The visual identity gives the European Commission a recognisable and coherent image. A full manual on the EC’s visual identity is available. It sets out the basic principles. The EC visual identity is constructed around the European Commission's logo. This logo is based on 2 key elements: the European flag and a graphic element inspired by the headquarters of the European Commission (the Berlaymont building).
Use the logo in line with the European Commission Visual Identity guidelines.
Third parties may only use the European Commission logo where:
According to the rules and guidelines per site type, the European Commission logo is the only logo or icon of the EC branded site header. This logo in the header must have “European Commission” written in the same language as the page and link to the European Commission's website (https://ec.europa.eu/info).
The Commission logo is available in all official EU languages and in a selection of non-official languages on the Europa Component Library (ECL). If the logo is not available in the language of the page and there is proof that the majority of the target audience can be reached in English, the logo must be in English. If you need the logo in another language, please contact COMM Europa Management.
To request permission for the use of the European Commission's logo, please email the unit responsible for visual identity.
The European Union emblem, based on the flag, is a recognisable, element that guarantees trustworthiness for users.
Use the European Union emblem in line with the Graphics guide to the European emblem (Publications Office).
According to the rules and guidelines per site type, the European Union emblem is the only logo or icon of the EU branded site header. This emblem in the header must have “European Union” written in the same language as the page and link to to the European Union's website (https://european-union.europa.eu/).
The European Union emblem is available in all official EU languages and in a selection of non-official languages on the Europa Component Library (ECL). If the logo in not available in the language of the page and there is proof that the majority of the target audience can be reached in English, the logo must be in English. If you need the logo in another language, please contact COMM Europa Management.
The European Union emblem is also the icon used for the favicon on the europa.eu domain and subdomains:
This icon is available on the Europa Component Library (ECL).
The European Commission will respond appropriately should a third part misuse the European Commission logo, the European Union emblem or make inappropriate use of the banner of any Commission website including the European emblem or the denomination European Commission, EU or European Union.
If you witness such case of misuse or use of a visual identity that is so close to the one of the EC or of the European Union that this company may appear to be part of our organisation, please contact EC-EU-EMBLEM@ec.europa.eu and COMM-VISUAL-IDENTITY@ec.europa.eu immediately.
No new logo can be created or used (apart from those on the list of logo exceptions (EU login required to access the list). To request for a logo exception, you need to send a well-justified request to the Unit responsible for visual identity (DG COMM A1). The request will reach the Secretary General and the Director-General of DG COMM, as domain leaders for external communication. After consulting DG COMM's visual identity team, they will take a decision by consensus.
If they allow the exception, the place for this logo is in the page header. The site header and footer must be compliant with the Europa Component Library and cannot hold any other logo but the EC or EU ones.
For more information on the use of logos on websites, please refer to the design rules and guidelines per site type.
Apart from those representing commonly used functionalities, avoid using icons for the following reasons:
Do not use icons to replace labels or navigation items.
Use Common icons covering functionalities (e.g. print, close, tweet) from the Europa Components Library (ECL).
Need further assistance on this topic? Please contact the team in charge of Europa Domain Management (EU Login required).