Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) need more effective, better structured support to transition to sustainable business practices

In an own-initiative opinion, the EESC focuses on the concept of modern business responsibility, the role of MSMEs in promoting its principles and the need for lawmakers to create an enabling environment for MSMEs to fully embrace those principles.

The EESC defines modern business responsibility as a proactive, voluntary approach encompassing economic, social, and environmental sustainability, surpassing legal obligations. The opinion highlights challenges that MSMEs face in their efforts to adopt these practices. To address this, the EESC recommends establishing MSME alliances, fostering skills and competences crucial for this transition. Collaboration between employers' organisations, trade unions, professional chambers, associations and civil society is essential to collectively tackle these challenges.

Emphasising a broad and pragmatic approach, the EESC recognises the diverse nature of MSMEs and rejects a one-size-fits-all solution. Rapporteurs Ferre Wyckmans and Milena Angelova stress the need for proactive thinking, requiring support from social partners and policymakers.

The EESC advocates for a supportive policy framework that avoids complexity, ensuring that resources concentrate on grassroots-level business responsibility. The opinion recommends developing practical tools such as checklists, templates and calculators, and alternative-scenario analyses that MSMEs can use to develop their operations in line with modern business responsibility, and to report on their commitments and achievements.

Rapporteur Rudolf Kolbe insists on integrating responsibility into all business processes, extending the concept to self-employed workers, and emphasises continuous professional development.

The committee makes it clear that the concept of business responsibility also evolves with time, ensuring the proactive and forward-looking management of long-term digital, green and demographic developments while strengthening resilience during crises. (dm)