Recital 1

(1)This Directive takes into account the Commission's better regulation programme, and, in particular, the Commission Communication entitled ‘Smart Regulation in the European Union’, which aims at designing and delivering regulation of the highest quality whilst respecting the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality and ensuring that the administrative burdens are proportionate to the benefits they bring. The Commission Communication entitled ‘Think Small First – Small Business Act for Europe’, adopted in June 2008 and revised in February 2011, recognises the central role played by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Union economy and aims to improve the overall approach to entrepreneurship and to anchor the ‘think small first’ principle in policy-making from regulation to public service. The European Council of 24 and 25 March 2011 welcomed the Commission's intention to present the ‘Single Market Act’ with measures creating growth and jobs, bringing tangible results to citizens and businesses.