WRITTEN QUESTION E-1265/97 by Christine Crawley (PSE) to the Commission (11 April 1997)

Subject: Commission consultation procedures

What procedures exist for the consultation of interest groups in policy making, and the criteria for selecting the participation of interest groups?

Would the Commission also outline the role played by consumer groups with particular reference to legislation concerning the food sector?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (15 May 1997)

Procedures for consulting interest groups established by the Commission are either formal through Advisory Committees or informal on an ad hoc basis. The Commission selects whichever type of dialogue it considers the most appropriate means of taking the opinions of interest groups into consideration. In many cases both procedures are used. The Commission also uses the Green Paper procedure, whereby interested circles are invited to convey their views on the Commission's ideas or the possibilities for action set out in the green papers.

Where the Commission considers there is a good case for establishing an advisory committee as a forum for dialogue, it lays down the rules governing formal consultation (task, composition, appointment and terms of reference) in the decision setting up the committee. Selection criteria take into account, among other things, the representativeness of the group to be consulted and aim at a fair balance between the various interests involved (i.e. representatives of the branches of activity directly concerned but also of more general interests such as trade unions, consumers and the environment).

In informal relations, where there is no plan to consult a committee, Commission departments follow the general line of conduct laid down by the Commission in its communication of 2 December 1992 entitled 'An open and structured dialogue between the Commission and special interest groups' ((OJ C 63, 5.3.1993. )). While it does not impose any code of conduct or accreditation system, the Commission intends to hold consultations on the broadest possible base by affording equal treatment to all interest groups, though if they wish to be heard they must comply with a few ground rules set out in the communication.

With regard to the role of consumer organizations ((Commission Decision 95/260/EC of 13.6.1995 - OJ L 162, 13.7.1995 )), the Commission set up a consumer committee in 1995 which may be consulted on all matters relating to the protection of consumer interests at Community level. When issues are raised at the quarterly meetings, members are expected to relay back to the consumer organizations and other interested groups in the Member States and to report back to the Commission about reactions and proposals.

In a number of cases, informal working groups have also been established with people from the consumer organizations with the aim of having a much more detailed and intensive consultation with these groups.

With particular reference to legislation concerning the foodstuffs sector, the Commission maintains close contacts with the representative consumer organizations established at Community level. Although no formal procedures are foreseen, these organizations are consulted during the preparation of new legislation. In addition, consumer groups are represented on the Advisory Committee for Foodstuffs established by Commission Decision 80/1073/EEC of 24 October 1980 ((OJ L 318, 26.11.1980. )).