Brussels, 14 December 2012 – The General Assembly of UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, met yesterday in Brussels. This was the last official meeting for Andrea Benassi, whose mandate as UEAPME Secretary General came to a close after a five-year term at the helm of the organisation. President Gunilla Almgren and the Policy Directors of UEAPME will ensure the associations’ running and representation until the ongoing selection process for a new Secretary General is completed, the General Assembly decided.

Brussels, 11 December 2012 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, warmly welcomed the votes at the Competitiveness Council yesterday (Monday) and at the European Parliament today (Tuesday) paving the way to a unitary patent system in the EU. Small and medium-sized enterprises clearly stand to gain from lower patent-related filing, translation and legal costs, stressed UEAPME, which also called on the Spanish and Italian governments to join the unitary patent system in the interest of crafts and SMEs in their countries.

Brussels, 28 November 2012 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, has recently become an official partner of the “Healthy Workplaces Campaign 2012-2013” managed by the European Agency on Health and Safety at Work (OSHA). Crafts and SMEs support this important awareness-raising campaign, entitled “Working together for risk prevention”. According to UEAPME, risk prevention is the key to healthy workplaces and developing a culture of risk prevention should be a priority and shared concern for companies and for workers. UEAPME intends to use the campaign to support the business case for healthy workplaces and to stress the need for SMEs and in particular micro-companies to implement the related legal requirements in a simple, non-burdensome way. The organisation also looks forward to working with the European Agency for Health and Safety at Work to ensure that SME specificities are taken into account for future initiatives.

Brussels, 27 November 2012 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, warmly welcomed the communication on misleading marketing practices adopted by the European Commission today (Tuesday) after years of insistence from our association and its members. UEAPME was particularly pleased with the suggested actions against misleading company directories, i.e. fraud cases where small companies are invited by a business directory to update their contact details under the false impression that they will be listed free of charge, only to discover later that they have unintentionally signed up to a paid contract. EU-wide rules are fundamental in this respect as scammers increasingly operate cross-border, which makes enforcement very difficult. UEAPME welcomed the announcement of a legislative proposal, urging the EC to do so as soon as possible.

Brussels, 15 November 2012 – The best way to help Europe’s SMEs grow is to remove all the remaining obsta-cles in their path, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. Speaking today at the “SME Assembly” organised in Nicosia by the Cyprus EU Presidency and the European Commission, President Gunilla Almgren stressed the need for an “enabling environment” for small companies to thrive and create jobs. Some of the most pressing issues are labour market reforms, better access to finance for SMEs including a full and correct implementation of the late payments directive, support measures for innovation, “green” investments and the use of standards as well as a cut in red tape, she said. As far as the EU is concerned, Ms Almgren warned about the importance of the 2014-2020 programmes and reinstated our call for the creation of an “SME Economic Dialogue”, a policy platform at the highest level to discuss all SME-related policies and dossiers on the table. Recalling the results of our last “Think Small Test” and “SBA Implementation Scoreboard”, which recorded some progress across all the ten surveyed policy areas related to the Small Business Act, Ms Almgren urged Member States to continue working to ensure that all the commitments made in 2008 become a reality.

Brussels, 13 November 2012 – For the very first time since its adoption, policymakers at EU and national level are finally making progress on the commitments made in 2008 with the Small Business Act. This was the main outcome of a survey conducted by UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, which was released today ahead of the SME Assembly in Cyprus later this week (1). Our “SBA Implementation Scoreboard” recorded steps forward across all the ten surveyed policy areas related to the Small Business Act. Results were particularly positive for public procurement, promotion of entrepreneurship and State aid. When it comes to the respect of the “Think Small First” principle, the European Commission and the European Parliament fared quite similarly on average in our “Think Small Test”. However, while both institutions are close by on business support, the Commission is ahead on the legislation chapter and quite behind on administration. Moreover, both remain below the average index measuring Member States’ performance, which is 5 points ahead.

Brussels, 12 November 2012 – To escape the current recession, the European Union needs a balanced policy approach including actions to restore confidence, measures to enhance and support growth and structural reforms in countries lagging behind, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. Speaking today at the Macroeconomic Dialogue between the Council, the Commission, the European Central Bank and the European Social Partners, Economic and Fiscal Policy Director Gerhard Huemer illustrated the results of our latest “Craft and SME Barometer”, which recorded highly negative turnover figures for the services and construction sectors, a clear result of the slump in internal demand in the EU mainly due to the austerity and consolidation programmes put in place (1). While agreeing with trade union representatives that austerity alone is not a solution at this stage, Mr Huemer criticised workers’ representatives for their opposition to structural reforms, which are highly needed and cannot be postponed, especially in the countries suffering the most from the current crisis. These reforms must be undertaken across the board, not only in sectors open to competition, a point which trade unions that are usually present more in “sheltered” sectors do not seem to realise, he said.

Brussels, 6 November 2012 – The survey on access to finance for SMEs recently unveiled by the European Cen-tral Bank confirms a very worrying trend that must be reversed as soon as possible, according to the Board of Directors of UEAPME.

Brussels, 18 October 2012 – The European Union will not escape the current recession unless austerity and fiscal consolidation measures are matched with structural reforms and growth-enhancing actions, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. Speaking today at the Tripartite Social Summit ahead of the European Council, President Gunilla Almgren stressed that the downturn we are witnessing is due to a very large extent to the consolidation programmes put in place to tackle soaring public debts and deficits. These measures were obviously necessary but triggered a slump in internal demand in the EU, a key source of revenues for SMEs, as shown by our latest “Craft and SME Barometer” that registered highly negative turnover figures for the services and construction sectors. Against this background, Europe needs an approach based on three pillars: restabilising the financial sector and public finances to restore confidence, putting in place the needed structural reforms for new business and job opportunities, and providing growth enhancing and supporting measures to kick-start the recovery, said Ms Almgren, who also called for an ambitious 2014-2020 EU budget.

Brussels, 16 October 2012 – European SMEs have moved from high uncertainty to downright pessimism as the economic outlook has worsened towards a full-fledged recession, according to a survey conducted by UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, and its members. Since the beginning of the year, the proportion of entrepreneurs expecting a positive or neutral economic environment has decreased by 3 percentage points, with UEAPME’s “SME Business Climate Index” down from 70.5 to 67.5, going back for the first time in the last two years below the 70 points barrier that is seen as a neutral business climate. The confidence gap between Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain combined and the rest of the EU is still significant, found the survey, which also recorded a lower confidence index for the Euro zone (66 points) than for the other EU members (70.6 points). All the measured economic indicators declined compared to the first half of the year, with the balance between positive and negative answers reaching double-digit negative figures for turnover and orders. Micro enterprises are the hardest hit at the moment, according to our statistics, which revealed in addition highly negative turnover results for the three economic sectors most dependent on the EU’s lowering internal demand.

