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Confartigianato Imprese

Confartigianato Imprese is a major Italian organization representing craft businesses and small companies.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Cristina Guarda (Member of the European Parliament)

6 Nov 2025 · Cohesion Policy

Meeting with Benedetta Scuderi (Member of the European Parliament)

4 Nov 2025 · Industrial Policy

Response to Quality Jobs Roadmap

29 Jul 2025

Confartigianato Imprese is the most representative Italian organisation for craft businesses and micro and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and one of the most important social partners in Italy. At national level, it counts 104 local associations, 21 regional federations, 1,206 offices and 10,700 employees, offering various types of services to over 1.5 million artisans and small entrepreneurs and almost 700,000 businesses. In Europe, Confartigianato Imprese is a founding member of SMEunited and SBS (Small Business Standard). Please refer to the attached document.
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Confartigianato Imprese calls for expanded electronic waste recycling list

25 Jul 2025
Topic — EU regulation on products with critical raw materials recovery potential.
Message — The organization requests inclusion of additional electronic components often overlooked in waste disposal. They propose adding semiconductors, transistors, integrated circuits, passive components, transformers, remote controls, and vacuum tube devices to the list.12
Why — This would increase recovery opportunities for critical materials from their members' operations.3
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Meeting with Philippe Lamberts (Principal Adviser Inspire, Debate, Engage and Accelerate Action)

3 Jul 2025 · Issues linked with the pursuit of EU green policies in the perspective of the challenges facing Italian SMEs

Meeting with Vincenzo Matano (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto)

1 Jul 2025 · Short exchange of views on cohesion policy and the role of MSMEs

Response to Digital services for simplifying business operations and reducing administrative costs – the business wallet

11 Jun 2025

Confartigianato Imprese è la più rappresentativa organizzazione italiana dell'artigianato e delle micro e PMI e una delle più importanti parti sociali in Italia. A livello nazionale, conta 104 associazioni locali, 21 federazioni regionali, 1.206 uffici e 10.700 dipendenti, che offrono diversi tipi di servizi a oltre 1,5 milioni di artigiani e piccoli imprenditori e a quasi 700.000 imprese. In Europa, Confartigianato Imprese è membro fondatore di SMEunited e SBS (Small Business Standard) e ha un proprio rappresentante presso il Comitato Economico e Sociale. Si prega di prendere visione del documento allegato.
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Confartigianato Imprese seeks SME-driven EU cloud and AI expansion

3 Jun 2025
Topic — This consultation addresses the EU's gap in cloud and AI infrastructure capacity.
Message — The association requests that small enterprises be recognized as active providers and co-developers in a distributed infrastructure. They also call for financial support via vouchers and direct SME participation in technical governance.123
Why — Federated network participation would allow small firms to monetize their local computing resources.4
Impact — Large tech giants would face challenges to their current dominance of the market.5
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Confartigianato Imprese urges EU to democratize AI for small firms

3 Jun 2025
Topic — The strategy aims to accelerate industrial AI adoption while boosting European productivity.
Message — The association requests clear guidelines and auditing tools accessible to micro-enterprises. They demand access to public cloud infrastructure and financial support for small businesses. Regulation must be proportionate to prevent excessive administrative burdens on smaller operators.123
Why — These measures would help small firms participate in developing and training AI models.4
Impact — Large technology firms would lose their exclusive control over essential AI development resources.5
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Meeting with Salvatore D'Acunto (Head of Unit Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs)

15 May 2025 · EU rules applicable to the assignment of small-scale hydroelectric concessions

Meeting with Pierfrancesco Maran (Member of the European Parliament) and Confederazione Generale dell'Industria Italiana

24 Apr 2025 · Revision of the Package Travel Directive

Response to Implementing regulation of regulation 2023/2411 on geographical indications for craft and industrial products

22 Apr 2025

Confartigianato Imprese è la più rappresentativa organizzazione italiana dell'artigianato e delle micro e PMI e una delle più importanti parti sociali in Italia. A livello nazionale, conta 104 associazioni locali, 21 federazioni regionali, 1.206 uffici e 10.700 dipendenti, che offrono diversi tipi di servizi a oltre 1,5 milioni di artigiani e piccoli imprenditori e a quasi 700.000 imprese. In Europa, Confartigianato Imprese è membro fondatore di SMEunited e SBS (Small Business Standard) e ha un proprio rappresentante presso il Comitato Economico e Sociale. Si prega di prendere visione del documento allegato.
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Meeting with Pierfrancesco Maran (Member of the European Parliament) and A2A and

4 Apr 2025 · Public procurement

Meeting with Isabella Tovaglieri (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur for opinion) and ANIMA CONFINDUSTRIA MECCANICA VARIA

27 Mar 2025 · CBAM Simplification

Meeting with Mario Mantovani (Member of the European Parliament, Committee chair)

20 Mar 2025 · Lazioli Alice

Confartigianato Imprese urges SME-focused reforms in EU procurement rules

6 Mar 2025
Topic — Evaluation of EU directives governing public procurement and concession contracts.
Message — The organization requests dedicated participation reserves and preferential channels for small firms to ensure market balance. They propose mandatory digital platform interoperability and stricter enforcement against late payments. Finally, they advocate for award criteria that prioritize local production and proximity.123
Why — Reserved contract shares and faster payments would boost small business competitiveness.45
Impact — Large non-European firms would face restricted access under proposed preference clauses.67
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Meeting with Mariateresa Vivaldini (Member of the European Parliament) and Italgas

27 Feb 2025 · Meeting conoscitivo

Meeting with Marie-Hélène Pradines (Head of Unit Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs)

5 Feb 2025 · SME Policies

Meeting with Silvia Sardone (Member of the European Parliament, Committee chair) and Mazda Motor Logistics Europe N.V.

29 Jan 2025 · ENVI COMMITTEE

Confartigianato Urges SME-First Focus in New Single Market Strategy

23 Jan 2025
Topic — The consultation aims to develop a strategy for a competitive and integrated EU single market.
Message — The association demands a systematic application of the 'Think Small First' and 'One in, two out' principles to help small businesses. They advocate for public procurement rules that include specific reserves for SMEs and prioritize local 'Km 0' practices. Finally, they stress that policy should support the 'right to stay' of micro-enterprises rather than just focusing on scaling up.123
Why — These measures would significantly lower administrative costs and protect the survival of small local workshops.45
Impact — Companies in 'virtuous' member states would lose the competitive advantage they currently gain from regulatory fragmentation.6
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Meeting with Antonella Sberna (Member of the European Parliament)

15 Jan 2025 · Sostenere l'artigianato e le piccole imprese: strategie di finanziamento per startup artigiane

Meeting with Giusi Princi (Member of the European Parliament)

10 Dec 2024 · Meeting with Confartigianato

Meeting with Dario Tamburrano (Member of the European Parliament) and Cool Heating Coalition

5 Dec 2024 · Priorità per la legislatura

Meeting with Camilla Laureti (Member of the European Parliament)

3 Dec 2024 · priorità per la legislatura

Meeting with Raffaele Stancanelli (Member of the European Parliament)

21 Nov 2024 · Tourism in Sicily

Meeting with Paolo Inselvini (Member of the European Parliament)

5 Nov 2024 · Presentation of the association

Meeting with Isabella Tovaglieri (Member of the European Parliament, Committee chair)

25 Oct 2024 · Politica relativa alle PMI

Meeting with Raffaele Stancanelli (Member of the European Parliament)

17 Jul 2024 · meeting post elezioni

Meeting with Stefano Cavedagna (Member of the European Parliament)

16 Jul 2024 · Introductory meeting

Confartigianato Imprese demands fair data access for independent repairers

24 Jun 2024
Topic — Evaluation of competition rules for the motor vehicle repair and spare parts sectors.
Message — Confartigianato Imprese demands guaranteed free access to manufacturers' technical information to ensure fair competition. They argue that access to vehicle data must be technology-neutral and open to all parties. An independent authority should evaluate cybersecurity risks instead of car manufacturers.123
Why — This would help small repair shops remain competitive by bypassing restrictive manufacturer practices.4
Impact — Vehicle manufacturers would lose their ability to restrict access to essential technical data.5
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Response to Block exemption regulation on the application of Articles 93 and 108 of the Treaty to State aid for the land transport sector

