CELEX: 51993PC0180(02)
Language: en
Date: 1993-04-26
Title: Amended proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on a multiannual programme (1994-97) of Community measures to ensure the continuity and consolidation of policy for enterprise, in particular SMEs, in the Community

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
CORRIGENDUM                                              C0MC93) 180 final /2
 Le présent document annule et
                                                         Brussels, 26 April 1993
 remplace le document COM(93) 180 final
 du 23/4/1993
  (ne concerne que FR, DE, EN)
                             Amended proposal for a
                                 COUNCIL DECISION
                                         on a
                    multiannual     programme (1993-96) of
                    Community measures to intensify the priority
                     areas of policy for enterprise, in particular
                     S M Es, in the Community
                               Amended proposal for a
                                   COUNCIL DECISION
                                          on a
                       multiannual programme (1994-97)            of
                       Community measures to ensure              the
                       continuity and consolidation of policy    for
                       enterprise, in particular S M Es, in       the
                       Community
            (presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 149(3)
             M
                                  of the EEC-Treaty)
 ---pagebreak---                               EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
1. On the basis of Article 149, paragraph 3 of the EEC Treaty, the Commission
submitting two amended proposais for a Council decision on the implementation <
its communication "The Enterprise Dimension at ihe Heart of European Growrf
(COM(92}470 final of 13 January 1993). These amended proposais take jaccount <
several proposals for amendments made by the European Fjarliamer
(unanimously adopted during the plenary session of 20 April 1993).         j
                                                                           i
2. As it .pointed out in the course of the debate during the pienajy sejssbn, th
Commission took on board most of the amendments adopted by the JEuropea
Parliament,: either accepting them in their entirety or rewording them to ensure the
smooth integration into the decision. For example» those amendments jaiming t
detail the content of each objective were adopted in the form of an annex attache
to each décision.                                                          j
On the other hand, the Commission only partially adopted the amendment
concerning; the organization of SME representation. It approved enhance*
 consultation with professional organizations without subscribing to the rjequest t<
 immediately set up a representative permanent committee. In addition, it wa*
 unable to ftlliy adopt those amendments proposing a new definition of the pnncipk
 of subsidiarity, lastly, it was unabte to accept amendments concerning budgetar
 procedures.
                                                                                    i
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                  Modifiai proposal
                                                                          DECISION I - pagcl
                                         DECISION I
                                       Amended proposal
               Initial Proposal                            Amended proposal
Title                                         Title
Proposal for a Council decision on a Proposal for a Council decision on a
multiannual     programme (1993-96) of multiannual            programme       (1993-96) of
Community measures to intensify the priority Community measures to intensify the priority
areas of policy for enterprise, in particular areas of policy for enterprise, in particular
SMEs, in the Community                        SMEs, in the Community
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the Having regard to the Treaty establishing the
European Economic Community, and in European Economic Community, and in
particular Article 235 thereof,               particular Article 235 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Having regard to the proposal from the
Commission,                                   Commission,
Having regard to the opinion          of  the Having regard to the opinion            of    the
European Parliament,                          European Parliament,
Having regard to the opinion          of  the Having regard to the opinion            of    the
Economic and Social Committee,                Economic and Social Committee,
 1. Whereas on 28 July 1989 the Council       1. Whereas on 28 July 1989 the Council
adopted Decision 89/490/EEC         on the    adopted     Decision 89/490/EEC on the
improvement of the business environment       improvement of the business environment
and the promotion of the development of       and the promotion of the development of
enterprises, and in particular small and      enterprises, and in particular small and
medium-sized        enterprises,   in     the medium-sized        enterprises,     in       the
Community, as revised by Council              Community, as revised             by Council
Decision 91/319/EEC of 18 June 1991;          Decision 91/319/EEC of 18 June 1991;
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                     Modifiai proposai
                                                                            DECISION I - page2
2. Whereas in its resolution of 17 June 1992   2. Whereas in its resolution of 17 June 1992
on Community action to support enterprises,    on Community action to support enterprises,
in particular small and medium-sized           in particular small and medium-sized
enterprises,     including    craft   industry enterprises,     including     craft      industry
enterprises, the Council confirmed its         enterprises, the Council confirmed its
undertaking to support the consolidation of    undertaking to support the consolidation of
the action taken to help enterprises;          the action taken to help enterprises;
                                               3. Whereas it is necessary to uphold the
                                               overall unity of enterprise policy by both
                                               strengthening its priority areas as part of the
                                               growth initiative and, at the same time,
                                               ensuring continuity in other aspects of
                                               enterprise policy;
3. Whereas the evolution of the economic       4. Whereas the evolution of the economic
situation calls for an initiative to relaunch  situation calls for an initiative to relaunch
growth, to whose success SMEs have an          growth, to whose success SMEs have an
 essential contribution to make;               essential contribution to make;
                                               5. Whereas the European Council meeting in
                                                Edinburgh on 11 and 12 December 1992
                                                recognized 'the importance of SMEs for
                                                creating    employment       and      stimulating
                                                growth': whereas it agreed to accelerate
                                                Community actions in favour of SMEs.
