'Fit for 55' package: some light and many possible shadows

14 July 2021
by smeunited -- last modified 14 July 2021

The 'Fit for 55' package translates ambitious targets into practice, which have to be implemented in only nine years. SMEunited will put forward the conditions to make the proposed instruments realistic and economically feasible for SMEs. Investment certainty and limiting additional regulatory burdens are key.

Considering the short timeframe to achieve the targets, Secretary General of SMEunited, Véronique Willems stressed the importance of alignment: "Some pieces of legislation, like the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), have been recently revised. That implementation is not yet completed in many Member States. Therefore, the new targets can create delays and a patchy situation in the single market". On the other hand, Ms Willems welcomed that the new targets of the EED and RED are not binding at national level and that some streamlining of procedures has been proposed.

Nevertheless, some changes in the EED and RED catch SMEs' attention: first, the new criterion for mandatory energy audits will require a check on the cost and administrative impact for SMEs. Secondly, the mainstreaming of renewable energy for SMEs in the industrial sector must be well accompanied.

On a new ETS for buildings and road transport, Sec. Gen. Willems stressed: "The trickle-down effect with higher fuel prices for houses and vehicles will not be completely mitigated by a Climate Social Facility representing only 25% of the revenues of the new scheme."

As regards the Carbon Border Adjustment mechanism, SMEunited welcomes the efforts made to bring the proposal in line with the WTO requirements by allowing the deduction of cost occurred from other carbon pricing systems. However, Ms Willems warned, "the complex calculation for the declaration of the emissions of the imported products risks that small importers face higher carbon prices for these products. The European Commission must therefore ensure that the procedures and conditions for this are easy and free of charge."

SMEunited, formerly known as UEAPME, is the association of crafts and SMEs in Europe with around 70 member organisations from over 30 European countries. SMEunited is a recognised employers' organisation and European Social Partner and acts on behalf of crafts and SMEs in the European Social Dialogue and in discussions with the EU institutions.

SMEunited