On 13 November, the Commission proposed establishing a single digital declaration portal for companies providing services and temporarily sending workers to another Member State, known as ‘posted workers'. This initiative aims to cut administrative costs for businesses while enhancing worker protection.

Key benefits include:

• Simplified Processes: The portal allows using a single form instead 27 national forms, reducing declaration time by 73%.

• Improved Compliance: Transparent processes will facilitate inspections on site, helping to protect workers' rights.

• Better Cooperation: Member States can exchange information easily as the portal is part of the existing Internal Market Information System (IMI).

With 5 million posted workers in the EU, the proposal offers businesses greater efficiency and ensures fair treatment for workers. Member States can voluntarily adopt the system, marking a step toward a more efficient Single Market.

On 8 November, the Internal Market Emergency and Resilience Act (IMERA) and its two companion regulations were published in the Official Journal of the EU. IMERA aims to safeguard the free movement of goods, services, and people during crises, ensuring access to essential goods and services. It strengthens the Single Market's resilience through improved transparency and coordination. Set to apply from 29 May 2026, preparations are already underway, including crisis simulations and supply chain stress-testing, to ensure the Single Market is ready for future challenges.

The Joint European Forum for Important Projects of Common European Interest (JEF-IPCEI) is gearing up for its second high-level meeting on 27 November. This milestone session will highlight the progress achieved in strengthening Europe’s industrial leadership and discuss new opportunities for collaboration on cutting-edge technologies like AI, advanced semiconductors, circular advanced materials for clean technologies and edge computing. Learn more about the Forum’s impact so far and how it is making IPCEIs faster and more efficient.

On 15 November, EU Member States, industry, academia, and research representatives convened the first Technology Council for Advanced Materials to shape the future of Europe’s advanced materials sector. Co-chaired by DGs GROW, RTD, and the Hungarian Presidency, the meeting focused on aligning Research & Innovation priorities and on boosting industry adoption to support competitiveness and the green and digital transitions. It also discussed the challenges and opportunities in strengthening the digital infrastructure supporting innovation on advanced materials. With the Strategy on Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership adopted in February 2024, the EU aims to enhance the competitiveness, resilience, and strategic autonomy of European industries. Advanced materials - engineered for superior performance - drive innovation in sectors like energy, electronics, construction, and mobility. Examples of such advanced materials include bio-based insulation for energy-efficient buildings, sodium-based batteries reducing lithium reliance, and recyclable carbon materials for wind turbines and aircraft. Through collaboration and strategi

The Commission has launched two powerful dashboards to support industry professionals in monitoring the Single Market economy. The Industrial Production Dashboard provides a comprehensive view of production trends across key EU sectors, enabling comparative analysis and clustering of countries using Eurostat data. These tools are set to revolutionise how experts measure, analyse, and inform policy for Europe's industrial landscape.

The Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI) has launched a new two-year project to support the renovation and construction of 35 social and affordable housing districts across Europe. This phase will offer training, advisory services, and technical assistance.  It will focus on public-private partnerships, sustainable retrofitting, energy-efficient solutions, innovative construction methods like modular and bio-based materials, and community engagement. On 5 December, the initiative's second phase will officially launch with the opening of the first public call for housing districts to receive support. This milestone will be marked by insights from EU high-level representatives and sector experts.

On 12 November, DG GROW hosted a workshop on modern food fermentation, exploring precision, gas fermentation and biomass technologies. The event highlighted the booming food biotech sector and its potential to sustainably feed the growing global population. Presentations from innovative SMEs, a panel discussion with industry experts, and an open debate addressed challenges like market access, financial support, infrastructure, and consumer acceptance.

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which entered into force in July, aims to boost the environmental sustainability of products by setting ecodesign requirements for their performance. It introduces a framework for establishing performance and information requirements, enhancing product durability, reparability, energy-efficiency, and environmental performance. It also prohibits the destruction of certain unsold consumer goods, such as clothing and footwear. In October, the Ecodesign Forum was launched to facilitate stakeholder consultations and shape the specific requirements under the regulation. The Forum will gather experts from Member States, industry, civil society, and academia to advise on priority products, requirements, and energy labelling. A call for applications to join the Forum is open until 5 December, with the first meeting expected in early 2025. This initiative will be key in reducing the environmental footprint of products and driving green innovation across the EU’s Single Market.

The 2024 Annual Conference of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) gathered over 1,000 participants in Budapest and online to discuss strategies for boosting the potential of European SMEs. The conference held discussions about SMEs’ needs relevant to the upcoming Single Market Strategy, as well as  touched upon issues such as public procurement challenges, sustainability reporting, and the forthcoming EU Biotech Hub. Sessions also focused on AI, dual-use technologies, and resilience planning, alongside discussions on scaling up SME support and aligning EU regulations. The conference reinforced the EEN’s dedication to empowering SMEs through innovation, collaboration, and targeted support.

The SME Assembly 2024 took place from 18 to 20 November in Budapest. This year, over 500 delegates discussed the future of SME policy, with sessions covering topics such as SMEs in defence ecosystems, scale-up financing, open strategic autonomy, and the impact of extreme weather on SMEs. Swedish economist Johan Wiklund, delivered a keynote speech highlighting Europe's need for its own competitive model,  distinctive from  the Silicon Valley or Chinese models. Another keynote session featured high-profile speakers, including Hubert Gambs, Deputy Director of DG GROW at the Commission, Hungary’s Minister for the Economy Márton Nagy, and Julia Faure, Co-President of Movement Impact France discussing how to tackle the challenges and opportunities facing European SMEs. Watch the lecture of Professor Wiklund and recordings of many workshops here.

