Useful Webpage

North West MEP David Sumberg is urging businesses in the region to take advantage of a facility on the European Commission website aimed at helping firms get the most of the EU.

Mr Sumberg said www.europa.eu.int/business is a useful site, particularly for Small to Medium sized firms about to stick a toe into EU waters for the first time but who may lack expertise in specific areas is.

"This website could really help many firms in the North West,' he said. "It includes advice on how to bid for public contracts, where to find funding opportunities and how to go about finding a business partner in the EU.As public procurement represents more than 720 billion euros annually, about 11 per cent of the GDP of the EU, checking on how it works could be the first step towards widening your market share. There are a whole range of funding opportunities for businesses in the EU, but the right one for your business could be difficult to track down because they come under different European Community policies. Dialogue with Business, as the site is called, gives clear and easy access to this information."

Mr Sumberg said European Community funding usually takes the form of grants, loans or guarantees.

"If you need to know the technical standards to which your product must conform, check under "Technical harmonisation" on this website,' he said. "As a result of the new approach to technical harmonisation, the legislation in the EU concentrates on the adoption of essential protection requirements established by EU directives. Products on the market must conform to these standards to ensure a high level of safety and free movement throughout the EU. Each of the new directives covers a large family of products including, for example, machinery, construction products, toys and packaging. "