To ensure a broad enough basis for consultation, the Pillar touches on both on areas which are where the EU is competent to legislate and on others where Member States are primarily responsible, and where the EU has a more supportive and complementary role.
Selleks et tagada piisavalt lai alus konsulteerimiseks, hõlmab sammas nii valdkondi, milles ELil on seadusloomepädevus kui ka valdkondi, mille eest vastutavad peamiselt liikmesriigid ning kus ELi roll on pigem toetav ja täiendav.