The Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 1999 implement Council Directives 94/45/EC and 97/74/EC on the establishment of a European Works Council (EWC). The 1994 Directive sets out requirements for informing and consulting employees at the European level in undertakings with at least 1000 employees across the member states and at least 150 employees in each of two or more of those member states. Implementation of the 1997 Directive means that employees in the UK must be included in present and future EWC agreements. The Regulations came into force on 15th January 2000 and among other matters set out procedures for negotiating an EWC agreement, the enforcement mechanisms and statutory provisions for employees.