Directorate-General

Within the European Union (EU), Directorates-General are departments with specific zones of responsibility. Within the European Commission specifically, Directorates-General are the equivalent of national-level ministries. Most are headed by a European commissioner, responsible for the general direction of the Directorate-General, and in charge of the corresponding policy area; and a director-general, responsible for the management of day-to-day affairs, who reports to the European Commissioner.