                                                reduce the burdens emanating from
                                                Community legislation and take measures
                                                that     encourage      private      investment,
                                                particularly by SMEs:
 4. Whereas this situation involves proposing 6. Whereas this situation involves proposing
 the adoption of a programme of Community the adoption of a programme of Community
 measures to assist SMEs which takes full measures to assist SMEs which takes full
 account of this new priority;                  account of this new priority;
 5. Whereas the Commission has put before       7. Whereas the Commission has put before
 the Council a communication on enterprise      the Council a communication on enterprise
 policy for the Community, entitled "The        policy for the Community, entitled "The
 enterprise dimension essential to Community    enterprise dimension essential to Community
 growth";                                       growth";
                                                                                                      4-
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                     Modifiai propositi
                                                                             DIVISION I - pagc3
6. Whereas this Decision applies to all forms 8. Whereas this Decision applies to all forms
of enterprise, in particular small and of enterprise, regardless of sector, size, legal
medium-sized enterprises, including those in structure (including cooperatives, mutual
commerce and the distributive trades and societies, associations and foundations) and
craft enterprises, cooperatives, mutual geographical location, but is especially
societies, associations and foundations;        directed at small and medium-sized
                                                enterprises and enterprise creators, including
                                                enterprises in commerce and the distributive
                                                trades, craft enterprises, family firms and
                                                young enterpreneurs:
                                                9. Whereas when defining SMEs it is
                                                necessary to follow the guidelines laid down
                                                in the Commission Communication on SME
                                                definitions used in the framework of
                                                Community actions (SEC (92) 351 final of
                                                29 April 1992):
7. Whereas this policy involves, in              10. Whereas this policy involves primarily
particular, the intensification and wider       the intensification and wider distribution of
distribution of information for enterprises,    Community information for enterprises, the
the stimulation of cooperation             and  stimulation of cooperation and partnership
partnership     between      enterprises,   the between enterprises, the improvement of the
 improvement of the administrative and legal     administrative^ legal and fiscal environment
environment of enterprises and the              of enterprises and the promotion and
promotion of Community instruments to            coordination of Community instruments to
assist enterprises;                              assist enterprises, particularly small and
                                                 medium-sized enterprises
                                                 11. Whereas the opportunities afforded by
                                                 the single market will constitute the greatest
                                                 business challenge over the next few years:
                                                 whereas small and medium-sized enterprises
                                                 must be provided with full information on
                                                 this aspect of the Community;
                                                  12. Whereas (he possibilities offered to small
                                                 and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) under
                                                 the Structural Funds and Community
                                                 research and development programmes and
                                                 various other Community programmes
                                                 should be improved and better used:
                                                                                                       S
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                  Modifiai, proposai
                                                                          DECISION 1 - pagc4
                                              13. Whereas the effectiveness of the action
                                              programme could be increased bv regular
                                              contacts between the Commission and
                                              employers'        organizations:      whereas
                                              consideration must be given in this context to
                                              better organization of SME representation at
                                              European level:
8. Whereas, however, many measures to 14. Whereas, however, many measures to
assist enterprises are carried out at assist enterprises are carried out at
Member State       level    and     Community Member State level, and national and
measures will have to complement these:       Community measures should attempt to
                                              complement these:
                                              15. Whereas in accordance with the principle
                                              of subsidiarity, the Community in the
                                              context of the work programme, shall take
                                              action only of the objectives of the proposed
                                              action cannot be sufficiently achieved by the
                                              Member States and can therefore be better
                                              achieved by action at Community level:
                                              Whereas the resources and measures
                                              implemented hy the Community in the
                                              context of the work programme are in
                                              proportion to the objective to be achieved:
9. Whereas it is therefore necessary to adopt  16. Whereas it is therefore necessary to
immediately a programme for a four-year       adopt immediately a programme for a four-
period and to endow it with sufficient        year period and to endow it with sufficient
resources to attain its objectives;           financial resources to attain its objectives of
                                              stimulating growth, creating jobs and social
                                              and economic cohesion in the Community:
 10. Whereas, the Treaty does not provide, 17. Whereas, the Treaty does not provide,
for the adoption of this Decision, powers for the adoption of this Decision, powers
other than those of Article 235,              other than those of Article 235,
 ---pagebreak---                                                                               Modifiai proposal
                                                                        DECISION 1 - pagcS
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:                       HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1                                     Article 1
A programme to intensify the priority A programme to intensify the priority
measures for enterprise policy, in particular measures for enterprise policy is hereby
for small and medium-sized enterprises adopted for a period of four years from
(SMEs), is hereby adopted for a period of 1 January 1993. This programme is aimed at
four years from 1 January 1993.               all enterprises, especiallyl small and
                                              medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in order
                                              to stimulate growth, the creation of
                                              enterprises and jobs, and economic and
                                              social cohesion in the Community.