Brussels, 3 October 2012 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME organisation, was left with mixed feelings by the “Single Market Act II” unveiled today by the European Commission. On the positive side, the association welcomed the chapter on transport and energy networks, stressing the importance for SMEs of competition, choice and good quality services in these sectors across the EU. UEAPME was also satisfied with the Commission’s intentions to modernise insolvency proceedings and provide second chances for entrepreneurs involved in honest bankruptcies. On the negative side, the SME association would have liked a stronger commitment from the Commission on the enforcement of all EU single market rules at national level and on infringement procedures. UEAPME also warned against making electronic invoicing the default invoicing mode for public procurement before a single, workable and EU-wide standard is in place. Moreover, it stressed that the introduction of multilateral interchange fees for payments systems could severely increase costs for SMEs if not properly thought through. Last but not least, UEAPME reiterated its doubts on the chapter on “social entrepreneurship”.

Brussels, 2 October 2012 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, has unveiled today at the European Parliament a “to do list” of actions for the European Union and for Member States to support the real economy and avoid a dangerous downturn in the next months. The list was presented by Secretary General Andrea Benassi at a press conference with Antonio Tajani, Vice President of the European Commission responsible for industry and entrepreneurship, and Jürgen Creutzmann MEP, rapporteur at the European Parliament for the “COSME” programme. As far as the EU is concerned, UEAPME asks for the creation of an “SME Economic Dialogue”, a policy platform at the highest level to discuss all SME-related policies and dossiers on the table. Mr Benassi also presented our priorities for the 2014-2020 programmes currently under discussion. For Member States, our “to do list” includes labour market reforms, better access to finance for SMEs, support measures for innovation, “green” investments and the use of standards and, last but not least, a cut in red tape.

Brussels, 1 October 2012 – The 2014-2020 policies and programmes recently unveiled by the European Commis-sion must be further tweaked to finally reach SMEs on the ground. This was the message brought forward by UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, at the second “SME Convention” that took place in Brussels today (Monday). The event, which was organised by UEAPME with the support of the European Commission, gathered more than 350 participants from national SME organisations, EU institutions and Member States to discuss the proposals for the 2014-2020 programming period on cohesion policy, on the European So-cial Fund, on “Horizon 2020” and on the “COSME” programme. The convention was opened by Máire Geoghe-gan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research. It also featured high level speakers from the European Com-mission, the Parliament, the EESC, the EIF and the Cyprus, Irish and Lithuanian Presidencies of the EU.

Brussels, 27 September 2012 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, largely wel-comed the new integrated strategy for “cloud computing” in the EU unveiled by the European Commission today (Thursday). According to UEAPME, the EC communication gives a correct overview of the benefits of cloud computing for enterprises as well as for society as a whole. It also rightly shows the key areas where action is needed, including data security and legal certainty. Moreover, the association pointed out SMEs’ need for neutral information on the advantages of the cloud, and stressed the importance of access to broadband for SMEs. Finally, while welcoming the decision by the EC to work on model terms of contract for cloud services, UEAPME criticised the choice to base these terms also on the new Common European Sales Law.

Brussels, 6 September 2012 – With unemployment hovering around double digits and Europe on the brink of a new recession, it is absolutely crucial to better take into account the needs of SMEs as the main source of jobs in the EU. This is the message brought forward by UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, on the occasion of the “Employment Policy Conference” opening today in Brussels. The so-called “employment package”, which was presented by the European Commission in April and is being discussed today and tomorrow, is a step in the right direction as it prioritises the demand side of the labour market and encourages structural reforms. However, UEAPME deplores the lack of attention for the specificities of SMEs and especially of small and micro companies on issues such as labour market regulations, labour costs, flexicurity, initial and continuous vocational training. It also regrets that little attention is given to work-based learning and apprenticeship schemes, which have proved their worth where applied in bridging the gap between education and employment.

Brussels, 26 June 2012 – European small and medium-sized companies need a “Growth Pact” capable of stimulating the economic recovery of the EU and bringing about the necessary structural reforms at national level. However, the pact must be in line with the recently agreed “Fiscal Compact” and accompany the ongo-ing fiscal consolidation. This was the message put forward by UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, in a letter to the Presidents of the European Council, of the Council of the European Union and of the European Commission ahead of the meeting of Heads of State and Government that will take place later this week.

Brussels, 15 June 2012 – The agreement reached this week between the EU institutions at their “trialogue” meeting on the Energy Efficiency Directive is a step forward towards the 20% energy savings target, although it leaves too much room for manoeuvre to Member States, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. On the positive side, the association welcomed the assistance measures foreseen for SMEs to cover the costs of an energy audit and of the implementation of the arising recommendations. It also praised the plans to promote access for small and medium-sized providers to the energy services market. On the negative side, the support for energy co-generation, a promising sector for SMEs, took a clear step back compared to the original proposal by the European Commission. Moreover, the agreement leaves Member States free to decide which energy distributors or retailers will be obliged to save 1.5% of their annual energy sales among their end users, while small companies in this field were actually exempted under the original text. This will make it harder for these small players to enter the market and to survive in this very competitive arena, warned UEAPME.

Brussels, 15 May 2012 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, warmly welcomed yesterday’s vote at the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee on the implementation in the EU of the “Basel III” rules on capital requirements. According to the association, the “Karas report” adopted by MEPs strikes a very good balance between the requirement to increase the resilience of the financial system on one hand and the need not to harm the provision of financing to the real economy on the other. UEAPME appreciated in particular the proposed reduction of risk weights for retail loans, which should avoid increased financing costs for small companies and start-ups. It also praised the rapporteur for supporting a regulatory level playing field across EU Member States, as well as for resisting the pressures to weaken the requirements on quality of capital and liquidity risks, which are key for a stronger banking sector.

Brussels, 2 May 2012 – The efforts made by the European Union to tackle the economic crisis and to restore growth in Europe must be channelled in the right direction to meet the needs and expectations of SMEs, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. In a bilateral meeting on 30 April with the European Commission’s President José Manuel Barroso, President Gunilla Almgren insisted on the need to fully apply the “Think Small First” principle, which would eliminate the need for exemptions from legislation for small companies. She also warned against enlarging the current EU-wide SME definition and stressed the importance of SME-focused measures in the 2014-2020 programming period for cohesion policy, R&D and innovation and SMEs’ competitiveness. Finally, President Almgren highlighted the possible negative effects on SMEs’ access to finance linked to the implementation in the EU of the “Basel III” rules on capital requirements, and reinstated UEAPME’s commitment to work alongside the other European Social Partners to tackle youth unemployment.

Brussels, 18 April 2012 – The “employment package” presented by the European Commission today is spot on when it comes to addressing both the demand and supply sides of labour markets and encouraging structural reforms. However, it is too limited on the key role of small and medium-sized companies as job creators, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. On the positive side, the association welcomed the strong political signal launched by the EC to tackle unemployment, as well as its call for labour market reforms. It also praised the EC for stressing once again the need for a better in-volvement of social partners in the macroeconomic governance at EU level, with a stronger focus on wage developments. On the negative side, UEAPME stressed the lack of references to the Small Business Act and to the “Think Small First” principle, which must be taken into account when designing the needed reforms. It also criticised the chapter on skills, as it disregards the importance of vocational education and training and work-based learning, including apprenticeship.

