Article 1 
A programme for Community policy for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including craft and very small enterprises, is hereby adopted for a period of four years from 1 January 1997. Article 2 The programme referred to in Article 1, incorporating the measures specified in the Annex hereto, which are intended to supplement action by the Member States, shall have the following objectives: 1. Simplify and improve the administrative and regulatory business environment: - ensure consideration of the interests of SMEs in the various Community initiatives and policies, - simplify and improve Community legislation, - increase transparency and the spread of best practices in simplifying and improving the administrative and regulatory environment, - improve the framework for transitional operations of SMEs; 2. Improve the financial environment for enterprises: - improve access to loan and risk capital financing, - continue efforts to reduce late payment problems, - facilitate the development of specific financial instruments, - stimulate the development of capital markets for fast-growing SMEs; 3. Help SMEs to Europeanize and internationalize their strategies, in particular through better information and cooperation services: - promote access by SMEs to the information society, - develop Community information services, - improve the promotion of SME policy actions, - promote cooperation through business partner search networks, - promote direct contacts through partnership programmes, - develop subcontracting partnerships, - improve the conditions under which SMEs participate in the internal market, - improve access to new markets and internationalization for SMEs; 4. Enhance SME competitiveness and improve access to research, innovation and training: - increase the innovative potential of SMEs, - improve managerial ability, - adapt to environmental requirements; 5. Promote entrepreneurship and support target groups: - business culture and entrepreneurship, - craft, small and micro-enterprises, - enterprises in commerce and distributive trades, - women and young entrepreneurs; enterprises run by entrepreneurs from disadvantaged groups; 6. Improve SME policy instruments. Article 3 1. In order to achieve the objectives laid down in Articles 1 and 2, the Commission shall implement the necessary measures, insofar as they cannot be better carried out by the Member States, taking account of the findings of any specific evaluation reports. 2. The procedure laid down in Article 4 shall be followed for adopting measures relating to: - the adoption, experimental implementation or extension of the necessary projects devised for the application of this Decision, - the content and timetable of, and financial assistance for, measures and calls for proposals, - periodic evaluation of the results of each project in accordance with the timetables laid down in specific programmes. 3. The Commission may submit to the Committee referred to in Article 4 any other matters concerning the programme. 4. The Commission shall be responsible for the financial execution and implementation of the programme. The Commission shall also ensure that actions under this programme are subject to thorough prior appraisal, monitoring and subsequent evaluation in the light of reports to be submitted by recipients of Community financing. 5. Community aid may be granted if it is necessary to enable a project to proceed. It should not exceed the amount necessary to support the project. Article 4 The Commission shall be assisted by a committee composed of the representatives of the Member States and chaired by a representative of the Commission. The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority laid down in Article 148 (2) of the Treaty in the case of decisions which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The votes of the representatives of the Member States within the committee shall be weighted in the manner set out in that Article. The chairman shall not vote. The Commission shall adopt measures which shall apply immediately. However, if these measures are not in accordance with the opinion of the committee they shall be communicated by the Commission to the Council forthwith. In that event: - the Commission shall defer application of the measures on which it has decided for a period of three months from the date of communication, - the Council, acting by a qualified majority, may take a different decision within the time-limit referred to in the previous paragraph. Article 5 1. The Commission shall submit to the committee referred to in Article 4 annual reports on the implementation of this Decision. 2. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions a biennial report assessing progress in the inclusion of the SME dimension in all Community policies and programmes, following its coordination activities. Article 6 The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, no later than the end of 1999, an external evaluation report on the implementation of this Decision in order to assess whether the original objectives have been met, including a cost-effectiveness evaluation and any proposals which it deems necessary in the light of the evaluations effected. Article 7 1. This programme shall be opened up to the participation of the associated countries of central and eastern Europe (CCEE), in accordance with the conditions laid down in the additional protocols to the Association Agreements with regard to participation in Community programmes concluded with those countries. 2. This programme shall be opened up to the participation of Cyprus and Malta on the basis of additional appropriations in accordance with the same rules as those applied to the EFTA countries that are members of the EEA, in accordance with procedures to be agreed on with those countries. Article 8 1. This Decision shall enter into force on 1 January 1997 and shall cover the period up to 31 December 2000. 2. The financial reference amount for the implementation of this programme for the period 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2000 shall be ECU 127 million. 3. The annual appropriations shall be authorized by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Done at Brussels, 9 December 1996. For the Council The President B. HOWLIN (1) OJ No C 156, 31. 5. 1996, p. 5. (2) OJ No C 320, 28. 10. 1996, p. 153. (3) OJ No C 295, 7. 10. 1996, p. 6. (4) Opinion delivered on 19 September 1996 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ No C 294, 22. 10. 1994, p. 6. (6) OJ No C 343, 6. 12. 1994, p. 1. (7) OJ No C 341, 19. 12. 1995, p. 3. (8) OJ No C 130, 3. 5. 1996, p. 1. (9) OJ No L 161, 2. 7. 1993, p. 68.
