The Committee’s statements of interpretation are an authoritative source of interpretation that add detail to the rights and obligations set out in the European Social Charter. They provide important guidance on the scope and nature of State duties in terms of different Charter provisions and how they apply in relation to specific issues or contexts. 

 The Committee’s statements of interpretation are usually published in the General Introduction to the Committee’s periodical conclusions emerging from its statutory reporting process. This page, seeks to provide easy access to those who wish to delve deeper into the Committee’s work.

 

Thematic Statements of Interpretation

 Conclusions 2008, Statement of interpretation on loss of unemployment benefits due to refusal of offered job or training

 Conclusions 2008, Statement of interpretation on the burden of proof in discrimination cases

 Statement of interpretation on the rights of refugees under the European Social Charter- 2015

In 2020, the ECSR issued a statement of interpretation on the right to protection of health in times of pandemic, the endorsing many measures adopted by states in response to COVID-19: “testing and tracing, physical distancing and self-isolation, the provision of adequate masks and disinfectant, as well as the imposition of quarantine and ‘lockdown’ arrangements. 
 

 Statement of interpretation on social rights and cost-of-living crises - 2025

 Statements of Interpretation by Article

Statements of Interpretation - Article 1

Conclusions I (1969), Statement of Interpretation on Article 1§1

Conclusions I (1969), Statement of Interpretation on Article 1§2 

Conclusions I (1969), Statement of Interpretation on Article 1§4 

Conclusions III (1971), Statement of Interpretation on Article 1§2 

Conclusions III (1971), Statement of Interpretation on Article 1§2 

Conclusions III (1973), Statement of Interpretation on Article 1§1

Conclusions III (1973), Statement of Interpretation on Article 1§2

Conclusions V (1975), Statement of Interpretation on Article 1§2 

Conclusions XII-1 (1991), Statement of Interpretation on Article 1§4

Conclusions XIII-3 (1995), Statement of Interpretation on Article 1 of the Additional Protocol

Conclusions 2002, Statement of Interpretation on Article 1§1

Conclusions 2002, Interpretative Statement on Article 1§2

Conclusions XVI-1 (2002), Statement of Interpretation on Article 1§2

Conclusions 2002, Interpretative Statement on the link between Articles 1§2 and 20 (Charter 1996)

Conclusions 2006, Statement of Interpretation on Article 1§2 

Conclusions XIX -I (2008) , Statement of Interpretation on Article 1§4 - Article 15§1

Conclusions XIX-I (2008), Statement of Interpretation on Article 1§2 - Article 12§1

Conclusions 2012, Statement of Interpretation on Article 1§2 - requirement to accept the offer of a job or training or otherwise lose unemployment benefit

Conclusions XX-1 (2012)  Statement of interpretation on Article 1§2- workers’ right to privacy

Conclusions XX-1 (2012) Statement of interpretation on Article 1§2- length of alternative service to replace military service

Conclusions XX-1 (2012) Statement of interpretation on Article 1§2- prison work

Conclusions XXI-1 (2012) Statement of interpretation on Article 1 of the 1988 Additional Protocol

 

 

Statements of Interpretation - Article 2

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 2

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 2§1

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 2§3

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of Interpretation on Article 2§4

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 2§5

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 2§5

Conclusions II (1971) Statement of interpretation on Article 2§4

Conclusions III (1973) Statement of Interpretation on Article 2§1

Conclusions IV (1975) Statement of Interpretation on Article 2§1

Conclusions V (1977), Statement of Interpretation on Article 2§4

Conclusions XII-2 (1992), Statement of Interpretation on Article 2§3

Conclusions XIV-2 (1998), Statement of Interpretation on Article 2§1

Conclusions XIV-2 (1998), Statement of Interpretation on Article 2§5

Conclusions 2007, Statement of interpretation on Article 2§3

Conclusions XVIII-2 (2007), Statement of Interpretation on Article 2§4

Conclusions 2010, Statement of Interpretation on Article 2§2

Conclusions 2025, Statemenf of Interpretation on Article 2§1 – The right to just conditions of work – maximum working time - Charter 1996

Conclusions 2025, Statement of Interpretation on Article 2§1 – The right to just conditions of work – maritime workers - Charter 1996

Conclusions 2025, Statement of Interpretation on Article 2§1 – The right to just conditions of work – on-call periods - Charter 1996