BUSINESSEUROPE, ETUC (and the liaison committee EUROCADRES/CEC), CEEP and UEAPME, are committed to jointly address youth and employment, as two of the main activities of their new work programme 2012-2014.

Brussels, 22 March 2012 – A dedicated budget of 15% of the overall programme and a single management structure are needed to fully exploit the innovation potential of SMEs in the upcoming “Horizon 2020” research and innovation programme, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. In a position paper presented to the European Parliament today (Thursday), the association called on MEPs and on the Council to ensure that these changes are made to the programme before its final adoption (1). On the dedicated budget, UEAPME stressed that this is a necessary precondition for the implementation and marketing towards SMEs of the European Commission’s new “integrated approach” to research and innovation. On the single entry point, the organisation warned that only one management structure will ensure coherence and transparency across all the societal challenges and enabling technologies. UEAPME also condemned the attempts to change the SME definition used in Horizon 2020 to make larger companies access SME-dedicated funds and instruments.

Brussels, 15 March 2012 – 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. The association published today a comprehensive position paper with specific, article by article comments on all the various cohesion funds as well as a set of overarching priorities for SMEs. UEAPME highlighted the key role played by intermediary organisations, calling for specific guidance and support measures for SMEs and stressing the need for a real “multilevel governance” of cohesion policy. This exercise should also be extended to the choice of priorities at regional level, warned the organisation.

Brussels, 1 March 2012 – Structural reforms to stimulate growth and employment in the private sector are needed next to fiscal consolidation, which is necessary but not sufficient, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. Speaking today for her first time at the Tripartite Social Summit ahead of the European Council, President Gunilla Almgren stressed that there is no alternative to strengthening economic governance and putting in place consolidation programmes in order to tackle soaring public debts and deficits. However, these measures put a damper on general demand, a key source of revenues for small businesses, as clearly recorded by our latest “Craft and SME Barometer” that registered a decrease in SMEs expecting an upturn, a dramatic decline of output-related indicators and quite negative forecasts for the next months. Against this background, policymakers should follow up with structural reforms to mobilise private spending, encourage SME growth, promote job creation and restore business confidence, stressed our President, who also put forward some concrete proposals to tackle the plague of youth unemployment in Europe. On the joint work programme of the European Social Partners for 2012-2014 presented today, Ms Almgren reconfirmed UEAPME’s commitment and welcomed in particular the in-depth analysis announced on the challenges facing European labour markets.

Today the European Commission will launch a process to review European pension regulation when Michel Barnier, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services opens a public hearing on the review of the “IORP Directive”. The European Commission aims to make important elements of the Solvency II legislation for insurance companies applicable to IORPs across Europe. This objective is repeated in the Commission’s White Paper on Pensions, which talks of a “level playing field with Solvency II”. We believe that it is dangerous to apply legislation made for insurance companies to IORPs. There are fundamental differences between them. Any effort to harmonise the regulatory regime is based on flawed logic and could have unintended consequences on pension plan members, IORPs and the economy as a whole by impeding growth and job creation.

Brussels, 28 February 2012 – The report on the Energy Efficiency Directive adopted by the European Parlia-ment’s Industry Committee today (Tuesday) is a step forward towards the creation of the favourable framework that SMEs need in order to fully achieve their energy savings potential. However, MEPs fell short of supporting SME producers that struggle to survive in the energy supply and distribution and in the energy services markets, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ association. On the positive side, UEAPME welcomed the amendments aiming at reducing the information and technical barriers for SMEs willing to lower their energy footprint, as well as at introducing incentives for energy efficiency investments and supporting the micro-generation and micro-cogeneration of energy. The organisation also invited Mem-ber States to make use of the option introduced today by MEPs to exempt small energy retailers and distributors from applying the energy savings obligations for end users foreseen by the directive. At the same time, UEAPME warned of possible market distortions arising from large energy companies becoming active in the energy services and consultancy market.

Brussels, 28 February 2012 – European small businesses are in “wait and see” mode as uncertainty prevails over confidence and a mild recession is underway, according to a survey conducted by UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, and its members (1). Since last spring, the proportion of entrepreneurs expecting a positive or neutral economic environment decreased by a mere 0.3 percentage points, with UEAPME’s “SME Business Climate Index” down to 70.5 from 70.8, hovering around the 70 points barrier that is seen as a neutral business climate. However, the number of companies expecting a neutral business climate reached its peak, with a corresponding decline in SMEs hoping for a better economic out-look. The confidence gap between Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain combined and the rest of the EU kept widening, found the survey, which also recorded a deterioration of turnover, employment and orders indicators in the second semester of 2011. These negative results may have influenced SMEs’ pessimistic expectations for the first half of 2012. Against this background, UEAPME warned that the reduction of public demand stemming from the needed fiscal consolidation must be compensated with structural reforms that could lead to a private demand-led recovery.

Brussels, 20 February 2012 – Fiscal consolidation must go hand in hand with growth-enhancing structural reforms and incentives to boost private spending, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. Speaking today at the Macroeconomic Dialogue between the Council, the Commission, the European Central Bank and the European Social Partners, Secretary General Andrea Benassi anticipated some of the key findings of UEAPME’s upcoming Craft and SME Barometer, which sees indicators going down, with Europe likely to head towards a recession in the coming months. SMEs will be affected in particular by a decreasing private demand as a result of consolidation programmes. However, there is no alternative to lowering public debt and deficits at this stage, as long as action is taken at the same time to promote confidence, undertake the structural reforms needed and tackle the economic imbalances in the Euro zone. Commenting on the financial support from the EU to kick-start the recovery in the countries hardest-hit by the economic crisis, Mr Benassi stressed that reliable administrative structures and the capacity to properly absorb financial support are a must.

Brussels, 16 February 2012 – The proposals put forward by the European Commission’s White Paper setting out an agenda for adequate, safe and sustainable pensions unveiled today (Thursday) must avoid raising the cost of occupational pensions for employers and workers, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. Against a background of an ageing population and a difficult macroeconomic context aggravated by the crisis and high unemployment, the roadmap outlines 20 measures to secure the financial sustainability and adequacy of pensions in the long run. On the positive side, UEAPME agreed with the Commission on the need to work longer by creating a better balance between time spent in work and retirement, as well as for individuals to save more by developing complementary private retirement savings. However, the organisation expressed concerns about the announced revision of the rules regulating and supervising the so-called Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision (IORP), such as pension funds. The review must not make these schemes more expensive and less attractive, warned UEAPME. Moreover, the debate on the portability of pension rights should focus first and foremost on tax and fiscal obstacles, stressed the SME organisation.