Article 2 
The programme referred to in Article 1, incorporating the measures specified in the Annex hereto, which are intended to supplement action by the Member States, shall have the following objectives: 1. Simplify and improve the administrative and regulatory business environment: - ensure consideration of the interests of SMEs in the various Community initiatives and policies, - simplify and improve Community legislation, - increase transparency and the spread of best practices in simplifying and improving the administrative and regulatory environment, - improve the framework for transitional operations of SMEs; 2. Improve the financial environment for enterprises: - improve access to loan and risk capital financing, - continue efforts to reduce late payment problems, - facilitate the development of specific financial instruments, - stimulate the development of capital markets for fast-growing SMEs; 3. Help SMEs to Europeanize and internationalize their strategies, in particular through better information and cooperation services: - promote access by SMEs to the information society, - develop Community information services, - improve the promotion of SME policy actions, - promote cooperation through business partner search networks, - promote direct contacts through partnership programmes, - develop subcontracting partnerships, - improve the conditions under which SMEs participate in the internal market, - improve access to new markets and internationalization for SMEs; 4. Enhance SME competitiveness and improve access to research, innovation and training: - increase the innovative potential of SMEs, - improve managerial ability, - adapt to environmental requirements; 5. Promote entrepreneurship and support target groups: - business culture and entrepreneurship, - craft, small and micro-enterprises, - enterprises in commerce and distributive trades, - women and young entrepreneurs; enterprises run by entrepreneurs from disadvantaged groups; 6. Improve SME policy instruments. Article 3 1. In order to achieve the objectives laid down in Articles 1 and 2, the Commission shall implement the necessary measures, insofar as they cannot be better carried out by the Member States, taking account of the findings of any specific evaluation reports. 2. The procedure laid down in Article 4 shall be followed for adopting measures relating to: - the adoption, experimental implementation or extension of the necessary projects devised for the application of this Decision, - the content and timetable of, and financial assistance for, measures and calls for proposals, - periodic evaluation of the results of each project in accordance with the timetables laid down in specific programmes. 3. The Commission may submit to the Committee referred to in Article 4 any other matters concerning the programme. 4. The Commission shall be responsible for the financial execution and implementation of the programme. The Commission shall also ensure that actions under this programme are subject to thorough prior appraisal, monitoring and subsequent evaluation in the light of reports to be submitted by recipients of Community financing. 5. Community aid may be granted if it is necessary to enable a project to proceed. It should not exceed the amount necessary to support the project. Article 4 The Commission shall be assisted by a committee composed of the representatives of the Member States and chaired by a representative of the Commission. The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority laid down in Article 148 (2) of the Treaty in the case of decisions which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The votes of the representatives of the Member States within the committee shall be weighted in the manner set out in that Article. The chairman shall not vote. The Commission shall adopt measures which shall apply immediately. However, if these measures are not in accordance with the opinion of the committee they shall be communicated by the Commission to the Council forthwith. In that event: - the Commission shall defer application of the measures on which it has decided for a period of three months from the date of communication, - the Council, acting by a qualified majority, may take a different decision within the time-limit referred to in the previous paragraph. Article 5 1. The Commission shall submit to the committee referred to in Article 4 annual reports on the implementation of this Decision. 2. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions a biennial report assessing progress in the inclusion of the SME dimension in all Community policies and programmes, following its coordination activities. Article 6 The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, no later than the end of 1999, an external evaluation report on the implementation of this Decision in order to assess whether the original objectives have been met, including a cost-effectiveness evaluation and any proposals which it deems necessary in the light of the evaluations effected. Article 7 1. This programme shall be opened up to the participation of the associated countries of central and eastern Europe (CCEE), in accordance with the conditions laid down in the additional protocols to the Association Agreements with regard to participation in Community programmes concluded with those countries. 