28 Mar 2024

Confartigianato Imprese is the most representative Italian organisation of crafts and micro and SMEs and one of the most important social partners in Italy. At national level, it counts 104 local associations, 21 regional federations, 1,206 offices and 10,700 employees, offering different types of services to over 1.5 million artisans and small business owners and almost 700.000 enterprises. Confartigianato Imprese represents 68,507 companies in the road transport sectors, such as bus operators, taxis and road haulers. Please find attached our input (in Italian).
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Meeting with Nicolas Schmit (Commissioner) and

6 Mar 2024 · Labour and skills shortages, the EU's social targets, the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan

Meeting with Lara Comi (Member of the European Parliament) and Confederazione Generale dell'Industria Italiana and CONFCOMMERCIO - IMPRESE PER L'ITALIA

20 Feb 2024 · Late payment

Meeting with Lara Comi (Member of the European Parliament)

14 Feb 2024 · Late payment

Response to Attractive and sustainable careers in higher education

6 Feb 2024

Confartigianato Imprese is the most representative Italian organisation of crafts and SMEs, and one of the most important social partners in Italy. As Confartigianato Imprese we consider the launching of a work plan on joint European degrees in higher education to be an important initiative to offer more training and job opportunities to young Europeans, broadening their opportunities for career choice and mobility. From the point of view of companies, especially SMEs, this initiative could contribute to meeting the challenges of the labour market, especially related to digital and green transitions, with qualified professionals who meet the required skills. The testing of the level of knowledge of a foreign language, the carrying out of a traineeship period abroad, a preparation oriented towards environmental and social sustainability, the ability to use technologies and digitalisation are common requirements that should be at the basis of the joint European degree. Regarding the educational approach, the competences of young students related to entrepreneurship and innovation should be strengthened in order to create the basis for future European managers and entrepreneurs with a strong sense of belonging to Europe and with an international profile. This initiative should be supported by enhancing and strengthening academic staff, which should be oriented towards supporting transnational cooperation processes between universities and pathways leading to the construction of common European criteria for the awarding of degrees.
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Response to European Quality Assurance and Recognition System

6 Feb 2024

Confartigianato Imprese is the most representative Italian organisation of crafts and SMEs, and one of the most important social partners in Italy. As Confartigianato Imprese we consider the launching of a work plan on joint European degrees in higher education to be an important initiative to offer more training and job opportunities to young Europeans, broadening their opportunities for career choice and mobility. From the point of view of companies, especially SMEs, this initiative could contribute to meeting the challenges of the labour market, especially related to digital and green transitions, with qualified professionals who meet the required skills. The testing of the level of knowledge of a foreign language, the carrying out of a traineeship period abroad, a preparation oriented towards environmental and social sustainability, the ability to use technologies and digitalisation are common requirements that should be at the basis of the joint European degree. Regarding the educational approach, the competences of young students related to entrepreneurship and innovation should be strengthened in order to create the basis for future European managers and entrepreneurs with a strong sense of belonging to Europe and with an international profile. In this context, an appropriate European Quality Assurance and Recognition System is a key element in order to make learning paths and the recognition of acquired skills more transparent, and to link them more easily and quickly to the needs of the labour market.
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Response to Joint European degree

6 Feb 2024

Confartigianato Imprese is the most representative Italian organisation of crafts and SMEs, and one of the most important social partners in Italy. As Confartigianato Imprese we consider the Joint European degree in higher education as an important initiative to offer more training and job opportunities to young Europeans, broadening their opportunities for career choice and mobility. From the point of view of companies, especially SMEs, this initiative could contribute to meeting the challenges of the labour market, especially related to digital and green transitions, with qualified professionals who meet the required skills. The testing of the level of knowledge of a foreign language, the carrying out of a traineeship period abroad, a preparation oriented towards environmental and social sustainability, the ability to use technologies and digitalisation are common requirements that should be at the basis of the joint European degree. Regarding the educational approach, the competences of young students related to entrepreneurship and innovation should be strengthened in order to create the basis for future European managers and entrepreneurs with a strong sense of belonging to Europe and with an international profile. The Commission's communication may support the development of common European criteria for the awarding of degrees both by promoting the method of transnational cooperation between universities and by providing specific funds for this purpose.
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Meeting with Lara Comi (Member of the European Parliament)

6 Dec 2023 · Late payment

Meeting with Nicolas Schmit (Commissioner) and

5 Dec 2023 · Talent Mobility Package

Confartigianato Imprese demands major cuts to SME reporting burdens

28 Nov 2023
Topic — The European Commission seeks to reduce company reporting requirements by 25 percent.
Message — The organization proposes a digital business file to store data centrally and prevent authorities from requesting redundant information. They also suggest simplifying VAT payments and exempting car repairers from strict measuring instrument rules.123
Why — These reforms would lower compliance costs and improve cash flow for small businesses.45
Impact — Tax authorities could lose established mechanisms used to combat financial fraud.6
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Meeting with Isabella Tovaglieri (Member of the European Parliament, Committee chair)

21 Nov 2023 · Combating late payment in commercial transactions

Confartigianato Imprese supports strict 30-day EU payment limit

7 Nov 2023
Topic — A revision of EU rules to combat late payments in commercial transactions.
Message — The group supports a mandatory 30-day deadline without loopholes for large firms. They suggest excluding persistent late payers from public contracts and offsetting tax debts.123
Why — Fixed payment terms would secure cash flow and reduce bankruptcy risks for small businesses.45
Impact — Large companies lose the unfair advantage of using delayed payments as interest-free credit.67
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Italian SME Federation Urges Support for Transition to Circular Vehicle Rules

7 Nov 2023
Topic — EU regulation on vehicle circularity requirements, recycling, and end-of-life vehicle management.
Message — The organization requests timeline harmonization between producers and waste managers, specific training programs for SMEs, clear guidelines for repair shops on updating vehicle circularity passports, and measures to avoid excessive costs and bureaucratic burdens on small businesses.1234
Why — This would give SMEs adequate time to adapt business models and avoid penalties for impossible-to-meet targets.56
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Italian Craft Confederation Seeks SME Protections in Waste Directive

11 Oct 2023
Topic — EU revision of waste management rules for textile and food sectors.
Message — The organization requests simplified procedures and exemptions for micro-enterprises in the new Extended Producer Responsibility system for textiles. They emphasize that trade associations should play a connecting role to help small businesses meet obligations without facing excessive bureaucratic and economic burdens.123
Why — This would reduce compliance costs and bureaucratic complexity for their 1.5 million members.45
Impact — Large retailers could bear disproportionate responsibility for food waste reduction targets.67
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Response to Adjusting size criteria for inflation in the Accounting Directive to define micro, small and medium-sized enterprises

29 Sept 2023

Confartigianato Imprese is the most representative Italian organisation of crafts and micro and SMEs and one of the most important social partners in Italy. At national level, it counts 104 local associations, 21 regional federations, 1,206 offices and 10,700 employees, offering different types of services to over 1.5 million artisans and small business owners as well as almost 700.000 enterprises. Confartigianato Imprese is aware of the effects of inflation on companies' balance sheets and understands the willing to prevent small companies from excessive reporting burdens. The Confederation also welcomes the scope limitation exclusively to the scope of Directive 2013/34/EU (Accounting Directive). However, also considering the European Commission's recent declaration of its intention to update the SME definition in Recommendation 2003/361 (see Communication on the so-called SME Relief Package), Confartigianato Imprese calls for more caution. We know that the current economic situation has changed the market different from the one of twenty years ago, but the need to keep distinctions among quantitatively and qualitatively different enterprises is ever-present. In that regard, mid-caps must be excluded from the category of SMEs and should have a specific definition. Even though this adjustment of the thresholds is limited to the rules on balance sheets, we fear that it can turn out to be the first step in a progressive and excessive broadening of SMEs definition. The risk is to include companies with economic and organisational resources quite different from those for which European legislation reserves specific rules. This inclusion would thus risk diverting certain funds currently dedicated to micro-sized enterprises (over 92%) in favour of larger enterprises. We would like to point out that SMEs definition plays a key role in the EU's secondary legislation, since the enterprises included therein are the recipients of a discipline calibrated to their concrete capacities to cope with the effects of the regulation. There is no preferential treatment, it is rather a proportionate attitude of the legislator. Consequently, the position of Confartigianato Imprese should not be interpreted as the stubborn defence of a privilege, but rather as a warning about the need to keep large enterprises out of the 'proportionately lightened' discipline for SMEs. A clear and unambiguous distinction is vital for micro-sized enterprises, given that this proportionality allows them to close the gap with their larger competitors in the competition game. In brief, opening the rules for (real) SMEs to larger companies would put smaller businesses at a huge competitive disadvantage. Therefore, Confartigianato Imprese demands that the change in SMEs parameters remain limited as of now to the Accounting Directive.
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Response to Revision of EU rules on textile labelling