Brussels, 31 January 2012 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, welcomed the statement made by Heads of State and Government at the end of the informal European Council meeting that took place in Brussels yesterday (Monday). In particular, the organisation was pleased with the accent put by the Council on the need to stimulate growth and private investments. Moreover, it welcomed the timely choice of topics discussed, which are fundamental for Europe’s enterprises in general and for its millions of SMEs in particular. On youth unemployment, the organisation called for actions to be taken on the functioning of the labour market on one side and on education and training systems on the other, by promoting vocational education and training systems based on apprenticeship and demand-led by the economy. On the single market, UEAPME stressed that more can and should be done to facilitate the activities of companies operating across EU Member States, starting by the Community patent, and rejected the recurring idea of exempting micro enterprises from EU legislation. Finally, on SME finance, the next generation of EU financial instruments must cover the whole range of SMEs and provide tailored support for each company type, warned UEAPME, which also called for corrective measures to be put in place immediately in the new EU rules for capital requirements currently under discussion.

Brussels, 26 January 2012 – The implementation in the European Union of the “Basel III” rules on capital re-quirements risks jeopardising the provision of financing to the real economy. Therefore, corrective measures must be put in place urgently in the new EU rules for capital requirements currently under discussion (CRD IV and CRR). This was the message brought forward by UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, at a roundtable discussion co-organised with Barclays Bank at the European Parliament today (Thursday), which was kindly hosted by Bendt Bendtsen MEP.

Brussels, 19 January 2012 – The compromise on the revision of the Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive approved by the European Parliament’s plenary today (Thursday) is far from being ideal despite the attempts made to respond to the concerns of small retailers, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. Further to today’s vote, retailers will unfortunately be obliged to collect small waste electric and electronic goods from consumers at no cost and without any requirement on the latter to buy a new product of the same kind in the shop. However, this clause will only apply to retailers with more than 400 square meters of sales area, for small WEEE items and unless an assessment shows that alternative existing collection schemes are likely to be at least as effective. While this is likely to exclude many micro and small retailers from collection obligations, other SMEs will nonetheless be clearly affected, warned UEAPME. The organisation would have rather favoured the continuation of the “one-to-one” system, according to which WEEE can be brought back to the distributor free of charge as long as a new comparable product is bought at the same time.

Brussels, 20 December 2011 – The package of measures to modernise the EU public procurement rules un-veiled by the European Commission today (Tuesday) contains some remarkable proposals and improvements to facilitate the participation of SMEs to public tenders. However, the increased recourse to the so-called “negotiation” procedure will trigger risks in terms of transparency, non-discrimination and equal treatment, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation.

Brussels, 19 December 2011 – Today’s proposals by the European Commission to modernise the EU system for the recognition of professional qualifications is going too far on many important aspects, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. On the positive side, the organisation welcomed the creation of a European professional card and the increased compulsory use of online means to provide information to professionals and to citizens. It also supported keeping the current 5 levels of qualification in place but expressed concerns on the deletion of important criteria for measuring the differences of qualifications and defining compensation measures. On the “European Professional Card” introduced today, UEAPME stressed that this “smart card” can indeed simplify the current procedures, but it should not replace the declaration to be made in advance by service providers under the current directive. On the negative side, UEAPME criticised the introduction of “partial access”, by which Member States must allow the partial uptake of a profession in their territory under certain conditions. Moreover, the association spoke against the deletion of the requirement to prove at least 2 years of relevant professional experience for service providers accompanying service recipients outside their Member State of residence. This will pave the way to unfair competition, warned UEAPME.

Brussels, 13 December 2011 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, welcomed today’s vote at the European Parliament’s plenary on the so-called “Lehne report” on accounting obligations for micro enterprises. MEPs rubber-stamped a common position with the Council that significantly simplifies accounting requirements for micro companies. According to the compromise, Member States can also exempt micro entities from publishing annual accounts, but accounting data will have to be drawn up, filed and made available on request. UEAPME was pleased with this solution, which puts an end to four years of squabbles over the text and is likely to reduce administrative obligations for micro entities while at the same time ensuring transparency. In fact, information drawn from accounts is crucial for national administrations, banks, suppliers and customers, stressed UEAPME, as well as for SMEs to get information about potential business relationships.

Brussels, 7 December 2011 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, welcomed the action plan to improve access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises presented by the European Commission today (Wednesday). The organisation was overall pleased with the very wide range of measures and actions foreseen on all the obstacles hampering SMEs’ access to finance at the moment. UEAPME also stressed the importance of a genuine internal market for venture capital and the need for equity-based financial instruments to support riskier-than-average business ventures. However, it warned that the measures presented by the EC today will remain on paper unless they are accompanied by reforms in national tax systems, which currently hinder the uptake and provision of these financial instruments. Moreover, the organisation welcomed the focus put by the EC on loan financing, which is and will remain the main source of funds for SMEs. In this respect, UEAPME called for the immediate review of risk weights for SME loans while transposing in the EU the ‘Basel III’ rules on capital requirements, to avoid turning the credit tap off for European small companies.

Brussels, 30 November 2011 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME organisation, was left overall satisfied by the “Research, Innovation and Competitiveness” package of programmes for the 2014-2020 period presented by the European Commission today (Wednesday). The organisation appreciated the focus of the proposed “Horizon 2020” research and innovation programme on demand-driven, market-oriented applied research on the main challenges facing our society. However, it regretted that the allocation of funds is seemingly not in line with the programme’s priorities, as “old school” research will receive a substantial increase, while it is not clear whether enough money was set aside to back up the programme’s new theoretical approach. UEAPME welcomed the single, simpler set of common rules that will govern financial instruments in the various programmes presented today. On the other hand, all the different instruments should be coherent and complementary, warned UEAPME.

Brussels, 29 November 2011 – Policymakers at EU and national level must invest in craft and SMEs as the main asset that will allow Europe to weather the current economic and financial crisis. This was the message brought forward by the General Assembly of UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, which took place in Brussels yesterday (Monday). Delegates from all over Europe singled out access to finance as a concern, stressing the need to secure tailored financial instruments for the different kinds of SMEs operating in the EU. Moreover, they called for stricter relations between the recently established Network of national SME Envoys and business organisations, both at EU and national level. The General Assembly also elected Gunilla Almgren as UEAPME President until the end of 2012, bringing for the first time a woman at the helm of the organisation.

Bruxelles, 29 novembre 2011 – Les décideurs politiques au niveau européen et national doivent investir dans l’artisanat et les PME, principal atout qui permettra à l’Europe de surmonter l’actuelle crise économique et financière. Tel est le message de l’Assemblée Générale de l’UEAPME, l’Association Européenne de l’Artisanat et des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises, qui s’est tenue hier (lundi) à Bruxelles. Les délégués de toute l’Europe ont mis en exergue l’accès au financement comme principal sujet de préoccupation, soulignant le besoin de garantir des instruments financiers adaptés aux différents types de PME de l’Union européenne. De plus, ils ont appelé à de plus étroites relations entre le nouveau réseau des envoyés PME nationaux et les organisations d’entreprises, au niveau européen et national. L’Assemblée Générale a également élu Gunilla Almgren entant que Présidente de l’UEAPME jusqu’à la fin de l’année 2012, première femme à la tête de l’organisation.

