Representativeness studies
Representativeness is a criterion used by the Commission to identify the ‘management and labour’ whom it must consult under article 154 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), and who may initiate social dialogue leading to Council decision's under article 155 of the same treaty. In 2006 the European Commission mandated Eurofound to carry out studies on the representativeness of European sectoral social partner organisations.
These 'representativeness studies' are designed to provide basic information needed for the setting up and functioning of sectoral social dialogue committees at European level. The sectoral social dialogue committees are the mechanism used by the Commission to consult management and labour under article 154 TFEU.