SMEs in the EU

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

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.

EU green finance plans risk becoming greenwashing tool for climate-harming investments — 21 April 2021, 22:16 CET

The EU Taxonomy – the bloc's classification system to define which investments can be called 'sustainable' – risks becoming little more than a greenwashing tool following the inclusion of climate-harming practices in sectors like forestry and bio energy. These plans are set to undermine the EU's Green Deal – supposed to make the EU a frontrunner in the climate fight – and prevent Europe delivering on its climate goals.

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

Get the facts right about retail alliances and power in the food supply chain — 31 March 2021, 23:17 CET

EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren, reacting to the latest statement from the multinational brand lobby group AIM on retail alliances, said:

Consumers want more organic food, retail and wholesale wants to provide it — 25 March 2021, 23:56 CET

Speaking today on the launch of the Commission 2030 Action Plan for organic production, EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren said:

EUR 10bn science programme invests in breakthrough innovation — 24 March 2021, 18:40 CET

The European Innovation Council (EIC) launched on Thursday with a budget of over EUR 10 billion (at current prices) for 2021-2027 and a remit to develop and expand breakthrough innovations.

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.

SME Barometer: lockdown measures turn down recovery expectations — 15 March 2021, 23:35 CET

The SME Business Climate Index presented on 15 March shows a partial recovery of 5.2% up to 59.8% after the neg

New EU rules on sustainable finance disclosure come into effect — 10 March 2021, 21:06 CET

New rules on sustainable finance disclosure, aimed at strengthening and improving how sustainability related information is disclosed in the financial sector, came into force in the EU on Wednesday.

Digital 2030 targets: creating an omnichannel retail and wholesale world — 09 March 2021, 23:09 CET

Welcoming the publication of the Commission’s 2030 Digital Targets today, Christian Verschueren, Director-General of EuroCommerce said:

Entrepreneurship key in implementation of European Pillar of Social Rights — 05 March 2021, 21:29 CET

The Action Plan to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) should support socio-economic recovery and job creation. SMEs contribute to the European social dimension, providing 67% of employment in Europe, and training young people through apprenticeships. For this reason, entrepreneurs and self-employed should be at the core of the action plan.

Brussels looks to close gap on equal pay — 09 March 2021, 23:28 CET

The Commission has presented a proposal on pay transparency to ensure that women and men in the EU get equal pay for equal work, including a right to know pay levels for workers doing the same work.

EU Trade Policy: Open markets essential for post-COVID recovery — 23 February 2021, 20:20 CET

Commenting on the launch of the EU Trade Policy Review, EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren said:

Keep Europe safe, but keep goods flowing — 17 February 2021, 17:56 CET

Speaking today about decisions in some EU countries to close a number of their borders, EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren said:

MEPs greenlight EU's EUR 672.5 bn stimulus funding — 11 February 2021, 21:50 CET

The European Parliament gave the green light Wednesday to EUR 672.5 billion in grants and loans from a 'Recovery and Resilience' fund to help EU countries tackle the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brussels mulls changes to VAT rules for financial and insurance services — 10 February 2021, 21:25 CET

The EU Commission launched a public consultation Tuesday to gather views on the current VAT rules for financial and insurance services, and to seek ideas on possible improvements.

Circularity by design - the best path to sustainable consumption — 09 February 2021, 16:24 CET

Noting the European Parliament's adoption today of the own-initiative report drafted by Jan Huitema MEP (Renew, NL) on the Circular Economy Action Plan, EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren underlined the retail and wholesale sector's commitment to the circular economy and the important role which Eco-design can play in this:

EUR 20m to help European SMEs maximise IP assets — 11 January 2021, 23:22 CET

As of Monday, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) were able to apply for financing under a EUR 20 million grant scheme to help EU companies to make better use of intellectual property rights.

SME definition — 11 January 2021, 23:10 CET

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent 99 per cent of all businesses in the European Union. The definition of an SME is seen as important for access to finance and EU support programmes targeted specifically at these enterprises.

A properly working single market for sourcing consumer products would save consumers €14 billion — 11 December 2020, 14:10 CET

Speaking today ahead of the Commission workshop on the results of their study on Territorial Supply Constraints (TSCs), EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren said:

New ranking guidelines to make online search more transparent — 08 December 2020, 21:50 CET

New ranking guidelines for online searches, published Monday by the EU Commission, allow online platforms to improve the transparency of their ranking parameters and help businesses to compete fairly online.

Benefit of Interchange Fee Regulation now nullified by fee increases — 07 December 2020, 16:23 CET

EuroCommerce today released a study by retail payments consultancy CMSPI and antitrust and economics advisers Zephyre on the rise since the adoption of the EU Interchange Fee Regulation (IFR) in the fees paid by merchants accepting card payments.

European SMEs call for support to realise EU goal — 03 December 2020, 22:05 CET

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission addressed the SMEunited General Assembly today. She highlighted the EU funds that will be invested in the recovery and transition. SME representatives from around Europe issued a Declaration demanding a speedy approval of Next Generation EU and a focus on solvency support.

New Brussels plan for recovery of media sector — 07 December 2020, 21:28 CET

The EU Commission unveiled Thursday an action plan for recovery of the media/audiovisual sector, hit badly by the coronavirus crisis, and seen as essential for democracy, diversity and digital autonomy.