Brüssels, 29. November 2011 – Politische Entscheidungsträger auf europäischer und nationaler Ebene müssen in Handwerk und KMU investieren, dem Trumpf, der es Europa ermöglichen wird, die derzeitige Wirtschafts- und Finanzkrise zu meistern. Dies war die Botschaft der Vollversammlung der UEAPME, der europäischen Arbeitgeberorganisation des Handwerks und der KMU, die gestern (Montag) in Brüssel stattfand. Delegierte aus allen Teilen Europas hoben den Zugang zu Finanzierung als ein wichtiges Anliegen hervor und unterstrichen den Bedarf an angepassten Finanzinstrumenten für die verschiedenen Arten von KMU, die es in der EU gibt. Darüber hinaus forderten sie eine engere Verbindung zwischen dem kürzlich gegründeten Netzwerk von nationalen KMU-Beauftragten und den Unternehmensorganisationen, sowohl auf EU- als auch auf nationaler Ebene. Ausserdem wählte die Vollversammlung Frau Gunilla Almgren zur UEAPME-Präsidentin bis Ende 2012 und damit steht zum ersten Mal eine Frau an der Spitze der Organisation.

Bruxelles, 29 Novembre 2011 – Il mondo politico europeo e nazionale deve investire maggiormente nell’immenso patrimonio costituito dall’artigianato e dalle PMI per uscire dalla crisi economica e finanziaria che l’Europa sta attraversando. Questo il messaggio lanciato dall’Assemblea Generale dell’UEAPME, l’organizzazione europea dell’artigianato e delle PMI, riunitasi a Bruxelles ieri (lunedi). Delegati provenienti da tutta Europa hanno sottolineato la necessità di garantire l’accesso al credito per le PMI tramite misure adattate alle diverse tipologie di impresa. Inoltre, i partecipanti hanno richiesto una più stretta collaborazione tra le rete degli inviati PMI nazionali, recentemente creata su iniziativa del Vice Presidente della Commissione europea Antonio Tajani, e le organizzazioni di categoria a livello europeo e nazionale. Infine, l’Assemblea Generale ha eletto la signora Gunilla Almgren come Presidente dell’UEAPME, eleggendo per la prima volta una donna alla guida dell’organizzazione.

Brussels, 23 November 2011 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, welcomed to-day’s “Erasmus for all” proposal by the European Commission, which suggests allocating 19 billion EUR towards promoting skills and learning mobility of young people in what will become the successor of the current Lifelong Learning Programme. UEAPME endorsed the proposal’s simplified and streamlined architecture, stressing that it is based on the right key actions: learning mobility, cooperation for innovation and good practices, support for policy reform. Using the successful “Erasmus” mobility brand beyond higher education to include vocational education and training (VET) and focusing on the quality of mobility should contribute to strengthening VET mobility and attractiveness, said UEAPME. While acknowledging the higher budget allocated for the mobility of VET students, however, the organisation regretted that funding is still lagging behind compared to higher education. Moreover, apprentices are still not identified as a separate target group. This is not consistent with Europe’s recent commitments to tackle youth unemployment and skills mismatches on the labour market, warned UEAPME.

Brussels, 9 November 2011 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, warmly welcomed the “Small Business, Big World” communication released by the European Commission today (Wednesday). According to UEAPME, the EC blueprint to help SMEs “go global” gives an accurate overview of the many challenges encountered by small companies willing to trade beyond the single market. The organisation also welcomed the focus put by the Commission on the importance of business support measures, on ensuring and measuring their effectiveness and on targeting the enterprises that need the most assistance. Finally, UEAPME welcomed the plans to reform the “Europe Enterprise Network”, to set up an international business portal where all information about existing and new support schemes can be found, as well as the establishment of an “Internationalisation Forum” to discuss and exchange best practices.

Brussels, 26 October 2011 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, was left with mixed feelings by the “responsible business package” presented by the European Commission yesterday (Tuesday). On the positive side, UEAPME welcomed the proposals to simplify financial reporting obligations for limited liability companies. The organisation was pleased with the measures planned by the EC and by its aim to make accounts clearer and easier to understand. However, it warned that the generated savings are likely to be less than what the Commission estimates. On the negative side, UEAPME expressed concerns on the Commission’s new strategy on corporate social responsibility (CSR). According to the organisation, the new CSR definition fails to properly take into account the reality of SMEs. UEAPME also spoke against compulsory disclosure of non-financial information by companies, calling on the Commission to properly assess the impact of such a move.

Brussels, 17 October 2011 – Fiscal consolidation and a stronger economic governance are needed to overcome the crisis and boost small companies’ confidence, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. Speaking today at the Tripartite Social Summit for Growth and Employment organised by the Polish Presidency of the EU, Secretary General Andrea Benassi warned that the risk of another recession is looming over Europe unless action is taken swiftly. The sovereign debt crisis has shown the importance of stable public finances, a goal that must be accompanied by structural measures capable of stimulating growth and employment, he told participants. The current labour market situation and youth unemployment in particular are an additional source of concern, said Mr Benassi, highlighting the importance of vocational training and apprenticeships in this respect. The Secretary General also stressed that a successful and effective macroeconomic policy coordination at EU level must include wage developments while respecting social partners’ autonomy. Finally, he highlighted the importance of mobilising all the EU financial tools towards structural reforms and employment.

Brussels, 11 October 2011 – The “Common European Sales Law” proposal presented by the European Commission today (Tuesday) is not a solution for the problems faced by small companies aiming to trade in the single market, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. While supporting the Commission’s aims to improve the functioning of the internal market and ease cross-border transactions, UEAPME stressed that different national contracts are not a major obstacle for SMEs, which face other issues such as language barriers, diverse tax systems and certification requirements. The organisation warned that SMEs will not take up the proposal in its current form, as it falls short of striking a balance between the interests of consumers and the needs of businesses. Therefore, UEAPME called on the European Council to revise the text to ensure a reasonable instrument capable of providing added value and legal certainty for both companies and customers.

Brussels, 11 October 2011 – During a meeting of the Board of Directors yesterday (Monday), Loek Hermans resigned from his position of President of UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. Mr Hermans cited his impossibility to continue with his mandate and perform his duties. The Board of Directors acknowledged Mr Hermans’ choice, thanked him for his engagement and agreed to nominate Vice President Gunilla Almgren as Spokesperson of the Board for the remainder of Mr Hermans’ mandate, until 31 December 2012, to assure no gaps in leadership at UEAPME. This decision was unanimous and will have to be confirmed by the next General Assembly of the organisation on 28 November in Brussels.

Brussels, 11 October 2011 – Small businesses’ confidence decreased for the first time since 2009 amid concerns for Europe’s frail economic outlook and increasing imbalances, according to a survey conducted by UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, and its members. Since last spring, the proportion of entrepreneurs expecting a positive or neutral economic environment went down by 1.3 percentage points, with UEAPME’s “SME Business Climate Index” down to 70.8 from 72.1 and barely clear of the 70 points barrier that is seen as a neutral business climate. The index for Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain combined kept going downwards, standing ten points below the EU average in the countries hardest hit by the current sovereign debt crisis. Employment is set not to grow in the coming months, found the survey, which also recorded a slight improvement in retail prices. Therefore, UEAPME stressed the need to proceed with growth-enhancing measures and with bold reforms, also to stabilise financial markets, since failure to do so would lead to another recession.

