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DRAFT OPINION (COM(2025)0501 – C100092/2025 – 2025/0130(COD))

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) 2016/679, (EU) 2016/1036, (EU) 2016/1037, (EU) 2017/1129, (EU) 2023/1542 and (EU) 2024/573 as regards the extension of certain mitigating measures available for small and medium sized enterprises to small mid-cap enterprises and further simplification measures

INTA-PA-778169

Committee on International Trade · Rapporteur: Bernd Lange

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This is the Committee on International Trade's draft opinion on the Commission proposal to extend certain mitigating measures for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to small mid-cap enterprises (SMCs). It supports the proposal and tables amendments to the two trade defence regulations it amends. The amendments rename the SME Helpdesk as the Helpdesk, so that SMCs can use its standard forms, statistics and questionnaires, and require the annual report to evaluate the Helpdesk's capacity to serve SMEs and SMCs. The rapporteur asks that the quality of the Helpdesk's services be monitored, that more resources be given if needed, that timelines be respected and investigations shortened, with regular evaluation in the annual report to Parliament and the Council.

Committee position. The rapporteur agrees that the SMC category is necessary and that the amendments to Regulations (EU) 2016/1036 and (EU) 2016/1037 are useful. He proposes amendments to ensure the Helpdesk's service quality is monitored, more resources are attributed if necessary, and the annual report evaluates the Helpdesk's capacity to serve SMEs and SMCs.

Key points

  1. The Commission's SME Relief Package of 12 September 2023 aimed to help SMEs compete and grow, including enterprises that outgrow the SME thresholds and small mid-cap enterprises (SMCs).
  2. The Commission proposal gives targeted policy support to help companies scale, and the SMC definition covers enterprises three times the size of SMEs, formalised in Commission Recommendation C(2025) 3500 final.
  3. Two amended regulations are core EU trade defence tools: Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 on dumped imports and Regulation (EU) 2016/1037 on subsidised imports.
  4. The proposal extends to SMCs the obligation to facilitate access to trade defence instruments through a dedicated SME helpdesk, including awareness raising, general information, standard questionnaires and replies to general queries.
  5. The proposal also extends to SMCs the requirement that investigation periods coincide with the financial year whenever possible, especially for diverse and fragmented sectors.
  6. The rapporteur agrees the SMC category is necessary, as SMCs face similar administrative burdens to SMEs, and supports the amendments to the two trade defence regulations.
  7. The rapporteur says broadening the Helpdesk to SMCs must not undermine service quality, so quality should be monitored and more resources attributed if necessary.
  8. The rapporteur stresses that timelines must be respected and investigations shortened to mitigate the impact of unfair practices on SMEs and SMCs, with regular evaluation in the annual report to Parliament and the Council.
  9. Amendment 1 adds to Recital 13 that it is essential to ensure the quality of the services provided by the dedicated helpdesk.
  10. Amendments 2 and 5 correct editorial mistakes in the references to Regulations (EU) 2016/1036 and (EU) 2016/1037.
  11. Amendments 3 and 6 replace the second subparagraphs of Article 5(1a) and Article 10(1a) so that the Helpdesk, without the word SME, makes available standard forms for statistics and questionnaires.
  12. Amendments 4 and 7 replace the second subparagraphs of Article 23(1) and Article 32a(1) so that the annual report includes evaluation of the Helpdesk's capacity to provide efficient services to SMEs and SMCs.

Who is affected

  • Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs): keep access to the Helpdesk and its services.
  • Small mid-cap enterprises (SMCs): gain access to the Helpdesk, its forms and questionnaires, and to investigation periods aligned with the financial year.
  • The Commission: must run the Helpdesk, report on its activities and evaluate its capacity to serve SMEs and SMCs.
  • Diverse and fragmented industry sectors: benefit from helpdesk guidance and from investigation periods coinciding with the financial year.

Figures and deadlines

  • 12 September 2023: date the Commission published the SME Relief Package.
  • 250-749 employees: the bracket of companies with high shares in relevant sectors.
  • Three times the size of SMEs: the SMC definition covers enterprises of this size.