The association defines itself as a special interest group (German: "Interessenvertretung") of Internet oriented businesses, and has the goal of promoting technologies, shaping framework conditions and representing the interests of its members towards policy makers and in national and international committees.

With more than 1,100 member companies across 70 countries, eco is the largest Internet industry association in Europe, as of 2021[update].

eco's political work began in 1997 when it assisted in the formulation of the Information and Telecommunication Services Act [de].

As of 2022[update], DE-CIX Frankfurt is the largest Internet exchange in the world by volume of bandwidth, producing an average of 7 terabits per second, and third-largest by number of participating networks, after Sao Paulo and Jakarta.

The center operates five principle projects:[8] eco annually presents the eco Internet Awards to companies which have made important contributions to the German Internet industry,[9] and publishes numerous white-papers and industry reports.