29 Sept 2023

Confartigianato Imprese welcomes the future revision of the Regulation for the labeling of textile products as it believes it is essential to guarantee consumers correct and complete access to all relevant information regarding the origin and sustainability of textile products. Concerning the specific objectives of the consultation, Confartigianato Imprese believes that to ensure greater levels of regulatory consistency, it is necessary to create a uniform, certain and binding legislative framework for all Member States. It is noted that by increasing the regulatory clarity and uniform application of European rules, it is possible to favor the circulation and sale of only those textile products whose label contains all the information required at the EU level, with positive effects both on the information that consumers have access to and on the competitiveness of textile products sold in the EU market. In this regard, to enhance supply chain production and quality and sustainable textile products, also in line with the objectives of the EU Sustainable Textile Strategy, Confartigianato Imprese believes that the digital passport for textile products can be a valid tool through which to prove the origin, circularity and social sustainability of products. However, such a tool should not further burden businesses with red tape and, for this reason, should only include information with proven added value. A further reflection on the introduction of the Digital Product Passport concerns the exclusion of individual and tailor-made products, typically made by micro and SMEs. These products should be exempted from the traceability requirements of the Digital Product Passport to avoid excessive bureaucracy on products that are only produced once and for which the costs of implementing such a system might outweigh the benefits. To guarantee a transparent attribution of the label 'Made In', Confartigianato Imprese proposes to introduce a system that takes into account the place where the technically significant processing steps for the final production of a garment take place (e.g. tailoring or knitting in the case of knitwear, dyeing treatment, final finishing of the garment). With this in mind, we propose a labeling system in which the label 'Made In' would be obtained if a specific score is reached, determined by the sum of the individual scores attributed to each production phase that takes place in the reference territory. In this system, the steps should have different scores according to the importance of each one within the entire production process. It is also emphasized that to safeguard the entire textile chain, even semi-finished products must be produced in Italy, avoiding the risk of an imported semi-finished product being transformed into a finished garment. In this regard, it is noted that, while it is common for the raw material (e.g. wool, cotton or silk) to be imported, it is instead necessary that the technically significant stages for the production of both semi-finished and finished garments be carried out in Italy. About sustainability claims on textile product labels, Confartigianato Imprese considers it necessary to revise the criteria for awarding the Ecolabel, again associating this label with products for which at least three economically significant processes have taken place by clear sustainability criteria defined at the EU level. In conclusion, Confartigianato Imprese emphasizes that the choice of a specific policy option for the future revision of the Regulation must start from an accurate impact assessment to be carried out on micro and SMEs, which represent the most significant productive force of the sector in Europe.
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Response to Evaluation of Standardisation Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012

28 Sept 2023

Technical standardization makes it possible to push higher the level of quality, even for small companies. Moreover, standardization undoubtedly allows SMEs to deal with demanding customers who pay more attention to the system of guarantees, conformity and safety. The technical standard is therefore a guide to excellence, a reference that can be used to modify production processes and achieve higher levels of quality, following the evolution of specific technology. To achieve these objectives, SMEs express the need for more financial support to ensure their effective participation and a simplification, where possible, of procedures and regulatory language. Therefore, it is necessary that standards have several features: improve the implementation of standards by SMEs, enhancing their competitiveness; strengthen the 'perception' of safety in products by consumers; simplify surveillance activities of the Public Administrations. As Confartigianato Imprese, we underline these points on the evaluation of Regulation 1025/2012 on European standardization, with particular attention to Article 6 "Access to standards by SMEs": following a voluntary path of adherence by the company, without prejudice to what is mandatorily foreseen in cases of verification of product conformity; wide recognition of the value of accredited certification by the market and this is followed by its widespread dissemination; valorization by public administrations as tools for continuous improvement of the business system and acquired as useful tools for simplification in the 'upstream' paths of verification of administrative, fiscal, etc. requirements by public administrations; simplification of the control phases from PAs in charge of control and/or market surveillance, reducing control time and costs for companies; underline the clear need in the market for a new standard; link to real projects, useful to the various production realities, and not to a few entities that are not sufficiently representative of the market to justify a new standard. On the part of the national standardization bodies, more incisive action must be taken to ensure the effective sharing and consensus of all stakeholders; fair composition of the technical standardization committees, since too often in the technical bodies there are participants who are driven by personal interests such as implementing their own training or certification activities, while not representing a relevant general interest; more accessibility to SMEs through a much-needed cost reduction; entrusted of the Public Administrations for the system of surveillance and controls, implemented according to a model rewarding 'Accredited Quality' and entrusted with the control of certifications NOT accredited by the Single Accreditation Body of the Member States
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Meeting with Brando Benifei (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

25 Sept 2023 · AI Act negotiations

Response to Evaluation of EU Directive on electronic invoicing in public procurement & Communication for EP and Council

4 Apr 2023

In Italia il sistema della fatturazione elettronica, che oggi comprende anche i rapporti BtoB e BtoC, è stato avviato proprio con la fatturazione nei confronti della Pubblica Amministrazione. Tale modalità di fatturazione, col il tempo è stata modificata e perfezionata, al punto tale da potersi definire una scommessa vinta, alla quale la CE potrebbe guardare al fine di individuare eventuali best practice per i futuri sviluppi normativi.
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Confartigianato Imprese urges phased introduction of chemical exposure limits

16 Mar 2023
Topic — The European Commission is updating health standards for workers exposed to hazardous chemicals.
Message — The association requests that lead exposure limits be phased in over time. They advocate for practical monitoring and clearer training rules for chemical use.12
Why — A gradual transition reduces immediate compliance costs and technical burdens for small businesses.3
Impact — Workers face prolonged exposure to toxic substances during the proposed extended transition period.
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Meeting with Pina Picierno (Member of the European Parliament)

9 Mar 2023 · EU policy

Confartigianato Imprese Urges Tougher EU Late Payment Rules

3 Feb 2023
Topic — Revision of EU rules to tackle late payments affecting small business liquidity.
Message — The group proposes mandatory deadlines for public bodies and offsetting unpaid claims against tax debts. They also suggest a European platform for reputational feedback on debtors.123
Why — SMEs would avoid financial strain and gain protection from dominant business partners.45
Impact — Large companies and public entities lose the benefit of using delays as free liquidity.6
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Meeting with Alessandra Basso (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and European Builders Confederation and Small Business Standards

15 Nov 2022 · Construction Products Regulation

Meeting with Nicola Danti (Member of the European Parliament)

25 Oct 2022 · Momento di confronto sui temi di maggiore attualità e interesse per le micro e piccole imprese

Meeting with Salvatore De Meo (Member of the European Parliament)

25 Oct 2022 · SMEs challenges after pandemic

Response to Strengthening social dialogue

20 Oct 2022

Confartigianato Imprese è la più rappresentativa organizzazione italiana dell'artigianato e della micro e piccola impresa. Membro fondatore di SMEunited, Confartigianato rappresenta a livello europeo la più vasta rete di servizi ed assistenza alle PMI. Confartigianato Imprese accoglie con favore l’intento della Commissione di incentivare il dialogo sociale e, quindi, di favorire l’autonomia e la rappresentatività delle parti sociali. Il dialogo sociale in Italia è generalmente molto praticato e diffuso, anche se non organizzato da norme precise che vincolano le istituzioni ai diversi livelli di competenza alla sua attuazione. L’esercizio del dialogo sociale, quindi, può esser e praticato a seconda dei casi con un minore o maggiore coinvolgimento delle parti sociali. Per questo, Confartigianato Imprese auspicherebbe la definizione di regole che comportino un pieno e sistematico coinvolgimento delle parti sociali sia nella fase di costruzione delle norme, che nella loro attuazione/implementazione. Pertanto, la futura Raccomandazione sul Dialogo Sociale dovrebbe mettere in evidenza la necessità da parte degli Stati membri di sviluppare un quadro normativo chiaro sul dialogo sociale, per garantire una sistematica consultazione delle parti sociali per una pratica effettiva del dialogo sociale.
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Response to Evaluation of the procedural rules for the implementation of Articles 101 and 102 TFEU

