SME Test Benchmark 2024: is new EU legislation adequately SME-proofed?
Despite progress over recent years, the latest SME Test Benchmark report reveals that one of the key elements to deliver the EU’s better regulation principles is still not consistently applied across the Commission's services. The SME Test is designed to analyse the effects of proposed new EU legislation on smaller businesses. With 99% of European businesses being SMEs, they are clearly the norm, not the exception, so legislation must be designed with their interests firmly in mind. ?
While improvements have been made, there’s a clear gap in implementation that needs urgent attention. This was the main conclusion of the new "SME Test Benchmark 2024: Making better legislation work better for SMEs" report presented by Eurochambres, BusinessEurope and SMEunited on 19 November during the 2024 SME Assembly in Budapest. ?
The three organisations reviewed 23 EU legislative proposals to evaluate how effectively the SME Test, a required tool for ensuring SME-friendly regulation, has been applied in impact assessments. ?At the SME Assembly, Eurochambres Chief Executive Officer, Ben Butters highlighted the need for EU policy to be more output driven and to provide an SME-friendly environment. ?Mr. Butters emphasised that the co-legislators must also take greater responsibility in performing impact assessments on relevant amendments during negotiations. This approach, coupled with a more consistent application of the SME Test at the national level before transposing EU legislation, would be crucial for creating streamlined, proportionate laws that minimise the administrative burden on small businesses.
The European Commission 's consultative process often suffers from a lack of coordination between Directorates-General, especially when assessing the impact of proposals on SMEs. With the new EU term now underway, it's the perfect time to reassert political commitment to better lawmaking and ensure the "Think Small First" principle is consistently applied. Strengthening dialogue with Eurochambres and other business organisations must be a top priority for the new Commission to ensure that the SME perspective is always at the forefront of new policy. ?
Read the full report here: SME Test Benchmark 2024: Making better legislation work better for SMEs ?
More info: Giacomo Fersini , Senior Economic Policy Advisor, [email protected]
EU SME Assembly: exploring challenges and opportunities for SMEs
The European chamber network played an active and prominent role in the ?2024 SME Assembly in Budapest from 18-20 November. The three days were an opportunity to debate the unstable economic context faced by the business community and to consider priorities to address this during the new EU term.?
The “SME Competitiveness and Performance” session dived into key trends of the European economy and the challenges that SMEs will face in the year to come. Presenting the main findings of the Eurochambres Economic Survey, Senior Economic Policy Advisor Giacomo Fersini stressed that subdued SME productivity levels are the result of high labour costs, lack skilled workforce and an overcomplex regulatory framework. To address this and avoid further deindustrialisation, Mr. Fersini urged the European Commission to commit, as of day one, to a pragmatic business-friendly action plan.
More info: Giacomo Fersini , Senior Economic Policy Advisor, [email protected]
Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034 must be simpler, more balanced and responsive to the needs of European SMEs
The next long-term EU budget will impact the European economy beyond the 2028-2034 period and therefore needs to reflect Europe’s ambition of increased competitiveness. With ongoing discussions on priorities, areas, and mechanisms of intervention for the coming years, Eurochambres believes that support to European businesses should be at the core of the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework.?
Every euro invested by businesses has a strong multiplier effect on the economy at large, creating new jobs and driving innovation and growth. For this reason, the chamber network has identified key areas for the allocation of the EU budget: SMEs, education, research, and infrastructure. Above all, the chamber network stresses the need for a simple, flexible and rapid access to funding opportunities.?
More info: Giacomo Fersini , Senior Economic Policy Advisor [email protected]
Helping SMEs transition to energy efficient operations
On 26 and 27 November, Eurochambres hosted the kick-off meeting of the EcoSMEnergy project in Brussels. This brought together representatives from the 12 European partners and CINEA - European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency to launch the initiative.?
The project focuses on fostering an energy-efficient culture within specific sectors, including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, rubber and plastic products, and fabricated metal products. By providing services such as energy auditing, real-time energy monitoring tools, and comprehensive training workshops, EcoSMEnergy aims to equip SME staff with the necessary skills to manage energy efficiently, ?contributing to enhanced competitiveness and ultimately local economic growth, job retention, and the EU’s broader climate action goals.?
