There are more than 20 million SMEs in the EU. They represent 99 % of all businesses and are key players in economic growth, innovation, employment and social integration. The European Commission aims to promote successful entrepreneurship and improve the business environment for SMEs to allow them to realise their full potential in today’s global economy.

 

The European Commission works on broad policy issues affecting entrepreneurship and SMEs across Europe and assists them through networks and business support measures. It helps existing and potential entrepreneurs to expand their businesses, giving special attention to women entrepreneurs, crafts and social economy businesses.

 

In order to be globally competitive and to generate growth, EU businesses also need to compete globally — to export beyond the borders of the EU and to face import competition. To that end, they need fair and transparent market conditions. Unfortunately, this is not always the case in international trade.

 

While large multinationals have the resources to defend themselves, smaller firms often lack the information, knowledge and means to seek remedies against unfair trading conditions.

 

The European Commission, including DG Trade, is fully aware of the difficult situation of SMEs in the globalised trading environment. It has taken various steps to help them in the area of trade defence.

 

- It has set up the SME Helpdesk. SMEs with TDI-specific questions can contact the European Commission directly. The helpdesk will make sure that all firms concerned are well informed and fully aware of what is at stake in TDI proceedings and help them understand the investigation process.

 

- The website of the SME Helpdesk contains useful documents, standard forms and questionnaires to make it easier for smaller firms to take part in trade defence investigations (http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/accessing-markets/trade-defence/actions-against-imports-intothe-eu/help-for-smes/).

 

- The standard questionnaires for smaller producers and importers will be provided in all official languages on the same website. For other forms and questionnaires, which are available in English only, the European Commission will provide SMEs with information and explanations.

- Whenever possible, the investigation period will be adapted to the financial and/or calendar year of the smaller firm concerned.

- If a company or association has been registered as an interested party, it can now consult the non-confidential file of each investigation online.

- The European Commission, at the request of representative organisations and in coordination with Member States, will organise seminars specifically targeted at SMEs, with the aim of raising awareness and explaining what exactly is required from them in TDI proceedings, whether they are producers, importers or users.

- SMEs will be encouraged to create temporary associations via existing networks of European and national associations, to combine their resources and limit TDI-related costs.

- The Hearing Officer in DG Trade acts as an independent mediator and supervises the rights of defence in TDI proceedings (http://ec.europa.eu/trade/trade-policy-and-you/contacts/hearing-officer/).The Hearing Officer’s annual report will include a section related to smaller businesses. In the event of specific intervention requests received from smaller businesses, the report will describe the solutions that were found.

- The Hearing Officer is at your disposal at any stage of an investigation, including the complaint stage should you feel that your rights of defence are not duly considered (TRADE-HEARINGOFFICER@ec.europa.eu).

- The European Commission and the Member States will encourage trade/industry associations and chambers of commerce, where possible, to support SMEs affected by non-EU-country TDI proceedings by raising awareness, encouraging cooperation and sharing costs.

SMEs faced with dumped/subsidised imports: what can be done?

 

Depending on whether an SME is a producer, importer or user of the imported product that has allegedly been dumped/subsidised, it will be affected very differently by such imports. So dealing with dumped/subsidised imports varies according to the type of company concerned.

 

Source: “TDI Trade defence instruments, Anti-dumping & Anti-subsidy - A Guide for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses” by the European Commission