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Definitions
Standardised websites
EC branded standardised websites host thematic content such as policies for which the owner DG/Agency is responsible. Standardised websites are:
- DG websites: the main entry point describing a DG's or an executive agency's work around policy and their daily activity.
It is mandatory to use the Europa Web Publishing Platform (EWPP) for the development of standardised websites.
Harmonised websites
EC branded harmonised websites host specific content that answers a particular communication purpose.
Where possible we recommend the use of ECL components, while acknowledging that some sites in this category may have specific requirements.
We distinguish three groups of harmonised sites:
Group 1
- Web information systems
- Network websites
Group 2
- Event website
- Campaign website
- Blogs
Group 3
- Partnership websites
Rules - Harmonised websites Group 1
Web information systems
Definition: Permanent Hamonised websites are:
- Web information systems: permanent websites providing a user-friendly interface to generate,
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- disclose and/or filter large, detailed amounts of data stored in different systems.
Scope: Web information systems follow design principles close to those for core and standardised websites.
- Network websites
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- :
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- websites or platforms set up and managed by the European Commission (as a service provider) to encourage and facilitate interaction among a specific, non-EC target audience.
Scope: Network websites follow design principles close to those for core and standardised sites.
The components available in the Europa Components Library are categorised as follows:
- 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.
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Ref.
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Element/component
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Rule
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Notes and link to Europa components library
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A.
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Header
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A1
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Global banner
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Mandatory
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A2
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EC identity
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Mandatory
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A3
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Language select
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Contextual
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A4
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Search box
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Contextual
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A5
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Class name
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Mandatory
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A6
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Site name
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Mandatory
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6.1
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Site logo
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Not permitted
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Usage of logos is not allowed unless an exception has been granted. See Logos and icons.
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A7
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Breadcrumb
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Contextual
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A8
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Login
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Contextual
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A9
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Menu bar
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Not recommended
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Ref.
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Element/component
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Rule
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Notes
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B.
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Local footer – grey
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B1
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Site name
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Mandatory
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B2
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Content owner details
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Mandatory
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B3
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Service navigation
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Contextual
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B4
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DG-related navigation
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Contextual
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B5
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Class names
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Mandatory
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C.
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Corporate footer
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C1
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Site name
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Mandatory
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C2
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Service navigation
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Mandatory
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C3
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Legal navigation
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Mandatory
Rules - Harmonised websites Group 2
Event website
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- Event websites: websites advertising a specific or repeatedly occurring activity that is open to the public, organised and/or hosted by the European Commission. The website can be temporary and provide information about an event before, during and after it takes place. It can be complemented by a campaign. Event websites are only allowed for large and complex events that cannot be accommodated by the events content type.
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- See SCIC tools available for registration.
- Campaign
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- websites: a temporary, online communication endeavour dedicated to promoting a single or several thematically linked activities, initiatives, services or products. The website may form the online part of a broader campaign, communicated by other channels such as print and social media.
- Blogs
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- :
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- regularly updated websites dedicated to publishing general features and news items about specific European Commission activities, from an individual perspective or via a corporate (DG/Agency-managed) newsletter/magazine.
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.
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Ref.
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Element/component
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Rule
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Notes
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A.
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Header
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A1
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Global banner
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Mandatory
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A2
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EC identity
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Mandatory
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A3
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Language select
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Contextual
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A4
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Search box
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Contextual
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A5
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Class name
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n/a
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A6
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Site name
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n/a
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A7
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Breadcrumb
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n/a
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A8
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Login
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n/a
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A9
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Menu bar
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n/a
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Ref.
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Element/component
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Rule
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Notes
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B.
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Local footer
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B1
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Site name
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Contextual
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B2
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Content owner details
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B3
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Service navigation
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Contextual
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B4
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Related information
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n/a
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B5
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Class names
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n/a
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C.
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Corporate footer
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C1
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Site name
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Mandatory
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C2
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Service navigation
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Mandatory
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C3
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Legal navigation
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Mandatory
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Foundations
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Grid
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Recommended
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Colours
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Recommended
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Use only EC colour specifications available in the ECL
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Typography
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Recommended
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Apply the typographic guidelines available in the ECL
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Spacing
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Recommended
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Apply spacing rules explained in the ECL
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Icons
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Contextual
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Where icons feature, use commonly-used icons from the ECL.
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Images
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Contextual
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- See image guidelines in ECL.
- Ensure images help explain content
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Other components
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Contextual
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- Where components are available, use components in ECL
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Content
Rules - Harmonised websites Group 3
Partnership websites
Definition: A partnership website is a website where the European Commission is a cooperating partner in its creation but is not the sole owner of the information contained therein. It is a joint effort between the EC and non-EC partners in terms of concept, budget, management and maintenance and requires its own individual form of governance and custom style guides to accommodate possible co-branding.
Contact and support
If you require further assistance, please contact:
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- Communities: virtual community with its own members sharing content on a comment topic. Check DIGIT's solution for online communities: Europa Community Platform (ECP SaaS, the version of Open Social for the EC).
- Databases: a structured set of data made public through a website.
- Web tools and applications: a software application that runs in a web browser and is made available to users with an active network connection.
It is optional to use the Europa Web Publishing Platform (EWPP) for the development of harmonised websites.
Rules
The EC branded standardised and harmonised website uses the components of the Europa Components Library (ECL) as this template shows:
EC branded standardised and harmonised websites templates
| Standardised websites template | Harmonised websites template |
|---|---|
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EC branded standardised and harmonised anatomy table
| Section | No. | component | Standardised template | Harmonised tempate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0. | Global banner (provided by Webtools) |
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| Site header | 1. | EC identity (logo) |
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| 2. | Login |
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| 3. | Language switcher |
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| 4. | Search form |
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| 5. | Class name |
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| 6. | Site name |
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| 7. | Menu |
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| Page header | 8. | Breadcrumb |
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| 9. | Meta |
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| 10. | Page title |
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| 11. | Thumbnail |
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| 12. | Introduction |
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| Local footer | 13. | Site name |
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| 14. | Content owner details |
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| 15. | Sitemap |
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| 16. | DG-related service navigation |
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| 17. | DG-related navigation |
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| 18. | Class names |
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| Corporate footer | 19. | Site logo |
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| 20. | Service navigation |
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| 21. | Legal navigation |
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Partnership websites
When the European Commission shares the ownership of a website with one or several non-EU institution(s), it is a partnership website. The European Commission and its partners co-decide on the content and cooperate in terms of budget, maintenance and management of the website. As a result, the design is a based on an agreement between partners.
This category is an exception and there is no imposed design template. However, we strongly recommend to pay particular attention to:
- the partnership website header: it is recommended to have the site name next to the partnership logo in the header
- the partnership website footer: the logos of all partners including the European Commission should be displayed at the same level
Contact and support
Need further assistance on this topic? Please contact the team in charge of Europa Domain Management (EU Login required).