European SMEs feel left out in decision-making process 24-03-2006 The vast majority of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe feel
they are not consulted enough on the drafting of new policies at local and
national level. They feel more involved on the European level, although most
SMEs feel better consultation is needed on this level as well. This is one of
the findings of an expert group examining the issue. It is also the outcome of
an online survey that has been conducted by the Commission between June and
September 2004.
The online survey was based on two questionnaires sent to 31 European
countries (the EU25, European Economic Area countries and candidate countries)
over a period of 15 weeks. One was sent to public administrations, the other to
business organisations.
The European Commission is willing to draw lessons from the report and the
survey. The Commission is looking to introduce new consultation mechanisms (such
as SME panels for testing texts being drafted on a small group of local
businesses). At present, under the traditional method, consultation is launched
on the basis of a Green Paper or a White Paper through online questionnaires or
advisory committees. The deadline for responses is eight weeks and results are
generally published in the form of a Communication. However, there is no genuine
overall policy and consultations are conducted between Directorates-General.
Moreover, there is no reference to the specific case of SMEs in the basic
principles on consultation at European level defined in 2002.
LinksSource: European Information Service Files back |
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