2. This programme shall be opened up to the participation of Cyprus and Malta on the basis of additional appropriations in accordance with the same rules as those applied to the EFTA countries that are members of the EEA, in accordance with procedures to be agreed on with those countries. Article 8 1. This Decision shall enter into force on 1 January 1997 and shall cover the period up to 31 December 2000. 2. The financial reference amount for the implementation of this programme for the period 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2000 shall be ECU 127 million. 3. The annual appropriations shall be authorized by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Done at Brussels, 9 December 1996. For the Council The President B. HOWLIN (1) OJ No C 156, 31. 5. 1996, p. 5. (2) OJ No C 320, 28. 10. 1996, p. 153. (3) OJ No C 295, 7. 10. 1996, p. 6. (4) Opinion delivered on 19 September 1996 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ No C 294, 22. 10. 1994, p. 6. (6) OJ No C 343, 6. 12. 1994, p. 1. (7) OJ No C 341, 19. 12. 1995, p. 3. (8) OJ No C 130, 3. 5. 1996, p. 1. (9) OJ No L 161, 2. 7. 1993, p. 68.
Article 3 
1. In order to achieve the objectives laid down in Articles 1 and 2, the Commission shall implement the necessary measures, insofar as they cannot be better carried out by the Member States, taking account of the findings of any specific evaluation reports. 2. The procedure laid down in Article 4 shall be followed for adopting measures relating to: - the adoption, experimental implementation or extension of the necessary projects devised for the application of this Decision, - the content and timetable of, and financial assistance for, measures and calls for proposals, - periodic evaluation of the results of each project in accordance with the timetables laid down in specific programmes. 3. The Commission may submit to the Committee referred to in Article 4 any other matters concerning the programme. 4. The Commission shall be responsible for the financial execution and implementation of the programme. The Commission shall also ensure that actions under this programme are subject to thorough prior appraisal, monitoring and subsequent evaluation in the light of reports to be submitted by recipients of Community financing. 5. Community aid may be granted if it is necessary to enable a project to proceed. It should not exceed the amount necessary to support the project. Article 4 The Commission shall be assisted by a committee composed of the representatives of the Member States and chaired by a representative of the Commission. The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority laid down in Article 148 (2) of the Treaty in the case of decisions which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The votes of the representatives of the Member States within the committee shall be weighted in the manner set out in that Article. The chairman shall not vote. The Commission shall adopt measures which shall apply immediately. However, if these measures are not in accordance with the opinion of the committee they shall be communicated by the Commission to the Council forthwith. In that event: - the Commission shall defer application of the measures on which it has decided for a period of three months from the date of communication, - the Council, acting by a qualified majority, may take a different decision within the time-limit referred to in the previous paragraph. Article 5 1. The Commission shall submit to the committee referred to in Article 4 annual reports on the implementation of this Decision. 2. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions a biennial report assessing progress in the inclusion of the SME dimension in all Community policies and programmes, following its coordination activities. Article 6 The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, no later than the end of 1999, an external evaluation report on the implementation of this Decision in order to assess whether the original objectives have been met, including a cost-effectiveness evaluation and any proposals which it deems necessary in the light of the evaluations effected. Article 7 1. This programme shall be opened up to the participation of the associated countries of central and eastern Europe (CCEE), in accordance with the conditions laid down in the additional protocols to the Association Agreements with regard to participation in Community programmes concluded with those countries. 2. This programme shall be opened up to the participation of Cyprus and Malta on the basis of additional appropriations in accordance with the same rules as those applied to the EFTA countries that are members of the EEA, in accordance with procedures to be agreed on with those countries. Article 8 1. This Decision shall enter into force on 1 January 1997 and shall cover the period up to 31 December 2000. 2. The financial reference amount for the implementation of this programme for the period 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2000 shall be ECU 127 million. 3. The annual appropriations shall be authorized by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Done at Brussels, 9 December 1996. For the Council The President B. HOWLIN (1) OJ No C 156, 31. 5. 1996, p. 5. (2) OJ No C 320, 28. 10. 1996, p. 153. (3) OJ No C 295, 7. 10. 1996, p. 6. (4) Opinion delivered on 19 September 1996 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ No C 294, 22. 10. 1994, p. 6. (6) OJ No C 343, 6. 12. 1994, p. 1. (7) OJ No C 341, 19. 12. 1995, p. 3. (8) OJ No C 130, 3. 5. 1996, p. 1. (9) OJ No L 161, 2. 7. 1993, p. 68.
