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SMEs in the EU

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

Doing business in Denmark: Staff welfare 30 March 2012, 00:50 CET
This guide summarizes the Danish legislation responsible for ensuring staff welfare.

Doing business in Denmark: Sustainability 30 March 2012, 00:47 CET
Danish legislation requires companies to account for their social responsibility.

Doing business in Denmark: Environmental rules 30 March 2012, 00:39 CET
This guide outlines the most important environmental legislation in Denmark.

Parliament and Council must bring "Horizon 2020" in line with SMEs' needs 22 March 2012, 15:40 CET
UEAPME issues position paper; calls for 15% dedicated budget, single entry point; rejects attempts to dilute SME definition

Doing business in the Netherlands: Staff welfare 30 March 2012, 00:48 CET
In the Netherlands, government rules on staff welfare can be found in the Working Conditions Act, the Working Conditions Decree, the government's Health and Safety Regulations and also its Guidelines on Working Conditions, including standards.

Doing business in the Netherlands: Sustainability 30 March 2012, 00:42 CET
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the Netherlands applies to all core business processes, from buying and production through to personnel policy and marketing.

Cohesion policy for 2014-2020 must keep a clear focus on SMEs 15 March 2012, 20:47 CET
The new cohesion policy for 2014-2020 must closely associate economic and social partners in programming at all levels, including in the identification of priorities, and secure “ring-fenced” budget quotas for SMEs’ competitiveness and innovation-related activities, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation.

Doing business in the Netherlands: Environmental rules 24 February 2016, 00:09 CET
Dutch businesses must comply with specific environmental regulations, which are based on the Environmental Management Act and incorporated within general environmental rules such as the Environmental Activities Decree or environmental licensing.

Doing business in Italy: Staff welfare 30 March 2012, 00:49 CET
This guide summarizes the main rules that regulate employers' social obligations to their workers.

Doing business in Italy: Sustainability 30 March 2012, 00:41 CET
The Italian government encourages businesses to improve environmental standards and act responsibly in this area. The government does not impose measures on sustainability but provides incentives for businesses that wish to do so.

Doing business in Italy: Environmental rules 30 March 2012, 00:42 CET
National policies on environmental legislation aim to reduce pollution and promote sustainable energy. In Italy, businesses are held responsible for the environmental impact of their activities.

Doing business in France: Staff welfare 30 March 2012, 00:49 CET
France's labour code sets out employees' rights in relation to non-discrimination, gender equality in the workplace, health, maternity and paternity leave, harassment, etc.

Doing business in France: Sustainability 30 March 2012, 00:40 CET
CSR encourages businesses to take account of social and environmental concerns in their business strategies, management and operation methods, and the design of their products and services.

Doing business in France: Environmental rules 30 March 2012, 00:47 CET
France adopted its national sustainable development strategy in 2003 and its environment charter in 2004. The purpose of sustainable development for businesses is to improve and assess environmental, social and economic performance.

Doing business in Belgium: Environmental rules 30 March 2012, 00:43 CET
The following guidlines provide information about the environmental regulations in Belgium that help companies run sustainable businesses without adversely impacting the environment.

Doing business in the UK: Environmental rules 30 March 2012, 00:42 CET
Businesses in the UK have a legal responsibility for the impact they have on the environment.

Doing business in Germany: Sustainability 30 March 2012, 00:41 CET
Germany has no overall Act covering sustainable development, but rather a sustainability strategy adopted by the Federal Government in 2002.

Doing business in Germany: Staff welfare 30 March 2012, 00:49 CET
Social support in Germany is handled via the individual branches of social security: statutory medical, healthcare, pension, unemployment and accident insurance. The legal basis is provided by the Social Security Code (Sozialgesetzbuch) and the specific Acts.

Stable business confidence hides worrying developments, survey finds 01 March 2012, 11:02 CET
European small businesses are in “wait and see” mode as uncertainty prevails over confidence and a mild recession is under way, according to a survey conducted by UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, and its members.

Doing business in Germany: Environmental rules 30 March 2012, 00:48 CET
The devolution of competences to the Länder means that the Federal Government is responsible for some aspects of environmental protection while the Länder handle others.

Doing business in Belgium: Staff welfare 30 March 2012, 00:48 CET
Social legislation in Belgium prohibits discrimination and advocates equal opportunity and gender equality. Employers are responsible for promoting welfare within the company.

Doing business in Belgium: Sustainability 30 March 2012, 00:39 CET
The following guidlines provide information about the environmental regulations in Belgium that help companies run sustainable businesses without adversely impacting the environment.

Reducing administrative burdens on small businesses - guide 23 February 2012, 19:40 CET
European Commission efforts to reduce regulatory burden, including administrative burden, are part of its smart regulation agenda. Smart regulation is intended to ensure that European laws benefit people and businesses. It is essential if the EU is to deliver the ambitious objectives for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth set out by the Europe 2020 Strategy. The Commission therefore evaluates the impact of legislation during the whole policy cycle: when a policy is designed, when it is in place, and when it is revised. As smart regulation is a shared responsibility of all those involved in EU policy-making, the Commission works with the European Parliament, Council and Member States to encourage them to apply smart regulation in their work. Below are an overview of Commission achievements and examples of administrative burden reduction.

Doing business in the UK: Staff welfare 30 March 2012, 00:48 CET
Labour legislation covers basic workplace standards which employers must follow. These include protection against discrimination, the right to equal pay and the national minimum wage.

Consultation on the future of European Company Law 21 February 2012, 00:14 CET
The European Commission has launched a public consultation to seek views from all stakeholders on European company law from 2012 onwards.