                                                                                                V
 ---pagebreak---     iVUKlHS-U l " 0 !                                                      : h )d;ûUKHMo^ifia,l proposal
                                                                             DECISION! - pageo
Article 2                                       Article 2
The programme referred to in Article 1 is The programme referred to in Article 1 has
intended to intensify growth-oriented priority the following objectives:
measures for enterprise policy.
The principal objectives are as follows:
                                                A) improvement of the administrative, legal
                                                     and fiscal environment of enterprises in
                                                    order to alleviate the burdens arising
                                                    from Community legislation on SMEs
A. to develop the Euro Info Centres to B) better access to Community information
       facilitate access by enterprises to           for enterprises
       Community information
B.     to develop the partner-search networks C) improving the business partner search
       BRE and BC-NET                                network
C. to step up activities to put businessmen D) continued development of instruments
       in direct contact with one another under      permitting      direct       contact       with
       the          EUROPARTENARIAT         and      enterprises and aimed at promoting
       INTERPRISE          programmes       and      transnational subcontrating
       promoting                   cross-border
       SUBCONTRACTING
 D.    to improve the administrative and legal
        environment of enterprises
 E.     to promote Community instruments        E)    promotion of Community instruments
                                                      which enable SMEs to participate fully
                                                      in all      Community         actions and
                                                      programmes and which guarantee
                                                      consideration of SMEs' interests in the
                                                      various Community initiatives and
                                                      policies
                                                                                                         S
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                  Modifiai proposal
                                                                          DECISION I - pago7
Article 3                                     Article 3
    The Commission- shall implement the       1.   In order to achieve the objectives and
    measures necessary for the achievement         implement the measures laid down in
    of the objectives laid down in Article 2.      Articles 1 and 2. the Commission shall
                                                   propose the necessary action insofar as
                                                   it canno be carried out better at the level
                                                  of the Member States.
                                                  The Commission shall propose the
                                                   necessary measures to be taken at
                                                   Community level to achieve the
                                                   objectives set out in Article 2. taking
                                                   account of the findings of any
                                                   evaluation reports.
2.   The procedure laid down in Article 4 2.       The procedure laid down in Article 4
     shall be followed for adopting measures       shall be followed for adopting measures
     relating to:                                  relating to:
     the         adoption,       experimental      the         adoption,        experimental
     implementation or extension of any            implementation or extension of the
     project devised for application of this       projects considered necessary for the
     Decision,                                     implementation of this Decision;
     the content and timetable of and              the content and timetable of and
     financial assistance for measures and         financial assistance for measures and
     calls for proposals,                          calls for proposals;
     the periodical evaluation of the results      the periodical evaluation of the results
     of each project in accordance with the        of each project in accordance with the
     timetables laid down.                          timetables laid down in the specific
                                                    programmes:
     The committee referred to in Article 4 3.     The committee referred to in Article 4
     may examine other measures provided            may examine other measures provided
     for by the programme.                          for by the programme.
                                              4.    The Commission shall submit a report
                                                    to the committee every year on the
                                                    implementation of this Decision.
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                     Modifiai proposal
                                                                               DECISION I - pagc8
Article 4                                        Article 4
The Commission shall be assisted by a            The Commission shall be assisted by a
committee composed of the representatives        committee composed of the representatives
of the Member States and chaired by a            of the Member States and chaired by a
representative of the Commission.                representative of the Commission.
