Main Treaty amendments since the UK joined the EEC

Since the UK joined the European Economic Community in 1973 several major Treaty amendments have changed the EU’s structure, decision-making procedures and the policy areas in which the EC/EU can act.

This Note outlines the key changes in these areas since the Single European Act in 1986 – the first major Treaty change after the UK joined the EEC. It looks at the following:

– Single European Act

– Treaty on European Union (Maastricht)

– Treaty of Amsterdam

– Treaty of Nice

– Treaty of Lisbon