29 Sept 2022

Confartigianato Imprese is the association of crafts and SMEs in Italy, so it has always looked favourably at the existence of clear, strict and uniform EU antitrust rules. Efficient controls on cartels or barriers to enter are essential to the single market’s functioning. Limiting big enterprises’ economic supremacy allows SMEs to take part to market competition. In order to make this vigilance tougher, Confartigianato Imprese recommends that the Commission starts cooperating not only with national antitrust authorities, but also with all the public entities involved in market surveillance (e.g. Italian Chambers of Commerce). Confirming a positive feedback on the overall structure of Reg. no. 1/2003, Confartigianato Imprese suggests the Commission personalizes the antitrust inquiry and the final decision. In fact, when SMEs are found breaching antitrust rules, their dimension should be taken in due account, both for the mental element evaluation and for the fine amount determination. In light of the above, in order to create a virtuous circle, Confartigianato Imprese reckons that a part of the total fines payed by cartels should be destinated to financially support SMEs in building a solid expertise in antitrust law and consumer protection.
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Response to Review of the EU rules on Motor Vehicle Block Exemption

23 Sept 2022

Confartigianato Imprese, il partner sociale più rappresentativo delle micro, piccole e medie imprese in Italia, accoglie positivamente la proposta della Commissione Europea di revisione del Regolamento UE 461/2010, che prevede la proroga di cinque anni del Regolamento di esenzione per la categoria dei veicoli a motore (MVBER) e il contestuale riesame degli orientamenti complementari. Confartigianato Imprese sostiene che tale revisione rappresenti un importante passo in avanti per favorire il superamento delle criticità di accesso alle informazioni tecniche delle case produttrici da parte delle micro, piccole e medie imprese dell’autoriparazione. Alla luce dell’importante ruolo occupato dalle micro, piccole e medie imprese nel settore dell’autoriparazione nell’Unione Europea, Confartigianato auspica che nell’economia del Mercato Unico si possano realizzare le condizioni idonee per una effettiva equiparazione tra operatori autorizzati e autoriparatori indipendenti a tutela della libera e leale concorrenza. In allegato è possibile trovare un contributo formulato in risposta alla consultazione, contenente alcuni punti che Confartigianato Imprese reputa fondamentali. L'Ufficio Studi di Confartigianato ha recentemente elaborato uno studio sui principali trend economici occupazionali del comparto di cui è possibile trasmettere il documento su richiesta.
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Response to Improving the provision of digital skills in education and training

8 Sept 2022

La promozione delle competenze digitali in tutti i livelli di istruzione e formazione è un tema molto sentito dalle PMI e dalle imprese artigiane, che lamentano la mancanza di professionalità e di competenze digitali, comprese quelle di base, sia di giovani che di adulti, ed evidenziano la necessità di una maggiore attenzione ad una formazione pratica- operativa a fronte invece di una offerta formativa generalmente di tipo teorico. Una maggiore diffusione di competenze digitali può, infatti, contribuire a superare o almeno diminuire il mismatch tra la domanda e l’offerta di lavoro, formando figure professionali corrispondenti ai fabbisogni formativi espressi dalle imprese, contrastare la dispersione scolastica e la povertà educativa. Rispetto agli obiettivi definiti nell’ambito dell’iniziativa europea, Confartigianato ritiene necessario operare nelle seguenti direzioni: _rendere accessibile la connettività per gli studenti, attraverso la realizzazione ed il potenziamento dei laboratori, delle infrastrutture e dell'offerta di connettività ad alta velocità nonché la diffusione di soluzioni tecnologiche digitali e contenuti digitali adattati ai bisogni degli studenti; _sostenere lo sviluppo professionale e l’acquisizione di nuove competenze digitali di insegnanti, formatori, dirigenti scolastici e personale ausiliario; _promuovere un maggiore dialogo tra il mondo scolastico/formativo e le imprese/associazioni datoriali al fine di creare una più stretta connessione tra profili in uscita dai percorsi formativi e i fabbisogni del mercato del lavoro. Confartigianato Imprese segue con particolare attenzione il tema della promozione delle competenze digitali a tutti i livelli in quanto considerato strategico per il mondo delle imprese, soprattutto PMI, ed è quindi impegnata a partecipare al dibattito in corso, promuovendo un dialogo proattivo tra scuola e lavoro finalizzato alla creazione di occupazione di qualità ed in linea con i reali fabbisogni delle imprese e della loro competitività.
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Response to Review of the de minimis aid Regulation

22 Jul 2022

Confartigianato Imprese, the most representative trade association for micro and SMEs in Italy, welcomes the European Commission's initiative to involve all stakeholders in the evaluation process on possible changes to the Regulation on "de minimis" State Aid. Concerning the first point of the consultation, Confartigianato argues that the current total amount of "de minimis aid" should be raised, considering the level of inflation during the period since it was originally determined. It is necessary that this change remains valid for a longer period of time, during which inflationary pressures could be significant. Concerning the second point of the consultation, Confartigianato believes that the implementation of a registry, which Italy has had since 2017, is an efficient solution to allow them to control the facilities granted. In addition, Confartigianato would like to see the interoperability of the different registers to allow overall control over all the concessions obtained by companies at the continental level.
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Response to Review of the Construction Products Regulation

12 Jul 2022

Confartigianato Imprese, the most representing social partner for micro and SMEs in Italy, welcomes the publication of the revision proposal of the CPR, which is expected to establish a stable regulatory framework to enable the sector to contribute to the efforts toward green and digital transition. However, it should be ensured that the twin transition aims at simplification, instead of creating additional burdens. A challenge of the regulation lies in the confusing simplification procedures for micro and small enterprises. These procedures need to be comprehensive and pragmatically designed to be broadly implemented. In addition, EU legislation should increasingly become SME-friendly and then adapt to the needs of large companies, and not vice versa, as this could create frequent exceptions targeting micro-enterprises and SMEs. Moreover, a reinforced role of harmonised standards is appreciated by SMEs, as they need up-to-date standards to maintain their competitiveness and growth potential by ensuring that their products comply with EU legislation. Please find attached a joint reply to this consultation by EBC (European Builders Confederation) and SBS (Small Business Standard), to which Confartigianato Imprese actively contributed, as one of the founding members of both associations.
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Meeting with Salvatore De Meo (Member of the European Parliament)