Statements of Interpretation - Article 3

Conclusions I (1969), Statement of Interpretation on Article 3

Conclusions I (1969), Statement of Interpretation on Article 3§1

Conclusions I (1969), Statement of Interpretation on Article 3§2

Conclusions I (1969), Statement of Interpretation on Article 3§3

Conclusions III (1973) Statement of Interpretation on Article 3

Conclusions II (1969) - Statement of interpretation - Article 3

Conclusions III (1971) - Statement of interpretation - Article 3-1

Conclusions IV (1973) - Statement of interpretation - Article 3-1

Conclusions V (1975) - Statement of interpretation - Article 3-1

Conclusions XIII-1 (1991) - Statement of Interpretation on Article 3§3 (i.e. Article 3§2 of the 1961 Charter)
Conclusions XIII-1 (1991) - Statement of interpretation - Article 3-2

Conclusions XIV-2 - Statement of interpretation - Article 3
Conclusions XIV-2 - Statement of interpretation - Article 3-3

Conclusions XX-2 - Statement of interpretation - Article 3
Conclusions XX-2 - Statement of interpretation - Article 3-2

Conclusions 2013, Statement of Interpretation on Article 3

Conclusions 2013, Statement of Interpretation on Article 3§3

Conclusions 2021, Statement of interpretation on Article 3§2 - Digital disconnect and electronic monitoring of workers - Charter 1996

Conclusions 2025, Statement of Interpretation on Article 3 – Climate change -  Charter 1996

Conclusions 2025, Article 3 – The right to safe and healthy working conditions – telework Charter 1996

Statements of Interpretation - Article 4

Conclusions I (1969), Statement of Interpretation on Article 4

Conclusions I (1969), Statement of Interpretation on Article 4§1

Conclusions I (1969), Statement of Interpretation on Article 4§2
Conclusions I (1969), Statement of Interpretation on Article 4§3
Conclusions I (1969), Statement of Interpretation on Article 4§4

Conclusions I (1969), Statement of Interpretation on Article 4§5

Conclusions II (1971), Statement of Interpretation on Article 4§1

Conclusions II (1971), Statement of Interpretation on Article 4§1

Conclusions III (1973) Statement of Interpretation on Article 4§3

Conclusions IV (1975) Statement of Interpretation on Article 4§4

Conclusions V (1977), Statement of Interpretation on Article 4§5

Conclusions 2010, Statement of Interpretation on Article 4§1

Conclusions XIV-2 (1998), Statement of Interpretation on Article 4§1

Conclusions 2015 - Statement of interpretation - Article 8-1

Conclusions 2015 - Statement of interpretation - Article 19-4

Conclusions 2015 - Statement of interpretation - Article 19-6

Conclusions 2015 - Statement of interpretation - Article 19-6, 19-8
Conclusions 2015 - Statement of interpretation - Article 27-2
Conclusions 2015 - Statement of interpretation - Article 31-2

Conclusions 2018, Statement of Interpretation on Article 4§4

Conclusions 2022, Statement of Interpretation on Article 4§4

Conclusions 2022, Statement of Interpretation on Article 4§5

Statements of Interpretation - Article 5 & Article 6

Conclusions I (1969), Statement of interpretation on Article 5

Conclusions III (1971) - Statement of interpretation - Article 5

Conclusions IV (1975) - Statement of Interpretation on Article 5

Conclusions 2010 - Statement of interpretation - article 5

Article 6

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 6

Conclusions I (1967), Statement of Interpretation on Article 6§1; 

Conclusions I (1967), Statement of Interpretation on Article 6§2

Conclusions I (1967), Statement of Interpretation on Article 6§3

Conclusions I (1967), Statement of Interpretation on Article 6§4

Conclusions II (1969) - Statement of interpretation - Article 6-4

Conclusions III (1973) Statement of Interpretation on Article 6§4

Conclusions IV (1976)- Statement of interpretation - Article 6-1

Conclusions V (1975) - Statement of interpretation - Article 6-1
Conclusions V (1975) - Statement of interpretation - Article 6-3

Conclusions VIII (1984), Statement of Interpretation on Article 6§4

Conclusions XIX-3 - Statement of interpretation - Article 6-2

Conclusions 2010 - Statement of interpretation - article 6-2

Conclusions 2025, Statement of Interpretation on Article 6§2 – Favourability principle -  Charter 1996
Conclusions 2025, Statement of Interpretation on Article 6§4 – Collective action – Political strikes - Charter 1996

Conclusions 2025, Statement of Interpretation on Article 6§4 – The right of judges and prosecutors to strike - Charter 1996

Statement of Interpretation - Article 7

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 7

Conclusions I (1969), Statement of interpretation - Article 7§1

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 7§2
Conclusions I (1969), Statement of interpretation - Article 7§3

Conclusions I (1969) Observation interprétative de l’article 7§5
Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 7§7
Conclusions I (1969), Statement of interpretation - Article 7§8
Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Articel 7§10

