SMEs in the EU

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

SMEunited Supports New Von Der Leyen Agenda — 18 July 2019, 00:02 CET

SMEunited embraces the election of Ursula von der Leyen and offers the support of SMEs to make a stronger Europe a reality

SMEunited Presents A Detailed New SME Policy Agenda For Europe — 02 July 2019, 18:28 CET

Ahead of the newly elected European Parliament’s first Plenary meeting, SMEunited presents its suggestions for a renewed European policy agenda for SMEs.

Industry Policy 2030: Turning Challenges Into Opportunities — 28 June 2019, 00:24 CET

The European High-Level Industrial Roundtable presented its final report summarising the recommendations for a renewed European industrial policy until 2030 and beyond.

Single Market for Services remains a top priority for retail and wholesale — 25 June 2019, 23:42 CET

The digital revolution is forcing fundamental change to the retail and wholesale sector. It depends on free movement of goods and services around Europe and the world, and therefore shares with the whole EU economy the imperative of resisting populist pressure to break up the Single Market.

SMEs Are Key To Reach Climate Targets — 25 June 2019, 18:49 CET

Following the European Summit and ahead of the Energy and Environmental Councils, SMEunited reiterates its support for the ambitious targets of the Paris agreement.

European SMEs further join forces — 14 June 2019, 16:58 CET

In November 2018, UEAPME rebranded to SMEunited and set out to shape Europe for SMEs and to strengthen SMEs in Europe.

SMEs say GDPR needs reality check — 12 June 2019, 18:33 CET

SMEunited calls on the European Commission to make a reality check of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Ahead of the stocktaking event organised by the Commission on 13th June, SMEunited surveyed its member organisations and their message is clear: the new Commission should work on a reality tested design for the GDPR.

New EU shareholders' rights rules enter into force — 12 June 2019, 00:11 CET

The new Shareholder Rights Directive, which entered into force on Monday, addresses corporate governance shortcomings that contributed to the financial crisis, says the EU Commission.

EuroCommerce and GS1 in Europe agree to strengthen cooperation — 30 May 2019, 17:01 CET

EuroCommerce and GS1 in Europe signed on 29 May a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work more intensively together in the field of supply chain cooperation, standards, and technologies.

EU elections show that Europe matters — 28 May 2019, 00:21 CET

The results of the European Election are a call to act", said SMEunited President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller.

Retailers and wholesalers welcome adoption of Single Use Plastics Directive, but ask for more robust waste management infrastructure — 21 May 2019, 13:36 CET

Speaking today at the formal adoption by the Council of the text of the Directive on the reduction of the impact of certain plastics on the environment, EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren said:

Shaping Europe for SMEs — 13 May 2019, 19:28 CET

The European Union is at a crossroads. The upcoming elections of the European Parliament will be decisive, including for SMEs and the environment they do business in.

"This time I'm voting" - EuroCommerce supports campaign to mobilise citizens to vote in European elections — 10 May 2019, 00:25 CET

Speaking today on the occasion of Schuman Day, EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren said: "On 9 May 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman issued the declaration which laid the foundations of what, some 70 years later, has grown into today's European Union. This is indeed an achievement we should all celebrate today. The EU has brought all of us immense benefits, which it is sometimes easy to take for granted."

Improving the Single Market for SMEs — 30 April 2019, 15:20 CET

SMEs in Europe enjoy the freedoms of the Single Market and recognise its added value for the European Union, an added value that goes beyond boosting the economy. However, the Single Market has been built over several decades, there is therefore still room for improvement to make it deeper and fairer as well as to make it function seamlessly.

EU Rules Must Provide a level playing field for SMEs — 23 April 2019, 14:32 CET

Crafts and SMEs in Europe demand equal footing and effective enforcement of existing legislation to ensure fair competition in the Single Market.

EU auditors review innovation support for SMEs — 11 April 2019, 23:27 CET

The European Court of Auditors is conducting an audit of EU's innovation support scheme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including start-ups, it announced Thursday.

Skills Shortage Holds SMEs Back — 10 April 2019, 13:03 CET

Crafts and SMEs in Europe are eagerly looking for skilled staff. Due to the digital and green transformations, they are already facing a serious skills gap and mismatch in the labour market.

Retailers commend European Commission for swift action against discriminatory Slovak tax — 02 April 2019, 17:51 CET

Commenting today on the European Commission announcement of an in-depth investigation into to the Slovak Retail Tax Law and an injunction suspending the application of the law, EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren said:

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