30 Jun 2022 · Energy performance of buildings

Response to Cyber Resilience Act

25 May 2022

Confartigianato Imprese valuta positivamente l’iniziativa della Commissione Europea volta a definire una legge sulla ciberresilienza, al fine di evitare una frammentazione del mercato unico creando un quadro normativo chiaro e ben definito prescrivendo requisiti specifici di cibersicurezza, riguardanti, ad esempio, l'intero ciclo di vita di un prodotto. Infatti, l’attuale quadro normativo dell'UE in materia di prodotti, come la direttiva sulla sicurezza generale dei prodotti e la direttiva macchine, non determinano tali aspetti che proteggono da eventuali cyberattacchi. Sempre più frequentemente le micro e PMI sono bersaglio di tali attacchi che comportano danni non solo all’azienda stessa, ma anche ai fornitori e proprietari dei dati violati, comportando costi e rallentamenti delle attività. L'introduzione di norme comuni sulla cybersicurezza per i produttori e i venditori di prodotti digitali permetterà quindi di portare soluzioni concrete e sempre meno frammentate in risposta ai numerosi attacchi informatici presenti nelle varie catene di approvvigionamento. In maniera generale, Confartigianato ritiene che per tutti i provvedimenti riguardanti il mondo del digitale, un accento importante deve essere posto sui dati e l'accesso ai dati. È infatti necessario garantire che gli utenti finali e gli utenti commerciali beneficino di un accesso effettivo e in tempo reale ai dati che generano quando utilizzano i servizi della piattaforma principale dei gatekeeper. Una portabilità dei dati così efficace e in tempo reale faciliterebbe la crescita e l'innovazione, non solo delle grandi piattaforme online, ma soprattutto delle piccole e medie imprese, che a causa di pratiche sleali sono spesso escluse dalla transizione digitale. L’introduzione di nuove norme sulla ciberrresilienza, al fine di promuovere una maggiore sicurezza informatica dei prodotti, dovrebbero inoltre incoraggiare tutti gli attori della catena del valore a produrre prodotti e processi il più possibile sicuri dal punto di vista informatico fin dalle prime fasi del processo di progettazione. Tuttavia, va anche rilevato che le micro e piccole imprese dovrebbero essere tutelate e protette da adempimenti eccessivi. Per questo, le azioni prescritte dovrebbero essere sempre proporzionate ai rischi reali, per evitare di imporre oneri irragionevoli agli sviluppatori di software non ad alto rischio. Inoltre, la valutazione di conformità da parte di terzi non dovrebbe essere richiesta in ogni caso, ma dovrebbe essere richiesta solo per certi prodotti, poiché ciò comporterebbe un aumento dei costi eccessivo. Va anche rilevato che le micro e PMI in alcuni casi non sono completamente consapevoli dei rischi derivanti dagli attacchi informatici per le aziende o per i loro prodotti, o non conoscono i mezzi con i quali tutelarsi. Inoltre, spesso non dispongono delle competenze specifiche necessarie per esaminare i requisiti di cybersecurity dei prodotti digitali. In tal senso, dovrebbero essere tutelate fornendo loro strumenti per informarsi e proteggersi adeguatamente. Infine, si sottolinea che la CE nella sua proposta dovrebbe chiarire a livello giuridico la responsabilità delle imprese nei confronti dei rischi di cybersecurity durante l'intero ciclo di vita del prodotto o del servizio e attraverso le catene di fornitura, soprattutto in termini di risarcimento.
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Response to VAT in the Digital Age

5 May 2022

L'iniziativa di semplificare i metodi di identificazione delle imprese nei vari Stati membri e ridurre le difficoltà tecniche, giuridiche e amministrative incontrate dalle PMI è accolta con favore. Tali difficoltà sono legate non solo alla necessità di trattare con le amministrazioni fiscali dei singoli Stati membri e alla mancanza di conoscenze linguistiche, ma anche alla complessità delle norme di registrazione alla base dei rispettivi sistemi nazionali. Come primo passo nella direzione della semplificazione, si dovrebbe valutare la possibilità di creare, a livello comunitario, un portale speciale in cui gli operatori che si trovano in difficoltà di identificazione in altri Stati membri possano acquisire, nella propria lingua, tutte le informazioni sulle procedure da seguire con le singole amministrazioni. Si suggerisce inoltre di analizzare la possibilità di standardizzare le modalità di richiesta del suddetto codice identificativo attraverso la predisposizione di un formato europeo identico in tutti gli Stati membri con le stesse regole di compilazione. Ciò semplificherebbe l'adempimento amministrativo con una conseguente riduzione del relativo onere amministrativo. Per quanto riguarda la fatturazione, la complessità dei suoi requisiti è legata alla complessità della legislazione nazionale. Complessità che riflette, soprattutto nelle aliquote agevolate, specifiche scelte di politica fiscale, mentre altre, come quelle relative all'inversione contabile e allo split payment, rappresentano eccezioni al sistema fiscale che aumentano le situazioni creditizie delle imprese e, di conseguenza, portano a situazioni di mancanza di liquidità e maggiori oneri nella gestione amministrativa delle richieste di rimborso. L'utilizzo della fatturazione elettronica ha portato all'automazione e all'integrazione dei processi tra le parti, generando una riduzione dei costi (derivante dall'eliminazione dell'inserimento manuale dei dati) e degli errori commessi durante le registrazioni, consentendo una più rapida riconciliazione dei dati e dei processi autorizzativi con controlli più efficienti sui dati delle fatture. In Italia, se da un lato l'obbligo di fatturazione elettronica ha ridotto, in virtù dei meccanismi automatici di cui sopra, i tempi di gestione e registrazione delle operazioni IVA, dall'altro lascia inalterata la complessità della normativa determinata dall'erogazione di aliquote agevolate (spesso legate alle condizioni soggettive delle parti), regimi speciali, split payment, inversione contabile, ecc. Anche il ricorso alla fatturazione semplificata, se non accompagnato da una maggiore uniformità legislativa in materia di IVA, difficilmente consentirà alle imprese di ridurre i loro oneri amministrativi.
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Response to Protection of workers from risks related to exposure to asbestos at work

18 Mar 2022

CONSIDERAZIONI SULLO STATO ATTUALE L’attività di mappatura ha avuto un discreto esito, anche a seguito della facilità con cui è possibile indagare la presenza di amianto negli edifici (prevalentemente si evidenzia negli elementi di copertura, nei rivestimenti degli impianti tecnologici e nei sistemi di isolamento). Il tema predominante emerso dalla rilevazione è la drammatica carenza di siti di smaltimento sul territorio nazionale, da cui si sviluppano due importanti necessità: - trovare e promuovere metodi alternativi allo smaltimento in discarica dell’amianto; - promuovere e accelerare la realizzazione di impianti di smaltimento e recupero in ambito regionale. Allo stato attuale il problema dei costi di smaltimento e bonifica, obbligatoria unicamente in caso di degrado del materiale, rappresenta il principale ostacolo alle azioni già previste per legge oltre che un pretesto per operare al limite della legalità mettendo a rischio i lavoratori coinvolti. CONSIDERAZIONI SULLE NUOVE PROPOSTE La strategia proposta dall’UE secondo la proposta legislativa per il controllo obbligatorio degli edifici prima della vendita o della locazione e per la creazione di certificati in materia di amianto per gli edifici costruiti prima del 2005 è condivisibile per i seguenti motivi, oltre che per il principio cardine della massima tutela delle persone esposte a rischio: - rilevazione della presenza di amianto facilmente attuabile dagli operatori del settore a costi relativamente contenuti; - opportunità di intervento per le MPI già dalla fase di diagnosi con conseguente rimozione e bonifica. Il tutto consegue l’accezione positiva prospettata sia per la committenza che per la realtà imprenditoriale unicamente alle seguenti condizioni: - semplificazione e snellimento delle pratiche di smaltimento; - sostegno effettivo ai costi di rilevazione ed eventuale bonifica dell’amianto. Non è sufficiente affidarsi a misure incentivanti solo su base residenziale oppure a bandi periodici di difficile accesso. La misura, assolutamente necessaria per garantire la salute e sicurezza, deve essere supportata da un programma agevolativo che metta i soggetti nelle condizioni di poter disporre di liquidità per promuovere la rimozione dell’amianto e rendere i processi attuabili a livello territoriale dagli operatori del settore. Per quanto concerne invece la diagnosi riguardo all’esposizione dei lavoratori alle fibre in fase operativa, quindi nell’ambito del cantiere, la principale criticità è rappresentata dal fattore economico a carico delle imprese: bene all’abbassamento della soglia di esposizione a 1.000 fibre/mc, secondo lo standard già in atto in altri Paesi dell’UE, ma è necessario prevedere un programma di abbattimento degli oneri economici per la formazione degli addetti e per la fornitura delle attrezzature necessarie al trattamento di questo materiale.
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Response to Fight against counterfeiting

