SME Connect Forum for Better Regulation:
Improving Legislative Processes

Legislation is crucial for democracy, but new laws must be assessed for necessity, proportionality, and impact. The European Commission's Better Regulation Agenda ensures EU law-making is transparent and evidence-based, with the SME Test and “Think Small First” principle evaluating the effects on small businesses. Despite this, businesses are concerned that regulations are becoming more complex, and SMEs' needs are often overlooked. Impact assessments are only required for proposals with significant effects, leaving smaller ones unexamined, which challenges resource-limited SMEs. To address this, we bring together policymakers and stakeholders to assess and improve legislation processes affecting business competitiveness and growth, especially for SMEs.