EC branded standardised websites host thematic content detailing policies for which the owner DG/Agency is responsible.
Web information systems are permanent websites providing a user-friendly interface to generate, disclose and/or filter large, detailed amounts of data stored in different systems. These websites must also use the EC branded standardised websites design template.
It is mandatory to use the Europa Web Publishing Platform (EWPP) for the development of policy websites but optional when building a web information system.
EC branded harmonised websites host specific content that answers a particular communication purpose. Hamonised websites are:
Network websites: 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.
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.
Campaign 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: 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.
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.
| Standardised websites template | Harmonised websites template |
|---|---|
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For harmonised websites Group 1 the Global Banner, the site header, the page header and the footer are all mandatory components. Inside each of these components, there are elements that are mandatory or optional as described in the table below:
| Components | Mandatory elements | Optional elements |
|---|---|---|
the Global banner is the official EU stamp that gives a visual indicator and easy access to EU institutions and bodies sites, guaranteeing the user visits an official EU website | yes | no |
Harmonised Group 1 site header the harmonised site header should be on every page. It communicates the European Commission brand and provides basic structure and guidance. The site header is composed of several mandatory and optional elements | European Commission logo linking to: site name | login language select Europa search form class name menu |
| Harmonised Group 1 page header the harmonised page header gives context and information to the user on what the page is about. It should be on every page, just below the site header, except for the homepage. The page header is composed of mandatory and optional elements | page title | breadcrumb meta introduction |
the harmonised footer should be on every page. It provides complementary information such as copyright, legal, privacy, social media, contact information and links to other important sections within the European Commission ecosystem. The footer is composed of mandatory and optional elements | site name content owner details corporate name service navigation legal navigation | DG- related service navigation DG-related navigation class names |
| Desktop version | Mobile version |
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For harmonised websites Group 2, the Global Banner, the site header and the footer are mandatory components. The page header is the only optional component. Inside each of these components, there are elements that are mandatory or optional as described in the table below:
| Components | Mandatory elements | Optional elements |
|---|---|---|
the Global banner is the official EU stamp that gives a visual indicator and easy access to EU institutions and bodies sites, guaranteeing the user visits an official EU website | yes | no |
Harmonised Group 2 site header the Hhrmonised site header should be on every page. It communicates the European Commission brand and provides basic structure and guidance. The site header is composed of several mandatory and optional elements | European Commission logo linking to: | language select Europa search form menu |
| Harmonised Group 2 page header the harmonised page header gives context and information to the user on what the page is about. It should be on every page, just below the site header, except for the homepage. The page header is composed of mandatory and optional elements | page title introduction | meta breadcrumb |
the harmonised footer should be on every page. It provides supplementary information such as copyright, legal, privacy, social media, contact information and links to other important sections within the EC ecosystem. All elements are mandatory | corporate name service navigation legal navigation |
Definition: 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.
It is mandatory to use the harmonised websites Group 3 site header with the site name as the only mandatory element and the harmonised websites Group 3 Footer. It is recommended to keep all logo(s) at the same level, either in the header or the footer of the website.
Need further assistance on this topic? Please contact the team in charge of the Europa domain: Comm Europa Management.
