V1.222 Community legislative process
The Commission is the only body authorised to put forward proposals for legislation. In preparing early drafts, it consults widely with national governments and civil servants, representatives of trade and professional bodies and other interested parties.
When the text of a draft is settled, it will be formally adopted by the full Commission acting as a collegiate body of the Commissioners, each advised by experts in his or her cabinets, and will be published in all Community languages in the Official Journal as a formal proposal. At that stage, the Economic and Social Committee and the European Parliament will consider the proposal and, in doing so, will listen to the views of third parties.
The Economic and Social Committee comprises nominees of national governments who reflect the social spectrum of society, with membership divided into three groups: employers, employees and other interest