Late payments: Average payment period decreasing, but more progress needed
The European Commission adopted today a Report on the implementation of the Late Payment Directive. The Directive
puts in place strict measures to protect European companies against
late payment in transactions with public authorities and other
businesses. The report shows that, as a result of the Directive, the
average payment period in business-to-business transactions in the EU
has dropped by more than 10 days since 2013. National authorities have
recognised the importance of combating late payment and, where
necessary, have adopted additional measures to ensure compliance with
the Directive. Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska, responsible for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, said: "We
are monitoring the implementation of the Late Payment Directive closely
and have noted a steady decrease in average payment periods within the
EU. But late payment still hurts many companies, in particular SMEs, and
ultimately the EU's competitiveness. Paying within the legal time limit
of 30 days is proving challenging for public authorities. There is
still work to do before a consistent culture of prompt payment becomes a
reality. We encourage all EU countries to strengthen their efforts in
combating late payment." The Report recommends further actions in
particular closer and more consistent monitoring of the evolution of
average payment periods based on a common methodology. More information
on late payments is available on DG GROW website. (For more information: Lucia Caudet – Tel.: +32 229 56182; Maria Sarantopoulou – Tel.: +32 229 13740)
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