SMEs

EU ministers to discuss rule simplification after von der Leyen promises swift ‘competitiveness’ measures

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“One of our first steps in the new mandate will be a new omnibus legislation” to cut rule overlaps, von der Leyen said.

Why Europe needs a Connectivity Union

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With competitiveness lagging, the EU must take urgent, decisive action to reignite the region’s economy

Standards at stake: the EU’s plan to balance SEP licensing and innovation

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The EU’s Standard-Essential Patent (SEP) proposal aims to streamline licensing but critics warn it could stifle innovation, weaken R&D incentives, and complicate involvement for SMEs.

New rules to build corporate giants won’t reverse EU decline, officials say

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Europe’s competition enforcers are alarmed by talk of changing merger rules to allow big firms in key industries.

Commission probes EU laws to slash corporate reporting requirements

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“We have not yet reached the 25% cut […] but now for SMEs, the goal post has already moved to 35%,” DG Grow

Tech sovereignty gets its own executive vice-president in the new Commission 

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Finland’s Henna Virkkunen has been appointed as the European Commission’s next executive vice-president for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, signalling a shift in EU digital policy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced…

Coordinated Action to unlock GovTech Potential: Connecting Startups and Public Authorities for Enhanced Public Services [Promoted content]

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GovTech has the potential to enhance public services but faces challenges like complex regulations and lack of awareness. In addition to EU-led projects such as SPIN4EIC, GovTech Connect and PSTW, such issues can be addressed by a unified EU platform f…

Enabling Green and Digital Growth: Making Sustainability Reporting Work for SMEs [Promoted content]

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For Europe and the world to meet their emission reduction targets, SMEs must be placed at the forefront and be supported to better measure their sustainability impacts.

What a right-wing shift in the EU Parliament means for tech policy

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A more right-wing European Parliament could mean fewer regulatory initiatives in the area of tech, a weakened push for market integration, but more support for defence tech, according to party manifestos and an interview with an expert.

A New Era for Business – E-invoicing as the Critical Enabler of Europe’s Digital and Competitive Growth [Promoted content]

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With the next European mandate fast approaching, new research shows how digital tools – such as e-invoicing – are poised to unlock a new era of productivity and competitiveness for Europe’s SMEs.

Letta wants ‘Much More Than a Market’, industry just wants single market completed [Advocacy Lab Content]

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Former Italian PM Enrico Letta’s new report on the future of the single market calls for an urgent upscaling of Europe’s competitiveness. Opening a Euractiv debate, Letta emphasised the need for speed, security, and solidarity.

Sustainability and society, the future of Europe’s leather industry [Advocacy Lab Content]

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The EU is a significant player in the global leather market, with a diverse range of products and industrial processes within its leather industry, but how are Europe’s tanneries improving safety while focusing on sustainability?

Industry bosses to EU: Help us level up in the global green tech race

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As elections near, industry bosses argue the EU needs to create the right conditions to build a competitive green economy.

Breton takes victory lap after killing von der Leyen’s business envoy pick

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Markus Pieper resigned hours before his first day as the EU’s SME envoy.

Von der Leyen struggles to quell revolt over controversial business envoy pick

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Commission’s top level tussle is a sign that political tensions are flaring ahead of European elections in June.

The value of consulting

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It’s time to wake up to the value of modern British management consultancy.

New Brexit border tax triggers UK business backlash

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Trade groups fear new inspection fees will push up inflation and lead to less consumer choice.

Buy now, regulate later

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SNEAK PEEK — Labour gets thinking on Buy Now, Pay Later regulation. — Fintechs argue fraud payments legislation is unsuited to their needs. — FCA looks into treatment of vulnerable customers. Good morning readers! We hope you had a lovely weekend. To ease you into what will likely be yet another grey morning, we’ve got […]

Pressure on UK to follow US in toughening stance on TikTok

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London risks getting caught up in Washington’s burgeoning battle with China over the app.

Labour called on to quash snooping bank bill

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SNEAK PEEK — Labour peer criticizes own party’s efforts on DWP snooping bill. — Hunt and Martin Lewis at odds over budget leaks. — Insurers finally extend flammable cladding home cover.  Happy Thursday! We’re all so close to the end of the week but there are still plenty of financial services goodies to get through […]

The EU has a €30 billion hidden fees problem

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Last year, European consumers and businesses lost €30 billion to hidden international payment fees. The Payment Services Regulation has to close the loopholes that have enabled these fees.