Conclusions II (1971) Statement of interpretation on Article 7§3

Conclusions II (1971), Statement of interpretation - Article 7§5
Conclusions III (1973) Statement of Interpretation on Article 7§3

Conclusions IV (1975) Statement of Interpretation on Article 7§5

Conclusions IV (1975), Statement of interpretation - Article 7§9

Conclusions V (1977), Statement of interpretation - Article 7§3
Conclusions V (1977), Statement of interpretation - Article 7§6

Conclusions XV-2 (2001), Statement of interpretation - Article 7§10

Conclusions 2006, Statement of interpretation - Article 7§3

Conclusions 2011, Statement of interpretation - Article 7§3

Conclusions 2015, Statement of Interpretation - Articles 7§1 and 7§3

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statement of Interpretation - Article 8

Conclusions I (1969), Statement of Interpretation on Article 8

Conclusions I - Statement of interpretation - Article 8-1

Conclusions I - Statement of interpretation - Article 8-2

Conclusions III (1973), Statement of Interpretation on Article 8§1

Conclusions X-2 (1988), Statement of Interpretation on Article 8§4

Conclusions X-2 - Statement of interpretation - Article 8-4

Conclusions X-2 (1990), Statement of Interpretation on Article 8§5 (i.e. 8§4b) of the 1961 Charter

Conclusions XV-2 (2001), Observation interprétative de l’article 8§1

Conclusions XIII-1 - Statement of interpretation - Article 8-1

Conclusions XIII-4 (1996), Statement of Interpretation on Article 8§2

Conclusions XIX-4 (2011), Statement of Interpretation on Article 8§1

Conclusions 2011, Statement of interpretation on Article 8§2 and 27§3 - ceiling on compensation for unlawful dismissal (Charter 1996)

Conclusions XX-4 (2015), Statement of interpretation on Article 8§1

Conclusions 2015, Statement of Interpretation on Article 8§1

Conclusions 2019, Statement of Interpretation on Article 8§4 and 8§5

 

Statement of Interpretation - Article 9 & 10

Conclusions I (1969), Statement of Interpretation on Article 9
Conclusions IV (1975), Statement of Interpretation on Article 9
Conclusions XIV-2 (1998), Statement of Interpretation on Article 9

Article 10

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 10

Conclusions I (1969), Statement of Interpretation on Article 10§1
Conclusions I (1969), Statement of Interpretation on Article 10§2

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 10§3

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 10§4

Conclusions III (1973) Statement of Interpretation on Article 10
Conclusions III (1973), Statement of Interpretation on Article 10§2

Conclusions IV (1975), Statement of Interpretation on Article 10

 

Statements of Interpretation - Articles 11 & 12 & 13

Conclusions I (1969), Statement of Interpretation on Article 11

Conclusions III (1973) Statement of interpretation on Article 11§1

Conclusions IV (1975) Statement of Interpretation on Article 11

Conclusions 2005, Statement of Interpretation on Article 11

Article 12

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 12
Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 12§3
Conclusions I (1969) Statement of Interpretation on Article 12§4

Conclusions III (1973) Statement of Interpretation on Article 12§3
Conclusions III (1973) Statement of Interpretation on Article 12§4

Conclusions XVI-1 (2002), Statement of Interpretation on Article 12
Conclusions 2002, Interpretative Statement on Article 12§§ 1, 2 and 3.docx (Charter 1996)

Conclusions 2004, Interpretative statement on Article 12§4 - (Charter 1996)

Conclusions 2006, Interpretative Statement on Article 12§4 (Charter 1996)

Conclusions 2009, Interpretative Statement on Article 12§3 (Charter 1996)

Conclusions 2021, Statement of interpretation on Article 12§3 - Social coverage for digital platform workers (Charter 1996)

Conclusions 2021, Statement of interpretation on Article 12§4 - Child benefit (Charter 1996)

Article 13

Conclusions I (1969), Statement of Interpretation on Article 13

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 13§2
Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 13§3
Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 13§4

Conclusions VII (1981), Statement of Interpretation on Article 13§4

Conclusions 2013, Statement of Interpretation on Article 13§1 and 13§4

Statement of Interpretation - Articles 14 & 15 & 16 & 17

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 14

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 14§1

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of Interpretation on Article 14§2

