Environmental Policy and SMEs

Environmental policy has, until recently, mostly been directed towards larger businesses with high environmental impacts but this is no longer the case. SMEs, and in particular micro-businesses, now also face specific problems in the area of environmental policy.
The main problem is the lack of technical support for responding to new environmental demands at the pace required.

UEAPME's Environment Committee covers all matters relating to sustainable development ranging from waste management to voluntary instruments, such as EMAS, eco-labelling, ecotaxes, Integrated Product Policy etc. A general policy paper on SMEs and the environment provides an overview of UEAPME's priorities for the coming years.

• EU Sustainable Development Strategy and Lisbon Strategy
  • Sustainable Consumption and Production
• Compliance Assistance Programme
• Integrated Product Policy (IPP)
• Environmental technologies and eco-innovation
  
• Legislation on Chemicals, Plant Protection Products and Biocides
• EU Voluntary Instruments
  • EMS
  • EMAS
  • Ecolabel
• Waste policy and sustainable use of natural resources
• EU financial instruments for the environment
  • LIFE +
• Revision of the IPPC Directive
• EU Energy Policy
• The High Level Group (HLG) on Competitiveness, Energy and Environment
• Greening of Public Procurement (GPP)
• Climate change
  • Adapting to climate change
  • Revision of the EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS)