The EESC is an important actor in the European institutional environment. It advises the European Commission and the European Parliament on topics of interest to social partners and civil society. The EESC operates in several committees, one of which is the Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI). The Committee examines changes in industry across a wide range of sectors, keeping pace and examining them according to the values of the European economic and social model. The EESC can respond to requests for an opinion or submit an opinion on its own.

Currently, the CCMI is busy formulating its own opinion on Industry 5.0. On May 28^th, Steven Dhondt was invited to give his expert opinion on Industry 5.0, together with DG Research & Innovation, Mondragon Corporation, IndustriAll and the OECD. The Opinion of the CCMI will be presented later this year to the European Commission and European Parliament.

The main idea is that the CCMI supports the further development of Industry 5.0 and sees the values it portrays as important for Europe. Adding to the policy impact of the Bridges 5.0 project, Steven Dhondt commented on what participation means in the current debate about Industry 5.0 and which elements should be added.