The aim of this report is to assess the whole issue of self-regulation and co-regulation in the context of the European Union and think about, in particular, what qualitative criteria are needed for a reliable and effective implementation of these participatory standard-setting instruments, which illustrate the role that civil society can actually play in the legislative process.

The Workers' Group of the European Economic and Social Committee believes this is an urgent need to deliver a clear message to EU institutions and Member States' leaders: the Group is firmly against Merkel-Sarkozy's proposals related only to a strengthening of the Stability and Growth Pact in the Lisbon Treaty. The resolution mentions the orientations that should be adopted and the measures that should be taken.

Self-regulation is still an underdeveloped instrument in European consumer policy, especially its two-sided form: self-regulation agreed upon by both trade organisations and consumer organisations.