[1] The package contains ten "guiding principles intended for adoption "at the highest political level" across the EU.
[3] Its aim was to provide a policy framework covering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which could improve competitiveness and promote entrepreneurship.
Countries including Belgium, Finland, Denmark, and Germany have added this test into their national decision-making processes.
[6] The "Code of Best Practices" published in 2008 aimed to show how EU member states could make SME-friendly use of the provisions of the public procurement directives when awarding contracts.
[7] The "Best Practices" document noted that consultation regarding its contents had shown that changes in the procurement "culture" were more important than legislative changes in promoting better SME access to public sector business opportunities.