Brussels, 7 October 2011 - The digital agenda can help small enterprises take full advantage of the opportunities available in the Digital single market and be able to compete with international players. It is however crucial to raise further awareness of its benefits as its potential is still largely unexploited by this category of users. These were the conclusions of a roundtable on the benefits of the Digital agenda held in Brussels yesterday.

Warsaw, 6th October 2011 – High level representatives of co-operative banks and SMEs from different European countries have met today in Warsaw on the occasion of the 4th European Forum “Co-operative Banks and SMEs – challenges and opportunities for the development of the European economy”. The event was co-organised by the European Association of Co-operative Banks (EACB), the International Confederation of Popular Banks (CIBP) and UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. The Forum was hosted by the National Union of Co-operative Banks (KZBS) and took place under the patronage of the Polish Presidency of the EU.

Brussels, 6 October 2011 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, was left overall satisfied by the legislative proposals on the new cohesion policy programming period unveiled by the European Commission today (Thursday). The association was particularly pleased with the introduction of conditions before European aid is granted, of clear links with the “EU 2020” policy agenda and of “ring-fenced” budget quotas for SMEs’ competitiveness and for innovation-related activities. It also praised the importance placed by the Commission on the concept of “multilevel governance”, by which economic and social partners will be closely associated at all levels in the operational programmes. Moreover, UEAPME welcomed the Commission’s goals on administrative simplification and the increased possibilities to use structural funds for the creation of financial instruments. On the negative side, UEAPME called for improvements on some aspects of the new ESF regulation, which seems to put social partners and non-governmental organisations on an equal footing. It also warned Member States and MEPs not to water down the Commission’s proposals in the upcoming legislative process.

Brussels, 5 October 2011 – Although more open to including SMEs’ concerns in legislation, the European institutions still have a long way to go when it comes to “thinking small first” on business support and administration, according to a survey conducted by UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. The “Think Small Test” and “SBA Implementation Scoreboard”, released today to coincide with the European SME Week, aim to assess the extent to which the European institutions and national governments are fulfilling their commitment to respect the “Think Small First” principle and to implement the promises made in the Small Business Act. The European Commission and the European Parliament fared similarly, with results on legislation improving for the second year in a row and opposed to setbacks both on business support, probably due to the withdrawal of crisis support measures, and on administration, where they fell short of meeting the expectations they raised. Downward trends were also recorded in 8 out of 10 policy areas related to the Small Business Act.

Brussels, 4 October 2011 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, was left disappointed by today’s second reading vote at the European Parliament’s Environment Committee on the revision of the Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. Further to the vote, retailers would be obliged to collect small waste electric and electronic goods left by consumers at no cost and without any requirement on consumers to buy a new product of the same kind. This is in contradiction with the “one-to-one” principle backed by UEAPME and by the Environment Council’s first reading, according to which WEEE can be brought back to the distributor free of charge as long as a new comparable product is bought at the same time. Although collection obligations may not apply to micro retailers, the vast majority of SMEs will nonetheless be clearly affected, warned UEAPME, which called on the Parliament’s plenary not to carry the amendments approved today.

Brussels, 20 July 2011 – Stricter capital requirements are needed and welcome as long as their impact on lending to small businesses is minimised, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. Reacting to today’s proposals by the European Commission, UEAPME welcomed the definition of banks’ “core capital” in qualitative terms rather than based on the bank’s legal form. This will ensure a level playing field for the fundamental activities of local and regional cooperative banks and saving banks for SMEs, stressed UEAPME, which also welcomed Vice President Tajani’s and Commissioner Barnier’s request to the European Banking Authority to explore whether the current 75% risk ratio for SME loans can be reduced.

Brussels, 6 July 2011 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, was left overall satisfied by today’s vote at the European Parliament on a new set of food labelling rules. As requested by UEAPME, the compromise between the EU institutions approved by MEPs excludes non pre-packed food from the new compulsory labelling requirements, which would have proved impossible for many small food producing and processing enterprises. MEPs also rightly steered clear of approving “traffic light labels”, which would have brought about extra burdens for producers and more confusion for consumers. On the negative side, however, the Parliament rubber-stamped a last-minute agreement that extends compulsory country of origin labelling to meat. This will generate problems for small food operators that change ingredients very frequently, warned UEAPME, calling for an impact assessment to be carried out before introducing the new rules.

For many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe, access to finance is still a major challenge. Therefore, financial instruments play a crucial role in addressing SME financing needs and in bridging existing market gaps. In view of the next generation of SME finance programmes, the European Investment Fund (EIF) and UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, today have called for a comprehensive set of tailored measures to further support SMEs to obtain finance.

Brussels, 30 June 2011 – The plans for the post-2013 EU budget unveiled by the European Commission yesterday (Wednesday) tick the right boxes in terms of spending priorities, although their benefits for small companies will largely depend on the final budget available and on the concrete implementation of the various headers and programmes, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. UEAPME was particularly pleased by the Commission’s proposal to increase the amounts allocated to research and innovation, education and SME development, as well as by the “Connecting Europe” facility to finance investments in infrastructure. It also welcomed the aims to direct the use of structural funds in the framework of cohesion policy to a limited number of priorities, including SMEs’ competitiveness and innovation. Moreover, UEAPME welcomed the general approach of the new “Horizon 2020” framework on R&D&I, but reserved its judgment on the funding aspects until the division of resources among its “pillars” and the specific volumes for SME support will be made public. Finally, the SME organisation called on the European Council and on the European Parliament to approve the European Commission’s “Multiannual Financial Framework” without changes and cuts.

Brussels, 23 June 2011 – The compromise agreement on the consumer rights directive approved by the European Parliament’s plenary today (Thursday) fails to strike the right balance between consumers’ and traders’ interests and will substantially raise administrative burdens for small companies, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. UEAPME was left particularly disappointed by the considerable increase of withdrawal rights for consumers and by the failure to insert a clear distinction between solicited and unsolicited visits in this respect. Although some safeguards will apply in case of urgent repairs and maintenance and for services already completed, these small adjustments will not change the directive’s overall negative impact, stressed UEAPME. The organisation also expressed concerns on withdrawal-linked reimbursement rights, which can now take place even before the consumer has actually returned the goods to the trader, and information requirements for traders, which were radically increased and will put SMEs at a competitive disadvantage.

Brussels, 23 June 2011 – The “economic governance package” on the agenda of the European Council starting today (Thursday) will become a toothless exercise if the attempts by some Member States to weaken the rules on sanctions go through, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. In fact, a number of governments are suggesting reverting to qualified majority voting to approve sanctions on Member States that do not comply with the Stability and Growth Pact, as opposed to the proposals by the European Commission and to the demands of the European Parliament to use qualified majority only to block those penalties from being applied. Going against the Commission’s and Parliament’s stance will mean that countries not in line with the Stability and Growth Pact will never be disciplined, as it has been the case so far. Taking sides with the Commission and the Parliament, UEAPME therefore called on MEPs to insist on their stance and on reluctant Member States to abandon their plans, which would render the whole economic governance package useless.