Article 4 
The Commission shall be assisted by a committee composed of the representatives of the Member States and chaired by a representative of the Commission. The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority laid down in Article 148 (2) of the Treaty in the case of decisions which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The votes of the representatives of the Member States within the committee shall be weighted in the manner set out in that Article. The chairman shall not vote. The Commission shall adopt measures which shall apply immediately. However, if these measures are not in accordance with the opinion of the committee they shall be communicated by the Commission to the Council forthwith. In that event: - the Commission shall defer application of the measures on which it has decided for a period of three months from the date of communication, - the Council, acting by a qualified majority, may take a different decision within the time-limit referred to in the previous paragraph. Article 5 1. The Commission shall submit to the committee referred to in Article 4 annual reports on the implementation of this Decision. 2. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions a biennial report assessing progress in the inclusion of the SME dimension in all Community policies and programmes, following its coordination activities. Article 6 The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, no later than the end of 1999, an external evaluation report on the implementation of this Decision in order to assess whether the original objectives have been met, including a cost-effectiveness evaluation and any proposals which it deems necessary in the light of the evaluations effected. Article 7 1. This programme shall be opened up to the participation of the associated countries of central and eastern Europe (CCEE), in accordance with the conditions laid down in the additional protocols to the Association Agreements with regard to participation in Community programmes concluded with those countries. 2. This programme shall be opened up to the participation of Cyprus and Malta on the basis of additional appropriations in accordance with the same rules as those applied to the EFTA countries that are members of the EEA, in accordance with procedures to be agreed on with those countries. Article 8 1. This Decision shall enter into force on 1 January 1997 and shall cover the period up to 31 December 2000. 2. The financial reference amount for the implementation of this programme for the period 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2000 shall be ECU 127 million. 3. The annual appropriations shall be authorized by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Done at Brussels, 9 December 1996. For the Council The President B. HOWLIN (1) OJ No C 156, 31. 5. 1996, p. 5. (2) OJ No C 320, 28. 10. 1996, p. 153. (3) OJ No C 295, 7. 10. 1996, p. 6. (4) Opinion delivered on 19 September 1996 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ No C 294, 22. 10. 1994, p. 6. (6) OJ No C 343, 6. 12. 1994, p. 1. (7) OJ No C 341, 19. 12. 1995, p. 3. (8) OJ No C 130, 3. 5. 1996, p. 1. (9) OJ No L 161, 2. 7. 1993, p. 68.
