The European Commission has today presented the first Soil Atlas of Africa, highlighting a vital natural resource which provides food, fodder, fuel wood, reduces flood risk and protects water supplies.

Published : Mon, 29 Apr 2013

Although we enjoy the free movement of goods in the internal market, more than 15 000 national technical regulations can make it difficult for enterprises to sell their products (from bicycles to foodstuffs) in other Member States.

Published : Fri, 19 Apr 2013

Counterfeiting activities account for over €200 billion in losses for the world economy and it is estimated that such losses may climb further. They harm the European economy, as they damage legitimate business and starve innovation. And fake goods compete unfairly with genuine products, putting many jobs at risk in [...]

Published : Thu, 18 Apr 2013

A significant progress was made in the work of the Process on Corporate Responsibility in the field of Pharmaceuticals with the endorsement of the outcomes of the Platform on Access to Medicines in Europe, at the meeting of the Steering Group in Ireland on 17th April, 2013.

Published : Thu, 11 Apr 2013

With the endorsement of the Health and Wellbeing Unit of DG CONNECT of the European Commission, TICBioMed organizes the second edition of the EU SME eHealth Competition.

The retail and wholesale services sector is one of the most important in the EU economy and should play an important part in stimulating growth and job creation.

Published : Wed, 09 Jan 2013

To return to growth and higher levels of employment, Europe needs more entrepreneurs. With 4 million new jobs created every year, new companies, especially small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), create the most new jobs in Europe.

Published : Fri, 26 Oct 2012

You can share with us your thoughts and ideas on the issues related to industrial competitiveness

Published : Wed, 10 Oct 2012

Europe needs to reverse the declining role of industry for the 21st century with the aim to deliver sustainable growth, create high-value job and solve societal challenge that we face. Immediate action should contribute to reverse the current downward trend from its current level of 15.6% of EU GDP to [...]

On 30 August 2012 new consolidated lists of references of harmonised standards under the three (main) medical devices directives were published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

A new consolidated list of references of harmonised standards under the low voltage directive 2006/95/EC was published in the Official Journal of the European Union OJ C 245 of 14 August 2012.

Published : Tue, 26 Jun 2012

The European Commission has today called for a European effort to boost Key Enabling Technologies (KETs). The global market in KETs, which comprises micro- and nanoelectronics, advanced materials, industrial biotechnology, photonics, nanotechnology and advanced manufacturing systems, is forecast to grow from € 646 Billion to over € 1 Trio by [...]

Published : Wed, 13 Jun 2012

To improve access of EU industry to raw materials at an affordable price, the European Commission wishes to intensify cooperation with Greenland benefitting both sides, such as joint infrastructures and investments or capacity building in exploration and exploitation of raw materials.

Today shortages of vocational skills have become a serious problem in many economic sectors. Consequently, Europe has to better match demand for and supply of skills.

Published : Tue, 29 May 2012

Europe is facing a severe economic crisis. But this situation and the changes are also an opportunity. We cannot let our industry simply leave Europe. It is a significant contributor to the real economy producing real values. Now, all efforts need to be undertaken to secure a modern, resource efficient, [...]

Published : Tue, 24 Apr 2012

Brussels 29/05 - José Manuel Barroso, Antonio Tajani, Jeremy Rifkin together with key European leaders and key CEOs will discuss on the steps needed to make Europe more innovative, catch up competitors and recover the path of robust and sustainable growth.

Published : Mon, 23 Apr 2012

Standards are a decisive tool in international competition. New lists of harmonised standards are now available: Electromagnetic compatibility, pressure equipment, radio and telecommunications terminal equipment and simple pressure vessels.

The Network of SME Envoys met yesterday in Brussels to discuss how to improve market access opportunities for the 23 million SMEs in the EU. The SME Envoys were particularly concerned by the low participation rate of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in public procurement. They supported the upcoming review of the [...]

Published : Wed, 28 Mar 2012

On the occasion of the third meeting of SME envoys in Brussels today, Vice President Antonio Tajani announced a series of new and updated initiatives to assist Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to go international.

Published : Tue, 27 Mar 2012

According to the Eurobarometer survey on "SMEs, resource efficiency and green markets", 37% of EU SMEs have at least one full or part-time green employee. Green jobs are largely created in SMEs as opposed to large firms: In 2012, 1 in 8 employees of small and medium-sized firms had a [...]