3 Mar 2022

Per Confartigianato Imprese la tutela della qualità manifatturiera e la lotta alla contraffazione sono impegni prioritari. Il mercato del falso rappresenta, infatti, una seria minaccia per le micro, piccole e medie imprese europee. Secondo lo studio condotto dall’EUIPO, infatti, nel 2019 le importazioni di prodotti contraffatti e usurpativi nell’UE sono ammontate a ben 119 miliardi di EUR (134 miliardi di USD), pari al 5,8 % delle importazioni dell’UE. Il commercio di prodotti contraffatti è una minaccia intersettoriale in quanto danneggia l’economia legale nei diversi settori merceologici, incidendo negativamente su interessi pubblici e privati. Il fenomeno interessa oggi tutte le categorie merceologiche europee e, allo stesso tempo, comporta un disincentivo all’innovazione, con conseguenze sia per il consumatore, che riceve prodotti di bassa qualità o pericolosi per la salute, sia per le imprese, per le quali il nocumento connesso alle mancate vendite si estende alla riduzione del fatturato, alla perdita di immagine e di credibilità, ai costi sostenuti per la tutela dei diritti di privativa industriale. Pertanto, Confartigianato Imprese accoglie favorevolmente l'istituzione di un pacchetto di strumenti da adottarsi a livello UE per contrastare la contraffazione. Il fenomeno contraffattivo è assai articolato (tanto che esso non sempre è associato ad una condotta penalmente rilevante) ed avviene con mezzi di ogni genere, in particolare con l’utilizzo del web, nel quale si inserisce primariamente il commercio elettronico. Esso costituisce un canale di distribuzione commerciale ed un’opportunità di crescita per le imprese a costi molto contenuti, ma allo stesso tempo è un’occasione per il commercio illegale, che ne sfrutta le sue caratteristiche: si pensi, solo per citare un esempio, alla pirateria digitale. Sulla base delle considerazioni svolte, riteniamo che gli strumenti da adottarsi debbano essere articolati su due livelli: uno generale (vedi allegato (sub II.A)), per offrire mezzi capaci di contrastare il fenomeno nel suo complesso; l’altro specifico (vedi allegato (sub II.B)), cioè calato nelle peculiarità dei singoli settori delle attività produttive, del commercio e della distribuzione.
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Response to Review of the CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles

9 Feb 2022

While agreeing with the main objective of this initiative, it is appropriate to underline some aspects of the proposal that could cause negative externalities to the system of micro and small enterprises operating in this sector. Firstly, to achieve the objectives, set by the initiative, and by European climate law, it will be crucial to provide direct incentives to companies operating in the sectors concerned. It is unthinkable to expect a company to modify and renew its vehicles by purchasing fewer polluting ones, without providing incentives for the purchase of such vehicles. At the same time, the European institutions must be aware that renewing an entire stable requires time, money and, in some cases, it may also be necessary to invest in staff training. Therefore, it is hoped that the objectives that will be included in the future regulation will consider the time factor that necessarily makes it impossible to completely change one's fleet in a few years. Another element that could limit the ecological transition is of a structural nature. Now, there are not enough stocks of alternative fuels to meet the demands of a large-scale and immediate transition. In addition, the number of alternative fuel stations in many Member States is not sufficient to allow long distances to be covered in complete autonomy. This problem becomes even greater if a switch to electric fuels is considered. In this context, it is believed that among the elements that could lead to a reduction in emissions would be a revision of driving time regulations. Increasing the flexibility of the driving time rules would allow operators to organize their working day in a more efficient and functional way, not only to their own needs, but also to the objectives set by this initiative. In fact, an employer who is subject to fewer restrictions and is free to organize himself within a given time slot could anticipate or postpone the times when there is the most intense traffic, avoiding stopping in the same place for longer and reducing emissions.
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Response to Evaluation and revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive

9 Feb 2022

Confartigianato Imprese believes that, as concerns weights and dimensions of heavy vehicles, it is extremely important to improve the standardization and harmonization of the rules in each EU Member State to further strengthen the whole transport apparatus. We are aware that reducing market fragmentation caused using oversized and overloaded vehicles is an objective to be achieved in the short term. We therefore welcome the European Commission's initiative which, in addition to standardizing the above-mentioned rules, aims both to exploit the full potential of the single market and to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport. In this sense, we agree with the Commission's idea of aligning vehicle weights to an overload of 44 tones, which in fact corresponds to the load already authorized in Italy for all five-axle vehicles, even though in various European countries the maximum limit for transport not considered exceptional is set at 40 tones. On the other hand, regarding the proposal concerning the alignment of the maximum permitted dimensions, it should be noted that it would be favorable to introduce the possibility of having a longer semi-trailer, rather than favoring the coupling of trailer and semi-trailer, increasing their lengths. In fact, the introduction of an extended semi-trailer allows the load volume to be increased without making changes to the wheelbase and can be applied to any location, regardless of its morphological and road configuration. For example, it is increasingly common to introduce roundabouts which, in effect, restrict the access of excessively long vehicles. Finally, it is stated that there is a need to set out on a path leading to an ever-increasing ecological transition, provided that targeted economic incentives are provided to support companies to achieve it, as well as the need to strengthen the infrastructure currently in place to allow enterprises to renew their vehicle fleets without this transition negatively affected their competitiveness.
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Response to EU standards for safe and secure parkings

9 Feb 2022

Confartigianato Imprese accoglie con favore l’iniziativa della Commissione europea diretta a rendere le aree di parcheggio presenti nell’UE più sicure e adatte alla funzione che tali aree devono svolgere. In particolare, la bozza di atto delegato che integra il Reg. n. 561/2006 del Parlamento europeo e del Consiglio contiene elementi importanti per garantire agli operatori condizioni ideali per svolgere il proprio lavoro, tutelando così la principale risorsa del trasporto stradale. Si ritiene in primo luogo indispensabile aumentare gli standard di sicurezza a cui ogni area di sosta deve attenersi. Non è infatti accettabile che gli operatori debbano preoccuparsi per l’incolumità propria e del carico che trasportano nel momento in cui effettuano una sosta, in quanto assicurare che ci siano condizioni per poter riposare correttamente è fondamentale per ridurre il rischio degli incidenti dovuti alla fatica ed allo stress. Confartigianato Imprese condivide l’urgenza di fornire trasparenza e certezza agli operatori che transitano presso le suddette aree, anche grazie a controlli effettuati da organismi indipendenti. Infine, si evidenzia come sia necessario che tutte le aree di servizio garantiscano servizi igienici, possibilità d’acquisto e consumo di cibo e bevande, e punti di contatto per le emergenze.
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Response to Social and labour aspects of the climate transition

15 Nov 2021

As Confartigianato Imprese (the most important Italian Organisation representing micro and SMEs), we support the ecological transition that should be accompanied by active labour policies such as:  the implementation of specific initial training and reskilling paths;  the updating of the educational programs of the entire system of education and vocational training, to ensure that emerging sectors and the resulting needs for new skills, especially digital and green, are aligned with the real needs of businesses, with particular attention to small and medium-sized ones;  the access to quality and inclusive education and training, such as skills development programs for evolving sectors, a stricter relationship between education system and labour market (e.i. work-related learning experience, apprenticeship) and lifelong learning;  the activation of income support measures that accompany workers in transitioning sectors towards outplacement;  the active participation of economic actors and social partners for a transition that accompanies the change in a way that balances the different dimensions (economic, environmental, and social) that affect ecological transition. A condition for the success of the ecological transition is to have the human capital capable of dealing with the emergence of new and different situations from those hypothesized, capable of adapting the transition process to the new conditions, without changing its goals and strategic objectives. Please find attached our PP for more details.
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Response to Food waste reduction targets

25 Oct 2021

Confartigianato Imprese believes that a reduction in food waste and surpluses is of primary importance both for reasons related to the improvement of environmental sustainability and for what concerns the reduction of production costs faced by companies, those of micro, small and medium size. However, to facilitate the possibility of introducing practices in micro and SMEs aimed at preventing waste and measuring the levels of food waste, it will be necessary that, together with incentive measures at the fiscal level, information campaigns on the correct management of surpluses be developed by the European and national institutions. In addition, it will be crucial to raise consumer awareness of the importance of food and how to reduce food waste, as most of the food waste produced within the European Union is domestically sourced. Therefore, we believe that the EC should invest, together with trade associations at national level, more resources regarding the information campaign to make the consumer more aware and participate in its importance within the process of reducing waste. In this sense, Confartigianato Imprese shares, recognizing its importance for the reduction of food waste, the proposal, presented by the EC within the Farm to Fork strategy, to review the rules on the indication of product deadlines to promote a better understanding of the same by consumers. Through a correct explanation of the term "preferably to be consumed by", which corresponds to the minimum shelf life, consumers will be provided with the necessary knowledge to reduce their food waste as this date does not indicate the limit after which the product is no longer safe but rather, the date after which the product, while yielding from the point of view of organoleptic quality, it still maintains the safety characteristics and therefore can still be consumed. (Please find the annex)
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Response to Sustainable food system – setting up an EU framework

