smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

Complicated European laws are causing headaches for small businesses but a newly-launched internet resource aims to help cut through the red tape.

Research by the Forum of Private Business has shown that small business owner/managers are spending around 10 hours a week on red tape issues, at a cost of Ł5,000 a year. In addition, there are severe penalties for non-compliance with red tape.

Smallbusiness/Europe, an organisation – funded by the Small Business Service (SBS) – supporting SMEs at a European Union level, has launched an online resource called an "issue tracker" to inform small businesses of European legislation developments and to explain the regulations in straightforward terms.

For each issue the site gives a simple explanation of the effects of the law, who it affects, the timetable, who is responsible and smallbusiness/Europe’s position on the matter. There is also a glossary of frequently used words and phrases.

Issues currently on the site include the recent law change which means fixed-term workers must now be treated in the same way as permanent staff and a draft EU law which would make companies that cause environmental damage financially responsible for restoring that damage.

The site provides an opportunity for small businesses to give opinions on existing and prospective EU laws and can put them in touch with one of their local Members of the European Parliament.

Small business owners and managers wanting to find out more about European legislation affecting their businesses can go to www.smallbusinesseurope.org and click on "Issue tracker".

(7/10/02)

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