making, the Commission works with the European Parliament, Council and Member States to encourage them to apply smart regulation in their work. Below are an overview of Commission achievements and examples of administrative burden reduction.

Doing business in the UK: Staff welfare by Ina Dimireva — last modified 30 March 2012, 00:48 CET

Labour legislation covers basic workplace standards which employers must follow. These include protection against discrimination, the right to equal pay and the national minimum wage.

Consultation on the future of European company law - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 21 February 2012, 00:14 CET

The European Commission has launched an in-depth consultation on the future of European company law. Europe needs a company law framework that is adapted to the needs of the society of today and to the evolution of the economic environment. EU company law has played a central part in building the single market. The Commission says it is now time to see whether today's needs are still met by the existing legal framework. An on-line public consultation paper has been launched to collect comments from all stakeholders. The deadline for sending contributions is 14 May 2012.