Page "Council of the European Union" Paragraph 11

Under this procedure, the Commission presents a proposal to Parliament and the Council.

Following its first reading the Parliament may propose amendments.

If the Council accepts these amendments then the legislation is approved.

If it does not then it adopts a " common position " and submits that new version to the Parliament.

At its second reading, if the Parliament approves the text or does not act, the text is adopted, otherwise the Parliament may propose further amendments to the Council's proposal.

It may be rejected out right by an absolute majority of MEPs.

If the Council still does not approve the Parliament's position, then the text is taken to a " Conciliation Committee " composed of the Council members plus an equal number of MEPs.

If a Committee manages to adopt a joint text, it then has to be approved in a third reading by both the Council and Parliament or the proposal is abandoned.