Explainers

Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of Europe’s industry and economy. The EU is putting in place policies to support SMEs, given their an essential role in the transition to a sustainable and digital economy.

The EU aims to ensure that only safe products are placed on the European market and that risky products can be removed swiftly.

In an era of growing instability, the EU is acting with determination to strengthen its competitiveness, ensuring prosperity and security for its citizens.

Find out more about the gas storage capacity of EU member states and the filling levels of underground gas reserves in the EU.

The EU's industrial policy aims to strengthen the competitiveness of EU industry and to promote a more sustainable, resilient and digitalised economy that creates jobs.

Find out how the new rules on critical raw materials will enable the EU to diversify its sources of imports and increase extraction, processing and recycling in member states.

Find out which countries supply the most gas to the EU and how much gas the EU imports.

The EU has developed corporate sustainability policies for businesses, with the aim of enhancing protection for the environment and human rights in the EU and beyond.

Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine caused an unprecedented energy crisis in Europe in 2022. EU countries stood united and their response helped keep prices down.

EU member states' defence expenditure sharply increased between 2021 and 2024. The EU has taken a number of initiatives to complement and amplify member states’ individual efforts, and to boost competitiveness.