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News from Brussels in 2007
12 November 2007: ESBA asks the EC not to re-impose tariffs on ICT products covered by the Information Technology Agreement (ITA).
ESBA has joined forces with the representatives of the the global Information and Communications Technology/Electronics and Electrical Products Industry to urge the European Commission not to re-introduce customs duty on new ICT equipment. Since 1997, the World Trade Organisation's ITA has eliminated tariffs on productivity-enhancing ICT goods in 70 countries. Recently, however, the European Commission has begun to re-impose customs duty on products, such as multifunction printers, LCD monitors, and set-top boxes.
ESBA was alerted to the situation by the the European American Business Council's (EABC). Both organisation are concerned that the renewal of tariffs will reduce ICT take-up, stifling productivity, innovation and consumer choice. SMEs will be disadvantaged as they will be reluctant or unable to benefit from the more expensive solutions. ESBA was therefore amongst the signatories of a position paper, which was distributed at an ITA Committee meeting in Geneva on 06/11. It is available here. The EABC's statement can be viewed here.
For more information, please contact secretariat@esba-europe.org
28 October 2007: ESBA urges SMEs and Members to take part in the Commission's new Online Consultation on cutting admin burdens.
Supported by ESBA, the UK Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has begun an innovative campaign on cutting admin burdens. More information is available here. In this context, ESBA urges individual SMEs and its member organisations to take part in the Commission's new online consultation, launched recently by Vice-President Guenter Verheugen, which invites entrepreneurs to identify unnecessary red tape. The consultation, which can be accessed here, is part of the Commission's Action Programme to reduce admin burdens on businesses in the EU by 25% in 2012. The Commission is also establishing a High Level Group to offer advice on the Programme's implementation, to which ESBA has nominated 3 candidates. ESBA and the FSB fully support the Commission's goal. Research conducted by the FSB has revealed that small business entrepreneurs spend on average over 7 hours each week filling in forms and reporting! Cutting red tape could boost the EU’s economy by €150 billion
For more information, please contact secretariat@esba-europe.org
08 May 2007: ESBA asks MEPs to sign Declaration on establishing a Green Hydrogen Economy and a Third Industrial Revolution.
ESBA has joined forces with the representatives of the Regions, Cities, and Civil Society Organisations to urge MEPs to sign the Written Declaration 16/2007, introduced by MEPs Guidoni, Gurmai, Prodi, Turmes and Wijkman, on establishing a distributed Green Hydrogen Economy and advancing a Third Industrial Revolution in Europe. The Declaration, which advocates a post-fossil fuel, decentralised energy model based on renewable energy sources, provides a clear message that the current debate about the EU’s future energy regime should not be reserved for producers and suppliers only. ESBA welcomes the innovative strategy, which instead envisages the full participation of “demand side” actors. It foresees the provision of future energy solutions in the EU by SMEs – including energy supply and network maintenance - with significant economic, environmental and social benefits for Europe and beyond. The Statement of Support and Draft Declaration can be read in full here and here.
In order to further discuss the EU’s energy vision and the potential for SMEs to participate in it, ESBA’s 10th Annual Small Business Event on 7th June 2007 in Brussels will ask the question: “SMEs and the Future EU Energy Regime: Why should EU Leaders Think Small First?” An invitation and registration details for the high-level conference, which will brings together EU Leaders, Innovative Energy Thinkers and Entrepreneurs for the first time, is available here.
For more information, please contact secretariat@esba-europe.org
02 April 2007: ESBA takes part in the Commission's public consultation on 'Modernising Labour Law' for companies and workers.
Following consultation with its members (below), ESBA has now participated in the Commission’s consultation, which closed on 31/03/07 and will form the basis of a communication on ‘flexicurity’ in 06/07. This concept is based on the social model found in several Scandinavian countries. It combines high taxation with a flexible labour market, by channeling public funds towards training for the unemployed to allow them quick re-entry into the labour market.
ESBA argued that any labour law reform must be applied extremely carefully. Firstly, the ‘think small first’ principle must be fully incorporated into any new initiative, as the dynamic between employer and employee is very different for SMEs than for large companies. It is vital to recognise that regulations designed for large companies can present a severe and unnecessary burden for SMEs. Secondly, it is not advisable to adopt an EU-wide ‘one size fits all’ approach to labour law. Economies which have developed around highly flexible labour markets and low taxation are not suited to the ‘flexicurity’ model, as the increased tax burden and disincentive to work will provide an insurmountable challenge for many SMEs. The submission is now available on request.
For more information, please contact secretariat@esba-europe.org
Page last updated: 15/02/2008 10:38:46