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SMEs in the EU

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

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.

SMEs continue to recover and drive Europe's economy 20 November 2018, 18:32 CET
Ten years after the start of the financial crisis and the adoption of the Small Business Act, the European Commission presented today its new SME Performance Review at the SME Assembly 2018.

Retailers and wholesalers warn of dangers from direct consumer imports 13 November 2018, 15:47 CET
Speaking today on the occasion of the International Product Safety Week, Christian Verschueren, Director-General of EuroCommerce said: "Our members are deeply worried at the influx of dangerous products sold by unscrupulous non-EU manufacturers and sellers, directly targeting EU customers. These products are not subject to any controls and can cause serious harm to consumers. They also represent unfair competition to responsible EU producers, importers and retailers who work hard to ensure that their products are safe and meet EU standards. Any new regulation has to reflect this new reality and help national authorities in responding appropriately to these threats. Rogue traders who deliberately bring non-compliant products into the EU should be stopped and punished."

SMEunited launches UEAPME into the future 08 November 2018, 00:14 CET
At yesterday's Extraordinary General Assembly, UEAPME decided on SMEunited as the new name for the association for Crafts and SMEs in Europe.

Political tensions are becoming a challenge for growth in Europe 05 November 2018, 13:21 CET
At the Macroeconomic dialogue, heads of the European Commission, Presidency of the Council of the EU, and European Central Bank, discussed the economic situation in Europe and its challenges with the European Social Partners.

SME funding allocated to innovators across Europe 30 October 2018, 23:36 CET
246 smaller businesses (SMEs) from 24 countries were selected Monday for financial support from the EU's SME Instrument - a funding mechanism under the EU's Horizon 2020 research programme.

Ending unjustified Geoblocking: a short guide for online traders 25 October 2018, 18:23 CET
On 3 December 2018, new rules on geoblocking will enter into force. These measures part of a wider packet of measures under the Digital Single Market Strategy, aimed at boosting cross-border e-commerce in the European Union. These rules will ensure better access to goods and services offered online, create greater certainty for business and build trust amongst consumers and reduce transaction costs and the administrative burden for businesses.

President Rabmer-Koller handed over the 2018 EEN award 25 October 2018, 12:18 CET
At the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Award ceremony in Vienna yesterday, UEAPME President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller handed over the award to Nova Innovation Ltd, a world leader in tidal turbine technology and project development.

Make sure UTP negotiations help farmers - and consumers 25 October 2018, 12:55 CET
Today's European Parliament Plenary gave a mandate to Paolo de Castro MEP to start negotiations with the Council and Commission on the Directive on Unfair Trading Practices in the Food Supply Chain. We thank the large number of MEPs who sent a clear signal that they were uncomfortable with many of the amendments put forward in the draft mandate.

Dangerous substances: a real cause of work-related illnesses 23 October 2018, 18:50 CET
In the context of the European Week for Safety and Health at Work, UEAPME welcomes the raising awareness actions related to the campaign managed by OSHA.

Working conditions: even more burdens for employers 18 October 2018, 22:37 CET
The European Parliament (EMPL) vote on compromise amendments on transparent and predictable working conditions goes further than the Commission’s proposal on issues such as information, predictability of work, non-standard forms of employment, training, probationary period, transition to another form of employment or employers’ sanctions.

Standards are crucial for market access for SMEs 17 October 2018, 19:46 CET
tandards are everywhere! They affect our daily life whether we realise it or not. Every year on 14th October, the World Standards Day celebrates the creation of the International Standardisation Organisation (ISO).