22 Oct 2021

As Confartigianato Imprese (the most important Italian organisation representing crafts and SMEs), regarding the proposal for a regulation on improving the legislative framework on European food sustainability, we report in the file attached some considerations relating to the impact that this initiative will have on micro, small and medium-sized enterprises operating within the food sector. Please find the annex.
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Meeting with Salvatore De Meo (Member of the European Parliament)

27 Sept 2021 · Various

Response to Revision of Combined Transport Directive

16 Sept 2021

Confartigianato Imprese rappresenta in Italia la più grande associazione di rappresentanza delle micro e piccole imprese e dell’artigianato (circa 700.000 micro e PMI). Al proprio interno Confartigianato Imprese rappresenta attraverso l’associazione nazionale di categoria dell'autotrasporto e della logistica “Confartigianato Trasporti” rappresenta circa 20.000 imprese che operano nel trasporto su strada. In tal senso chiediamo nel quadro della Revisione della direttiva sui trasporti combinati che: · Vi sia la piena applicazione (per i tragitti stradali) della normativa sul cabotaggio come da ultimo approvata col Pacchetto Mobilità I, senza la benché minima deroga o eccezione. Punto essenziale per evitare che vi siano elusioni delle nuove regole sul cabotaggio da parte degli operatori attraverso la multimodalità. · Si mantengano le stesse norme sul distacco transnazionale degli autisti, cosi come previste nel Pacchetto Mobilità I. · Gli incentivi o gli aiuti che verranno riconosciuti anche in caso di trasporto combinato in territori extra-EU, siano riservati ai soli operatori UE in quanto un’operazione di trasporto su strada situato al di fuori dell'Unione non deve essere considerato parte di un tragitto su strada nell’ambito del trasporto combinato. · Venga confermata nell'ambito della soglia massima autorizzata dal tratto stradale per le operazioni coperte dal trasporto combinato con una quota di flessibilità che permetta di superare o ridurre tale soglia massima in base alla presenza terminal adeguati per il completamento delle operazioni. · Venga garantito un supporto e degli incentivi affinché si dotino le imprese delle ultime tecnologie digitali che consentano di attestare con facilità ogni operazione (e relativi incentivi finanziari da UE). In tal senso è necessario prevedere una certa soglia minima di controlli da parte degli Stati membri sui meccanismi di scambio di informazione, anche attraverso delle banche dati. · Gli Stati membri adottino misure per sostenere gli investimenti nei terminal di trasporto e nei punti di trasbordo. · Venga confermata la esenzione dalla notifica degli aiuti di Stato alla CE entro una certa soglia del costo totale dell’investimento. · Si mantenga una separazione legislativa fra il trasporto in conto terzi e quello in conto proprio.
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Response to Revision of Food Information to Consumers for what concerns labelling rules on alcoholic beverages

19 Jul 2021

Confartigianato Imprese represents more than 700,000 Italian micros, small and medium-sized enterprises. Thousands of them are actively involved in the food sector and, more specifically, in the production, bottling, and labelling of alcoholic and spirit drinks. Micro and small enterprises have always been committed to providing consumers with clear information on products and their quality, not only as a result of strict regulations within the EU but also concerning their production and labelling. Confartigianato Imprese, share the intentions of the European Commission to contribute to the protection of human health by calling for a non-excessive use of alcohol, but believes that the general demonization of alcoholic beverages is unfair, since any alcoholic beverage if consumed in moderation and as part of a balanced diet, does not cause serious damage to the body. Moreover, it is completely inappropriate to compare the excessive consumption of super-alcoholic drinks typical of the Nordic countries with the moderate and conscious consumption of quality, lower-alcohol products such as beer and wine, which is even 'recommended' by the medical-scientific world. Alcoholic and spirituous products are part of Italian and European culture and tradition and, as such, must be protected and promoted, especially in a period like the one we are going through, marked by a timid economic recovery after the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this sense, as Confartigianato, we believe it is necessary to maintain the current status quo of the legislation. The current exemption in the FIC regulation stipulates that alcoholic beverage above 1.2% alcohol by volume do not have to bear the list of ingredients and the nutrition declaration, and it is left to the discretion whether or not to place nutrition claims on a product label. Among other things, the compulsory indication of the alcohol content of beverages is also an aid to the consumer in establishing the appropriate quantities of the product that can be consumed without endangering health. It is considered that the introduction of a mandatory nutrition labelling system brings with it several critical issues, including: • Increased costs, especially for micro, small and medium enterprises. • Difficulties due to the use of different percentages of raw materials depending on availability. MSMEs may have to use different raw materials for the production of foodstuff. Therefore, making nutrition labelling compulsory would put MSMEs in serious difficulties. • Specificity of the product. Many alcoholic beverages place their uniqueness in the combination of ingredients, as well as in the techniques used to produce them. The introduction of an obligation to put their ingredients on the label could undermine firstly the exclusivity of the product, facilitating its counterfeiting, and secondly the prosperity of the company. Furthermore, Confartigianato believes that it would be possible to include, again voluntarily, the energy value of a portion of the drink, either using a box on the back of the bottle or through a QR code, as proposed by the approved provisional text of the CAP and awaiting examination by the European Parliament. Finally, we reiterate that it is necessary for the public administration, at the national and European level, to develop a food guidance and education program for consumers to make them more aware and correctly informed on how to take advantage of the nutritional value of different foods.
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Response to Driving and rest times for bus and coach drivers

17 Feb 2021

The passenger transport sector is going through a period of very heavy crisis and difficulty as a result of the pandemic and of national measures which have blocked the mobility of people and tourist flows, thus completely eliminating demand. Driving times and rest periods in the private bus and passenger transport sector are regulated by EU Regulation 561/2006, which also regulates the subject matter in freight transport. However, the two sectors differ substantially, mainly due to the peculiarity of passenger transport, which requires greater flexibility in the organization of work. We therefore welcome the initiative of the European Commission and, in order to meet the organizational needs of businesses in the sector, we call for changes to Reg. UE 561/2006, introducing elements of greater flexibility in the organization of work in the bus transport sector which, as already said, has substantial differences with respect to freight transport.
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Response to Setting of nutrient profiles

27 Jan 2021

Confartigianato shares the objectives of the “Farm to Fork” strategy developed by the European Commission, which provides for the transition to more sustainable food systems. Confartigianato remarks that in this step MPMI should be helped to adapt gradually, by reducing the economic, organizational and documentary burdens for them and by accompanying specific interventions such as financial instruments, infrastructure, skilled labour, networks for local markets. Regarding the Commission's expressed intention to revise Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers (EU FIC Regulation), Confartigianato believes that the Front-of-pack nutrition labelling system (FOP) should remain voluntary but harmonised across all EU countries, in order to be comparable between European products by opting for the "Nutrinform Battery" system, that provides clear and concise information on the presence of certain nutrients in food and so that the consumer can make a functional choice within a varied and balanced diet. Confartigianato expresses concern about the creation of nutrient profiles at EU level. In fact, certain nutrients in foods would be classified in a “Manichean” way – “good” or “bad” – solely in relation to their presence, without considering the overall nutritional value of food or the overall nutrient intake of the daily diet, incorrectly leading consumers to eliminate specific categories of foods. Rather, a food guidance and education programmes should be developed by the public sector to make the consumers more aware and properly informed about how to take advantage of the nutritional value of different foods. On the intention to make the origin or provenance indication mandatory for products others to those already labelled in this sense, Confartigianato points out that there could be inequalities between the products of the standardized industry (whose origin is easily identified) and those of crafts and MPMI, for which, depending on the various areas of supply of ingredients, the indications of origin for each batch production should be reviewed relating to the country. It is therefore necessary to maintain the voluntarism of the indication with an option for 'EU' or 'Non-EU' or 'EU and Non-EU'. In order to greatly reduce food waste, Confartigianato agrees with the option of revising the rules on the product deadlines indication, in order to promote a better understanding of them by consumers and their different behaviour. Specifically, it is necessary to provide a correct interpretation of the phrase “best before”, which corresponds to the minimum durability date, which should be understood not as the deadline for consumption but as the date after which the product, while yielding from the point of view of sensory qualities, still maintains the safety characteristics and therefore can still be consumed.
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Response to Revision of EU rules on food contact materials