The representative of the Commission shall       The representative of the Commission shall
submit to the committee a draft of the           submit to the committee a draft of the
measures to be taken. The committee shall        measures to be taken. The committee shall
deliver its opinion on the draft within a time-  deliver its opinion on the draft within a time-
limit which the chairman may lay down            limit which the chairman may lay down
according to the urgency of the matter. The      according to the urgency of the matter. The
opinion shall be delivered by the majority       opinion shall be delivered by the majority
laid down in Article 148(2) of the Treaty in     laid down in Article 148(2) of the Treaty in
the case of decisions which the Council is       the case of decisions which the Council is
required to adopt on a proposal from the         required to adopt on a proposal from the
Commission.         The      votes    of     the Commission.         The      votes    of      the
representatives of the Member States within      representatives of the Member States within
the committee shall be weighted in the           the committee shall be weighted in the
manner set out in that Article. The chairman     manner set out in that Article. The chairman
shall not vote.                                  shall not vote.
The Commission shall adopt measures which        The Commission shall adopt measures which
shall apply immediately. However, if these       shall apply immediately. However, if these
measures are not in accordance with the          measures are not in accordance with the
opinion of the committee, they shall be          opinion of the committee, they shall be
communicated by the Commission to the            communicated by the Commission to the
Council forthwith. In that event the             Council forthwith. In that event the
Commission shall defer application of the         Commission shall defer application of the
 measures which it has decided for a period       measures which it has decided for a period
of two months from the date of                   of three months from the date of
 communication.                                   communication.
The Council, acting by a qualified majority, The Council, acting by a qualified majority,
 may take a different decision within the time- may take a different decision within the time-
 limit referred to in the previous paragraph.     limit referred to in the previous paragraph.
                                                                                                      10
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                   Modifiai proposal
                                                                            DECISION I - pagc9
Article S                                      Article 5
The Commission shall present an evaluation     The Commission shall present an outside
report on the implementation of this Decision  evaluation report on the implementation of
to the European Parliament, the Council and    this Decision to the European Parliament,
the Economic and Social Committee at the       the Council and the Economic and Social
latest by mid-1996.                            Committee at the latest by mid-1996 and, if
                                               necessary, shall present proposals on
                                               additional measures to be taken.
Article 6                                      Article 6
The amount of the appropriations allocated 1.        This Decision shall apply for a period
annually to the measures provided for by this        of four years from 1 January 1993.
Decision shall be determined under the
annual budgetary procedure.                    2.    The budgetary authority shall determine
                                                     the amount of appropriations available
                                                     for each financial year in accordance
                                                     with the principles of good management
                                                     referred to in Article 2 of the Financial
                                                     Regulation applying to the General
                                                     Budget of the European Communities.
 Article 7                                      Article 7
This       Decision     replaces       Council  For the areas covered by this Decision, it
 Decision 89/490/EEC,     as     revised   by   replaces Council Decision 89/490/EEC, as
 Decision 91/319/EEC.                           revised by Decision 91/319/EEC.
 ---pagebreak---                                Modifiai proposal
                         DECISION I - pagclO
                  ANNEX:
    measures referred to in Article 2
A) IMPROVEMENT               OF         THE
   ADMINISTRATIVE. LEGAL AND
   FISCAL         ENVIRONMENT             OF
   ENTERPRISES
   (in particular through the simplification
   of administrative procedures and
   promotion of follow-up measures in the
   Member States; assessment of the
   impact of Community legislation,
   consolidation of community legislation,
   specific examination of aspects such as
   the transfer and creation of enterprises;
   regular, thorough consultation of
   organisations representing SMEs).
B) BETTER ACCESS TO COMMUNITY
   INFORMATION FOR ENTERPRISES
   (qualitative development,       improved
   operation and adaptation of the Euro
   Info Centre network to the new
   requirements of SMEs, including advice
   to companies likely to take part in
   Community programmes (such as, for
   example, research, public contracts,
    improved environmental        practices);
   extension of the network to the
    European Economic Area (EEA) and to
   the countries of Central and Eastern
    Europe (PECO) in the context of
    specific actions in favour of those
    countries).
C) IMPROVING            THE      BUSINESS
    PARTNER SEARCH NETWORK
    (qualitative development and gradual
    adaptation of the system of charges for
    the confidential business partner search
    network      (BC     NET);    qualitative
    development of the uniconfidential
    business partner search network (BCC);
    development of subnetworks             for
    specific subjects).
