— SPECIALIZED CONSULTING FIRM · PARIS · EUROPE
SME compliance: structure today what growth will make mandatory
Eterra Partners, an SME compliance firm, supports SMEs in France and Belgium across three key areas: compliance, governance, and ethics.
Let’s talk about your situation
SMEs in a high-stakes regulatory grey area
Between small businesses and large corporations, SMEs occupy a unique position. Compliance, meaning adherence to applicable rules, only partially applies to them. Some requirements already apply to them, while others become relevant as they grow.
Actual requirements from 50 employees onwards (whistleblowing system)
From 50 employees onwards, one specific requirement applies: the whistleblowing system.. Derived from the Sapin 2 law and strengthened by the Waserman law in 2022, it protects whistleblowers. You must provide a secure and confidential channel for reporting misconduct.
The Sapin 2 thresholds that your growth is bringing you closer to
The Sapin 2 law requires a comprehensive anti-corruption program above two thresholds. You must have 500 employees and €100 million in revenue to be subject to it. The French Anti-Corruption Agency, or AFA, oversees its implementation. A fast-growing SME can sometimes approach these thresholds faster than it thinks.
The ESG pressure from your clients and financiers
Your major clients, banks and investors are increasingly asking you about your practices. These questions concern ESG criteria: environmental, social and governance. Providing clear answers is becoming a condition for accessing markets and financing.
The key compliance projects for an SME
The good news: a few well-executed projects already cover the essentials. Our compliance consulting firm prioritizes them according to your actual exposure.
Anti-corruption program: mapping risks and formalizing rules
The core of an anti-corruption program rests on two tools. First, risk mapping, which identifies where your business is exposed to corruption. Then the code of conduct, a clear document that sets out your internal rules.
Governance and internal control
This involves defining who makes decisions, who controls and who is accountable. Well-designed internal control detects discrepancies before they become incidents. This rigor in corporate governance also strengthens the confidence of your financiers.
Third-party assessment (clients, suppliers, subcontractors)
You do not only control your company, but also those you work with. Third-party assessment checks the integrity of your clients, suppliers and subcontractors. This due diligence protects you from significant legal and reputational risk.
Non-financial reporting: the voluntary VSME standard
Non-financial reporting measures your environmental and social impact. Large companies are subject to it through the European CSRD directive. SMEs, on the other hand, have a voluntary and simplified framework: the VSME standard. Developed at European level, it provides a single framework for responding to ESG requests. Rather than completing ten different questionnaires, you produce a standardized and credible response.
Do you want to turn your future obligations into an advantage?
Our senior consultants, based in Paris and active in both France and Belgium, will get back to you within 48 hours.
Focus on your growth: we’ll take care of the rest.
Compliance as a lever for competitiveness and financing
When properly managed, compliance is a lever for competitiveness and financing:
- It opens access to tenders, particularly public tenders, which are often closed to non-compliant companies.
- It improves your borrowing conditions, as banks and insurers see it as a reduced risk.
- It also supports your valuation, a decisive asset when raising funds or selling your company.
Our 4-step support for SMEs
Our support methodology designed for busy business leaders, consists of four steps:
01
Contact
A first no-obligation discussion to understand your situation.
02
Exploration and validation
In-depth analysis of your needs and regulatory exposure.
03
Strategy design
A tailor-made strategy, designed in close collaboration with your teams.
04
Deployment and monitoring
Operational implementation and monitoring for sustainable compliance.
Why choose Eterra as your compliance consulting firm?
Eterra Partners combines three complementary areas of expertise: regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and European funding. This cross-disciplinary approach allows us to offer a service that goes beyond simple consulting.
- Senior and independent expertise
We cross-reference these three domains to offer a cross-disciplinary approach that goes beyond the traditional consulting framework.
- Specialization in European funds
Few governance consulting firms also have a thorough understanding of how European funding works. This dual expertise is at the heart of Eterra Partners’ added value. We help you turn good governance into an advantage for your sustainable development and innovation projects.
- Active institutional network
Eterra Partners maintains relationships with key players in the European and institutional ecosystem. This network facilitates your procedures and accelerates access to funding opportunities.
- 360° GRC approach
Governance, risk management, compliance: our integrated approach covers the entire spectrum. Rather than addressing each issue in isolation, we build a coherent framework that secures your organization over the long term.
With 94% of satisfied clients, Eterra’s areas of expertise provide comprehensive support, from auditing to operational implementation. Our goal: creating sustainable value for your company, with complete transparency of information.
— SPECIALIZED CONSULTING FIRM · PARIS · EUROPE
Get in touch with our SME compliance experts.
Contact Eterra Partners for a first confidential discussion. We analyze your situation and provide you with a clear roadmap tailored to your challenges and your industry.
Discover our advice and tips
Discover our practical tips and the latest trends to help you stay informed in the area of governance and compliance.
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Key takeaways: The Digital Omnibus AI pushes back the “high risk” obligations of the AI Act to December 2027, but this postponement is not a
Digital Omnibus AI: should we really wait to become compliant?
Key takeaways: The Digital Omnibus AI pushes back the “high risk” obligations of the AI Act to December 2027, but this postponement is not a
YOUR QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions from SME leaders
Before contacting us, you may have these questions. Here are direct answers from our senior consultants.
Is my SME really required to become compliant?
It depends on your size and industry. The whistleblowing system, for example, is mandatory from 50 employees onwards. Other requirements mainly stem from your clients and financiers.
Do we need to wait until we reach the Sapin 2 thresholds?
No, it is better to anticipate. Structuring early avoids a major project when your growth reaches these thresholds.
Can compliance be outsourced without hiring?
Yes, this is often the most effective choice. An SME without a dedicated compliance officer benefits from relying on an external firm.
How long does compliance take?
Yes, this is often the most effective choice. An SME without a dedicated compliance officer benefits from relying on an external firm.