Budget bonanza

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SNEAK PEEK — Budget expectations, from National Insurance cuts to inheritance tax latest. — Bank capital treatment of SMEs might scupper retail-heavy budget plans. — FCA investigates banks’ loans to small businesses amid “super complaint.” Good morning … IT’S BUDGET DAY! POLITICO reporters have been running around like headless chickens trying to get the goss. […]

Scientific progress: A look ahead

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What two decades of progress in medicine development tells us about the next 20 years.

Welcome to budget week

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SNEAK PEEK —  Wednesday’s budget looms and we’ve got the details. —  Bank of England told to clamp down on excessive compliance breaches. — Change of rules to allow fractional shares in ISAs set for delay. Good morning readers! We probably don’t need to remind you that it’s budget week this week. It’s going to be […]

Settling a potential Brexit dividend

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SNEAK PEEK — Geffen report on securities settlement reforms imminent. — Investors pour cold water on Hunt’s GB ISA plans. — Car loan redress will have “negligible impact” on most major banks. Good morning! Welcome to Friday — we made it, everyone.  To help you, dear readers, to the weekend we have plenty of great gear, including a report […]

MPs probe impact of UK’s sanctions on Russia

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SNEAK PEEK —  Treasury Committee launches probe into effectiveness of Russian sanctions. — Banks criticized for debanking SMEs while keeping fraudsters on the books. — City minister piles pressure on PRA over bank capital reforms. Good morning and happy leap day! It’s Thursday and you all know what that means….this is the second last MFS […]

FCA name-and-shame plans get immediate backlash

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SNEAK PEEK —  Industry criticizes FCA plans to name firms under investigation. — Lenders “debanking” SMEs en masse, committee finds. — U.K. fiscal policies don’t match economic situation, claims economist. Good morning! Wowee, what a hectic day Tuesday was in the world of financial services. I’ve barely recovered from the many committee hearings, conferences and consultations […]

Labour gets boozy with the City

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SNEAK PEEK —  Rachel Reeves schmoozes City bigwigs at London reception. — Defense sector fights back against debanking. — Bank of England hosts talking shop on handling risks to the financial system. Good morning! Welcome to week two of the MFS U.K. newsletter ― we made it! We hope you are enjoying it thus far, […]

More SEP transparency will help SMEs and big players, says Henkel [Advocacy Lab Content]

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Standard Essential Patents keep our digital world connected, but SEP regulation is currently a contentious debate in Europe. Christoph Schwaiger spoke with Prof. Joachim Henkel to understand what the European Commission’s proposals to regulate SEPs mea…

Even the Bank of England is giving in to the banks

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Lenders on either side of the Atlantic have been campaigning hard against incoming standards

Von der Leyen accused of playing favourite over EU SMEs envoy nomination

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The controversial appointment of German CDU MEP Markus Pieper as the new EU envoy for small and medium-sized enterprises has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The surprising threat to small and medium-sized European companies [Promoted content]

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The European Union faces a looming threat to its (SMEs) due to the complexities of standard essential patent licensing. SMEs struggle with opaque negotiations, unfair pricing, and the risk of market exclusion. The proposed regulation promise transparen…

EU competitiveness and licensing of essential technologies

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The authors regularly advise the automotive and IT/tech industry. The views expressed in this article are personal. As things stand now, European manufacturers are at a disadvantage, as patent owners from around the world can exclude devices that implement standards from the market unless manufacturers give in to their royalty demands. The proposed EU SEP […]

An SME’s call for fair play in the SEP landscape

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Anticompetitive tech licensing tactics create a ‘David and Goliath’ power imbalance in the world of standard-essential patents — but the proposed SEP Regulation can benefit EU economy, innovation and SMEs.

Connectivity can steer Europe back to competitiveness

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5G-connected technologies must be deployed at scale and at speed to improve lives, drive growth and compete with China and the U.S.

Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve: Preliminary Reflections on the EU’s New Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive

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Tara
Van Ho, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Essex

 

Photo credit: Infrogmation
of New Orleans, via Wikimedia
commons

 

The European Union’s Council and
Parliament have agreed to a provisional text for a new directive that …

Regulating AI foundation models is crucial for innovation

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It would be irresponsible for the EU to cast aside regulation of European foundation model developers. To support its SMEs and ensure AI works for people and society, the EU must create rules for these companies in the AI Act,…

Building the bridge between digital SMEs and policymakers

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The European DIGITAL SME Alliance’s summit, which took place on Monday (14 November) in Brussels, aimed to bring together smaller technology companies to connect them with each other and EU lawmakers. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the digitalisat…

Small companies are Europe’s ‘hidden champions’, digital SME alliance chief says

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Smaller technology companies are Europe’s “hidden champions” that need to be connected to develop alternative solutions to the big tech companies, Secretary General of the European DIGITAL SME Alliance Sebastiano Toffaletti told Euractiv. For Toffalett…

Russia withdraws from CFE, NATO countries suspend adherence

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SNEAK PEEK — Russia withdrew from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe: NATO announced the suspension of the agreement in response. — Britain and Canada push back against a bill to fund the U.S. government next year, saying it would seriously harm maritime defense cooperation between the three allies. — Europe undermined hopes […]

European Space Agency meeting to dodge manned spaceflight

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SNEAK PEEK — The European Space Agency will hold a meeting today in Spain, to discuss the long-delayed Ariane 6 rocket system. — France is muscling into new defense contracts in countries Russia considers its sphere of influence. — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired his special operations forces commander without explanation. Good morning, and welcome to Morning Defense. Tips […]

Orbán wants Ukraine to ‘negotiate’ for military aid cash

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SNEAK PEEK — As EU leaders meet again today, Viktor Orbán is still refusing to free more cash for military aid to Kyiv. — Ammunition: Beyond the pace of production, the next biggest issue is cost. — In Ukraine, the future of warfare is a $400 drone killing a $2 million tank. Good morning, and […]

Elections: leaving regions behind puts European project at risk

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Why the 2024 vote is set to be the most contentious in EU history — and the power of cohesion policy to unite.

Former Estonia army chief boosts Europe’s defense industry

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SNEAK PEEK — The former chief of Estonia’s defense forces, now an MEP, is working on how to help Europe’s defense industry. — France wants its security and defense think tanks to become more influential. — Germany wants to make its armed forces more attractive for women amid recruitment challenges. Good morning, and welcome to Morning […]

General Petraeus warns of urban warfare in Gaza

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SNEAK PEEK — David Petraeus, ex-CIA director and four-star general who led coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, warns of carnage should Israel launch a ground invasion into Gaza. — Russia revoked ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, raising the specter of renewed nuclear testing. — The European Commission opened applications for funding under […]

Press release – EU budget 2024: addressing next year’s challenges through mid-term revision

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MEPs boost the 2024 EU budget to tackle the fallout from Russia’s war against Ukraine, support SMEs, young people and research, and bolster the EU’s strategic autonomy.Committee on Budgets Source : © European Union, 2023 – EP

EU packaging plan must respect the role of recycling, reuse and refill  

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Without a packaging legislation that is supportive of reuse, refill and recycling as complementary solutions, industry faces major difficulties in meeting its circularity obligations, and the future of currently-effective recycling systems could be seriously compromised.

What’s in a name? Why unmet medical needs are riling the pharma industry 

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The EU wants to steer drug development to cover research gaps, but industry hates the idea.

EU support for SMEs must extend to the PPWR [Promoted content]

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The European Commission’s vital support for SMEs must extend to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. Mandating immediate reuse could financially overburden many SMEs. A flexible approach is essential for both environmental goals and SME viabil…

Green transition: French SMEs cry for help amid ‘regulatory tsunami’

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French small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are ready fight climate change as long as there is no “regulatory tsunami”, the French Federation of SMEs warned ahead of introduction of the EU’s new extra-financial reporting requirements.

Small businesses disappointed by Commission’s mini relief package

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The European Commission presented proposals to ease bureaucratic requirements for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) on Tuesday (12 September), but business representatives criticised the vague nature of the package. The SME relief package was in…

A renewed Europe can only be built from the political center

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We need stronger rights for EU citizens, the rule of law, an independent media, and free and fair elections.

6 takeaways on incoming EU innovation chief’s parliament grilling

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Bulgaria’s nominee for EU research and culture commissioner sailed through European Parliament grilling.

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