The expiry of the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community on 23 July 2002 leads to the dissolution of the ECSC Consultative Committee. The Economic and Social Committee (ESC), as the ‘natural successor’ to the Consultative Committee, takes over its powers and responsibilities regarding structured dialogue in the coal and steel sectors. A new ‘consultative commission’ is created within the ESC with a view to dealing with industrial issues linked to the former ECSC sectors and, in general, those linked to industrial conversion in any other economic sector, particularly in the light of enlargement.