                                                 (1
 ---pagebreak---                                  Modifiai proposal
                         DECISION I - pagcll
D) CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF
   INSTRUMENTS                PERMITTING
   DIRECT          CONTACT              WITH
   ENTERPRISES AND AIMED AT
   PROMOTING            TRANSNATIONAL
   SUBCONTRACTING
   (in particular by improving the
   preparation, implementation and follow-
   up of actions carried out under the
   EUROPARTENARIAT                          and
   INTERPRISE programmes; improving
   knowledge of markets of subcontracting,
   promotion of harmonised certification
   procedures and encouragement of
   cooperation between large and small
   enterprises).
E) PROMOTION          OF      COMMUNITY
   INSTRUMENTS WHICH ENABLE
   SMES TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN
   ALL COMMUNITY ACTIONS AND
   PROGRAMMES             AND        WHICH
   GUARANTEE CONSIDERATION OF
   SMES'        INTERESTS         IN      THE
    VARIOUS                   COMMUNITY
    INITIATIVES AND POLICIES
    (including enterprise policy instruments,
    Structural Funds, research programmes
    and      programmes        to      develop
    technological potential, making it easier
    for SMEs to participate, inter alia, by
    simplifying the procedures involved ).
                                                   \ \
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                  Modified proposal
                                                                         DECISION II - pagcl
                                          DECISION II
                                       Amended proposal
               Initial Proposal                               Amended proposal
Title                                           Title
Proposal for a Council Decision on a            Proposal for a Council Decision on a
multiannual     programme       (1994-97)    of multiannual     programme (1994-97) of
Community measures to ensure the continuity     Community measures to ensure the
of policy for enterprise, in particular SMEs,   continuity and consolidation of policy for
in the Community                                enterprise, in particular SMEs, in the
                                                Community
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the Having regard to the Treaty establishing the
European Economic Community, and in European Economic Community, and in
particular Article 235 thereof,                 particular Article 235 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Having regard to the proposal from the
Commission,                                     Commission,
 Having regard to the opinion of the European   Having regard to the opinion            of   the
 Parliament,                                    European Parliament,
 Having regard to the opinion           of  the Having regard to the opinion            of   the
 Economic and Social Committee,                 Economic and Social Committee,
 1. Whereas on 28 July 1989 the Council          1. Whereas on 28 July 1989 the Council
 adopted     Decision 89/490/EEC      on    the adopted     Decision 89/490/EEC       on the
 improvement of the business environment         improvement of the business environment
 and the promotion of the development of        and the promotion of the development of
 enterprises, and in particular small and       enterprises, and in particular small and
 medium-sized enterprises, in the Community,    medium-sized        enterprises,    in       the
 as revised by Council Decision 91/319/EEC      Community, as revised by Council
 of 18 June 1991;                               Decision 91/319/EEC of 18 June 1991;
                                                                                                   (l
                                                                                                      v
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                    Modified proposal
                                                                           DECISION II - page 2
2. Whereas in its resolution of 17 June 1992     2. Whereas in its resolution of 17 June 1992
on Community action to support enterprises,      on Community action to support enterprises,
in particular small and medium-sized             in particular small and medium-sized
enterprises,     including    craft    industry  enterprises,    including     craft     industry
enterprises, the Council confirmed its           enterprises, the Council confirmed its
undertaking to support the consolidation of      undertaking to support the consolidation of
the action taken to help enterprises;            the action taken to help enterprises;
3. Whereas the Council recommended in that       3. Whereas the Council recommended in that
resolution that the Commission should press      resolution that the Commission should press
ahead, having regard to the principle of         ahead, having regard to the principle of
subsidiarity, with the action necessary to       subsidiarity, with the action necessary to
create an environment favourable to the          create an environment favourable to the
competitiveness of enterprises, in particular    competitiveness of enterprises, in particular
SMEs, and to back up their integration into      SMEs, and to back up their integration into
the single market after 1992;                    the single market after 1992;
                                                 4. Whereas it is necessary to uphold the
                                                 overall unity of enterprise policy by both
                                                 strengthening its priority areas as part of the
                                                 growth initiative and, at the same time,
                                                 ensuring continuity in other aspects of
                                                 enterprise policy:
 4. Whereas the Council also requested the       5. Whereas in this connection, the Council
 Commission to submit before the end of          also requested the Commission to submit
 1992, in the light of the evaluations made,     before the end of 1992, in the light of the
 any proposals it deems necessary to ensure       evaluations made, any proposals it deems
 continuity of the policy towards enterprises;    necessary to ensure continuity of the policy
                                                  towards enterprises;
 5. Whereas independent experts have carried      6. Whereas independent experts have carried
 out, pursuant to Article 3 of Council            out, pursuant to Article 3 of Council
 Decision 91/319/EEC, an evaluation of the        Decision 91/319/EEC, an evaluation of the
 results achieved from all aspects of the         results achieved from all aspects of the
 existing     programme;       whereas       the  existing     programme;       whereas        the
 Commission has submitted the report,             Commission has submitted the report,
 together with its comments, to Parliament        together with its comments, to Parliament
 and the Council;                                 and the Council;
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                Modified proposal
                                                                        DECISION 11 - page 3
6. Whereas the report confirms the             7. Whereas the report confirms the
