Events to look out for
Webinar: Business Opportunities & IPR for ICT, Smart City Technology and Internet of Things in Malaysia – 27 February, 10:00 CET. This Webinar will explore business opportunities for European SMEs interested in ICT, Smart City Technology and Internet of Things in the South East Asia region.
EU policies for better business
Social media companies: changes to comply with EU consumer rules. Following requests, made last March by the European Commission and Member States' consumer authorities, Facebook, Twitter and Google+ have aligned their terms of services with EU consumer protection rules. These changes will mean that: EU consumers will not be forced to waive mandatory EU consumer rights, such as their right to withdraw from an on-line purchase; they will be able to lodge their complaints in Europe, rather than in California; and the platforms will take up their fair share of responsibilities towards EU consumers. However, the changes only partially fulfil the requirements under EU consumer law.
VAT: European Commission launches compliance check to assess whether businesses are refunded quickly enough in all Member States. Over the next eight months, tax provisions in each Member State will be scrutinised to ensure that refund procedures allow businesses to quickly and easily recover VAT credits both in their own country and in other EU countries. This exercise forms part of the Commission's efforts towards a Single VAT area.
Get involved
Can you help advise the European Commission on e-invoicing in Europe? Apply to the European Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Electronic Invoicing by 6 March.
Public consultation on building a proportionate regulatory environment to support SME listing. Take part in this public consultation and help the European Commission to make it easier for SMEs to tap capital markets. Deadline 26 February.
Do you know the NIR-VANA open innovation platform? This platform is both a tool and a place to connect SMEs and innovation advisors. Make your company and projects visible to potential clients, partners, and innovation experts.