Green Papers

Green papers are defined as discussion papers published by the Commission on a specific policy area. Primarily they are documents addressed to interested parties - organizations and individuals - who are invited to participate in a process of consultation and debate. In some cases they provide an impetus for subsequent legislation.

This is a listing of green papers issued between 1984 and 2000 and includes follow-up papers when identifiable. For subsequent papers, see the Green Papers site on EUROPA.

Only European Community legislation printed in the paper edition of the Official Journal of the European Union is deemed authentic.

2000

Towards a European Strategy for the Security of Energy Supply - Green Paper. COM (2000) 769, 29 November 2000

• Green Paper
• Annexes

Environmental Issues of PVC - Green Paper. COM (2000) 469, 26 July 2000

Green Paper on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Within the European Union. COM (2000) 87, 8 March 2000

Legal Aid in Civil Matters: The Problems Confronting the Cross - border Litigant -Green Paper. COM (2000) 51, 9 February 2000

1999

Liability for Defective Products - Green Paper. COM (99) 396, 28 July 1999

1998

Green Paper on Radio Spectrum Policy in the Context of European Community Policies such as Telecommunications, Broadcasting, Transport, and R&D. COM (98) 596, 9 December 1998

• Follow-up paper:
  • Next Steps in Radio Spectrum Policy: Results of the Public Consultation on the Green Paper. COM (99) 538, 10 November 1999

Public Sector Information: A Key Resource for Europe - Green Paper on Public Sector Information in the Information Society. COM (98) 585, 20 January 1999

• Follow-up paper:
  • eEurope 2002: Creating a EU Framework for the Exploitation of Public Sector Information. COM (2001) 607, 23 October 2001

Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy in the Single Market - Green Paper. COM (98) 569, 15 October 1998

• Follow-up paper:
  • Follow-up to the Green Paper on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy in the Single Market. COM (2000) 789, 30 November 2000

1997

Green Paper on Sea Ports and Maritime Infrastructure. COM (97) 678, 10 December 1997

Green Paper on the Convergence of the Telecommunications, Media and Information Technology Sectors, and the Implications for Regulation. Towards an Information Society Approach. COM (97) 623, 3 December 1997

• Follow-up paper:
  • The Convergence of the Telecommunications, Media and Information Technology Sectors, and the implications for regulation. Results of the Public Consultation on the Green Paper COM (97) 623. COM (99) 108, 9 March 1999

Promoting Innovation Through Patents - Green Paper on the Community Patent and the Patent System in Europe. COM (97) 314, 24 June 1997

• Follow-up paper:
  • Promoting Innovation through Patents. The Follow-up to the Green Paper on the Community Patent and the Patent System in Europe. COM (99) 42, 5 February 1999

Supplementary Pensions in the Single Market - A Green Paper. COM (97) 283, 10 June 1997

• Follow-up Papers
  • Towards a Single Market for Supplementary Pensions. Results of the Consultations on the Green Paper on Supplementary Pensions in the Single Market. COM (99) 134, 11 May 1999
  • Summary of the Results of the Public Consultation on the Green Paper on the Convergence of the Telecommunications, Media and Information Technology Sectors; Areas for Further Reflection Commission Working Document SEC (1998) 1284, 29 July 1998.

The General Principles of Food Law in the European Union - Commission Green Paper. COM (97) 176, 30 April 1997

Partnership for a New Organisation of Work - Green Paper. COM (97) 128, 16 April 1997

1996

Green Paper on Vertical Restraints in EC Competition Policy. COM (96) 721, 22 January 1997

• Follow-up paper:
  • Communication from the Commission on the Application of the Community Competition Rules to Vertical Restraints. Follow-up to the Green Paper on Vertical Restraints. COM (98) 544, 30 September 1998

Towards a European Numbering Environment. Green Paper on a Numbering Policy for Telecommunications Services in Europe. COM (96) 590, 20 November 1996

• Follow-up paper:
  • Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council Regarding the Consultation on the Green paper on a Numbering Policy for Telecommunications Services in Europe. COM (97) 203, 21 May 1997

Public Procurement in the European Union: Exploring the Way Forward - Green Paper. COM (96) 583, 27 November 1996

• Follow-up paper:
  • Public Procurement in the European Union - Communication from the Commission. COM (98) 143, 11 March 1998

Energy for the Future: Renewable Sources of Energy - Green Paper for a Community Strategy. COM (96) 576, 26 November 1996

