The Bureau of European Designers' Associations was established in 1969 as the representative body for professional designers' associations within the EU. With a multidisciplinary membership drawn from its member associations, BEDA represents the interests of around 15,000 practising designers. BEDA's objective is to develop a long-term policy on design for the European Union. It works towards the harmonisation of professional design qualifications and the raising and maintaining of design standards. It proactively lobbies the European Commission and the European Parliament, in particular where these issues may affect the interests or rights of practising designers.