EU Commission The administration and management of the EEA is shared between the EU and the EEA EFTA States in a two-pillar structure where the EU and its institutions constitute one pillar, while the EEA EFTA States and their institutions constitute the other pillar, mirroring those of the EU. Between those two pillars several joint bodies have been established, such as the EEA Council and the EEA Joint Committee. Through these joint bodies, the 31 EEA States jointly implement and develop the EEA Agreement. The two-pillar structure is necessary because the EEA EFTA States have not transferred any competences regarding surveillance and judicial review to the EU. In order for decisions made by EU institutions to apply to the EEA EFTA States, certain competences and tasks which are carried out by bodies in the EU pillar have to be conferred upon bodies in the EFTA pillar. The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has powers that are similar to those of the European Commission, but the two institutions oversee the application of the same laws in different parts of the EEA. ESA monitors the EEA EFTA States while the EU Commission monitors the EU Member States. However, ESA does not propose new laws or policies as the Commission does. Due to their mirror roles and the need to ensure uniform application of law, ESA cooperates closely with the EU Commission. The two bodies consult each other and exchange data, and in the event of disagreement, negotiations are referred to by the EEA Joint Committee. Functions ESA’s primary task is to ensure that relevant EU law is properly transposed and enforced by the EEA EFTA States - Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. In this context, ESA broadly performs the same roles as the European Commission, and the two bodies work closely together. If an EEA EFTA State does not implement EEA rules or does not to so correctly or in a timely manner, ESA may initiate infringement proceedings against the EEA EFTA State concerned. This may ultimately be adjudicated by the EFTA Court. Where ESA has information on any domestic legislation or practices that may not be in compliance with EEA law, it can likewise decide to initiate an investigation. ESA seeks to protect the rights of individuals and market participants. Private persons, NGOs and companies may lodge complaints with ESA against Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway if they consider national legislation or administrative measures