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SMEs in the EU

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

For successful future of Europe SMEs need better framework conditions 23 May 2017, 21:43 CET
The Commission’s proposals to further develop the Internal Market and support Start-ups, the improvement of the framework conditions for SMEs, and the White Paper on the future of Europe were at the centre of a meeting between UEAPME President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller and Internal Market Commissioner Elzbieta Bienkowska today in Vienna.

Higher vocational qualifications to meet the skills needs of SMEs 16 May 2017, 12:08 CET
In the context of the Erasmus+ project QA HiVETnet, UEAPME organised a European conference "Qualifications We Need, Quality We Want".

Retailers press for smart policy to help tackling food waste 03 May 2017, 22:59 CET
Speaking at a debate today organised by MEP Angelique Delahaye (FR, EPP) ahead of the European Parliament vote on more ambitious action on food waste, Lettemieke Mulder, Director Sustainability & Product Policy at EuroCommerce, said:

Compliance package to boost functioning of EU Single Market 03 May 2017, 23:58 CET
The EU Commission set out Tuesday a Single Market Compliance package, to make the European market work better for citizens and businesses, and help them make full use of its opportunities.

Single Market Compliance package: good concept undermined by flaws in approach 02 May 2017, 23:15 CET
EUROCHAMBRES supports several measures announced in today’s European Commission new Compliance package, but expresses doubts about the overall effectiveness of the initiative in addressing the barriers that businesses encounter in the single market. Of the two main elements in the package, the Single Digital Gateway is welcomed but does not go far enough, while the Single Market Information Tool goes too far and in the wrong direction.

ESBA Press Release: Work-life balance off balance 27 April 2017, 23:41 CET
On 26 April 2017, the European Commission published the European Pillar of Social Rights Package.

Pillar of Social rights - no solution for more growth and employment 27 April 2017, 23:26 CET
Commenting today on the Commission’s proposals for a Pillar of Social Rights, EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren said:

The Social Pillar should better respect SME needs 26 April 2017, 14:13 CET
In a first reaction to today's publication of the European Pillar of Social Rights Package, UEAPME shows disappointment regarding the way forward proposed by the European Commission.

About AEGIS Europe 10 April 2017, 13:56 CET
AEGIS Europe brings together nearly 30 European associations representing a broad variety of industries including traditional industries, consumer branches, SMEs and renewable energy sectors, accounting for more than €500 billion in annual turnover and millions of jobs across the EU. This industry alliance, made up of leaders in sustainable manufacturing and social and environmental responsibility, is committed to European manufacturing as the fundamental driver of innovation, growth and jobs in Europe.

Online hotel booking under EU scrutiny 07 April 2017, 00:18 CET
The European Commission and ten national competition authorities published a report on competition in the online hotel booking sector Thursday, highlighting the impact of antitrust enforcement measures.

EU Parliament adopts new diagnostics and medical device regulations, focus now shifts towards implementation 05 April 2017, 23:24 CET
MedTech Europe welcomes the final vote of the European Parliament endorsing the new Regulation on In vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices (IVDR) and the new Regulation on Medical Devices (MDR). Governing two different types of essential health technologies for citizens, for example blood screening tests (in vitro diagnostics) and pacemakers (medical devices), this vote is the last step in a near eight-year process to update legislation first written in the 90s.

MEPs vote in safer, more traceable medical devices 06 April 2017, 18:44 CET
The European Parliament gave its backing Wednesday to stricter rules on medical devices, to ensure that devices such as breast or hip implants are traceable and comply with EU patient safety requirements.

New EU rules to ensure safety of medical devices 05 April 2017, 19:00 CET
Ranging from simple contact lenses and sticking plasters to sophisticated pacemakers and hip replacements, medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices are important to our health and quality of life. People rely on these devices every day and expect them to be safe and incorporate the latest progress in science and innovation. The current rules on the safety and performance of medical devices in the EU were harmonised in the 1990s. To reflect the substantial technological and scientific progress in this sector over the last 20 years, the European Commission proposed to update the rules to improve the safety of medical devices for EU citizens, create the conditions to modernise the sector and to consolidate its role as a global leader.

EU Council adopts shareholder rights revision 04 April 2017, 00:04 CET
The EU Council adopted Monday a revision of the EU shareholders' rights directive, which aims to strengthen the long-term engagement of shareholders in listed European companies.

What does triggering Article 50 mean for UK businesses 30 March 2017, 13:18 CET
Christian Stadler, a Professor of Strategic Management at Warwick Business School, has made the following statement:

Brexit negotiations must minimise harm for SMEs 29 March 2017, 23:14 CET
Commenting on today's notification by the British government to leave the EU, UEAPME President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller states: "Of course we accept this decision taken by the people and politicians in the United Kingdom. In order to minimise the negative impact on Europe's economy, growth, job creation and welfare, UEAPME requests a responsible approach towards SMEs."

£667m – estimated cost of Brexit planning to UK businesses - Set to rise to £813m once Article 50 invoked 27 March 2017, 18:37 CET
A new survey, sponsored by The Brexit Tracker, has calculated that Brexit planning has already cost UK businesses, £667.2m so far in executive man hours and this figure is set to rise to £813m after Article 50 is triggered.

A future of Europe that cares for the real economy, sustainable development and social justice 27 March 2017, 13:48 CET
"Cooperatives are a real driver of change and one of the few systems that, in today's world, can provide opportunities for growth and the empowerment of people", says Giuseppe Guerini President of CECOP.

SMEs profited from EU Integration, but more is needed and possible 26 March 2017, 22:37 CET
President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller and Secretary General Veronique Willems participate in the extraordinary meeting between EU Social Partners and the EU Institutions at the 60th Anniversary of the Treaties of Rome.

ESBA starts Subscriber Service for individual businesses 21 March 2017, 00:36 CET
As of 1 March, individual companies can become direct ESBA subscribers. We aim to bring together a great variety of businesses from across the EU to network, exchange best practices and to make their voice heard vis-à-vis EU policy. Below are the different options ESBA offers!

ESBA Board meeting hosted by Google 21 March 2017, 00:29 CET
On 3 February 2017, Google Brussels kindly hosted ESBA for its first Board meeting of the year.

European Commission's Insolvency proposal: good but needs more punch for MSMEs 21 March 2017, 00:23 CET
On 22 November 2016, the European Commission presented its proposal for a Directive on preventive restructuring frameworks, second chance and measures to increase the efficiency of restructuring, insolvency and discharge procedures and amending Directive 2012/30/EU.

Revised shareholders' rights directive 14 March 2017, 18:35 CET
The European Parliament approved on 14 March a report on the revision of the EU shareholders' rights directive. The final adoption step will take place in the European Council shortly. The directive will enter into force two years after its publication in the official journal.

Euro-MPs greenlight shareholder 'say on pay' 14 March 2017, 17:45 CET
The European Parliament gave its green light Tuesday to a revised EU shareholders' rights directive, giving shareholders a say on directors’ pay and making it easier for firms to identify their shareholders.

Launch of 'Business Beyond Borders' - a new EU B2B and C2C initiative to help SMEs expand their businesses abroad 08 February 2017, 23:52 CET
European SMEs can take advantage of new EU support to participate in a series of one-to-one m​eetings at international trade fairs to expand their businesses abroad.