Co-funded by the European Union and coordinated by Eurochambres, the project aims to engage over 500 companies in energy management initiatives. It will directly support 20 SMEs in conducting energy audits, train more than 250 staff members, and help 80 businesses implement ?Energy Management Systems. Through these activities, EcoSMEnergy seeks to enhance energy efficiency, reduce operational costs, and promote sustainability, supporting SMEs in their transition to more energy-efficient operations while aligning with EU climate objectives.?
More info: Birgit Arens , Senior Project Officer, [email protected]
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Eurochambres discusses AI's impact on VET with European Commission
On 22 November, Eurochambres’ Skills Committee delved into the transformative potential of AI for Vocational Education and Training (VET) during an engaging online session with Melina Johanne Tasiovasilis from the European Commission ’s Directorate-General for Employment. The meeting spotlighted the EU’s AI strategy, unpacking both the challenges and opportunities of embedding AI into VET systems.?
Adding a business perspective, Eurochambres shared insights from a survey of 700+ businesses: while many are eager to embrace AI, identifying practical applications remains a hurdle. To bridge this gap, Eurochambres will soon launch "AI for Business Users," a 50-hour hands-on training course under the EULEP - European Learning Platform project, tailored to equip businesses with actionable AI skills.?
This initiative underscores the critical need for aligning AI innovation with workforce readiness, paving the way for smarter, more adaptive businesses.?
EULEP website: www.eulep.eu?
More info: Birgit Arens , Senior Project Officer, [email protected]
Eurochambres messages to the 28-29 November 2024 Competitiveness Council
In a letter to the Chair of the Competitiveness Council ahead of the late November meeting, Eurochambres President Vladimír Dlouhy stressed the urgent need to tackle the stockpile of legislation and ensure that excessive bureaucracy does not hinder Europe’s competitiveness, innovation, or progress on key priorities like the digital and green transitions. He also called for more coordinated action from national governments to create a business-friendly environment that supports growth.
More info: Giacomo Fersini , Senior Economic Policy Advisor, [email protected]
Türkiye-EU Business Dialogue: welcome to TEBD II
The second phase of the Türkiye-EU Business Dialogue project (TEBD II), funded by the European Union, kicked off last month with an ambitious agenda. Running through to the end of 2027, this 36-month initiative aims to strengthen and expand economic ties between Türkiye and the EU through enhanced collaboration and impactful activities designed to deepen mutual economic engagement. Led by Eurochambres, TEBD II will implement diverse initiatives to bolster the capacities of Turkish and EU chambers. These include Business Dialogues, SME surveys, study visits, chamber academies, and targeted support programmes focusing on energy efficiency, sustainable growth, and alignment with the EU Acquis. A standout feature is the new Chamber Partnership Grant Scheme, set to fund approximately 20 collaborative projects between EU and Turkish chambers, fostering deeper cooperation and mutual growth. Visit the TEBD website for more information. ?
More info: Oya Ers?z , Project Director, [email protected] / [email protected]
Empowering small businesses with consumer law knowledge
Consumer complaints have a long history, yet many SMEs remain unaware of the critical role that consumer law plays in building trust and driving growth. At the 2024 SME Assembly, the Consumer Law Ready project showcased its support mechanisms and hosted a Meet the Expert session featuring Dr. Zsolt Hajnal, Hungary's National Lead Trainer for the initiative.?
Over two days, stakeholders engaged in discussions that highlighted the project’s relevance and explored its future activities. As customer interactions increasingly shift beyond traditional face-to-face models, understanding consumer law has become essential for SMEs. This knowledge helps businesses maintain strong reputations and leverage customer trust into sustained development.?
For SMEs, a solid understanding of consumer law is vital to navigating today’s complex markets. This knowledge equips businesses to effectively engage with customers, adapt to changing service models, and drive sustainable growth in a competitive environment.?Led by Eurochambres, BEUC - The European Consumer Organisation , and SMEunited with support from the European Commission , CLR Next helps SMEs stay competitive.
More info: Līga Si?eva , Project Officer, [email protected]