These authors examine the role of the European Economic and Social Committee in the decision-making process and consider the evolution of the Committee. Their analysis particularly focuses on the reasons for the negligible impact of Committee opinions on Community legislation.

Extracts concerning attempts by the Economic and Social Committee to acquire the right of initiative until its establishment in 1974, following its recognition by the Paris Summit held in October 1972.

Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee of 28 March 1974 on the place and role of the Economic and Social Committee in the institutional machinery of the Community in the context of a possible evolution thereof.

Example of an opinion delivered by the Economic and Social Committee at the request of the Council of the European Union.

Example of an opinion delivered by the Economic and Social Committee at the request of the Commission.

On 11 April 2000, for the first time, the European Parliament asks the Economic and Social Committee for its opinion. On 24 May 2000, the Committee delivers its opinion.

Example of an own-initiative opinion of the Economic and Social Committee.

Example of an information report drawn up by a section of the Economic and Social Committee at the request of the Committee.

Romano Prodi reviews the tasks carried out by the Economic and Social Committee so as to demonstrate the role that this institution is called upon to play in the context of reform of ‘governance' in Europe. The ESC enables civil society to participate and engage in dialogue at European level and, as such, it plays a part in strengthening the Community method.

In this article, Alfons Lappas, elected President of the Economic and Social Committee in 1972, describes the powers obtained after numerous requests by the Economic and Social Committee over the years. Moreover, he mentions the powers which the Committee needs in order to carry out its duties as effectively as possible..

This article emphasises the significant role of the Economic and Social Committee, through which social players can express themselves and influence the life of the Community.

Article from the Economic and Social Committee’s monthly publication CES-Info on arrangements for cooperation between the European Commission and the ESC. ‘Exploratory opinions’ are a prime example of such cooperation.

On 28 November 2001, in speeches to the plenary session of the Economic and Social Committee, the President of the European Commission and the Belgian Deputy Foreign Minister referred to the institutional role of the Committee and to its responsibilities.

Par lettre adressée au Président du Comité consultatif de la CECA, Jean Monnet, Président de la Haute Autorité, sollicite le 25 janvier 1953, au nom de l'institution qu'il préside, l'avis du Comité consultatif sur certaines questions concernant l'établissement du Marché commun du charbon et de l'acier.

Example of an opinion delivered by the ECSC Consultative Committee.

Example of an own-initiative resolution adopted by the Consultative Committee of the ECSC.

It emerges from this judgment that the absence of consultation of the Economic and Social Committee, in cases where it is compulsory, constitutes an infringement of the Treaty or of an essential procedural requirement which, even if it hasn't been invoked by the applicant, could entail the annulment by the Court of its own motion.

On 10 October 2001, on the occasion of his election as the final President of the ECSC Consultative Committee, Enrico Gibellieri summarises the activities of the Committee over the past 50 years and announces that it will be his task to ensure that they can continue with other instruments in a new context, after the expiry of the ECSC Treaty in July 2002.