On 19 November, the Small and Mid-Caps Awards ceremony was held during the SME Assembly in Budapest, Hungary. Organised by the Federation of European Securities Exchanges (FESE), EuropeanIssuers, and DG GROW, the event celebrated exceptional SMEs that accessed capital markets through Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) over the past two years. These SMEs display the diversity of European markets and aim to promote stock listings on EU public markets, in particular targeting SMEs and growth companies.

DG GROW actively participated in the Slush 2024 conference, Europe’s leading tech event, which aims to foster connections between tech innovators and top investors. At the European Innovation Council and European Investment Bank stand, DG GROW hosted workshops on empowering startups through EEN and ESTEAM Fests took the spotlight, championing innovation, inclusivity, and entrepreneurship.

Recordings and presentations from the EU Sustainable Finance Days in Warsaw and Amsterdam are now available. These events marked the conclusion of the 2024 roadshow, focusing on sustainable finance and the green transition across Europe. Participants explored updates on EU Sustainable Finance policies, the InvestEU Sustainability Guarantee, and practical support tools such as the Green Gateway initiative and the Enterprise Europe Network’s sustainability advisors. The discussions reflected shared European priorities and provided valuable guidance for SMEs and stakeholders committed to sustainability.

The latest Eurobarometer survey shows that over 90% of EU SMEs are actively investing in resource efficiency, with 93% implementing measures to save energy, reduce waste, and enhance recycling. Despite these efforts, many SMEs face challenges, including high costs and complex regulations. The survey highlights the growing trend of SMEs adopting renewable energy practices, with 12% generating their own renewable energy and 23% sourcing it from renewable suppliers. The Commission is supporting SMEs in their green transition with resources like sustainability advisors, the InvestEU programme, and national funding initiatives to help boost competitiveness while reducing environmental impact.

A new Cyber-Theft Prevention Toolkit is now available online to help SMEs protect their valuable trade secrets from cybercriminals. Tailored for high-risk sectors like energy, biotechnology, transport, defence, and semiconductors, this comprehensive toolkit offers a step-by-step guide, interactive tools, and sector-specific scenarios to bolster organisations’ cybersecurity defences. It is a useful toolkit for both IT professionals or team members handling sensitive data and is designed to empower SMEs in safeguarding their assets against cyber theft.

The Commission is conducting a public consultation on the safety of elevators under the EU Lifts Directive. Your feedback is crucial in shaping future safety standards and regulations. Whether you're an industry professional, policymaker, or an interested citizen, share your views and help improve the safety and efficiency of elevators across Europe.

Are you an expert or researcher on the topic of the EU Single Market research? The Commission invites you to submit your papers for the 2025 Research Conference on the EU Single Market. This is a unique opportunity to contribute your insights and join an important dialogue on the future of the Single Market. Share your expertise on key challenges, policies, and innovations shaping Europe’s economy. Submit your proposal and be part of the conversation.

The Commission is seeking your input on the proposed rules for Digital Product Passports targeting service providers. This is a key opportunity to influence the future of product transparency and sustainability in Europe. Share your views on how these rules can enhance data sharing, promote circularity, and support the digitalisation of the economy. Your feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the next steps of this important initiative.

The newly published Guide on Being Entrepreneurial aims to foster a more inclusive entrepreneurial environment across Europe by providing comprehensive support, training, and resources for both new and experienced entrepreneurs. Key focus areas include digital learning, practical business insights, sustainability reporting and promoting collaboration. This guide is the essential resource for anyone looking to explore the 'why' and 'how' of entrepreneurial skills across various sectors.

The workshop will gather industry representatives to discuss improving permitting processes across the EU, with a focus on digitalisation and interoperability. These discussions aim to contribute to a more efficient and transparent permitting system. 

Women remain underrepresented in the EU's private equity, venture capital, and private debt markets. To address this, the EU’s flagship investment programme InvestEU, has introduced new Gender Smart Criteria. As an implementing partner of European Investment Fund (EIF) is once again organising the Empowering Equity event, which supports female-inclusive equity teams. This third edition will take place in Brussels on 4-5 December, with DG GROW Investment Director Merete Clausen among the participants.

Discover how to measure social impact in public procurement at our upcoming webinar on 5 December. Learn about key indicators and best practices for integrating social considerations into procurement processes across the EU. The webinar will present a new analytical framework on measuring social impact, as well as showcase successful cases from EU member states. A Q&A session will also provide an opportunity to engage with experts on socially responsible public procurement strategies.

Join us from 9 to 13 December in Brussels for the EU Raw Materials Week, the largest annual event on raw materials' policy. With a focus on implementing the European Critical Raw Materials Act, this week-long gathering will bring together over 1,000 participants from industry, academia, and civil society. Discussions will dive into critical raw materials, investment, circularity, women in STEM, and other subjects, with distinguished speakers from strategic sectors like batteries, digital technologies, and defence. 

On 28-29 January, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the Commission invite you to the Geographical Indications (GIs) Conference 2025 in Alicante. This hybrid event will bring together global experts, producers, and policymakers, both in person at the EUIPO headquarters and online. Join discussions on the role of GIs in employment, tourism, sustainability, and legal matters, and explore how GIs contribute to various sectors.

The next Hannover Messe will take place from 31 March to 4 April 2025. As in previous years, DG GROW will actively participate and represent the European Commission. The fair is one of DG GROW's flagship events. Through a comprehensive auditorium programme, an engaging exhibition, and one-on-one support, it will spotlight critical EU industrial policies and provide a platform for dialogue between policymakers and industry leaders. Mark your calendars for this significant occasion shaping the future of European industry. Further details will follow soon here.

Do you know someone who would be interested in receiving monthly updates on the latest information from the Tourism Transition Pathway Stakeholder Support Platform? Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter and invite them to sign up by subscribing here or by scanning the QR code.