An advisory body that gives representatives of various economic and social interest groups in Europe a platform to express their points of view on EU issues. The relevant groups are: employers, employees, farmers, consumers and the other interest groups that collectively make up "organised civil society". It presents their views and defends their interests in policy discussions with the larger EU institutions: the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament.

For further information, see Practice note, EU institutions: overview: European Economic and Social Committee.