green paper

plural green papers

1. A tentative government report of a proposal without any commitment to action, being the first step in changing the law; a discussion document.

   In the green paper, the European Commission calls for the inception of free competition in virtually all of Europe′s satellite communications markets.

   1990, EC exec discusses benefits of satellite push in Europe, Network World: Dec 31, 1990 - Jan 17, 1991, page 30

   2 more examples

   1998, Commission of the European Communities, Green Paper on the Development of the Single Market for Postal Services, DIANE Publishing Company, page 29, A Green Paper is a discussion document. This Green Paper on Postal Services is published as the basis for discussion of what changes need to be made to the Community′s postal sector in order to achieve the Single Market in postal services.

   Between the release of the Green Paper in late January 1998 and the issuance of the final White Paper in June 1998, a subset of the groups listed in table 8.1 formed a “dominant coalition” capable of driving the institutionalization process to conclusion.

   2002, Milton Mueller, Ruling the Root: Internet Governance and the Taming of Cyberspace, page 164

2. CanadaAn official document sponsored by the Crown of propositions put before the nation for discussion.
3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see green, paper.