Brussels, 22 June 2011 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, was left overall satisfied by the proposal for a directive on energy efficiency unveiled by the European Commission today (Wednesday). The organisation particularly appreciated the Commission’s call on Member States to establish a favourable framework for technical assistance and targeted information on energy efficiency for SMEs, although this request should have been inserted in the legally binding part of the text rather than in the introductory remarks. UEAPME also welcomed the wording on energy audits for SMEs, which steers clear of imposing compulsory requirements while at the same time promoting awareness raising activities on possible energy savings. Moreover, the association praised the Commission’s aims to facilitate SMEs’ access to the energy services market, to promote the use of small co-generation units and to foster the activities of small energy distributors and small retail energy sales companies. On the negative side, today’s text does not foresee the involvement of intermediary business organisations in the set up of SME-oriented measures at national level. Moreover, the impact assessment accompanying the proposal lacks a dedicated “SME test”, which should have been performed before proposing such an ambitious set of measures, warned UEAPME.

Brussels, 24 May 2011 – The implementation of the Small Business Act is very far from being complete and requires progress to be made without further delays, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. Speaking today in Gödöllő at the annual SBA conference “Mobilising SMEs for the Future of Europe” organised by the Hungarian Presidency of the EU, Secretary General Andrea Benassi called on national governments to put the SBA principles and actions at the centre of all SME-relevant policies, to fully involve representative business organisations and to put in place the recently made suggestions to improve governance. He also stressed that steps forward should be taken at EU level, for instance by fully embracing the ‘Think Small First’ principle from the very early stages of policy making and securing the availability of financial resources for all the initiatives foreseen by the Small Business Act.

Brussels, 9 May 2011 – The current deadlock in the negotiations between the European Parliament and the European Council on the Consumer Rights Directive risks having negative consequences for small companies, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. The text stipulates that all contracts negotiated outside the trader’s shop should be subject to a 14 days withdrawal period and to onerous information requirements, even when the business contact was established by the client, which could lead to more burdens for SMEs and less choice, higher prices and longer delivery times for consumers. In March, the Parliament adopted a number of exceptions to withdrawal rights on specific services, emergency repairs and special requested visits for repairs or maintenance. However, according to a declaration released last week by the Parliament’s rapporteur Andreas Schwab, the Council does not support these safeguards. Ahead of a meeting between Parliament and Council tomorrow, UEAPME therefore urged Member States to support these clauses as a minimum and to insert a distinction between solicited and unsolicited contracts in the text as the optimum solution.

Brussels, 13 April 2011 – Despite the many positive proposals contained in the text, the “Single Market Act” unveiled today by the European Commission should have been more ambitious on governance and on the enforcement of legislation, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. On the positive side, UEAPME welcomed the chapters on intellectual property rights, standardisation, public procurement and the recognition of professional qualifications, all of which can significantly contribute to improve the competitiveness of SMEs in the internal market and beyond. On the negative side, however, UEAPME was disappointed by the 0.5% “deficit goals” set by the Commission on the transposition of EU legislation in Member States and on national rules’ compatibility with it. According to the organisation, the Commission should have aimed at “zero tolerance,” i.e. ensuring that 100% of EU legislation is properly applied at national level. It should also be tougher and faster on infringement cases that often hold back small businesses. Moreover, UEAPME expressed doubts on the proposals on “social entrepreneurship”, warning against ring-fencing and more red tape, and on contract law, since the EC announced an optional EU-wide instrument while discussions are still ongoing.

Brussels, 13 April 2011 – European SMEs expect the full implementation of the Small Business Act without further delays, and need simple rules conceived for all enterprises and with smaller entities in mind from the outset. This was the message brought forward by UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, at the ongoing informal meeting of Industry Ministers organised in Gödöllő by the Hungarian Presidency of the EU. Speaking at the event, Secretary General Andrea Benassi stressed that these top priorities cannot be ignored or postponed again, denouncing the lack of progress on the many actions and principles contained in the Small Business Act. He also urged Member States to create a European SME-dedicated funding programme to secure the resources needed to make progress on the file. Moreover, he warned against the recent suggestions aiming at exempting from legislation certain types of companies, such as all micro enterprises or start-ups, since doing so would create “second-class” enterprises and as rules are needed for all companies to be successful and remain competitive on the market. What policymakers should do instead is simplify legislation and the related procedures in line with the “Think Small First” principle.

Brussels, 28 March 2011 –The European Commission published today its White Paper on Transport. The paper, designed as a “roadmap to a single European transport area”, aims to make the European transport system more competitive and resource-efficient. The Transport Forum of UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, supports these aims and backs all measures which aim to ensure the sustainability of transport in the EU. However, UEAPME experts warned that this strategy will have a significant financial impact on transport businesses and will have to be carefully combined with support measures to avoid harming European SMEs.

Brussels, 24 March 2011 – Unsustainable wage developments and price pressures placed on private companies by uncompetitive public and semi-public services are at the root of the current economic imbalances in the EU and must be tackled as a matter of urgency, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. Speaking today for his first time at the Tripartite Social Summit ahead of the European Council, President Loek Hermans backed the recently approved “pact for the Euro” as well as the “stability package” endorsed by European finance ministers. While agreeing with the trade unions on the need to strengthen economic governance in the EU, Mr Hermans stressed that a successful and effective macroeconomic policy coordination at EU level must include wage developments, inviting the unions to reconsider their opposition and to work on common solutions to avoid new imbalances in the future. He also highlighted the “two-tier Europe” emerging from our latest “Craft and SME Barometer”, calling for reforms to address budgets deficits, put in place stability programmes and mobilise private spending in all countries, especially in those lagging behind at the moment.

In view of the upcoming plenary vote on the Consumer Rights Directive, BUSINESSEUROPE, EUROCHAMBRES and UEAPME called on the European Parliament to focus efforts on full harmonisation and to refrain from adopting any minimum harmonisation provisions. In a joint letter to Members of the European Parliament, the three business organisations expressed their concerns on a number of changes introduced by the Parliament’s Internal Market & Consumer Protection and Legal Affairs Committees. These modifications risk jeopardising the original intentions of the European Commission, warned the three.

Brussels, 10 March 2011 – RFID-ROI-SME, the European project coordinated by UEAPME with the goal of understanding and fully leveraging the benefits of RFID technology, has now reached half-time. The first twelve months of the two-year EU-funded contract saw the inception, preparation and testing of eight pilot projects across six European nations. RFID technology, which allows real time data collection without physical or line of sight contact, has grown strongly in the last year among Europe’s larger companies. However, SMEs have yet to fully leverage the technology. RFID-ROI-SME shows practical examples of the tangible benefits RFID can deliver across many sectors. These benefits are being further disseminated to wider SME communities using leaflets, best practices, and blueprints.

