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.

Pilot Talent Pool: important test to alleviate labour and skill shortage — 10 October 2022, 21:54 CET

SMEunited welcomes the launch of the European Commission Pilot Talent Pool focused on the integration of Ukrainian refugees into the labour market.

Emergency call: mitigate energy price rises for SMEs — 28 September 2022, 22:28 CET

SMEunited urges EU Energy Ministers to adopt the measures proposed by the European Commission to tackle high energy prices at their meeting on Friday. In addition, the Commission should come forward with the reviewed State aid crisis framework as soon as possible allowing Member States to implement price-cutting measures for SMEs.

The impact of faster payments: crucial for SMEs — 26 September 2022, 23:52 CET

SMEunited has been advocating the correct payment terms for decades. Late payments endanger the continuity of SME activities. The report on the impact of faster payments in B2B relations, published today by the Joint Research Centre, underlines this statement. We ask the Commission to use this momentum to immediately launch the revision of the Late Payment Directive, announced by President von der Leyen at the State of the Union address.

State of the SME Union - shape Europe for SMEs — 14 September 2022, 23:35 CET

SMEunited welcomes President von der Leyen's measures for SMEs, announced at the State of the Union address today. SMEs support the efforts to reduce electricity demand, push down prices and avoid blackouts.

European Employers and Trade Unions sign historic deal — 28 June 2022, 18:00 CET

European trade unions and employers will today sign a work programme, including to negotiate a legally binding agreement on 'Telework and right to disconnect'.

SMEs and the future of the rural areas — 16 June 2022, 23:01 CET

SMEunited welcomes the Long Term Vision for the EU's Rural Areas and supports the Rural Action Plan and the Rural Pact, which cover a wide range of challenges in rural areas and take into account all actors, in particular SMEs.

REPowerEU plan: SMEs reject another change of targets — 18 May 2022, 22:58 CET

SMEunited warns against another change of renewables and energy efficiency targets, as proposed today in the REPowerEU plan. SMEs require investment stability and planning. We support further elements of the REPowerEU plan aimed at strengthening the EU's diversification of energy sources both with internal and external measures.

Future Europe: entrepreneurship and smart regulation are key — 09 May 2022, 16:32 CET

Today on "Europe day", the Conference on the Future of Europe is holding its closing event. The Conference was an important project to discuss what kind of future Europeans want and which reforms are necessary. SMEunited welcomes that citizens in their proposals paid attention to the entrepreneurial culture and business competitiveness.

Sustainable Products: SMEs to be enabled to play their role — 30 March 2022, 23:47 CET

In its first reaction to the new package of EU Green Deal proposals, SMEunited highlighted: SMEs should be fully involved in the new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products.

SMEs do not recover as expected, and uncertainty is rising — 18 March 2022, 20:54 CET

The SME Business Climate Index presented today shows that the recovery of SMEs came to a hold. Last semester's results lag significantly behind expectations, and uncertainty prevailed in forecasts even before the crisis in Ukraine.

SMEunited welcomes long-awaited Data Act — 23 February 2022, 23:15 CET

SMEunited warmly welcomes the adoption by the Commission of the proposal for a Data Act. The Act is an important and necessary step towards a fair and balanced legal framework for the data economy as it will guarantee access to and use of data for SMEs.

Recast of the EPBD: on the right track with some drawbacks — 17 December 2021, 00:35 CET

SMEunited is positive that focus is put on ways to remove economic, technical and knowledge-based barriers to renovate as well as to increase skilled workforce in the construction supply chain. However, some of the new proposed concepts could increase complexity and costs for SMEs.

SMEs vital to life of communities in Europe — 18 November 2021, 19:08 CET

Speaking today in the context of the SME Assembly being held in Slovenia, Veronique Willems, Secretary-General of SMEunited and Christel Delberghe, Director-General of EuroCommerce underlined the role of SMEs as the backbone of vibrant town centres and rural communities, made a joint call for action to address the challenges facing small businesses and the communities they serve:

EU Strategy for Sustainable Textiles: make it fit for SMEs — 09 November 2021, 21:57 CET

SMEunited and Small Business Standards present their recommendations to ensure the new textile strategy allows SMEs to fully benefit from the green transition.

Energy and materials prices endanger SMEs' recovery — 19 October 2021, 18:25 CET

Ahead of the European Council meeting on 21 October, SMEunited spotlights the repercussions of high energy and material prices for European SMEs. It calls for policy actions to mitigate the energy crisis for 22.5 million SMEs, such as cost management and measures to improve energy markets.

SMEs recover faster than expected, but uncertainty is rising — 14 October 2021, 22:32 CET

The SME Business Climate Index presented today shows a steep recovery of 16.3 points up to 76.1% after the weak result of 59.8% recorded in Spring 2021. President Maggiar pointed out that the loosening of the tight lockdown measures in Europe, together with the success of the vaccination schemes, have allowed the rapid improvement of the SMEs economic activities.

SMEunited welcomes decision on SME definition — 29 September 2021, 21:39 CET

SMEunited warmly welcomes the result of the evaluation of the SME definition published by the European Commission today.

State of the EU: Time to make speeches a reality — 09 September 2021, 18:35 CET

Ahead of the State of the Union by European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen, European SMEs call to boost the recovery to support the twin transition. A better regulatory environment and skills development are prerequisites for SMEs' competitiveness.

'Fit for 55' package: some light and many possible shadows — 14 July 2021, 18:08 CET

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.

The new OSH Framework recognises SMEs constraints — 30 June 2021, 00:33 CET

SMEunited stresses that the ambitious OSH Framework will nevertheless put renewed compliance efforts on SMEs.

Recovery: European SMEs call to move from words to action — 18 June 2021, 18:29 CET

SMEunited held its General Assembly today, starting with a keynote by European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič. In their conclusions, SMEunited members call for a speedy recovery that can support the twin transition.

Industrial Strategy: Ecosystems approach needs coherent transition pathways — 06 May 2021, 00:09 CET

In its update of the New Industrial Strategy, the European Commission included some important concerns of SMEs. Strengthening and reinforcing the Single Market, reducing the risky dependencies from other economies and creating the right framework for a workable twin transition are the right approach. It can support a swift recovery and strengthen Europe’s economy.

Retail and wholesale: pioneers in sustainable foods — 23 April 2021, 18:21 CET

Health and Food Safety Commissioner Stella Kyriakides spoke today at the launch of the EuroCommerce #sustainablecommerce website, which illustrates the diversity and scale of initiatives adopted by retailers and wholesalers to support more sustainable consumption and healthier lifestyles and encourage sustainability across the food supply chain in line with the Farm-to-Fork strategy.

Non-Financial Reporting Directive must guarantee simplified standards for SMEs — 21 April 2021, 17:18 CET

The Directive must prevent any “trickle-down” effects in the supply chain

European Builders Confederation joins the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform — 18 March 2021, 18:07 CET

In conjunction with SMEunited, already active in the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP) as a member of the Coordination Group, EBC has joined the sectoral working group dedicated to Construction and Infrastructure for the 2021-2023 mandate.