General enterprise policy

UEAPME fully supports the European Union’s objective of improving the business environment in which SMEs operate. UEAPME has consistently put forward proposals to improve this environment.

Position papers

  09/01/2013: Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan sets right priorities, say SMEs

  October 2012: UEAPME proposals for a renewed Enterprise Europe Network (EEN)

  July 2012: UEAPME position on the review of the Europe 2020 flagship initiative on industrial policy

  November 2008: UEAPME assessment of the implementation of Recommendation 2003/361/EC on the definition of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises by Member States

  July 2008: UEAPME preliminary Position Paper on the Draft Impact Assessment Guidelines

  October 2006: European Innovation Policy: Take SMEs on Board too

  July 2006: UEAPME’s Position Paper on free movement of goods in the non-harmonised area

  January 2006: Position Paper on the reduction of the CIP budget

  February 2005: UEAPME’s position paper on a Framework Programme for Competitiveness and Innovation

  October 2004: Towards an innovation policy for crafts, trades and SMEs

  September 2004: 24 questions for 24 new Commissioners: UEAPME’s proposals for the Hearings at the European Parliament

  April 2004: UEAPME Memorandum for the Election to the European Parliament (EN)

  April 2004: UEAPME Memorandum for the Election to the European Parliament (FR)

  April 2004: UEAPME Memorandum for the Election to the European Parliament (DE)

  April 2004: UEAPME Memorandum for the Election to the European Parliament (IT)

  February 2004: UEAPME Position Paper on the Consultation on E-Business

  July 2003: UEAPME’s position paper on the Green Paper on Entrepreneurship

  September 2002: UEAPME Position Paper on the Preliminary Draft Commission Recommendation amending Recommendation 96/280/EC concerning the definition of small and medium-sized enterprises (dd.25/6/2002). Second consultation

  July 2002: Towards a reinforced culture of consultation and dialogue - Proposal for general principles and minimum standards for consultation of interested parties by the Commission.

  February 2002: General Reflections on the Business Impact Analysis system

  November 2001: First reaction of UEAPME to the Draft Commission Recommendation amending Recommendation 96/280/EC concerning the definition of small and medium-sized enterprises

  March 2001: Objectives have to be implemented — UEAPME’s contribution to the European Council, Stockholm, 23rd and 24th March 2001

Press releases

  08/10/2007: SME policy review shows it is time to move up a gear

  14/09/2007: European SME policy has not reached small entrepreneurs yet

  31/10/2006: European innovation policy must take small businesses on board

  01/02/2006: EU Competitiveness Programme has increased emphasis on small firms

  10/11/2005: New SME policy programme must be more than just rhetoric

  20/09/2005: Commission urged to ’follow through’ on proposals for SME policy

  30/06/2005: Majority of small firms could be left behind in competitiveness drive

  24/05/2005: Slashing budget for competitiveness would be a major step backwards

  19/04/2005: Competitiveness Commissioner told not to forget traditional businesses

  19/04/2005: Warnung an Verheugen: traditionelle Unternehmen nicht vergessen

  06/04/2004: Competitiveness and Innovation Programme must live up to its name

  16/02/2005: Framework Programme for Competitiveness and Innovation must be more SME focused

  27/10/2004: UEAPME: crafts and SMEs need new approach to innovation policy

  27/10/2004: UEAPME: Les PME et les entreprises artisanales ont besoin d’une nouvelle approche en ce qui concerne la politique d’innovation

  28/09/2004: SMEs expect coherent policies from new Commissioners

  28/09/2004: Les PME attendent des nouveaux Commissaires des politiques plus cohérentes

  13/08/2004: UEAPME welcomes new Commission’s line-up

  28/05/2004: SME Policy: UEAPME sends to do list to candidate MEPs

  28/04/2004: Outgoing European Parliament had mixed track record on SME policy, says UEAPME

  28/04/2004: Le Parlement Européen sortant a un bilan mitigé en ce qui concerne la politique PME, déclare l’ UEAPME

  12/03/2004: Broader view on innovation needed for SMEs

  02/03/2004: European SMEs welcome Commission’s Action Plan for Entrepreneurship but ask for faster implementation

  02/03/2004: Les PME européennes accueillent favorablement le Plan d’Action pour l’Entreprenariat de la Commission mais demandent une mise en œuvre plus rapide

  30/07/2003: Entrepreneurship: EU should focus on setting up a pro-entrepreneur culture and environment

  30/07/2003: L’ esprit d’ entreprise: L’ UE devrait se concentrer sur la création d’une culture et d’un environnement favorables à l’ entrepreneur

  08/05/2003: Commission’s new definition of SMEs more in line with their reality in Europe

  08/05/2003: UEAPME: La nouvelle définition de PME adoptée par la Commission est plus en phase avec leur réalité en Europe

  14/02/2003: Thessaloniki SME Ministerial Conference: UEAPME tells Ministers it is time for action

  14/02/2003: Conférence ministérielle des PME à Thessalonique: L’ UEAPME dit aux Ministres qu’il est temps de passer à l’action