BRUSSELS, Belgium, October 3, 2007 (ENS) - Helping small and medium sized companies use energy and resources efficiently is the aim of a newly published Communication from the European Commission, the executive branch of the EU government.

The Commission says it will accomplish its aim by providing a legal framework and measures that reinforce existing policies and initiatives in line with the unique characteristics of smaller companies.

This British hardware store is considered a small business. (Photo courtesy FreeFoto.com)

To this end, the Communication proposes to create a program to help small and medium sized companies implement European environmental legislation.

The program will channel financial resources towards support networks, simplify access to environmental management systems, and promote greater awareness of environmental issues among these companies.

Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said, "To successfully tackle the environmental challenges we face and to achieve our targets on greenhouse emissions, renewable energy and energy efficiency, all European companies must be on board."

"Small and medium sized companies are an integral part of Europe's economy and it is therefore vital that they play their part in making the European economy more sustainable," the commissioner said.

Several measures are already happening this year. A website providing information on EU environmental policy for SMEs is now available in seven languages and guides on energy efficiency, air emissions, soil and water and waste are planned. A handbook on funding opportunities also will be published.

Getting the numbers right (Photo courtesy FreeFoto.com)

Many companies are not aware of the impact their activities have on the environment and a majority actually think that their activities have little or no impact, Dimas said.

SMEs also tend to believe that they are complying with legislation unless told otherwise although their activities may pose health and safety risks to workers as well as threats to the environment.

The Commission hopes to persuade smaller companies that they could lose out on the economic benefits presented by better environmental management and eco-innovation unles they integrating environmental considerations into their economic activities.

Wind turbines at the Royd Moor Wind Farm in South Yorkshire, England generate clean power. (Photo courtesy FreeFoto.com)

The Environmental Compliance Assistance Programme proposed by the Commission is a set of measures that aims to help smaller companies minimize the environmental impact of their activities and facilitate compliance with existing legislation.

The Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Union of the European People´s Party is a network of pro-business Christian-Democrat, Conservative and Liberal politicians and political organizations. Its main objective is to help in shaping EU policy in a way that benefits SMEs.

SME UNION President Christoph Leitl says the importance of the SME Union can be seen in the fact that SMEs are considered as the key for sustainable jobs, growth and prosperity.

Leitl likes the Commission's direction on energy.

"I strongly approve the efforts of the Commission to boost competition on Europe's energy markets and to secure a sustainable energy supply," he said. SMEs and cross-border retail consumers would profit from a more competitive European Energy market with stronger energy regulators and a real common European Energy policy, he said.

Funding for the program of €5 million through 2013 will come from LIFE+ funds with additional funds to be made available through the Competitiveness and Innovation framework Programme and the Structural Funds.

Find out more at the SME and environment website: http://www.ec.europa.eu/environment/sme

Good practice case studies are online at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/sme/cases/case_study_en.htm

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2007. All rights reserved.