Services of general interest
In November 2007, the Commission announced the creation of an interactive information service, handling questions on the application of Community law to services of general interest (services covering such essential daily realities as energy, telecommunications, transport, radio and television, postal services, schools, health and socials services, etc).
This initiative was taken in response to a demand for more practical information and guidance on Community rules relevant to services of general interest. It is notably social services of general interest which require further clarification.
The information service consists of two elements:
Replies to individual questions. Questions regarding Community law relevant to services of general interest can be sent to the Commission by filling out the mail form. The Commission will reply to these questions, with a view to providing guidance on the pertinent Community law rules concerned.
Please note: These replies cannot analyse the facts of an individual case or provide a formal interpretation of Community law in relation to a specific situation. They can also not provide legal advice on issues of national law, advice on how to structure calls for tender, contracts or on how to organise compensation mechanism.
Guide on Services of General Economic Interest 
Before sending in a question to the Commission, please check whether a reply to your questions can already be found in the list of frequently asked questions. These lists will be updated on a regular basis.
For the moment, the information service is available in English, French and German. This means that questions can only be asked in these three languages and answers will only be given in English, French or German. Commission services are working, however, towards making available the information services in all official EU languages.
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