2. Luc Hendrickx Sofia 20 February 2006 Successful representation of SMEs at EU level - best practices - TAIEX Workshop on Competitive Power © ueapme2006

3. UEAPME www.ueapme.com  Employers’ organisation representing the interests at European level of crafts, trades and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.  78 member organisations (national cross-sectoral associations and European trade federations).  Represents 9 million enterprises in EU which employ over 30 million people. EU + : 11.5 million businesses in 32 countries with nearly 50 million employees.  Recognised European Social Partner. © ueapme2006

4. Successful representation of SMEs at EU level (1) It is about how to realise the concerns of SMEs; In most MS: through representative democracy: the so-called “social midfield”; Need for intermediary organisations, which are more then an ordinary lobby group, more then a pressure group: social partner; UEAPME is exponent of this model; © ueapme2006

5. Successful representation of SMEs at EU level (2) European Institutions are, apparently, also in favour of this model: Council Resolution 22 November 1993 called for a “strengthening of the partnership between the European Institutions, the Member States and the organisations representing SMEs with a view to consolidating growth and employment”. European Charter for Small Enterprises, 10th Action Line: “to develop stronger, more effective representation of small enterprises’ interests at Union and national level.” © ueapme2006

6. Successful representation of SMEs at EU level (3) Report European Charter for Small Enterprises: “Providing small businesses with the opportunity to voice their interests, preferably in a systematic matter, is of crucial importance” © ueapme2006

7. Problematic representation (1) Specificity of SME-organisations ◄► big industry interests and trade unions; They were involved in European policy from beginning; ECCS 1952; Role of small enterprises was underestimated after WWII and during the sixties; No provision about SMEs in treaty of Rome: only industry; © ueapme2006

8. Problematic representation (2) Catalist: oil crisis 1973 - massive unemployment: small enterprises are vital for the renewal of the economic life; Turning point : Single Market 1992; Before: SMEs not greatly affected by EU developments. The economic landscape has changed since the Treaty of Rome; © ueapme2006

9. Problematic representation (3) European enterprise policy (an enterprise is an enterprise) OR a small enterprise policy? (taking into account their specific needs) Example: administrative burden; European SME definition ≤ 250 employees; Our clientele: 1 - 5 Southern Europe 8 - 12 Northern Europe Average: 6 employees; © ueapme2006

10. Problematic representation (4) SMEs/SEs have deficits: size, role of owner- manager,… SMEs need intermediaries. Our enterprises need support (training, advice,…) About 70% of legislative decisions affecting businesses are directly or indirectly started in “Brussels”!!!!!!! © ueapme2006

11. What should we lobby for? UEAPME does not advocate for exemptions for SMEs, as this can give the wrong impression that employees, consumers, clients, society as a whole, are less protected in SMEs. The impact of legislation on small businesses must be an important consideration in determining its form and content. “Think small first“ approach. © ueapme2006

12. How do we work? Lobbying targets European Commission; European Parliament; Council; Economic and Social Committee; Committee of the Regions; Other associations; Press… © ueapme2006

13. How do we work? UEAPME tries to encourage its members to collaborate directly in its policy committees and facilitates the placement of national experts in events and meetings organised by EU; UEAPME participates in more than 50 working groups and advisory bodies of the European Commission; (>350 existing) © ueapme2006

14. How do we work? Draft positions prepared in UEAPME’s eight specialised Committees (enterprise, environment, social affairs,…) Committees open to all UEAPME members. Draft position circulated to all members for comments and approval; Final position promoted at European level; © ueapme2006

15. Stakeholder consultation by Commission Communications; Green Papers ( Commission Green Papers are documents intended to stimulate debate and launch a process of consultation at European level on a particular topic (such as social policy, the single currency, …) ; White Papers; Legislative proposals; © ueapme2006

16. Stakeholder consultation by Commission: deficiencies Consultation time: minimum 8 weeks; Languages; Absence of consultation criteria; No automatism; © ueapme2006

17. Role of representative business organisations (1) = Intermediaries between enterprises and the European Institutions. Role is not simply to register or collect the opinion of their member's, but to find a COMMON position that reflects the opinion of the different countries or economic sectors. © ueapme2006

18. Role of representative business organisations (2) Their opinion is more than a simple sum of all the opinions from single enterprises, they are result of democratic consultation and decision making process. Regulations based on collectively agreed opinions will be more easily respected. © ueapme2006

19. Direct consultation Direct consultation through Internet can only be an additional way; Results lack representativity, are frequently biased; Small enterprises and SME-sectors risk to be excluded; Documents are not always available in all languages; Conclusion: consultation of the representative European business organisations should have the preference over direct consultation!!!!! © ueapme2006

20. Recommendations (1) Understand the decision making process; Lobbying the right person / institution; At the right time (not too early- not too late); Based on correct information; Deliver good documentation/ facts; © ueapme2006

21. Recommendations (2) Bring an European message, not a national point of view; But: you can use national arguments! Position has to respect the European diversity / cultures. Lobbying towards the Member States is also important: Commission takes them into account. European Parliament: who to approach is important. © ueapme2006

22. Recommendations (3) European Parliament: who to approach is important. Do not use "collective " letters; Personal contact; Contact them before you need them! © ueapme2006

23. Thank you! http://www.ueapme.com l.hendrickx@ueapme.com © ueapme2006