March 2009
In line with the “Think Small First” principle enshrined in the “Small Business Act” for Europe, the report of the expert group is an attempt to provide guidance to policy makers on how to better treat their SMEs or simply on how to “Think small first”. The report is a tool designed to help Member States with the implementation of the SBA for Europe.
The definition of the “Think Small First” principle implies that policy makers give full consideration to SMEs at the early policy development stage. Ideally rules impacting on business should be created from the SMEs point of view or in other words, SMEs should be considered by public authorities as being their “prime customers” as far as business regulation is concerned. The principle relies on the fact that “one size does not fit all” but a lighter touch approach can also be beneficial to larger businesses. Conversely, rules and procedures designed for large companies create disproportionate, if not unbearable burdens for SMEs as they lack the economies of scale.
The application of the “Think Small First” principle aims at ensuring that SMEs voices are heard, that their interests are taken on board by policy makers and that the business environment is favourable to the development of SMEs.
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