Cooperatives contribute significantly to economic and social development in virtually all countries. The second part of the 20th century saw cooperative laws to either support or to hinder this development. That is why governments have been revising their cooperative laws over the past one and a half decades with a view to bringing them in line with the universally recognized cooperative values and principles whilst responding to the challenges of an ever harsher competition amongst businesses at all levels.

Unfortunately, very little information is available on how to draft a cooperative law. Which are the issues to be considered? Which are the effects of specific solutions? In the mid 1990ies the Cooperative Branch of the ILO decided to fill this gap by commissioning the elaboration of guidelines for cooperative legislation on the basis of its long term experience in cooperative policy and law advice. This book is the 2nd edition of these guidelines. It builds on a wide consultation process and takes into consideration the latest developments, including the adoption of two major international instruments on cooperatives, the 2001 UN Guidelines aimed at creating a supportive environment for the development of cooperatives and the 2002 ILO Recommendation No.193 on the promotion of cooperatives. The International Cooperative Alliance endorsed a draft version of these guidelines at its 2001 General Assembly in Seoul.

This book is published jointly by the ILO and the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC).