In the 1950s an energy shortage led the six founding states to look into 'alternative' ways of generating energy. Nuclear energy was the most practical means of sloving this deficit and, since alone the member states could not afford to invest in nuclear energy, they decided to colectively form EURATOM to achieve ends. Nurturing and and research costs would be split. EURTAOM was created on March 25th, 1957 (forming part of the Treaty of Rome).

     The Institution promotes the developments of European nuclear industries, alowing member states to benefit from such 'atomic energy' whilst guarranteeing the safest environment for harbouring it. The preamble of the treaty shows member states wanting to 'create the conditions necessary for the development of a powerful nuclear industry which will provide extensive energy resources, lead to the modernization of technical processes, and contribute, through its many other applications, to the prosperity of their peoples..'

     Under the treaty, EURATOM has eight main functions. Briefly, these are: to promote research and ensure the dissemination of technical information, to establish uniform safety standards, to protect the health of workers and the general public and ensure that they are applied, to facilitate investment and ensure the establishment of the basic installations necessary for the development of nuclear energy in the EU, to ensure that all users of the EU receive a regular and equitable supply of ores and nuclear fuel, to make certain civil nuclear materials are not directed to other purposes (particularly military), to exercise the right of ownership conferred upon it with respect to special fissile materials, to foster progress in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy by working with other countries and international organisations and, finally,  to establish joint undertakings.