- Giles has been an MEP for Devon and East Plymouth since 1994, becoming MEP for the South West of England in 1999.
- He was Chairman of the Conservatives in the European Parliament from November 2007 to June 2008.
- He was Chairman of the European Parliament's Industry Committee from 2004 to 2006.
- Giles is the EPP-ED Group's Coordinator on the Industry, Research and Energy Committee and the Conservative Spokesman for that Committee. He is also Chairman of the Delegation for Interparliamentary Relations with Australia and New Zealand. A Co-ordinator combines the roles of whip, leader and spokesman. As he represents the largest political group in the European Parliament, he exerts considerable influence on the work of the committee.
- He was the only Conservative MEP to be co-ordinator on a legislative committee and was twice elected to this position by EPP-ED MEPs from all Member States.
- He has been personally responsible for four important Reports within the Industry, Research and Energy Committee since 1999.
- The Directive on Units of Measurement extended the period for allowing dual marking in imperial and metric until end 2009. Getting the proposal adopted at first reading, was a legislative first post the 1997 Amsterdam Treaty.
- Next was the Green Paper on Security of Supply of Energy in Europe, of great importance for Europe’s future energy needs.
- Then the Measuring Instruments Directive replaced ten previous directives establishing common standards.
- Finally, he was Rapporteur for the Directive on Security of Supply of Energy Electricity and infrastructure investment, adopted at 1st Reading in mid 2005.
- Giles is also involved in a number of interest groups covering specific issues on a cross-party basis. He has been elected President of the European Energy Foundation, after serving as Vice-President between 1995 and 2004. (visit the EEF website) and First Vice-President of the Ciel & Espace Intergroup (aerospace) 2001-2004.
