This study relates to the role and responsibilities of professional associations, whatever they are called and however they are organised legally, in the fifteen member States of the European Union. It seeks to understand and give a specific presentation of the position that such organisations hold in the implementation of Community law. Ro that end, it is necessary to ascertain and describe their general characteristics, the nature of the competences that they exercise, their relations with their members and their involvement in determining and applying any rules of professional ethics that may apply.