• Follow-up paper:
  • Energy for the Future: Renewable Sources of Energy. White Paper for a Community Strategy and Action Plan. COM (97) 599, 26 November 1997

Green Paper on Relations between the European Union and the ACP countries on the Eve of the 21st Century - Challenges and Options for a New Partnership. COM (96) 570, 20 November 1996

• Follow-up paper:
  • Guidelines for the Negotiation of New Cooperation Agreements with the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Countries. COM (97) 537, 29 October 1997

Future Noise Policy - European Commission Green Paper. COM (96) 540, 04 November 1996

Green Paper on Commerce. COM (96) 530, 16 October 1996

• Follow-up paper:
  • White Paper on Commerce. COM (99) 6, 27 January 1999

Green Paper on the Protection of Minors and Human Dignity in Audiovisual and Information Services. COM (96) 483, 16 October 1996

• Follow-up papers:
  • Communication from the Commission... on the Follow-up to the "Green Paper on the Protection of Minors and Human Dignity in Audiovisual and Information Services". COM (97) 570, 18 November 1997
  • Commission Staff Working Paper: Protection of Minors and Human Dignity in Audiovisual and Information Services - Consultations on the Green Paper. SEC (97) 1203, 13 June 1997

Education - Training - Research - The Obstacles to Transnational Mobility - Green Paper. COM (96) 462, 2 October 1996

Living and Working in the Information Society: People First - Green Paper. COM (96) 389, 24 July 1996

• Follow-up paper:
  • Communication from the Commission on the Social and Labour Market Dimension of the Information Society: People First - The Next Steps. COM (97) 390, 23 July 1997

The Role, the Position and the Liability of Statutory Auditors Within the European Union - Green Paper. COM (96) 338, 24 July 1996

Financial Services: Meeting Consumer's Expectations - Green Paper. COM (96) 209, 22 May 1996

• Follow-up paper:
  • Communication of the Commission - Follow-up to the Green Paper on "Financial Services: Meeting Consumers' Expectations". COM (97) 309, 23 June 1997

Commercial Communications in the Internal Market - Green Paper from the Commission. COM (96) 192, 8 April 1996

• Follow-up paper:
  • The Follow-up to the Green Paper on Commercial Communications in the Internal Market. COM (98) 121, 4 March 1998

Green Paper on the Legal Protection of Encrypted Services in the Internal Market- Consultation on the Need for Community Action. COM (96) 76, 6 March 1996

Community Merger Control - Green Paper on the Review of the Merger Regulation. COM (96) 19, 31 January 1996

1995

Towards Fair and Efficient Pricing in Transport Policy - Policy Options for Internalising the External Cost of Transport in the European Union - Green Paper. COM (95) 691, 20 December 1995

Green Paper on Innovation. COM (95) 688, 20 December 1995

The Citizen's Network - Fulfilling the Potential of Public Passenger Transport in Europe - European Commission Green Paper. COM (95) 601, 29 November 1995

Copyright and Related Rights in the Information Society - Green Paper. COM (95) 382, 19 July 1995

• Follow-up paper:
  • Follow-Up to the Green Paper on Copyright and Related Rights in the Information Society. COM (96) 586, 20 November 1998

The Protection of Utility Models in the Single Market - Green Paper. COM (95) 370, 19 July 1995

Green Paper on the Practical Arrangements for the Introduction of the Single Currency. COM (95) 333, 31 May 1995

The Role of the Union in the Field of Tourism - Commission Green Paper. COM (95) 97, 4 April 1995

For a European Union Energy Policy - Green Paper. COM (94) 659, 11 January 1995, English corrigendum 23 February 1995

1994

Green Paper on the Liberalisation of Telecommunications Infrastructure and Cable Television Networks

• Part One - Principle and Timetable. COM (94) 440, 25 October 1994
• Part II - A Common Approach to the Provision of Infrastructure for Telecommunications in the European Union. COM (94) 682, 25 January 1995
  • Follow-up paper:
    • The Consultation on the Green Paper on the Liberalisation of Telecommunication Infrastructure and Cable Television Networks. COM (95) 158, 3 May 1995

Towards the Personal Communications Environment: Green Paper on a Common Approach in the Field of Mobile and Personal Communications in the European Union. COM (94) 145, 27 April 1994

• Summary document:
  • Overview of the Green Paper on Mobile and Personal Communications and Extract of the Positions Proposed.
• Follow-up paper:
  • Communication to the European Parliament and the Council on the Consultation on the Green Paper on Mobile and Personal Communications. COM (94) 492, 23 November 1994

