ABSTRACT
The world of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is very large. The success of SMEs, even in their very large variability of circumstances, substantially depends on some principal characteristics: High flexibility in production; High variability and adaptation capacity of products, processes and supply chains; and Continuous and incremental innovation of products to adapt them to client wishes. SMEs have many barriers towards integrated product policy (IPP), but at the same time IPP can help SMEs to overcome the difficulties they encounter with radical product innovations. The implementation of a governance system for IPP should consider the characteristics of SMEs and the specific barriers they experience. The need for a specific consideration of SMEs is recognised by the European Commission. An IPP system suitable for SMEs should include: Specific rules, regulations, standards and certification procedures, the latter well recognisable by the market; Tailored and pre-elaborated technical tools and solutions.