appositeness of the enterprise policy the      appositeness. importance and quality of the
Community has carried out thus far, but        enterprise policy the Community has carried
makes proposals concerning the direction of    out thus far, but makes interesting
certain measures;                              suggestions concerning the direction of
                                               certain measures;
7. Whereas the Commission has put before       8. Whereas the Commission has put before
the Council a communication on enterprise      the Council a communication on enterprise
policy for the Community, entitled "The        policy for the Community, entitled "The
enterprise dimension essential to Community    enterprise dimension essential to Community
growth";                                       growth";
                                               9. Whereas the Commission has submitted to
                                               the Council in the past two years a series of
                                               communications likely to lead to practical
                                               and varied measures for the benefit of SMEs
                                               (subcontracting, mutual guarantee systems,
                                               participation by SMEs in public contracts.
                                               etçji
 8. Whereas this Decision applies to all forms 10. Whereas this Decision applies to all
of enterprise, in particular small and forms of enterprise, regardless of sector,
 medium-sized enterprises, including those in size, legal structure (including cooperatives,
 commerce and the distributive trades and mutual societies, non-profit associations and
 craft enterprises, cooperatives, mutual foundations) and geographical location, but
 societies,   non-profit   associations    and is especially directed at small and medium-
 foundations;                                   sized enterprises and enterprise creators,
                                                with particular reference to enterprises in
                                                commerce and the distributive trades, craft
                                                enterprises and family firms:
                                                11. Whereas when defining SMEs it is
                                                necessary to follow the guidelines laid down
                                                in the Commission Communication on SME
                                                definitions used in the framework of
                                                Community actions (SEC (92) 351 final of
                                                29 April 1992):
                                                                                                 IU
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                Modified proposal
                                                                       DECISION II - page 4
9. Whereas small and medium-sized            12. Whereas small and medium-sized
enterprises play an important role in        enterprises, particularly new enterprises.
economic activity in general and in regional play an important role in economic activity
development, and a fundamental role as       in general and in regional development, and
regards dynamism, productivity, adaptability a fundamental role as regards dynamism,
and innovation;                              productivity, adaptability and innovation;
10. Whereas the development of a             13. Whereas the development of a
Community enterprise policy based on real    Community enterprise policy based on real
competition assumes particular importance as competition assumes particular importance as
regards making the Community economy         regards making the Community economy
more competitive and as regards employment   more competitive and as regards employment
growth, economic and social cohesion in the  growth, economic and social cohesion in the
Community and the continuation of the        Community and the continuation of the
widening of the market after 1993;           widening of the market after 1993;
                                              14. Whereas the effectiveness of the action
                                             programme could be increased by regular
                                             contacts between the Commission and
                                             employers'         organisations:       whereas
                                             consideration must be given in this context to
                                             better organisation of SME representation at
                                             European level:
 11. Whereas, however, many measures to 15. Whereas, however, many measures to
assist enterprises are carried out at assist enterprises are carried out at
 Member State level and Community measures Member State level, and national and
will have to complement these:                Community measures should attempt to
                                              complement these:
                                              16. Whereas in accordance with the principle
                                              of subsidiarity, the Community shall take
                                              action in the context of the programme only
                                              if the objectives of the proposed action
                                              cannot be sufficiently achieved by the
                                              Member States and can therefore be better
                                              achieved by action at Community level:
                                              Whereas the resources and measures
                                              implemented by the Community in the
                                              context of the programme are in proportion
                                              to the objective to be achieved:
                                                                                                 n
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                      Modified proposal
                                                                            DECISION II - page 5
12. Whereas it is therefore necessary to adopt 17. Whereas it is therefore necessary to
a new programme for a four-year period and adopt a new programme for a four-year
to endow it with sufficient resources to attain period and to endow it with sufficient
its objectives;                                   financial resources to attain its objectives;
 13. Whereas, the Treaty does not provide, 18. Whereas, the Treaty does not provide,
for the adoption of this Decision, powers for the adoption of this Decision, powers
other than those of Article 235,                  other than those of Article 235,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:                           HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
 Article 1                                        Article 1
 A programme to ensure the continuity of an A programme to ensure the continuity of an
 enterprise policy, in particular for small and enterprise policy, in particular for small and
 medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), is hereby medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), is hereby
