(1) The objectives of the Association are: - to represent the common professional and “trade interests” of its members at a European level in particular in dealings with European departments and authorities and with manufacturers and their national and European amalgamations, - to represent to the legislature and other public bodies the views and interests of European fastener distributors; to promote, support, or oppose legislative and other measures affecting their interests and to take all such steps as may seem expedient for altering and improving any existing laws, customs or usages affecting such interests. - to establish contacts and to foster an exchange of views between the national distributor associations worldwide. (2) It is not the aim of the Association to pursue profit making objectives.