Conclusions 2009, Statement of Interpretation on Article 14§1

Article 15

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 15

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 15§1

Statement of interpretation on Article 15§2 

Conclusions 2007, Statement of Interpretation on Article 15§1

Conclusions 2008, Statement of Interpretation on Article 15§3

Conclusions 2003, Interpretative Statement on Article 15 - Charter 1996

Conclusions 2007, Statement on Article 15§1Charter 1996

Conclusions 2007, Interpretative Statement on Article 15§2 Charter 1996

Conclusions 2020, Statement of interpretation on Article 15§1 Charter 1996

Article 16

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 16

Conclusions IV (1975) Statement of Interpretation on Article 16

Conclusions XVI-1 (2002), Statement of Interpretation on Articles 12§4 and 16

Conclusions XVI-1 (2002) Interpretative Statement on Article 16

Conclusions XIX-4 (2011), Statement of interpretation on Articles 16 and 17§1

Article 17

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 17

Conclusions III (1973) Statement of Interpretation on Article 17

Conclusions IV (1975) Statement of Interpretation on Article 17
Conclusions 2011, Statement of interpretation on Article 17§2

Conclusions 2019, Statement of Interpretation on Article 17§2- Private sector involvement in education - Charter 1996

Conclusions 2023, Statement of Interpretation on Article 17 Child Poverty - Charter 1996

Statement of Interpretation - Articles 18 & 19 & 20

Article 18

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 18

Conclusions III (1973), Statement of Interpretation on Article 18

Conclusions II (1971), Statement of Interpretation on Article 18
Conclusions IV (1975) Statement of Interpretation on Article 18

Conclusions 2012, Statement of Interpretation on Article 18§1 and 18§3

Conclusions 2012, Statement of Interpretation of Article 18§2

Conclusions 2012, Statement of interpretation on Article 18§3- consequences of job loss - Charter 1996

Conclusions 2012, Statement of interpretation on Article 18§3- recognition of certificates - Charter 1996

Article 19

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 19§1

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 19§2

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 19§7

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 19§8
Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation on Article 19§10

Conclusions I (1969) Statement of interpretation of Art 19

Conclusions II (1971) Statement of interpretation on Article 19§4
Conclusions II (1971) Statement of interpretation on Article 19§8

Conclusions III (1973), Statement of Interpretation on Article 19
Conclusions III (1973) Statement of Interpretation on Article 19§4

Conclusions III (1973) Statement of Interpretation on Article 19§6

Conclusions IV (1975) Statement of Interpretation on Article 19
Conclusions IV (1975), Statement of interpretation on Article 19§2
Conclusions IV (1975) Statement of Interpretation on Article 19§4
Conclusions IV (1975) Statement of Interpretation on Article 19§6

Conclusions V (1977), Statement of Interpretation on Article 19

Conclusions 2015, Statement of interpretation on Article 19,4

Conclusions VIII (1984) Statement of Interpretation on Article 19§6

Conclusion 2011, Statement of Interpretation on Article 19

Conclusion 2011, Statement of Interpretation on Article 19,6

Conclusions 2015, Statement of interpretation on Article 19.6
Conclusions XX-4 (2015) Article 19§8 – expulsions

Conclusions 2019 Statement of interpretation on Article 19

Conclusions 2011, Statement of interpretation on Article 19§4 - Charter 1996
Conclusions 2011, Statement of interpretation on Article 19§7 - Charter 1996
Conclusions 2011, Statement of interpretation on Article 19§8 - Charter 1996 
Conclusions 2011, Statement of interpretation on Article 19§9 - Charter 1996
Conclusions 2011, Statement of interpretation on Article 19§12 - Charter 1996

Article 20
Conclusions 2012, Statement of Interpretation on Article 20

Conclusions 2002, Interpretative Statement on the link between Articles 1§2 and 20 (Charter 1996)

Statements of Interpretation - Articles 23 & 24 & 25

Conclusions XIII-3 (1995), Statement of Interpretation on Article 4 of the Additional Protocol (Article 23)

Conclusions 2013, Statement of Interpretation Article 23 

Conclusions 2013 - Statement of interpretation - Article 23 

Conclusions 2012, Statement of Interpretation on Article 24

Conclusions 2007, Statement of Interpretation on Article 24

Conclusions 2008, Statement of Interpretation on Article 24 and Statement of Interpretation on the burden of proof in discrimination cases

Conclusions 2008, art 25

Conclusions XIX-4 (2011), Statement of interpretation on Articles 25

Conclusions 2012, Statement of Interpretation Article 25

Conclusions 2021, Statement of Interpretation on Article 23 - Ageism - Charter 1996

Statement of Interpretation - Articles 26 & 27 & 30

Conclusions 2022, Statement of interpretation on Article 26

Conclusions 2007, Statement of Interpretation on Article 26§2

Conclusions 2013, Statement of interpretation on Article 30

Article 27

Conclusions 2011, Statement of interpretation on Article 8§2 and 27§3 - ceiling on compensation for unlawful dismissal (Charter 1996)

Conclusions 2015, Statement of interpretation on Article 27§2

Article 29

Conclusions 2014, Statement of Interpretation on Article 29 - Charter 1996