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The EU's Clean Industrial Revolution: catching up on green tech at the risk of environmental damage — 16 March 2023, 22:47 CET

In the face of major investments by the US to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy and growing dominance by China, the EU is playing catch-up on its green technologies industry. However, the Commission's proposals presented today are a blunt instrument that could do a lot of unnecessary damage along the way, especially to nature and biodiversity.

SME Recovery fades, but recession unlikely — 16 March 2023, 22:42 CET

The SME Business Climate Index presented today drops further to 71.3 and shows that SME recovery is stalling. However, the index stays above the baseline of 70, which means no recession is expected in the coming months.

Single Market Communication celebrates success of Single Market but lacks prospect of better regulation — 16 March 2023, 22:38 CET

SMEunited welcomes the European Commission Communication on the 30-year anniversary of the Single Market. In reaction, the organisation stresses that future success depends on the full implementation and enforcement of current rules. The European Commission must also create a predictable and simple regulatory framework through better regulation.

Consumers to get much-needed extra protections from their energy suppliers — 14 March 2023, 19:13 CET

Consumers would get extra protections from their energy suppliers, according to new proposals the European Commission published today to revamp the bloc's electricity market.

Parliament falls short in ensuring Data Act brings benefits for consumers — 14 March 2023, 19:11 CET

Upcoming EU rules on data-sharing, supposed to give consumers more power to decide what happens to data generated by their connected products, could end up having only limited value. The European Parliament today unfortunately gave data holders too much leeway to restrict data sharing.

Worrying number of dangerous products reaching consumers highlights need for greater action by authorities — 13 March 2023, 23:39 CET

According to new statistics, 2,117 notifications were made to Safety Gate - the EU’s rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products - in 2022. This is similar to the 2,142 notifications of the year before. The notifications only represent the tip of the iceberg, as the precise number of products linked to a notification is unknown.

Women's Day: Boosting women’s entrepreneurship — 09 March 2023, 16:54 CET

On the occasion of International Women's Day, SMEunited pays special attention to women entrepreneurs and their contribution to the European economy and society. We especially thank all women entrepreneurs across Europe who invest their valuable time to represent SMEs at local, regional, national and European level!

BEUC urges EU member states not to delay the adoption of clean car targets any further — 07 March 2023, 22:41 CET

Due to pressure from Germany, EU member states are delaying the signing off of a new EU law which would eliminate CO2 emissions from new cars by 2035. The request by national politicians to introduce a loophole for cars running on synthetic 'e-fuels' in the law runs against the interest of drivers, as it will be much more costly than going electric.

Poll: Young people in 13 EU countries refuse surveillance of online communication — 07 March 2023, 22:25 CET

New evidence shows that 80% of young people aged 13 to 17 years old from 13 EU Member States would not feel comfortable being politically active or exploring their sexuality if authorities were able to monitor their digital communication, in order to look for child sexual abuse.

A 'yellow card' for WhatsApp and a disappointment for consumers — 06 March 2023, 22:55 CET

The European Commission and the European network of consumer authorities have closed their investigation into Meta's messaging app WhatsApp following a complaint made by BEUC together with eight of its members in July 2021. It results in a mere commitment by the company to do better in the future. The news is a disappointment for consumers.

Commission ambitions to bridge the gulf between fisheries and nature policies fail to make up for lost time — 21 February 2023, 23:34 CET

A package of publications from the European Commission aims to set a pathway to curb destructive fishing practices, restore wildlife, protect marine ecosystems and decarbonise the fisheries sector - but it's up to Member States to make it happen.

Truck and bus CO2 standards: ambition levels for all stakeholders must be aligned — 14 February 2023, 23:30 CET

Responding to the European Commission's proposal for new truck and bus CO2 standards published today, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) calls for increased CO2 targets to be matched with vastly improved infrastructure roll-out, as well as a strengthened incentive and carbon pricing framework.

BEUC urges EU to resist pressure to dilute state aid rules — 14 February 2023, 23:25 CET

The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) has written today to the European Commission’s Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager to express BEUC’s concern about the huge political pressure being exerted by some Member States to dilute, weaken or neutralise the EU’s State aid rules in the name of boosting the competitiveness of European industry.

EuroCommerce supports roll-out of charging infrastructure for e-mobility, but calls for flexibility and SME mindset — 09 February 2023, 22:15 CET

On 9 February, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) adopted the report on the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), including requirements on charging stations for non-residential buildings.

EU Data Act: Parliament misses opportunity for real data market — 09 February 2023, 22:03 CET

"The result of the vote in the EP Committee for Industry and Research on the draft report for a European data law is a missed opportunity. The compromise falls short of our expectations and allows significant unjustified access restrictions for SMEs offering maintenance and repair services," said SMEunited Secretary General Véronique Willems.

MEPs want large companies to stop harming the planet and people — 09 February 2023, 21:57 CET

Today, MEPs at the European Parliament's Committee on Environment (ENVI) took an important step toward more business accountability as they voted for making it mandatory for companies to address environmental and human rights concerns in their operations and value chains.

Proposed ban on 'forever chemicals' essential step towards toxic-free consumer lives — 07 February 2023, 22:54 CET

Today, the European Chemicals Agency published details of a request by four EU Member States (1) and Norway to restrict the use of Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).

Retailers and wholesalers standing at the ready to deploy cleantech — 01 February 2023, 22:31 CET

The Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age presents retailers and wholesalers a chance to seize the net-zero opportunity. They are perfectly placed to be prime users of the advances in cleantech and can support the deployment of cleantech as promised by the Commission.

EU auto industry chief calls for ambitious automotive industrial policy — 31 January 2023, 19:04 CET

Ahead of the unveiling of the Green Deal Industry Plan, Luca de Meo - President of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and Renault Group CEO - is urging EU leaders to put in place an ambitious and structured automotive industrial policy, to rival those of other world regions.

MEPs vote to make financial sector accountable for environmental harm and human rights violations — 25 January 2023, 17:47 CET

MEPs from the European Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs opened the way on 24 January for increased accountability from businesses.

Support for social dialogue welcomed by SMEs — 25 January 2023, 17:29 CET

SMEunited welcomes the European Commission Communication on the European social dialogue and the proposal for a Council Recommendation on national social dialogue. Social partners at all levels are best placed to modernise labour markets and make them more resilient to strengthen SMEs productivity, innovation and competitiveness.

Independent Science-Based Taxonomy launched to save EU's official list of green investments — 18 January 2023, 16:37 CET

Environmental experts publish science-based Taxonomy and appeal to the investor community to use these new criteria instead

Commission antitrust decision obliges Amazon to give consumers more choice — 22 December 2022, 00:02 CET

The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) welcomes the European Commission’s antitrust decision to accept commitments from Amazon to allow more competition on its online marketplace.

Too little, too late: EU fails to put climate and people first — 19 December 2022, 22:59 CET

Last night, co-legislators sealed a deal on some of the key EU climate policies under the Fit for 55 package including the EU Emissions Trading System. For WWF, the outcome falls far short of what’s needed.

SMEunited continues support to European Partnership for Integration — 19 December 2022, 22:56 CET

European social and economic partners together with the European Commission renew their commitment to the European Partnership for Integration.