Brussels, 16 February 2011 – A common tax base could dramatically reduce compliance costs for small companies operating cross-border in the EU, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. However, the plans for a common consolidated corporate tax base (CCCTB) unveiled by the European Commission today are too complex and not in line with the needs of SMEs, warned UEAPME, urging the Commission to provide a small business friendly version of the CCCTB. The organisation also raised doubts on the CCCTB being optional. This would add a 28th tax system to the 27 existing ones, complicate the status quo, oblige Member States to run two systems at the same time and create an extra opportunity for “tax engineering”.

Brussels, 15 March 2011 – Small businesses’ confidence levels increased for the fourth consecutive semester but diverge considerably across the EU, according to a survey recently conducted by UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, and its members. The proportion of entrepreneurs expecting a positive or neutral economic environment raised by more than 6 points on average, with the UEAPME “SME Business Climate Index” now standing at 72.1 compared to 65.5 in the previous semester and clearing the 70 points barrier that is seen as a neutral business climate. However, the index for Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain combined turned out to be actually lower than the previous semester’s average, standing at 64.1. The confidence increase recorded stemmed exclusively from the rest of the EU, with imbalances being clearer and deeper than ever before, the survey revealed. UEAPME therefore recommended pressing on with reforms to address these imbalances, reduce uncertainty and restore the confidence of market participants. The UEAPME “Craft and SME Barometer” also recorded a return around pre-crisis employment levels in SMEs of all sizes and fewer differences across industry sectors, with manufacturing leading the pack while construction is still lagging behind.

Brussels, 23 February 2011 – The Small Business Act review published today by the European Commission is a step forward in terms of governance, but its actual impact on small businesses will depend on the concrete im-plementation at national, regional and local level and on the availability of adequate funds, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. The organisation appreciated the focus put by the European Commission on the need to involve representative business organisations and local authorities in delivering the many actions and principles contained in the Small Business Act. It also welcomed the considera-tion for all types of SMEs, which are very heterogeneous and require policy responses tailored to their specific needs. On the concrete proposals, UEAPME was pleased with the insertion of references to unfair contractual terms and companies’ access to markets in the text. On the negative side, the organisation criticised the scarce attention paid in the communication to labour markets in general and to small companies’ skill needs in particu-lar. Finally, UEAPME called on all Member States to follow up with concrete actions on today’s communication, which clearly shows the little progress made so far, and on the EU to double the available funds in this respect.

Brussels, 16 February 2011 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, has become today an official partner of the “Healthy Workplaces Campaign” managed by the European Agency on Health and Safety at Work (OSHA). Crafts and SMEs support this important campaign to raise awareness of the risks associated with the maintenance of plants, equipment and machines, which is a crucial part of eliminating hazards at the workplace. Health and safety related risks are becoming increasingly complex. According to UEAPME, there is a clear need to assist SMEs and in particular micro-companies with limited financial and human resources with the related legal requirements in a simple, non burdensome way. Strong guidance, adapted risk assessment methods, a more structured approach and better promotion of a culture of risk prevention are needed, stressed UEAPME, which intends to use the campaign to support the business case for healthy workplaces and to raise public recognition of employers’ efforts. The organisation also aims at highlighting the need to fully apply the “Think Small First” principle at all levels for existing and new health and safety regulations. UEAPME is looking forward to cooperate more closely with the OSHA on SME-related specificities in the health and safety field.

Brussels, 16 February 2011 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, warmly welcomed the resolution on the next generation of SME finance programmes adopted today by a large majority at the European Parliament. According to UEAPME, the document sums up very well the main challenges facing European SMEs when it comes to access to finance and provides a comprehensive set of possible measures to improve the status quo. The organisation particularly appreciated the resolution’s calls for tailored measures adapted to the reality of SMEs, which are very heterogeneous and go from traditional and family-run businesses to high-tech and fast growing companies. It also backed the need to address market failures, to create better and more complete funding programmes and to remove administrative barriers that limit the uptake of the existing schemes. UEAPME thanked all members of the Parliament’s SME Intergroup for their efforts in the run up to the vote, and called on the European Commission to follow up on the action path established by MEPs today.

Brussels, 14 February 2011 – The uneven economic performance of EU Member States is certainly due to wage developments but also to the price pressures placed on private companies by uncompetitive public and semi-public services, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. Speaking today at the Macroeconomic Dialogue between the Council, the Commission, the European Central Bank and the European Social Partners, Secretary General Andrea Benassi stressed that reforms aiming to trigger more competition in these service sectors will be crucial to create growth and jobs again in Member States lagging behind at the moment. On economic governance at EU level, Mr Benassi warned that a serious debate must also look at national wage policies as a factor in a coordinated macroeconomic policy, taking into account the autonomy of social partners. He therefore invited trade unions to reconsider their staunch opposition in this respect, and to work towards common solutions capable of boosting growth now and avoiding new imbalances in the future.

Brussels, 3 February 2011 – UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, welcomed the limits on collection duties for micro retailers approved by the European Parliament today in its plenary vote on the revision of the Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. Further to MEPs’ vote, retailers will be obliged to collect small waste electric and electronic goods left by consumers at no cost and without any requirement on consumers to buy a new product of the same kind. However, this measure will not apply to micro retailers, which normally have a very limited surface area available in their shops and already wrestle to stay on the market despite the harsh competition from large supermarket and electronics chains. UEAPME was pleased with MEPs’ decision, which avoids the disproportionate costs that would have arisen for smaller shops had such an obligation been applied across the board. On the other hand, concerns remain for SMEs subject to the text, said UEAPME, which called for an impact assessment to be made on the consequences of the new WEEE measures on the competitiveness of these companies.

Brussels, 1 February 2011 – Today’s vote at the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee on the Consumer Rights Directive is a significant step back compared to the “general approach” adopted last week by the Council, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. In fact, MEPs reinserted in the text two chapters that were rightly scrapped by the Council. Moreover, they failed to introduce a distinction between solicited and unsolicited contracts in the directive, which will create more burdens especially for small entrepreneurs who tend to work often outside their business location, despite the insertion of some safeguards in this respect. On the positive side, MEPs inserted some exceptions to the general principle of withdrawal rights, the only piece of good news in an otherwise unhelpful vote for SMEs.

Brussels, 1 February 2010 (for immediate release) – The Environment Committee of the European Parliament, chaired by Jo Leinen MEP, and representatives of the five major political groups in the EP joined today with Europe’s main associations representing small and medium-sized companies (UEAPME), consumers’ interests (BEUC), cooperatives (Cooperatives Europe) and the Foundation on Economic Trends in a call for a “Third Industrial Revolution” ahead of the European Council’s summit devoted to energy.

Brussels, 24 January 2011 – The Consumer Rights Directive as adopted by the European Council today (Monday) is a step forward on the way to full harmonisation but the current wording on “off-premises contracts” risks harming small entrepreneurs who tend to work often outside their business location, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation. On the positive side, UEAPME welcomed the Council’s decision to scrap two chapters of the directive for which a full Europe-wide harmonisation of national rules would have been impossible. On the negative side, UEAPME criticised the clauses on contracts negotiated outside the trader’s shop, which could lead to excessive burdens for SMEs and craftsmen, it warned, calling on the European Parliament to insert a distinction between solicited and unsolicited contracts in the text of the directive.