92003E2044

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2044/03

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 June 2003)

Subject: Small and medium-sized enterprises

The exclusion of companies owned by more than 25 % by universities from the definition of SMEs has resulted in such companies being debarred from receiving assistance and grants available to other high-technology start-ups, such as SMART awards, and from participating in LINK and TCS projects.

Can the Commission confirm or indicate any forthcoming amendment to the definition of SMEs so that university companies might qualify for this type of assistance? If so, can the Commission provide any timeframe for this?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(10 July 2003)

The Commission can confirm that it adopted on 6 May 2003 a Recommendation for a modified definition of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises(1). This modification has introduced the possibility for enterprises to be classified as small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) under certain conditions, even if they are for more than 25 % owned by universities or non-profit research centres, thereby facilitating their access to measures favouring SMEs.

The conditions are listed in Article 3 of the annex to the Recommendation. Further details can be found in the following web-site: http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/enterprise_policy/sme_definition/index_en.htm.

(1) OJ L 124, 20.5.2003.