Article 5 
1. The Commission shall submit to the committee referred to in Article 4 annual reports on the implementation of this Decision. 2. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions a biennial report assessing progress in the inclusion of the SME dimension in all Community policies and programmes, following its coordination activities. Article 6 The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, no later than the end of 1999, an external evaluation report on the implementation of this Decision in order to assess whether the original objectives have been met, including a cost-effectiveness evaluation and any proposals which it deems necessary in the light of the evaluations effected. Article 7 1. This programme shall be opened up to the participation of the associated countries of central and eastern Europe (CCEE), in accordance with the conditions laid down in the additional protocols to the Association Agreements with regard to participation in Community programmes concluded with those countries. 2. This programme shall be opened up to the participation of Cyprus and Malta on the basis of additional appropriations in accordance with the same rules as those applied to the EFTA countries that are members of the EEA, in accordance with procedures to be agreed on with those countries. Article 8 1. This Decision shall enter into force on 1 January 1997 and shall cover the period up to 31 December 2000. 2. The financial reference amount for the implementation of this programme for the period 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2000 shall be ECU 127 million. 3. The annual appropriations shall be authorized by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Done at Brussels, 9 December 1996. For the Council The President B. HOWLIN (1) OJ No C 156, 31. 5. 1996, p. 5. (2) OJ No C 320, 28. 10. 1996, p. 153. (3) OJ No C 295, 7. 10. 1996, p. 6. (4) Opinion delivered on 19 September 1996 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ No C 294, 22. 10. 1994, p. 6. (6) OJ No C 343, 6. 12. 1994, p. 1. (7) OJ No C 341, 19. 12. 1995, p. 3. (8) OJ No C 130, 3. 5. 1996, p. 1. (9) OJ No L 161, 2. 7. 1993, p. 68.
Article 6 
The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, no later than the end of 1999, an external evaluation report on the implementation of this Decision in order to assess whether the original objectives have been met, including a cost-effectiveness evaluation and any proposals which it deems necessary in the light of the evaluations effected. Article 7 1. This programme shall be opened up to the participation of the associated countries of central and eastern Europe (CCEE), in accordance with the conditions laid down in the additional protocols to the Association Agreements with regard to participation in Community programmes concluded with those countries. 2. This programme shall be opened up to the participation of Cyprus and Malta on the basis of additional appropriations in accordance with the same rules as those applied to the EFTA countries that are members of the EEA, in accordance with procedures to be agreed on with those countries. Article 8 1. This Decision shall enter into force on 1 January 1997 and shall cover the period up to 31 December 2000. 2. The financial reference amount for the implementation of this programme for the period 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2000 shall be ECU 127 million. 3. The annual appropriations shall be authorized by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Done at Brussels, 9 December 1996. For the Council The President B. HOWLIN (1) OJ No C 156, 31. 5. 1996, p. 5. (2) OJ No C 320, 28. 10. 1996, p. 153. (3) OJ No C 295, 7. 10. 1996, p. 6. (4) Opinion delivered on 19 September 1996 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ No C 294, 22. 10. 1994, p. 6. (6) OJ No C 343, 6. 12. 1994, p. 1. (7) OJ No C 341, 19. 12. 1995, p. 3. (8) OJ No C 130, 3. 5. 1996, p. 1. (9) OJ No L 161, 2. 7. 1993, p. 68.
Article 7 
1. This programme shall be opened up to the participation of the associated countries of central and eastern Europe (CCEE), in accordance with the conditions laid down in the additional protocols to the Association Agreements with regard to participation in Community programmes concluded with those countries. 2. This programme shall be opened up to the participation of Cyprus and Malta on the basis of additional appropriations in accordance with the same rules as those applied to the EFTA countries that are members of the EEA, in accordance with procedures to be agreed on with those countries. Article 8 1. This Decision shall enter into force on 1 January 1997 and shall cover the period up to 31 December 2000. 2. The financial reference amount for the implementation of this programme for the period 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2000 shall be ECU 127 million. 3. The annual appropriations shall be authorized by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Done at Brussels, 9 December 1996. For the Council The President B. HOWLIN (1) OJ No C 156, 31. 5. 1996, p. 5. (2) OJ No C 320, 28. 10. 1996, p. 153. (3) OJ No C 295, 7. 10. 1996, p. 6. (4) Opinion delivered on 19 September 1996 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ No C 294, 22. 10. 1994, p. 6. (6) OJ No C 343, 6. 12. 1994, p. 1. (7) OJ No C 341, 19. 12. 1995, p. 3. (8) OJ No C 130, 3. 5. 1996, p. 1. (9) OJ No L 161, 2. 7. 1993, p. 68.
Article 8 
1. This Decision shall enter into force on 1 January 1997 and shall cover the period up to 31 December 2000. 2. The financial reference amount for the implementation of this programme for the period 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2000 shall be ECU 127 million. 3. The annual appropriations shall be authorized by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Done at Brussels, 9 December 1996