Central and Eastern European business information. a review
| Date | 01 August 1995 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435129510772328 |
| Published date | 01 August 1995 |
| Pages | 59-66 |
| Author | Jo Drew |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
Introduction to the European
Commission
The original aim of the European Communi-
ty (now European Union) was to create unity
and harmony among the countries of Western
Europe. This idea was initiated by the Treaty
of Paris Act in 1951 which was expanded
further with the Single European Act in 1986.
The Single European Act initiated the
removal of all internal trade borders between
the member states and the Treaty on Euro-
pean Union, ratified in 1992 at Maastricht,
assisted this process by supporting greater
economic and monetary integration. It also
assisted the standardization of trading proce-
dures between member countries. These
Acts, in combination, led to the creation of
the largest international trading community
which has become synonymous with the term
“single market”.
The European Commission, as the central
organizing body, directs European legislation
and procedures. It provides a Civil Service
function and has three main roles. These
include proposing legislation, managing
established community policies and guaran-
teeing that all treaties are administered effec-
tively in all the member states[1]. The Euro-
pean Commission comprises members from
the 15 member countries, namely Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ger-
many, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
and the UK.
The European Commission offices are
situated in Brussels and comprise 13 direc-
torates which cover specific sectors and indus-
tries such as telecommunications and employ-
ment. The European Parliament is located in
Luxembourg and each member country is
represented by Members of the European
Parliament. These are elected by their coun-
tries’ constituencies.
One of the main aims of the European
Commission is to increase the standard of
living throughout the member countries. This
objective is assisted by trade between the
member states. Various Commission initia-
tives have increased an awareness of the bene-
fits generated by integrated trade between
52
Library Management
Volume 16 · Number 5 · 1995 · pp. 52–58
© MCB University Press · ISSN 0143-5124
Business information in
Western Europe and the
EU
Jo Drew
The author
Jo Drew is a Freelance Consultant. She can be contacted
through the Department of Library and Information
Studies, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester,
UK.
Abstract
Gives an overview of the European commission and its
directives, including its production of services designed to
meet the needs of managers in information retrieval.
Assesses its online and hard copy services, the network of
European Information Centres and European Documenta-
tion Centres. Details sources of European information
including business practices, trade associations, company
information, legislation, market information.
One should be aware that the recent change of title
of the European Community to the European
Union means that the titles of some publications
and divisions are in a transition stage.
To continue reading
Request your trial