 adopted for a period of four years from adopted for a period of four years from
 1 January 1994.                                   1 January 1994.
 Article 2                                         Article 2
 The programme referred to in Article 1 has        1.   In     order     to     encourage        the
 the following objectives:                              Europeanisation and internationalisation
                                                        of enterprises, especially small and
                                                        medium-sized         enterprises.        the
                                                        programme referred to in Article 1 shall
                                                        pursue the following objectives:
      to encourage the adjustment to structural         encourage SMEs in certain sectors to
      change of sectors under development               adapt to structural changes and to
      such as craft industry, the distributive          changes brought about by the Internal
      sector, cooperatives, mutual societies,           Market.
      non-profit associations and foundations;
      to encourage an improved          financial       promoting       a      better      financial
       environment for enterprises;                     environment for enterprises,
      to promote better observation of the              to promote better observation of the
       economic development of enterprises as           economic development of enterprises as
      part of the dynamic of effective                  part of the dynamic of effective
       implementation of the internal market.            implementation of the internal market.
                                                        evaluation and policy development
                                                                                                       \?
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                    Modified proposal
                                                                            DECISION 11 -     page 6
Article 3                                        Article 3
                                                 1. In order to achieve the objectives and
1.  The Commission shall implement the                implement the measures laid down in
     measures necessary to achieve the                Articles 1 and 2. the Commission shall
     objectives laid down in Article 2.               propose the necessary action insofar as
                                                      it cannorbe carried out better at the level
2.   The procedure laid down in Article 4             of the Member States.
     shall be followed for adopting measures
     relating to:                                     The Commission shall propose the
                                                      necessary measures to be taken at
     the          adoption,        experimental       Community level to achieve the
     implementation or extension of any               objectives set out in Article 2. taking
     project devised for application of this          account of the findings of any
     Decision,                                        evaluation reports.
     the content and timetable of and                 The procedure laid down in Article 4
     financial assistance for measures and            shall be followed for adopting measures
     calls for proposals,                             relating to:
     the periodical evaluation of the results of      the          adoption,       experimental
     each project in accordance with the               implementation or extension of the
     timetables laid down.                            projects considered necessary for the
                                                       implementation of this Decision:
     The committee referred to in Article 4
     may examine other measures provided              the content and timetable of and
     for by the programme.                             financial assistance for measures and
                                                       calls for proposals;
                                                       the periodical evaluation of the results
                                                       of each project in accordance with the
                                                       timetables laid down in the specific
                                                       programmes:
                                                 3.   The committee referred to in Article 4
                                                       may examine other measures provided
                                                       for by the programme.
                                                 4.    The Commission shall submit a report
                                                       to the committee every year on the
                                                       implementation of this Decision.
                                                                                                     \<1
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                    Modified proposal
                                                                           DECISION II - page 7
Article 4                                        Article 4
The Commission shall be assisted by a The Commission shall be assisted by a
committee composed of the representatives of committee composed of the representatives
the Member States and chaired by a of the Member States and chaired by a
representative of the Commission.                representative of the Commission.
The representative of the Commission shall       The representative of the Commission shall
submit to the committee a draft of the           submit to the committee a draft of the
measures to be taken. The committee shall        measures to be taken. The committee shall
deliver its opinion on the draft within a time-  deliver its opinion on the draft within a time-
limit which the chairman may lay down            limit which the chairman may lay down
according to the urgency of the matter. The      according to the urgency of the matter. The
opinion shall be delivered by the majority       opinion shall be delivered by the majority
laid down in Article 148(2) of the Treaty in     laid down in Article 148(2) of the Treaty in
the case of decisions which the Council is       the case of decisions which the Council is
 required to adopt on a proposal from the        required to adopt on a proposal from the
 Commission. The votes of the representatives    Commission.         The     votes     of      the
 of the Member States within the committee       representatives of the Member States within
 shall be weighted in the manner set out in      the committee shall be weighted in the
 that Article. The chairman shall not vote.       manner set out in that Article. The chairman
                                                  shall not vote.
