SMEs in the EU

News and information about the European Union's policies for small and medium-sized businesses.

SMEs require an appropriate framework to internationalise — 02 April 2019, 12:04 CET

Crafts and SMEs in Europe lead commercial activities within the EU but still do not fully benefit from international opportunities. The right framework conditions and better information about global opportunities are the key to facilitating SMEs' access to international markets.

SMEs are Fundamental for Sustainability — 26 March 2019, 14:13 CET

SMEs need to be fully integrated in the strategies to make the EU more sustainable and to fight climate change for them to succeed. This is the message highlighted by SMEunited on the 5th week of its campaign for the EU elections.

SMEs call for a stronger Europe — 20 March 2019, 23:14 CET

At the Tripartite Social Summit on Growth and Employment, ahead of the European Council, SMEunited President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller called for a stronger, united and forward looking Europe, truly shaped for SMEs.

SMEs drive social progress despite new challenges — 19 March 2019, 15:36 CET

SMEs are the main source of jobs and the main social driver in Europe despite substantial challenges.

SMEs business confidence fades out — 14 March 2019, 16:59 CET

Today, ahead of next week's Tripartite Social Summit and European Council, SMEunited President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller presented the latest EU SME Barometer.

Agreement paves way for better VAT collection on online sales — 13 March 2019, 22:58 CET

EU Member States reached agreement Tuesday on detailed measures needed to simplify VAT rules for sales of goods online, also ensuring that online marketplaces play their part in the fight against tax fraud.

Modernising VAT for cross-border e-commerce — 13 March 2019, 18:21 CET

European Commission DG TAXUD page on VAT for e-commerce including legal texts

Access to finance is still a concern for SMEs — 13 March 2019, 13:57 CET

Accessing finance to fund their projects is still an important concern for Europe’s SMEs.

SMEs4Europe Campaign: Digitalisation is crucial for SMEs competitiveness — 05 March 2019, 14:14 CET

Digital transformation is a big challenge for SMEs today. Highly innovative SMEs are faced with regulatory and financial barriers as well as skills shortage that hinder their growth. Traditional companies that are facing the digital transformation process risk losing their competitiveness.

States agree easier access to capital for Europe's SMEs — 28 February 2019, 17:17 CET

EU ambassadors agreed a negotiating mandate Wednesday on proposed rules to help Europe's smaller businesses trying to list and issue securities on financial markets to tap market-based funding more easily and cheaply.

SMEs can make Europe stronger - SMEunited kicks off information campaign ahead of European Elections — 26 February 2019, 13:56 CET

The European Union is at a crossroad. The upcoming elections of the European Parliament and the decision about the next European Commission will be decisive, not only for Europe, but also for SMEs.

Political groups reflect on SME policy — 21 February 2019, 12:13 CET

MEP Othmar Karas, President of the SME Intergroup at the European Parliament, and SMEunited Secretary General Véronique Willems invited the different political groups to discuss future priorities for European SME policy.

SMEs Are Key for the Future of Europe — 19 February 2019, 22:28 CET

Today, in Bucharest, SMEunited President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller met with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and with Minister Radu Oprea (Business Environment, Commerce and Entrepreneurship). Representatives from SMEunited Romanian member organisation CNIPMMR joined the discussions. During the meetings, they focussed on the preparation of the Future of Europe debate at the upcoming Sibiu Summit in May, and SME priorities.

Supply Chain Initiative publishes annual report 2018 — 14 February 2019, 13:51 CET

The Supply Chain Initiative (SCI) published its annual report for the year 2018 today. The results of the annual survey of registered companies showcase that the SCI continues to make progress in the promotion of fair business practices in the food supply chain as a basis for commercial dealings.

EU-Singapore Trade Agreement underlines free trade as a vehicle for growth and prosperity — 13 February 2019, 17:57 CET

Speaking after the approval of the EU-Singapore Trade and Investment agreements by the European Parliament today EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren said:

Transparency and speed are vital when dealing with food safety — 12 February 2019, 14:15 CET

Speaking today after agreement in trilogue negotiations on the Regulation on Transparency and Sustainability in the EC Risk Assessment Process, EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren said:

SMEs are key to fight climate change — 07 February 2019, 15:12 CET

In a meeting yesterday with Commissioner Karmenu Vella, SMEunited President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller stressed the important role SMEs operating in eco-industry play in fighting climate change.

EU states agree better protection for whistleblowers — 29 January 2019, 21:30 CET

The EU is moving towards guaranteeing a high level protection to whistleblowers across a wide range of sectors, following agreement Friday by EU states' ambassadors.

Trading practices (UTPs) - Christmas rush for a deal no longer about protecting farmers — 19 December 2018, 18:30 CET

Retailers and wholesalers expressed dismay at the Agriculture Council decision yesterday to create a completely new class of mid-range company at an arbitrary figure of some 300 million euros, to be covered by the UTP directive.

Plastics: retailers and wholesalers support action, but still concerned at broadened producer responsibility — 19 December 2018, 14:03 CET

Today's agreement in the Council on the directive on the reduction of the impact of certain plastics products on the environment sends a clear signal on the need to ensure that plastics can no longer be wasted.

Headlong rush on UTP directive is jettisoning EU principles - and won't help any farmer — 12 December 2018, 23:52 CET

Ahead of the final scheduled trilogue on the Unfair Trading Practices Directive tomorrow, retailers and wholesalers warned negotiators not to forget fundamental principles laid down by EU law, or the implications of ignoring them EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren said:

EU businesses need transparent and fair online platforms: MEPs — 10 December 2018, 13:57 CET

An EU Parliament committee approved Thursday a draft law which requires online platforms such as Google and Amazon to end unfair practices to businesses and set up effective redress mechanisms.

Retailers and wholesalers warn of risks in collective redress proposal — 06 December 2018, 15:53 CET

Speaking today after the vote of the European Parliament JURI Committee report on collective redress, EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren warned of the risk that the proposal as amended will spark a wave of vexatious litigation:

New commitments on foreign cards only a small step, but fails to create an online/offline playing field — 04 December 2018, 17:53 CET

Retailers and wholesalers today welcomed the announcement that Visa and Mastercard have made commitments to bring transactions on cards issued outside the EU (non-EU visitors purchasing within the EU) broadly in line with those EU-issued cards.

Innovation is the engine of our economy — 23 November 2018, 11:33 CET

Innovation is the engine of our economy and crucial for the competitiveness of Europe's economy. However, SMEs and start-ups have problems to finance innovative projects, seen as too risky by banks.