European craft and SME employers' organisation

SMEunited is the association of Crafts and SMEs in Europe with around 70 member organisations from over 30 European countries. SMEunited represents national cross-sectoral Craft and SME federations, European SME branch organisations and associate members. Combined, we represent more than 12 million enterprises with around 55 million employees across Europe. SMEunited is also a recognised employers' organisation and European Social Partner. SMEunited’s mission is shaping Europe for SMEs and shaping SMEs for Europe.

A strong Europe needs strong SMEs - and vice versa — 18 June 2018, 22:22 CET

At the UEAPME General Assembly in Sofia on 15 June, SME representatives from all over Europe gathered. They discussed key topics for SMEs with the President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev, amongst others their competitiveness, innovation capacity and the EU Budget post 2020. To ensure SMEs can operate in a level playing field, the UEAPME General Assembly insisted that the SME definition is still fit for purpose, emphasising the 250 headcount in the current definition should be maintained.

Single Market Programme will continue to support SMEs' competitiveness — 11 June 2018, 22:25 CET

UEAPME welcomes the support specifically dedicated to SMEs proposed by the European Commission for the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027.

Horizon Europe: Innovation Council needs adequate budget to deliver — 07 June 2018, 14:15 CET

Europe's SMEs very much welcome the strong focus on innovation in today’s Commission proposal of for Horizon Europe, the next framework programme for Research and Innovation.

REACH registration deadline: SMEs struggle to comply — 30 May 2018, 22:36 CET

UEAPME is highly concerned about recent developments around REACH, the chemicals' regulation, and the future availability of resources for the European economy.

UEAPME puts forward SME proposals for European plastics strategy — 24 May 2018, 21:56 CET

UEAPME welcomes the Commission's communication on 'A European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy' in its position paper published toda. However, according to UEAPME, one major key element of this strategy should be awareness-raising campaigns aimed at changing the way European society deals with plastics.

GDPR: SMEs call for a period of grace — 15 May 2018, 12:29 CET

In a joint letter to Commissioner Vera Jourova, UEAPME, EUROCHAMBRES and HOTREC ask the Commission to recommend, to Member States and to the national Data Protection Authorities, not to immediately impose fines on SMEs during the first year of application and to continue to invest in support and advice for small businesses.

MFF proposal sends positive signal, but needs sharpening — 02 May 2018, 22:45 CET

In a first reaction on today's European Commission proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework, UEAPME called it a positive signal for European businesses and welcomes the increase in support to investment in future growth and jobs.

European SMEs welcome Commission's proposal on Platforms — 26 April 2018, 14:39 CET

Today, the European Commission published its proposal for a Regulation to tackle unfair practices from platforms towards businesses. UEAPME warmly welcomes this proposal as an important step forward in ensuring fairness in the Digital Single Market.

EU-Budget Post-2020 has to provide strong support to SMEs — 26 April 2018, 14:36 CET

Ahead of the European Commission's expected decision on its proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), UEAPME publishes the SME priorities as regards the European budget for the next 7 years. According to UEAPME, the next MFF has to aim for making Europe more competitive and a better place to live in instead of trying to protect old and inefficient structures.

"New Deal for Consumers": missed chance for SME-friendly law — 11 April 2018, 23:12 CET

Today, the European Commission published its package on the "New Deal for Consumers" – a targeted revision of the European consumer law. The revision follows the Fitness Check of consumer and marketing laws and the parallel evaluation of the Consumer Rights Directive which had the aim to identify excessive regulatory burdens, overlaps and inconsistencies that may have appeared over time. UEAPME states that the result is a missed chance to simplify the consumer acquis and that too much emphasis is put on enforcement.

Economic and social progress cannot happen without SMEs — 21 March 2018, 15:29 CET

At the Tripartite Social Summit focussing on 'Delivering on the European Pillar of Social Rights' (EPSR), UEAPME President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller put forward the fact that we need a strong economy and growth to achieve social progress.

Self-employed must have better access to social protection — 14 March 2018, 23:57 CET

Representing entrepreneurs and self-employed in Europe, and in response to the new Commission initiative as part of the Social Fairness Package, UEAPME advocates that all workers and self-employed have access to basic levels of social protection at an affordable cost.