 The Commission shall adopt measures which
 shall apply immediately. However, if these       The Commission shall adopt measures which
 measures are not in accordance with the          shall apply immediately. However, if these
 opinion of the committee, they shall be          measures are not in accordance with the
 communicated by the Commission to the            opinion of the committee, they shall be
 Council forthwith. In that event the             communicated by the Commission to the
  Commission shall defer application of the       Council forthwith. In that event the
  measures which it has decided for a period of   Commission shall defer application of the
 two months from the date of communication.       measures which it has decided for a period
                                                  of three months from the date of
 The Council, acting by a qualified majority, communication.
  may take a different decision within the time-
  limit referred to in the previous paragraph.    The Council, acting by a qualified majority,
                                                  may take a different decision within the time-
                                                  limit referred to in the previous paragraph.
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                   Modified proposal
                                                                           DECISION li - pages
Article 5                                        Article 5
The Commission shall present an evaluation       The Commission shall present an external
report on the implementation of this Decision    evaluation report on the implementation of
to the European Parliament, the Council and      this Decision and, if necessary, the
the Economic and Social Committee at the         complementary measures to be taken to the
latest by mid-1997.                              European Parliament, the Council and the
                                                 Economic and Social Committee at the latest
                                                 by mid 1997.
It shall also present to the Council, the        It shall also present to the Council, the
European Parliament and the Economic and         European Parliament and the Economic and
Social Committee a report on coordination        Social Committee a report on coordination
between the initiatives taken in pursuance of    between the initiatives taken in pursuance of
this Decision and the various programmes         this Decision and the various programmes
manifestly in the interests of SMEs and craft    manifestly in the interests of SMEs and craft
industries but not covered by this Decision.     industries but not covered by this Decision.
Article 6                                        Article 6
The amount of the appropriations allocated             This Decision shall apply for a period
annually to the measures provided for by this          of four years from 1 January 1993.
Decision shall be determined under the
annual budgetary procedure.                            The budgetary authority shall determine
                                                       the amount of appropriations available
                                                       for each financial year in accordance
                                                       with the principles of good management
                                                       referred to in Article 2 of the Financial
                                                       Regulation applying to the General
                                                       Budget of the European Communities.
 Article 7                                        Article 7
 This      Decision       replaces       Council  For the areas covered by this Decision, it
 Decision 89/490/EEC,       as     revised   by   replaces Council Decision 89/490/EEC, as
 Decision 91/319/EEC.                             revised by Decision 91/319/EEC.
                                                                                                    1\
 ---pagebreak---                                 Modified proposal
                         DECISION 11 - page*)
                  ANNEX:
     measures referred to in Article 2
A) ENCOURAGING SMES IN CERTAIN
   SECTORS          TO       ADAPT         TO
   STRUCTURAL CHANGES AND TO
   CHANGES BROUGHT ABOUT BY
   THE INTERNAL MARKET
   (identification of the needs of SMEs and
   development of pilot projects for
   enterprises, including small businesses
   and handicraft businesses, commercial
   and distributive trades, cooperatives,
   mutual societies and associations and
   foundations,, identification of the needs
   of SMEs and development of pilot
   projects enabling them to have a better
   perception of the European dimension of
   their markets and to benefit from the
   opportunities offered by the single
   market, in particular in the field of
   standardisation, certification and public
   contracts).
B) PROMOTION            OF     A    BETTER
   FINANCIAL ENVIRONMENT FOR
    ENTERPRISES
    (facilitate SME's access to sources of
    credit, including mutual guarantee
    companies and venture capital, and
    expediency and feasibility studies of the
    development of secondary markets;
    facilitate SME's access to financial
    instruments       provided     by       the
    Community).
                                                  21
 ---pagebreak---                                 Modifie  proposal
                        DECISION II -     page 10
C) PROMOTION              OF        BETTER
   OBSERVATION OF THE ECONOMIC
   DEVELOPMENT OF ENTERPRISES
   AS.        PART           OF         THE
   IMPLEMENTATION               OF      THE
   INTERNAL MARKET
   (European observatory for SMEs,
   improved statistics on SMEs)
D) EVALUATION             AND       POLICY
   DEVELOPMENT
   (evaluation of existing policy and
   actions, development of Community
   actions in areas affecting enterprises)
                                                  is
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                                                                        ISSN 0254-1475
                                                              COM(93) 180/2 final
                                                       DOCUMENTS
EN                                                                           08 to
                                 Catalogue number : CB-CO-93-211-EN-C
                                                               ISBN 92-77-55313-8
Office for Official Publications of the European Conununities
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