Review of Directive on combating late payment in commercial transactions

Question for written answer  E-002084/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Maria Grapini (S&D)

Late payment is a bane for all sectors of the economy, especially SMEs, given the additional costs incurred in chasing up offenders. This emerges clearly from a European Parliament analysis contained in its report on the implementation of Directive 2011/7/EC on combating late payment in commercial transactions and has been further highlighted by the impact of the COVID-19 fallout on SMEs.

The possibility of late payment provides a loophole through which long settlement terms are able to insinuate themselves to the possible detriment of business owners. It is therefore necessary to be constantly on the alert in order to ensure a level playing field between dominant undertakings and small market operators.

A large number of SMEs and start-ups in the Union are going bankrupt every year while awaiting payment from national government bodies among others.

Does the Commission intend, during its current term of office, to review the directive on combating late payment in commercial transactions, given the reticence of SMEs regarding invitations to tender for government contracts, knowing that payments risk being delayed by over 30 days?