Strategy Options to Strengthen the European Programme Industry in the Context of the Audiovisual Policy of the European Union - Green Paper. COM (94) 96, 6 April 1994

1993

Access of consumers to Justice and the Settlement of Consumer Disputes in the Single Market - Green Paper. COM (93) 576, 16 November 1993

• Follow-up papers:
  • Communication from the Commission on "The Out-of-court Settlement of Consumer Disputes" and Commission recommendations.... COM (98) 198, 30 March 1998
  • "Action Plan on Consumer Access to Justice and the Settlement of Consumer Disputes in the Internal Market". COM (96) 13, 14 February 1996

European Social Policy - Options for the Union - Green Paper. Consultative document - communication by Mr. Flynn [17 November 1993]. COM (93) 551, 17 November 1993

• Summary paper:
  • Summary of the Green Paper - European Social Policy - Options for the Union.

Green Paper on Guarantees for Consumer Goods and After-sales Services. COM (93) 509, 15 November 1993

Green Paper on the European Dimension of Education. COM (93) 457, 29 September 1993

The Future of Community Initiatives under the Structural Funds. COM (93) 282, 16 June 1993

• Follow-up paper:
  • The Future of Community Initiatives under the Structural Funds - Green Paper. COM (94) 46, 16 March 1994, English corrigendum of 25 March 1994

Green Paper on Remedying Environmental Damage. COM (93) 47, 14 May 1993

• Follow-up paper:
  • White Paper on Environmental Liability. COM (2000) 66, 9 February 2000

1992

Pluralism and Media Concentration in the Internal Market - An Assessment of the Need for Community Action. COM (92) 480, 23 December 1992

• Green Paper
• Annexes
  • Follow-up paper
    • Follow-up to the Consultation Process Relating to the Green Paper on "Pluralism and Media Concentration in the Internal Market - An Assessment of the Need for Community Action". COM (94) 353, 5 October 1994

Green Paper on the Impact of Transport on the Environment - A Community Strategy for "Sustainable Mobility". COM (92) 46, 20 February 1992

• Follow-up paper:
  • The Common Transport Policy - Sustainable Mobility: Perspectives for the Future. COM (98) 716, 1 December 1998, English corrigendum of 21 December 1998

1991

Green Paper on the Development of the Single Market for Postal Services. COM (91) 476, 11 June 1991

• Green paper
• Annexes

1990

Towards Europe-Wide Systems and Services - Green Paper on a Common Approach in the Field of Satellite Communications in the European Community. COM (90) 490, 20 November 1990

Commission Green Paper on the Development of European Standardization: Action for Faster Technological Integration in Europe. COM (90) 456, 8 October 1990

• Follow-up paper:
  • Standardization in the European Economy: Follow-up to the Commission Green Paper of October 1990. COM (92) 445, 27 October 1992

Green Paper on the Urban Environment. COM (90) 218, 27 June 1990

1988

Green Paper on Copyright and the Challenge of Technology - Copyright Issues Requiring Immediate Action. COM (88) 172, 7 June 1988

• Follow-up paper:
  • Working Programme of the Commission in the Field of Copyright and Neighbouring Rights. Follow-up to the Green Paper. COM (90) 584, 17 January 1991

1987

Towards a Dynamic European Economy. Green Paper on the Development of the Common Market for Telecommunications Services and Equipment. COM (87) 290, 30 June 1987

• Green Paper
• Appendices
  • Follow-up paper:
    • Towards a Competitive Community-wide Telecommunications Market in 1992. Implementing the Green Paper on the Development of the Common Market for Telecommunications Services and Equipment. COM (88) 48, 9 February 1988

1985

Perspectives for the Common Agricultural Policy - Green Paper. COM (85) 333, 15 July 1985

• Follow-up paper:
  • A Future for Community Agriculture. Commission Guidelines Following the Consultations in Connection with the Green Paper. COM (85) 750, 18 December 1985

1984

Television Without Frontiers. Green Paper on the Establishment of the Common Market for Broadcasting, Especially by Satellite and Cable. COM (84) 300, 14 June 1984

• Cover Page and Table of Contents
• Introduction; Parts One, Two and Three
• Part Four
• Part Five
• Part Six
• Annex

1983

The future financing of the Community, Communication from the Commission to the Council and to the European Parliament. COM (83) 10, 4 February 1983

• Follow-up paper:
  • The Future Financing of the Community, Draft Decision on New Own Resources. COM (83) 270, 6 May 1983