Who we are and what we do

The Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry works to ensure that EU policies contribute to the sustainable competitiveness of EU enterprises and facilitate job creation and sustainable economic growth. It has the task of ensuring that the single market for goods runs smoothly and is a major contributor to the implementation of the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs.

DG Enterprise and Industry pays particular attention to the needs of the manufacturing industry and to those of small and medium-sized enterprises. It manages programmes to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, and ensures that EU legislation takes proper notice of businesses' concerns.

It employs over 1,000 people in its departments and units [22 KB] and is responsible for a budget of some €500m. The activities undertaken are all underpinned by principles laid down in the EC Treaty. These principles are set out in the following articles:

• 28, 29, 30 on the free movement of goods,
• 95 on the single market
• 152 on public health
• 157 on competitiveness
• 211, 226 and 228(2) on Commission competencies
• title XVIII on innovation and research.

 

Promoting the European growth and jobs strategy; strengthening the sustainable competitiveness of industry; increasing innovation - these are just some of the DG Enterprise and Industry's main objectives.

An annual activity report presents how the DG's work has been carried out in a given year and follows up on the annual work programme. In it, the Director-General reports on his/her duties as authorising officer and details how the budget was spent. Evaluations are also done regularly to determine the effectiveness of the projects undertaken.

A large volume of legislation (over 500 Directives and 200 Regulations) governing the single market for goods is managed by the DG. An information tool has been developed by the DG to set out all of the legislation in its remit by sector. This tool, called the Pink Book, is updated yearly with all the latest legislative developments. The most recent edition [540 KB] covers the period up to 31 December 2008.