For a greater transparency in procurement and to reduce or even remove technical barriers to open competition, FIDIC is working to develop standard definitions for the scope of services offered by consulting engineers. In a complimentary project, FIDIC is also collaborating with the European federation EFCA on an European Union (EU) funded project investigating the possible standardization of consulting services within the Union. Although the EU study is much broader, and includes a survey of current systems in European states, FIDIC's work offers valuable information. In turn, the EU study will help FIDIC identify existing definitions. Progress will be reported at the 2006 International Consulting Engineering Conference (Budapest, 24-27 September, www.consulting 2006.org) that is organized by FIDIC and EFCA in association with their Member Association AHCEA-Hungary.