The conference organized by the European Commission and Cooperatives Europe in Brussels on 23 of April will be used by Vice President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship as an opportunity to consult stakeholders on whether and how to simplify the regulation on the European Cooperative Society.

The European Commission and Cooperatives Europe in Brussels organise a conference aimed to highlight the social and economic importance of cooperatives. This conference will be the opportunity for Vice President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship to consult stakeholders on whether and how to simplify the regulation on the European Cooperative Society (SCE from its Latin name ‘Societas Cooperativa Europaea’).

The Commission will consult stakeholders on the need and the ways to proceed to simplification of the EU regulation concerning cooperatives. The importance of cooperatives is recognised by the Commission in its strategic documents Single Market Act -published in 2011, and Social Business Initiative. The last one envisages that depending on the results of the consultation with the parties concerned, the Commission will present a proposal for simplification of the SCE Regulation.

The conference is organised in the framework of the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives 2012. This year is intended to encourage governments and relevant stakeholders to establish policies and legislation conducive to co-operative growth. It highlights the strengths of the cooperative business model as an alternative way of doing business and sustainable socioeconomic development.