Having problems with European legislation? Not a problem for the Enterprise Europe Network!

The Enterprise Europe Network runs and manages the official feedback mechanism for influencing European policy in favour of SME’s. In this blog Ross Thomson explains what type of feedback we're looking for and how this information is collected.

Back in 2008 the European Commission (from here on in known as ‘the Commish’) realised that over 99% of companies in Europe were either classified as ‘small’, ‘medium’ or ‘micro’ (or to give them the technical term – ‘SME’). They also realised that two thirds of private sector employment in the EU is provided by these smaller companies. So, in order to give these businesses the political strength they deserve in European policy decisions the Commish introduced the ‘Small Business Act’.

I don’t have the time nor the space to go through the ins and the outs of the Small Business Act, but one fundamental facet to shaping policy in favour of these businesses was to gain feedback on the aspects of the Single Market that are constraining them. Seems logical… Without identifying the problems, how can you find the solutions?

Enter the Enterprise Europe Network!

Since the Enterprise Europe Network works at the ground level working directly with small businesses, we have been tasked with the job of managing the Commish’s feedback mechanism. 

What kind of feedback? 

Now some Euro-talk: technically the feedback required relates to the ‘functioning of the Single Market’. 

But to elaborate a little… if EU laws are having a negative effect on your business (i.e. an increase in costs or causing an unnecessary administrative burden), if EU rules are not being enforced properly, or if there is just a complete lack of rules where you believe there should be. You should have your voice heard through the Enterprise Europe Network’s feedback mechanism

If you’re worried that your feedback won’t count for anything then you’d be wrong. The system works on the idea of ‘strength in numbers’; so if you’re having issues with a certain piece of European legislation then there is a strong chance many other companies from around Europe will be facing the same difficulties. If you don’t submit your problems then you will never get a solution.

How do you give to feedback? 

I was going to explain the various ways you can give feedback but to be perfectly honest, the best thing you can do is pick up the phone (or hit ‘compose new email’) and get in touch with your local Enterprise Europe Network office directly. If you carefully explain the problem/issue, we can submit feedback on your behalf meaning that you avoid spending all that time on arduous admin.

So, in conclusion, if you submit your feedback, you will be:

• Getting your voice heard
• Influencing European policy
• AND saving you time

 That’s a win/win/win in my book, so what do you have to lose?

If you would like to get in touch with the Enterprise Europe Network in Scotland please e-mail us at info@enterprise-europe-scotland.com.