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SMEs in the EU

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

European Commission proposes insufficient reform to fix broken retail investment market 24 May 2023, 22:00 CET
To tackle the underperformance of financial markets for consumers, the European Commission has proposed a partial ban on inducements to financial advisors in its Retail Investment Strategy (RIS) published today, by preventing financial retailers from charging consumers for advice where none was given.

EU to create single access point for corporate info 24 May 2023, 21:46 CET
The EU Parliament and Council reached political agreement Tuesday on the creation of a single point of access to public financial and sustainability-related information about EU companies.

Supplementary Protection Certificates - guide 27 April 2023, 18:55 CET
The European Commission on 27 April proposed new rules to help companies, especially small and medium-sized companies (SMEs), make the most of their inventions, leverage new technologies and contribute to the EU's competitiveness and technological sovereignty.

Standard Essential Patents - guide 27 April 2023, 21:31 CET
The European Commission on 27 April proposed new rules to help companies, especially small and medium-sized companies (SMEs), make the most of their inventions, leverage new technologies and contribute to the EU's competitiveness and technological sovereignty.

Compulsory Licensing - guide 27 April 2023, 19:02 CET
The European Commission on 27 April proposed new rules to help companies, especially small and medium-sized companies (SMEs), make the most of their inventions, leverage new technologies and contribute to the EU's competitiveness and technological sovereignty.

New European patents framework boost for innovation 27 April 2023, 21:41 CET
New unified rules on patents, proposed Thursday by the European Commission, will benefit patents holders and users, and will help smaller companies in particular make the most of their inventions.

EU moves to cut red tape for merging businesses 24 April 2023, 23:17 CET
The European Commission adopted a package Thursday with the main aim of simplifying, streamlining and speeding up both the EU's simplified and normal merger review procedure.

Beyond short-term profit: businesses call for a strong Nature Restoration Law 19 April 2023, 22:59 CET
Over 35 European businesses signed a statement, published early this week, in support of a strong EU Nature Restoration Law with legally-binding targets.

EuroCommerce and NRF release white paper supporting Transatlantic Data Framework 13 April 2023, 20:13 CET
Ahead of next week's expected European Parliament resolution on an EU-U.S. agreement covering transatlantic data transfers, EuroCommerce and the National Retail Federation today released a white paper on the issue and urged institutions on both sides of the Atlantic to swiftly adopt and implement the framework.

Digitalisation of company law and cutting red tape - guide 29 March 2023, 22:56 CET
The European Commission adopted a proposal on 29 March for a Directive making it easier for companies to expand the use of digital tools and processes in EU company law.

Brussels to cut red tape for cross-border business 29 March 2023, 23:10 CET
The EU continued its drive to cut red tape for cross-border business Wednesday with a proposal to make it easier for companies to expand the use of digital tools and processes in EU company law.

Promising EU plans to tackle greenwashing and promote repair 22 March 2023, 18:40 CET
The Consumer Package published on 22 March by the European Commission will seek to better protect consumers from rampant greenwashing and give them new rights to use their products longer.1 The European Consumer Organisation BEUC welcomes this long-awaited package as an important step towards greener and more sustainable consumption in the EU.

Consumer Package: win-win potential for consumers and SMEs 22 March 2023, 18:36 CET
SMEunited welcomes today's adoption of the Consumer Package by the European Commission. The Package includes two Directives: on Green Claims and on the Right to Repair. With improvements based on the Think Small First principle in the legislative process, these initiatives can bring benefits for both consumers and businesses.

SMEs ask for quick adoption of SME Relief package 22 March 2023, 18:32 CET
SMEunited at the Tripartite Social Summit urged to have a strong and impactful SME Relief package no later than summer 2023. For the organisation addressing the regulatory environment, especially for SMEs, to attract investments and increase competitiveness is key.

EU to promote longer lasting, more repairable products 23 March 2023, 18:40 CET
The EU Commission outlined plans Wednesday to promote the repair of goods, with the aim of setting an obligation for producers to repair products’ defects beyond the legal guarantee.

EU looks to crack down on misleading green claims 22 March 2023, 17:49 CET
The European Commission set out rules Wednesday on how companies communicate to ensure misleading green claims and labels do not make it to the market in the first place.

European Green Claims - guide 22 March 2023, 17:25 CET
The European Commission proposed on 22 March common criteria against greenwashing and misleading environmental claims. Under the proposal, consumers will have more clarity, stronger reassurance that when something is sold as green, it actually is green, and better quality information to choose environment-friendly products and services.

'Right to repair' - guide 22 March 2023, 17:21 CET
The European Commission adopted on 22 March a new proposal on common rules promoting the repair of goods, further advancing towards the objective of sustainable consumption under the European Green Deal.

Long-Term View on Competitiveness: A potential win-win for the EU, retail and wholesale - but only with the right support 20 March 2023, 22:12 CET
The retail and wholesale sector contributes 10% of the EU’s GDP and it is Europe's first private employer, providing jobs to 26 million Europeans and is present in every community in the EU. As such, it deserves recognition and support for its role as an innovator and partner for growth-enhancing investments.

The EU's Clean Industrial Revolution: catching up on green tech at the risk of environmental damage 16 March 2023, 22:47 CET
In the face of major investments by the US to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy and growing dominance by China, the EU is playing catch-up on its green technologies industry. However, the Commission's proposals presented today are a blunt instrument that could do a lot of unnecessary damage along the way, especially to nature and biodiversity.

SME Recovery fades, but recession unlikely 16 March 2023, 22:42 CET
The SME Business Climate Index presented today drops further to 71.3 and shows that SME recovery is stalling. However, the index stays above the baseline of 70, which means no recession is expected in the coming months.

Single Market Communication celebrates success of Single Market but lacks prospect of better regulation 16 March 2023, 22:38 CET
SMEunited welcomes the European Commission Communication on the 30-year anniversary of the Single Market. In reaction, the organisation stresses that future success depends on the full implementation and enforcement of current rules. The European Commission must also create a predictable and simple regulatory framework through better regulation.

Women's Day: Boosting women’s entrepreneurship 09 March 2023, 16:54 CET
On the occasion of International Women's Day, SMEunited pays special attention to women entrepreneurs and their contribution to the European economy and society. We especially thank all women entrepreneurs across Europe who invest their valuable time to represent SMEs at local, regional, national and European level!

EUR 7.5m to support integration of Ukrainian SMEs into Single Market 28 February 2023, 20:08 CET
The Commission launched two calls for proposals Tuesday under 'ReadyForEU' aimed at helping Ukrainian entrepreneurs and businesses to benefit from the Single Market.

Germany go-ahead for EU's unitary patent system 21 February 2023, 23:24 CET
Germany's deposition of instrument on the ratification of the Unified Patent Court Agreement Monday triggered the final step required for the Unitary Patent system to start operating on 1 June 2023.