In 2002, the European Economic and Social Committee set up a
Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI) that deals with industrial change issues in various sectors. The CCMI promotes coordination and coherence of Community action in relation to the main industrial changes in the context of the enlarged EU and ensures balance between the need for socially acceptable change and the retention of a competitive edge for EU industry. It is composed of 48 EESC members and 48 external experts who draw up opinions as part of a direct structured dialogue with the sectors and interest groups affected by industrial change.
The CCMI can also express its views through mandatory opinions under the terms of the Treaty, optional and exploratory opinions at the request of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, as well as own-initiative opinions, information reports and the holding of conferences and hearings.