27 Jan 2021

On the part of the producers of ceramic products intended for contact with food, the current level of management and control of health and safety information is considered more than adequate, as it is guaranteed - compared to the past - greater and better transparency between the producer and the final consumer. Confartigianato Imprese positively evaluates the possibility of better access to information on raw materials and production phases for the final consumer, provided that, depending on the level of the supply chain, there is an adequate, but commensurate transmission of information at a technical level.” Provide for a system of high traceability of the production and supply cycle, through a guarantee mark and a community register, to ensure that the company that intervenes or uses the FCM (whether it is part of the production process or end user of the same, for example food businesses), do not incur administrative sanctions if one or more declarations of conformity by suppliers do not meet the requirements of the Regulation.
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Response to EU strategy for sustainable textiles

27 Jan 2021

As Confartigianato Imprese the regeneration of textile waste suitable for the production of new fabrics could mean lower environmental impact and a strong interest of international markets for their use in the field of fashion and furniture. Confartigianato Imprese encourages and supports a more sustainable textile production in order to reduce the environmental impact of the production chain, therefore it deems it desirable to issue an End of Waste Criteria for these waste streams.
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Response to Geographical indication protection at EU level for non-agricultural products

15 Jan 2021

Le produzioni che maggiormente incarnano le tradizionali produzioni artigianali, più di ogni altra cosa sono frutto di saperi e della storia indissolubilmente legati ai territori di produzione. Le loro caratteristiche produttive ed estetiche non possono quindi prescindere dal luogo ove sono state prodotte e risentono fortemente delle peculiarità di quei territori. Non si può negare che le imprese che coraggiosamente hanno deciso di mantenere la produzione in Europa possono offrire al loro prodotto un plusvalore dato dal legame con il territorio. Tutto ciò che possa andare nella direzione di valorizzare ciò che è il comparto produttivo, formato a livello europeo nella grande maggioranza da micro e PMI (circa il 92%), è fondamentale. Confartigianato Imprese è estremamente favorevole all’estensione della protezione delle indicazioni geografiche ai prodotti non agricoli, perché questa misura va a colmare una carenza che ci penalizza alcuni Paesi rispetto ad altri. Trattandosi di un sistema su base volontaria è da ritenersi utile per le imprese l’immediata introduzione delle IG. Questo non arrecherebbe infatti, un danno per le imprese artigiane che non sono pronte o non hanno un immediato interesse a richiedere una IG, mentre occorre dare immediatamente la possibilità di ricorrere a questo strumento alle imprese che potrebbero avvalersene subito. In tal senso Confartigianato Imprese auspica l’istituzione di un sistema unico a livello europeo, per evitare l’eccessivo allungamento dei tempi richiesto da un’armonizzazione. Sono proprio le MPMI artigiane ad essere depositarie di quel “saper fare” che nasce dalla tradizione e dalle caratteristiche peculiari dei territori. Le loro produzioni con l’istituzione di IG per l’artigianato avrebbero un immediato elemento competitivo dato dalla riconoscibilità del luogo di produzione del prodotto per il consumatore straniero, rafforzando anche tutto ciò che riguarda il comparto del turismo di prossimità. Confartigianato Imprese è favorevole sia all’uso di una denominazione geografica, che al solo nome del prodotto, qualora questo sia inequivocabilmente associato al luogo di origine, come già avviene per i prodotti agricoli. L’ambito di applicazione della protezione delle IG non agricole dovrebbe seguire un approccio settoriale che fissi regole specifiche per le diverse categorie di prodotti.
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Response to Commission Implementing Decision on standard contractual clauses between controllers and processors located in the EU

4 Dec 2020

As Confartigianato Imprese, we welcome the identification of standard contractual clauses included in the proposal of EC Decision. These clauses are needed because they contribute to define the right relationship between the controller and the processor. This kind of relationship, especially when the contractual power is unequal between parties, can be strongly disadvantageous for the weaker part. As a matter of fact, the bigger enterprise in some cases imposes to the smaller enterprise unfavourable contracts, pressing it with responsibilities and charges not foreseen by GDPR. For example, some of the more frequent requests are compulsory insurance policies for liability deriving from damage caused in the processing of personal data or the release from liability of the controller. In other cases, the stronger party proposes excessively long and unclear contracts that makes impossible for the smaller processor to understand its obligations towards the controller. In order to improve this situation, as Confartigianato Imprese, we invite to include two clauses regarding the relationship between controller and processor, when the latter is a micro or a small enterprise: - Not to allow to have clauses about compulsory insurance policies or about the controller's disclaimer of liability; - To ensure that contracts are clear and simple and to include the forecast of such assessment by the Guarantor Authorities during the control and sanctioning phase.
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Confartigianato Imprese Urges Mandatory Tracking for Pre-filled Gas Equipment

7 Sept 2020
Topic — Reviewing EU rules on fluorinated greenhouse gases to align with climate goals.
Message — The organization recommends excluding combustible gases for safety and mandating traceability for pre-filled equipment. They want manufacturers and importers to be responsible for entering data into electronic registers.123
Why — Mandatory tracking by producers would lower costs and administrative workloads for small installation companies.4
Impact — Equipment manufacturers and importers would face new requirements to track units and enter data.56
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Response to Gender equality in the EU

13 Feb 2020

Confartigianato Imprese strongly supports with Donne Impresa, the women entrepreneurs’ movement, the introduction of a European definition of “female enterprise”, allowing a better focus on the value of the female enterprises for the women’s work in the EU. The EU should also strengthen its attention towards the autonomous work carried out by women entrepreneurs. Female entrepreneurship is crucial for socio-economic empowerment. Yet, female entrepreneurship is still undermined by structural and operational barriers. While women constitute 52% of the total European population, only 34.4% of the EU self-employed and 30% of start-up entrepreneurs are women. Moreover, female creativity and entrepreneurial potential are an under-exploited source of economic growth that should be further developed. Last but not least, often women are motivated to start their own business in order to achieve a flexible work life-balance. Confartigianato strongly advocates for the reduction of the gender imbalance, especially with regards to financial inclusion, which is one of the chief instruments to narrow the gender gap in the economic system. Likewise, banking institutions should assess whether a gender discrimination occurs in terms of access to credit, as long as the Strategic Planning of the Gender Equality 2020-2024 evidenced that gender equality can be measured also in terms of access to credit. A better financial inclusion of women entrepreneurs can be achieved by policy measures carried out at international and national level and at the level of best practices promoted by banking institutions. Also, a differentiation of the disaggregated data owned by banks should take place on the basis of gender, according to a common definition of female enterprise. The gap between men entrepreneurs and women entrepreneurs could be filled by increasing the resources destined to female enterprises, which can be achieved by means of a stronger promotion and support of the policies designed for women entrepreneurs. At the same time, women entrepreneurs should be recognised their active involvement in caretaking at family level, considering that often the most important workout of women entrepreneurs is underestimated because it is put in second place. Female entrepreneurs face work-life balance dynamics that are often perceived as a burden (combining family obligations, maternity, etc with the demanding business life). For instance, in the dynamics of access to finance, female entrepreneurs are highly penalised. Last but not least, the EU should address a fairer evaluation of the impact of violence on women, which should target both women entrepreneurs and women employees. The gender imbalances should also be tackled with regard to Artificial Intelligence, which should be granted an ethical deployment in order to ensure that the gender gap is not widened. The gender equality in AI further develops more importance if we assume that machine intelligence learns primarily from observing data that it is presented with. While a machine's ability to process large volumes of data may address this in part, if that data is laden with stereotypical concepts of gender, the resulting application of the technology will perpetuate this bias. It is thus necessary to pose ourselves ethical questions and that we ensure a fair legislation in AI, so to make this instrument the best way to ameliorate the life of women entrepreneurs, as addressed by the work programme of Ursula von der Leyen, President of EC.
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