EU decision-making process
The 3 main institutions involved in EU decision-making are:
- the European Parliament, representing EU citizens
- the Council of the European Union, representing governments of EU countries
- the European Commission, representing the EU’s overall interests
EU policies are typically decided through the ordinary legislative procedure, a process where the three main institutions come to agreement on legislation.
Drafting EU law
Before the Commission proposes new initiatives, it assesses the potential economic, social and environmental impact that they may have.
The Commission does this by preparing a report called an ‘impact assessment’ that sets out the advantages and disadvantages of policy options. The impact assessment includes input from non-governmental organisations, national authorities and industry, as well as expert groups that give advice on technical issues.
Individuals, businesses and organisations can provide feedback on planned initiatives through public consultations (questionnaires) and reply to calls for evidence on the Commission’s Have your say - public consultations and feedback portal.
When it drafts new initiatives or reviews existing policies and laws, the Commission takes into account evaluations of the existing policies and laws in the area. It also gathers input through implementation dialogues with industry, SMEs, social partners, regional and local authorities, and through fitness checks of EU laws.
National parliaments can formally express their reservations or issue an opinion if they think that it would be better to deal with an issue at national rather than EU level.
Reviewing and adopting EU law
Once the Commission has presented its proposal, both the Parliament and the Council review it and can propose amendments. Typically, the Parliament, the Council and the Commission then meet to see if they can agree on a complete set of amendments.
The Council can overrule Commission objections by a unanimous decision. The Commission can also withdraw a proposal if it considers Parliament has changed it excessively. If the three institutions do not agree on a common final text, a second reading takes place.
During the second reading, the Parliament and the Council can propose further amendments. Parliament can also block the proposal if it cannot agree with the Council.
If the Parliament and the Council agree on the amendments, the proposal can be adopted. If they cannot agree, a conciliation committee is set up to try to find a solution. Both the Parliament and the Council can block the proposal during this final second reading stage.
A proposal is adopted into law when the Parliament and Council agree on a joint text, and it is published in the EU’s Official Journal.
Special legislative procedures
In certain cases, the Council can adopt EU laws on its own, without the Parliament. This requires one of two types of special legislative procedure to be followed:
- Consent: The Council can adopt a law after obtaining the consent of the Parliament, who cannot amend the proposal – just accept it or reject it as it is.
- Consultation: The Council can adopt a law after obtaining the opinion of the Parliament. The Council does not need to take such an opinion into account but has to wait for it before adopting a law.
Watch live sessions of the European Parliament
Track law-making
Everyone can track the development of proposed EU laws throughout the law-making process, from planning and adoption to implementation and revision.
Get involved in law-making
The Commission’s better regulation agenda allows individuals, businesses, stakeholders, national authorities and other organisations to contribute to EU policymaking. Here’s how you can have your say
- take part in public consultations (questionnaires) published on the Have your say – public consultations and feedback portal or reply to calls for evidence on the portal
- initiate or take part in European Citizens’ Initiatives, which invite the Commission to propose legislation
- share knowledge with other experts in EU policy-making and governance through SINAPSE e-communities across the EU
- engage and debate EU policies on the Citizens’ Engagement Platform
- contribute to EU policies through Citizens’ Panels that bring together citizens from across the EU to discuss key forthcoming proposals
- start, submit and support a petition to the European Parliament on an EU-related policy that affects you
- register to vote or stand as a candidate in local, national and European elections.
