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Adopted text

A new strategy for European SMEs

TA-9-2020-0359 · P9_TA(2020)0359 · PE653.858

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 25 Sept 2026

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Parliament's resolution welcomes the Commission's SME strategy and calls for it to be updated after the COVID-19 pandemic and aligned with the industrial strategy, data strategy and European Green Deal. It asks for an SME action plan with objectives, milestones and a timeline, binding EU targets to cut administrative burdens by June 2021, and a binding SME test on legislative proposals. It demands better access to finance and liquidity for SMEs, full implementation and stronger enforcement of the Late Payment Directive, and a temporary relaxation of State aid rules with a level playing field. It calls for support for SMEs in the digital and green transitions, including digital crash courses, skills and vocational training, an SME voucher programme, and help to take up green practices and circular economy opportunities. It asks for more SME participation in Horizon Europe and research funding, a single digital entry point for EU financing, and easier SME access to public procurement and international trade agreements.

Key points

  1. Welcomes the Commission's SME strategy and calls for it to be updated in light of COVID-19 and aligned with the industrial strategy, data strategy and European Green Deal.
  2. Calls for an SME action plan with clear objectives, milestones and a timeline, and for measures to cut administrative burdens and strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit.
  3. Welcomes the 'one in-one out' principle but calls it insufficient, and asks Member States to avoid gold-plating and adopt a roadmap with binding targets.
  4. Calls on the Commission to set ambitious and binding EU targets for reducing administrative burdens no later than June 2021, after an impact assessment.
  5. Calls for a binding SME test on the costs and benefits of legislative proposals, and for the Regulatory Scrutiny Board to have a majority of external experts and balanced representation of large and small companies.
  6. Calls for a revived Small Business Act, consistent application of 'think small first', and an EU SME envoy placed in a central unit under the Commission President.
  7. Regrets SMEs' difficulties in accessing finance and EU funding, and calls for simplified procedures, online information, tailored incentives and non-discriminatory bank lending.
  8. Urges swift liquidity and re-capitalisation for SMEs, full implementation and stronger enforcement of the Late Payment Directive, and active use of infringement procedures.
  9. Recognises the need for a temporary relaxation of State aid rules and calls on the Commission and Council to ensure a competitive level playing field among Member States.
  10. Calls for support for sectors hit hardest by COVID-19, protection of employment and viable SMEs and start-ups, and help transposing the Directive on restructuring and insolvency.
  11. Calls for digital skills, vocational training and digital crash courses for SME employees, an SME voucher programme, and action on skills gaps in sustainable technologies.
  12. Calls for robust Horizon Europe funding with a substantial part for SMEs, more research financing for non-digital SMEs, and easier SME participation in public procurement and trade agreements.

Who is affected

  • SMEs and micro-enterprises in the EU, which would gain simplified procedures, better access to finance and targeted support.
  • Member States, which are asked to implement the Late Payment Directive, avoid gold-plating and set national reduction targets.
  • The Commission, which is asked to update the SME strategy, set binding targets and simplify funding procedures.
  • Sectors hardest hit by COVID-19, such as tourism, hospitality, culture, creative industries, transport, trade fairs and events.
  • Women entrepreneurs, who face a persistent gap in entrepreneurship and access to finance.

Figures and deadlines

  • 24 million SMEs in the EU-27, described as the backbone of the economy.
  • 98.9% of enterprises in the EU's non-financial business economy are small enterprises with fewer than 49 workers.
  • About 100 million workers employed by SMEs before the pandemic.
  • In 2018 only 40% of companies were paid on time.
  • Bank lending accounts for more than three quarters of SME financing.
  • Only 17% of SMEs have so far successfully integrated digital technology into their businesses.
  • No more than 600 000 SMEs are currently exporting outside the EU.
  • Several Member States have set quantitative targets of up to 30% for reducing administrative burden.

Legal basis: Article 3(3) of the Treaty on European Union, on the internal market, sustainable development and the social market economy.