Finally, this article provides that member states may introduce or maintain legislation whose purpose is to redress existing gender inequalities. 3.3 Environment Policy towards environmental protection has also been developed. Other treaty changes will require the EU to take environmental factors into account when drawing up policy in other areas - such as transportation, agriculture and regional development. In that regard, the Commission has undertaken to prepare Environmental Impact Assessments where its proposals in other policy areas will have environmental implications. Member states may also maintain or introduce higher environmental standards so long as these are based on scientific criteria and are not designed to be a hidden barrier to trade.
Protection is also the key when it comes to consumers.
This is defined as including the health, safety and economic interests of consumers as well as their rights to information. As with environmental policy and employment, issues related to consumer protection must be considered in other relevant EU policies - such as in the field of agriculture. Again, higher national standards are explicitly protected - so long as they are not excuses for restricting trade. On the size of institutions several changes have been made. The larger member states have therefore agreed, over time, to sacrifice one of their two Commission seats as the EU enlarges to 20 members.