The Commission of the European Communities (CEC) launched an activity on evaluation of technical models used within the major industrial hazards area in November 1992. This paper describes the activities, including a presentation of the guidelines which have been prepared. The CEC commissioned a report by Dr R.E. Britter of Cambridge University on the evaluation of technical models used for major accident hazard installations, following which it was agreed to propose the establishment of a model evaluation group which would study the problem further. The objectives of a model evaluation group are twofold. The primary aim is to improve the culture in which models are developed and used and so ensure that models used in all aspects of major hazard assessment are up to date with technical developments and utilized by personnel well-versed in their applicability and functioning. Secondly, the results will be used to assist the CEC in establishing a balanced set of research priorities for its research programmes within major industrial hazards.