White Papers

White papers are defined as documents containing proposals for Community action in a specific area. They sometimes follow a green paper published to launch a consultation process at European level. While green papers set out a range of ideas presented for public discussion and debate, white papers contain an official set of proposals in specific policy areas and are used as vehicles for their development.

This is a listing of white papers issued between 1988 and 2001 and includes preparatory or follow-up papers when identifiable. For subsequent papers, check the White Papers site on the EUROPA website.

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

2001

A New Impetus for European Youth - White Paper. COM (2001) 681, 21 November 2001

European Transport Policy for 2010: Time to Decide - White Paper. COM (2001) 370, 12 September 2001

European Governance - A White Paper. COM (2001) 428, 25 July 2001

Strategy for a Future Chemicals Policy - White Paper. COM (2001) 88, 27 February 2001

2000

Reforming the Commission - White Paper. COM (2000) 200, 5 March 2000

• Part I: White Paper
• Part II: Action Plan

• Preparatory papers:
  • Reforming the Commission: Consultative Document. COM (2000) 10, Vol. 1, 18 January 2000
  • Reforming the Commission: Action Plan. COM (2000) 10, Vol. 2, 18 January 2000

White Paper on Environmental Liability. COM (2000) 66, 9 February 2000

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

1999

White Paper on Food Safety. COM (99) 719, 12 January 2000

• Follow-up paper:
  • Consumer Health and Food Safety. COM (97) 183, 30 April 1997

White Paper on Modernisation of the Rules Implementing Articles 85 and 86 of the EC Treaty - Commission Programme No. 99/027. COM (99) 101, 28 April 1999

White Paper on Commerce. COM (99) 6, 27 January 1999

• Preparatory paper:
  Green Paper on Commerce. COM (96) 530, 16 October 1996

1998

Fair Payment for Infrastructure Use: A Phased Approach to a Common Transport Infrastructure Charging Framework in the EU - White Paper. COM (98) 466, 22 July 1998

1997

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

• Preparatory paper:
  Energy for the Future: Renewable Sources of Energy - Green Paper for a Community Strategy. COM (96) 576, 26 November 1997

White Paper on Sectors and Activities Excluded from the Working Time Directive. COM (97) 334, 15 July 1997

• Follow-up paper:
  • Communication from the Commission on the Organisation of Working Time in Sectors and Activities Excluded from Directive 93/104/EC of 23 November 1993. COM (98) 662, 18 November 1998

1996

White Paper: A Strategy for Revitalising the Community's Railways. COM (96) 421, 30 July 1996

Air Traffic Management - Freeing Europe's Airspace - White Paper. COM (96) 57, 6 March 1996

1995

White Paper: An Energy Policy for the European Union. COM (95) 682, 13 December 1995

White Paper on Education and Training - Teaching and Learning - Towards the Learning Society. COM (95) 590, 29 November 1995

• Follow-up papers:
  • Learning in the Information Society: Action Plan for a European Education Initiative (1996-1998). COM (96) 471, 2 October 1996
  • Review of Reactions to the White Paper Teaching and Learning: Toward the Learning Society. COM (97) 256, 20 May 1997

Preparation of the Associated Countries of Central and Eastern Europe for Integration into the Internal Market of the Union - White Paper. COM (95) 163, 10 May 1995

• Main Paper
• Annexes
  • Part One: Cover Page, Table of Contents, Introduction
  • Part Two: Free Movement of Capital, Free Movement and Safety of Industrial Products
  • Part Three: Competition, Social Policy and Action
  • Part Four: Agriculture
  • Part Five: Transport, Audiovisual
  • Part Six: Environment, Direct Taxation, Free Movement of Persons, Public Procurement, Financial Services
  • Part Seven: Personal Data, Company Law, Accountancy, Civil Law, Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications, Intellectual Property
  • Part Eight: Energy, Customs and Excise, Indirect Taxation, Consumer Protection

1994

European Social Policy - A Way Forward for the Union - A White Paper. COM (94) 333, 27 July 1994

• Part A: White Paper
• Part B: Technical Annex

1993

Growth, Competitiveness, Employment: The Challenges and Ways Forward into the 21st Century - White Paper. COM (93) 700, 5 December 1993

• Parts A and B
• Part C: Contributions of the Member States

• Follow-up papers
  • Report on the Review of Directive 90/220/EEC in the Context of the Commission's Communication on Biotechnology and the White Paper. COM (96) 630, 10 December 1996
  • Biotechnology and the White Paper on Growth, Competitiveness and Employment: Preparing the Next Stage. COM (94) 219, 1 June 1994
  • Europe and the Global Information Society: Recommendations of the High-level Group on the Information Society to the Corfu European Council. Bulletin of the European Union, Supplement No. 2/94
  • Trans-European Networks: Interim Report of the Chairman of the Group of Personal Representatives of the Heads of State or Government to the Corfu European Council. Bulletin of the European Union, Supplement No. 2/94
  • Progress Report on Employment: Results of Mr. Flynn's Tour of Capitals. Bulletin of the European Union, Supplement No. 2/94

1992

Removing the Legal Obstacles to the Use of the ECU. Commission White Paper for the Council. SEC (92) 2472, 23 December 1992

The Future Development of the Common Transport Policy: A Global Approach to the Construction of a Community Framework for Sustainable Mobility - White Paper. COM (92) 494, 2 December 1992

• Follow-up paper:
  • The Common Transport Policy Action Programme 1995-2000. COM (95) 302, 12 July 1995

1988

Internal Market and Industrial Cooperation - Statute for the European Company - Internal Market White Paper, point 137 (memorandum from the Commission to Parliament, the Council and the two sides of industry). COM (88) 320, 8 June 1988

1985

Completing the Internal Market: White Paper from the Commission to the European Council (Milan, 28-29 June 1985). COM (85) 310, 14 June 1985