Brussels, 08/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission wants to simplify the life of SMEs by easing the top ten most burdensome EU laws in terms of red tape and cost.
In the context of a broad consultation initiated by the Commission in the spirit of the “think small first” principle and in line with the Small Business Act of 2008, some 1,000 businesses and business organisations have identified what they consider to be the top 10 most burdensome EU laws for the 21 million European SMEs which, as generators of two thirds of jobs in the EU, are the backbone of the EU economy.
The purpose of the consultation was to determine to what extent EU regulations hamper the creation of jobs and growth, and to highlight areas and issues which might require further examination and action. According to the results of the consultation published on 7 March, SMEs consider that the main difficulties and costs result from rules regarding the REACH chemical legislation, value added tax, product safety, recognition of professional qualifications, data protection, waste legislation, labour market related legislation, recording equipment for road transport, public procurement and the modernised customs code.
In many of these areas, however - professional qualification, data protection and public procurement in particular - the Commission has already taken measures to improve and simplify EU legislation. SMEs have also expressed their satisfaction regarding reduced payment times set out in the directive on late payments which is to take effect on 16 March. They consider this to be one of the most useful legal improvements, with extension to a larger number of SMEs of the simplified regime on accounting and auditing. The European Commission promises nonetheless to provide an energetic response to these concerns through the REFIT programme (Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme), launched in December 2012. In the context of the programme, EU regulatory acquis is carefully screened for administrative burdens, gaps and inefficiencies in order to evaluate and, if appropriate, revise those laws where the assessment points to a need for action. The Commission will announce follow-up action by June 2013, also taking into account the outcome of the ongoing legislative processes.
“The Commission is making sure that EU legislation is fit for purpose and helps European businesses to grow and to create jobs. This is why we have put smart regulation at the heart of our policy-making. And this is why we want to ease the lives of our small and medium-sized enterprises, which are most important engines for Europe's economy”, Commission President José Manuel Barroso has said. (EH/transl.jl)