Objective
As defined, Core websites aim to minimise the duplication of content across the institutions’ web presence and provide access to information in a user-friendly way. They host The European Commission website also known as the EC core website hosts general information shared by many different websites or departments and serve serves as hubs for onward navigation to further thematic content and/or specific services such as web information systems (databases).
Rules
| Warning |
|---|
By end of 2020, all Commission websites must implement the new design components. |
The components that will be available in The EC-branded core website uses the components of the Europa Components Library comprise:
- Mandatory – ECL components that must be used.
- Recommended – the ECL provides recommended components. There can be exceptions, i.e. requirements that go beyond the ECL – for example, on campaigns.
- Contextual – elements that may or may not feature on a page, depending on the communication and/or functional needs – for example Login. Where the element features, use the ECL component.
On EC-branded core websites, the following specific rules apply:
...
...
Ref.
...
Element/component
...
Rule
...
Notes
...
A.
...
Header
...
A1
...
Global banner
...
Mandatory
...
A2
...
EC identity
...
Mandatory
...
A3
...
Language select
...
Mandatory
...
A4
...
Search box
...
Mandatory
...
A5
...
Class name
...
n/a
...
A6
...
Site name
...
n/a
...
A7
...
Breadcrumb
...
Mandatory
...
A8
...
Login
...
Contextual
...
A9
...
Menu bar
...
n/a
...
Core sites use the navigation system, ie no menu is needed
See ECL components categories for more info about "Mandatory", "Recommended" and "Contextual"
...
...
Ref.
...
Element/component
...
Core
...
Notes and link to Europa components library
...
B.
...
Footer
...
B1
...
Site name
...
Mandatory
...
B2
...
Content owner details
...
Mandatory
...
B3
...
Class names
...
Mandatory
...
B4
...
Service navigation
...
Mandatory
...
B5
...
Legal navigation
...
Mandatory
See ECL components categories for more info about "Mandatory", "Recommended" and "Contextual"
...
ECL components categories
The components that will be available in the Europa Components Library comprise:
- Mandatory – ECL components that must be used.
- Recommended – the ECL provides recommended components. There can be exceptions, i.e. requirements that go beyond the ECL – for example, on campaigns.
- Contextual – elements that may or may not feature on a page, depending on the communication and/or functional needs – for example Login. Where the element features, use the ECL component.
On EC-branded core websites, the following specific rules apply:
Contact and support
If you require further assistance, please contact:
European Commission
DG Communication
Unit B.3
Europa Web Communication (ECL) as this template shows:
Core website template
| Desktop version | Mobile version |
|---|---|
|  |
Click pictures to enlarge | |
Contact and support
Need further assistance on this topic? Please contact the team in charge of the Europa domain: Comm Europa Management.