Sources

European Added Value

European Added Value work identifies needs for action at European level by analysing the potential benefit of future action by the Union or alternatively the costs of not acting.

Foresight, including Scientific Foresight

Foresight is about ensuring understanding of medium- and long-term trends so that policy-makers are as well prepared as possible for challenges, risks and opportunities in the coming decades. In the field of scientific foresight, science and technology options assessment provides advice to Members in the form of studies and events, organised under the guidance of the STOA Panel.

EP Eurobarometer

The European Parliament regularly commissions surveys on public opinion in the Member States. This is a means of keeping Parliament in touch with people's perceptions and expectations of its work and that of the European Union generally.

Policy Departments

The five policy departments are responsible for providing - both in-house and external - high-level independent expertise, analysis and policy advice at the request of committees and other parliamentary bodies. They are closely involved in the work of committees which they support in shaping legislation on and exercising democratic scrutiny over EU policies.

Impact Assessment

Impact Assessment identifies the foreseeable economic, social, environmental and other effects of proposed legislation.

Members' Research Service

The Member's Research Service provides a broad range of research publications on major EU policies, issues and legislation, as well as tailored confidential briefing material for Members.

Economic Governance

Economic Governance Support provides information to Members on the implementation of the economic governance instruments and banking supervision in the Union, in particular in the Euro Area.

Library and Documentary Sources

The European Parliament Library provides access to a wealth of books, journals and periodicals, increasingly electronically. It also hosts the Comparative Law Library, which undertakes research on specific legal issues in various jurisdictions.

Policy Evaluation and Scrutiny

Evaluation of the effects of legislation and policy, and scrutiny of those charged with implementing it, is essential in ensuring the European Parliament, acting as co-legislator, enacts legislation in an effective a form as possible. Dialogue with those at all levels of governance on the effects of EU policy, and on gaps in legislation, is vital in a Union as large and diverse as the EU.