SMEs in the EU

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

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.

Go-ahead for EUR 5 billion Brexit adjustment reserve — 29 September 2021, 21:12 CET

The EU Council gave its final approval Tuesday to a fund of five billion euros aimed at helping Member States' hardest hit regions tackle the negative impact of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union.

EU Organic Day - Retailers and wholesalers linking supply with demand — 24 September 2021, 00:02 CET

Marking the first annual EU Organic Day, EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren said today:

EuroCommerce's DG stresses policy and investment needs at World Retail Congress — 15 September 2021, 17:41 CET

EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren is speaking at the World Retail Congress conference in London today, and said:

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.

Farm to Fork – sustainable food needs commitment of everyone in the supply chain — 09 September 2021, 18:34 CET

The European Parliament agriculture and environment committees are today finalising their joint report on the Farm to Fork strategy. EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren commented:

Retail alliances continue to play vital role for consumers — 24 August 2021, 18:07 CET

Commenting today on the creation of the new Epic Partners retail alliance, EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren said:

'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.

Fit for 55 - retail and wholesale in the vanguard of promoting sustainability — 14 July 2021, 18:01 CET

Retailers and wholesalers across Europe are already working hard to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Speaking today, EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren said:

EU code to promote sustainable food system — 07 July 2021, 17:44 CET

65 companies and associations signed a new EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business Monday, with a view to increasing the availability and affordability of healthy and sustainable food options.

EU makes first, significant, step towards better product safety law — 01 July 2021, 12:03 CET

The European Commission today presented a proposal to reform the bloc's main product safety law, called the General Product Safety Directive [1]. Consumer groups welcome that the Commission proposes to improve the law in light of today's product safety challenges, while retaining the spirit and strong points of the existing law.

EuroCommerce welcomes modernisation of product safety rules — 30 June 2021, 21:42 CET

Speaking on the launch today of proposed revision of the General Product Safety Directive, EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren said:

Boost for EU consumer rights in wake of pandemic — 01 July 2021, 17:58 CET

Consumers are set to gain extra protection when they take out a loan, according to proposals published Wednesday by the Commission revising EU rules on consumer credit and general product safety.

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.

New EU VAT rules to simplify e-commerce — 28 June 2021, 22:18 CET

New Value-Added Tax rules for online shopping enter into force on 1 July with a view to ensuring a more level playing field for all businesses and to simplifying cross-border e-commerce in Europe.

EU plans upgrade for occupational health and safety — 28 June 2021, 19:18 CET

A new strategic framework on health and safety at work 2021-2027, adopted Monday by the European Commission, sets out key actions needed to improve workers' health and safety over the coming years.

EU strategic framework on health and safety at work 2021-2027 — 28 June 2021, 19:21 CET

The European Commission moved to update occupational safety and health rules on 28 June by adopting the EU strategic framework on health and safety at work 2021-2027. This sets out the key actions needed to improve workers' health and safety over the coming years.

EUR 500m investments for EU breakthrough innovations — 24 June 2021, 22:36 CET

The Commission announced Thursday 69 new innovation investments, the second round of direct equity investment through the European Innovation Council Fund.

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.

EUR 5 bn EU fund set to mitigate effects of Brexit — 22 June 2021, 00:27 CET

A five-billion-euro fund to overcome the consequences of the UK's withdrawal from the EU came a step closer to adoption Thursday after Council and Parliament reached preliminary agreement on the draft regulation.

Major Commission proposal to revamp Consumer Credit Directive to the benefit of consumers — 30 June 2021, 18:48 CET

Consumers are set to gain much-needed extra protections when they take out a loan, according to proposals the European Commission published today. With many consumers still feeling the financial effects of COVID-19, BEUC praises these added protections, which come just at the right time.

Coca-Cola investigation another pointer to harmful practices by large food manufacturers — 21 May 2021, 17:50 CET

EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren today commented on the reported launch by the European Commission of an investigation into practices of the Coca-Cola company in a number of EU member states:

New tax rules to help EU business to recovery — 18 May 2021, 17:46 CET

The European Commission set out its plans for a new business taxation system Tuesday, promising a more robust, efficient and fair system to support Europe's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Future-proof taxation - proposals for new business tax agenda — 18 May 2021, 17:19 CET

The European Commission adopted on 18 May a Communication on Business Taxation for the 21st century to promote a robust, efficient and fair business tax system in the European Union.

Updated EU industrial strategy focuses on sustainable recovery — 11 May 2021, 00:47 CET

The European Commission presented an updated Industrial Strategy Wednesday with a focus on sustainable economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and on the building future resilience.