SMEs say no to Commission approach for definitive VAT system — 06 March 2018, 15:21 CET

In a position paper, UEAPME presents quite a negative assessment of the European Commission's proposal for the first steps towards a Single EU VAT system.

New working conditions put too much red tape on SMEs — 28 February 2018, 23:39 CET

In its newly adopted position on the proposal for a directive on transparent and predictable working conditions, UEAPME expressed serious concerns about the red tape and complexity of the new directive. The aim of the directive is not only to inform workers of the conditions applicable to an employment relationship but also to ensure new rights (such as the predictability of work).

Digitalisation is crucial for SMEs' competitiveness — 27 February 2018, 15:27 CET

"Entrepreneurs need an enabling legal framework and an environment with adequate support structures to guide their company through digital transformation. Therefore, UEAPME calls for increasing measures on skills development, financial support, capacity building, an appropriate infrastructure and standardisation" stated UEAPME President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller during a meeting with Commissioner Bienkowska.

UEAPME puts focus on SMEs at Industry Day — 22 February 2018, 16:20 CET

Today, at the first meeting of the High-level Industrial Roundtable with Commission Vice-President Katainen and Commissioner Bieńkowska, UEAPME President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller put forward the need to have a specific focus on SMEs within a renewed EU Industrial Policy Strategy.

Sales of goods: a missed opportunity — 22 February 2018, 12:41 CET

Today, after two years of debate, IMCO (European Parliament Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee) voted its report on the proposal concerning contracts for the sales of goods. UEAPME acknowledges the Committee's efforts to find a reasonable compromise for all parties and appreciates that provisions such as the lifespan guarantee have not been introduced. However, SMEs regret that the proposal, as it stands now, does not live up to the expected potential initially foreseen, notably establishing full harmonisation of guarantees and remedies at European level.

Geo-blocking will discourage SMEs' online trade — 06 February 2018, 21:10 CET

Today, the European Parliament's plenary ratified the agreement reached in trilogue by adopting the regulation to end unjustified geo-blocking. While SMEs support the fight against unjustified discrimination based on nationality and residency, they remain highly concerned with the Geo-blocking Regulation that leaves many open questions and does not guarantee legal certainty to traders. This will not facilitate increase of cross-border e-commerce.

GDPR: SMEs call on Member States to support implementation — 30 January 2018, 15:43 CET

Today, UEAPME met Commissioners Ansip and Jourova with other stakeholders to discuss the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) entering into force on 25th May.

The European SME definition is still fit for purpose — 19 December 2017, 18:28 CET

In its position paper published today, UEAPME opposes any possible changes to the SME definition. A first assessment with member organisations shows a broad support for the current definition, which is still fit for purpose. Any widening would only lead to including more beneficiaries and possible reduction of support for the micro enterprises who most need specific measures.

EFSI 2.0 will give further push for investment and innovation — 12 December 2017, 18:10 CET

UEAPME President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller welcomes today's final approval of EFSI 2.0 at the European Parliament.

UEAPME elects its representatives for Europe's SMEs — 07 December 2017, 12:59 CET

Ulrike Rabmer-Koller was unanimously re-elected for a second two-year mandate as President of UEAPME, the European Craft and SME Association. In her acceptance speech, Ms Rabmer-Koller stated that she would continue her efforts to strengthen the organisation as the "Voice of SMEs in Europe" and put forward her policy priorities (better regulation, access to finance, skills shortage, and digitalisation).

SMEs are still the driving force of European economy — 24 November 2017, 11:40 CET

“Entrepreneurs need a stimulating environment without unnecessary administrative burdens, where people with the right skills can cooperate to ensure the development of SMEs and where these skills provide access to the resources required to run their business” stated UEAPME President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller on the occasion of the European SME Assembly 2017.

Skills shortages: a threat for SMEs — 22 November 2017, 15:16 CET

The 2nd European Vocational Skills Week is a real opportunity to showcase the high value of Vocational Education and Training in Europe. It is a unique opportunity to promote and recognise the importance of vocational skills acquired on the job through national, regional and local events taking place across Europe, many of them organised by UEAPME members.

Social dimension needed for more jobs and fairness — 17 November 2017, 11:40 CET

At the Extraordinary Meeting of the Gothenburg Summit between the EU Institutions and the European Social Partners, UEAPME President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller highlighted that UEAPME’s first priority for the European Pillar of Social Rights is to better integrate the economic and social dimension.