Commission Recommendation

of 11 March 2002

on a common European format for curricula vitae (CVs)

(notified under document number C(2002) 516)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2002/236/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 149, 150 and 211 thereof,

(1) Whereas the Council Resolution of 3 December 1992 on transparency of qualifications(1) invites the Member States to take steps to increase the visibility of qualifications and competences through the introduction of a common format for the presentation of individual skills (portfolio), a part of which should be a common format for CVs.

(2) Whereas the Presidency conclusions of the European Council held in Lisbon on 23 and 24 March 2000 requested that a common European format be developed for curricula vitae (CVs), to be used on a voluntary basis, in order to facilitate mobility by helping the assessment of knowledge acquired, both by education and training establishments and by employers(2).

(3) Whereas the Recommendation of the European Parliament and Council of 10 July 2001 on mobility within the Community for students, persons undergoing training, young volunteers, teachers and trainers(3) underlines the need for a common European format for CVs, to help individual citizens communicate their qualifications and competences in an efficient and transparent way.

(4) Whereas the Communication from the Commission on Making a European Area of Lifelong Learning a Reality(4) underlines the role to be played by a common European format for CVs in promoting the transparency of qualifications and competences.

(5) Whereas the Communication from the Commission to the Council entitled "New European labour markets, open to all, with access for all"(5) requests the development of an electronic CV system, to be maintained by the European Employment Services ("EURES"), and a common European format for CVs.

(6) Whereas the National Resource Centres for Vocational Guidance (NRCVG) should, as a part of their designated work on promoting vocational guidance and counselling at national and European level, assist in the dissemination of the CV format.

(7) Whereas the EURES network, as part of its services to jobseekers, maintains an electronic CV (EURES CV-search) reflecting the same structure as the common European format for CVs,

HEREBY RECOMMENDS:

1. The common European format for curricula vitae (CVs) as set out in the Annex should be available for use by citizens on a voluntary basis when communicating details of their qualifications and competences to employers and to providers of education and training in their country of residence and/or abroad.

2. Member States should promote and disseminate the common European format for curricula vitae so that it is widely known and available to citizens.

Public employment services, the social partners and non-governmental organisations are invited to make the common format available to their members, be they individuals, enterprises or other organisations, and to promote its acceptance as a useful tool.

3. The Commission will, by the end of 2004, carry out an evaluation of the common format for curricula vitae and of how the scheme has been implemented.

The Commission will, if the evaluation shows it to be necessary, recommend changes to the format.

Done at Brussels, 11 March 2002.

For the Commission

Viviane Reding

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ C 49, 19.2.1993, p. 1.

(2) OJ C 73, 23.3.2002.

(3) OJ L 215, 9.8.2001, p. 30.

(4) COM(2001) 678 final.

(5) COM(2001) 116 final.

ANNEX

Common European format for curricula vitae (CVs)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

1. The common European format for CVs is a resource for the systematic, chronological and flexible presentation of individuals' qualifications and competences.

2. It is available in an easily accessible electronic form, as well as in a paper version. The CV format includes categories for the presentation of:

(a) information on personal matters, language proficiency, work experience and educational and training attainments;

(b) additional competences held by the individual, emphasising technical, organisational, artistic and social skills;

(c) additional information which might be added to the CV in the form of one or more annex(es), and guidance on how to do so simply and clearly.

3. The common European format for CVs is backed by an electronic library of sample CVs, illustrating how individuals in different countries, with differing work and educational backgrounds, have used the model CV for different purposes.

4. There are electronic links to instruments and resources at Community and national level on how to present qualifications and competences (e.g. Diploma supplements, Certificate supplements, Europass, the European Credit Transfer System, the European Computer Driving Licence etc.). The CV format is therefore one element in a broader strategy with a view to improving the transparency of qualifications and competences.

5. The "jobseeker's database" ("CV-job search") developed and managed by the European Employment Services (EURES) reflects the above principles and requirements.

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