The EU Domestic Advisory Group under the EU-UK TCA

Under the Institutional Framework, Article 13 of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) provides that each Party set up a Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) composed of civil society organisations' representatives.

The primary purpose of the EU DAG is to advise the Commission on the implementation of the full TCA (see below). It is the first EU DAG to have such a wide scope, going beyond the focus on trade and sustainable development.

Such an unprecedented large scope called for a larger EU DAG to harness expertise from a wide range of stakeholders, while ensuring the DAG's ability to operate at pace. The EU DAG under the TCA thus comprises 30 seats in total, 24 from the wide network of European civil society organisations and six from the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). This composition ensures a balanced representation of economic, social and environmental stakeholders.

Full composition of the EU Domestic Advisory Group under the EU-UK TCA.

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA)

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement concluded between the EU and the UK sets out preferential arrangements in areas such as trade in goods and in services, digital trade, intellectual property, public procurement, aviation and road transport, energy, fisheries, social security coordination, law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, thematic cooperation and participation in Union programmes. It is underpinned by provisions ensuring a level playing field and respect for fundamental rights.

While it will by no means match the level of economic integration that existed when the UK was an EU Member State, the TCA goes beyond traditional free trade agreements and provides a solid basis for preserving the longstanding friendship and cooperation.

The Agreement was signed on 30 December 2020, was applied provisionally as of 1 January 2021 and entered into force on 1 May 2021.

See more information and guidance on the Commission's webpage.