For the purposes of this Directive:

1. (a)

   ‘undertaking’ means a public or private undertaking carrying out an economic activity, whether or not operating for gain, which is located within the territory of the Member States;

2. (b)

   ‘establishment’ means a unit of business defined in accordance with national law and practice, and located within the territory of a Member State, where an economic activity is carried out on an ongoing basis with human and material resources;

3. (c)

   ‘employer’ means the natural or legal person party to employment contracts or employment relationships with employees, in accordance with national law and practice;

4. (d)

   ‘employee’ means any person who, in the Member State concerned, is protected as an employee under national employment law and in accordance with national practice;

5. (e)

   ‘employees' representatives’ means the employees' representatives provided for by national laws and/or practices;

6. (f)

   ‘information’ means transmission by the employer to the employees' representatives of data in order to enable them to acquaint themselves with the subject matter and to examine it;

7. (g)

   ‘consultation’ means the exchange of views and establishment of dialogue between the employees' representatives and the employer.