86/605/EEC, Euratom: Rules of Procedure (Revised) (entry into force in September 1986)
Date: 1986-09-08
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: administration of the Institutions













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31986Q0605

86/605/EEC, Euratom: Rules of Procedure (Revised) (entry into force in September 1986)  


Official Journal L 354 , 15/12/1986 P. 0001 





RULES OF PROCEDURE(REVISED)Adopted by the Economic and Social Committee at its 107th  plenary session held on 29 and30 November 1972; approved by the Council of the European  Communities at its meetings on15 January 1973, 4 March 1974 and 13 June 1974Entered into force on  13 June 1974Published in Official Journal of the European Communities N° L 228 of 19 August  1974Articles 5, 16 (16a), 43 and 55 subsequently amendedPublished in Official Journal of the  European Communities N° L 366 of 31 December 1980; N° L 127 of 13 May 1981 and N° L 19 of 27  January 1982Articles 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 34, 37, 38, 39, 43, 44, 46,  50 and 52subsequently amendedApproved by the Council at its meetings on 10-11 March 1986, and 8  September 1986Entered into force in its entirety, September 1986(86/605/EEC, Euratom) TITLE IORGANIZATION OF THE COMMITTEECHAPTER IINSTALLATION OF THE  COMMITTEE IN OFFICEArticle 1The Committee shall hold office for terms of four years. The first meeting of the Committee following each four-yearly renewal shall be convened by the  oldest member not later than one month after the members of the Committeehave been notified of  their appointment by the Council. Itshall be chaired by the oldest member present, assisted by the  four youngest members present and the Secretary-General of the Committee, who together shall  constitute the Interim Bureau. Article 2At the first meeting of the Committee after a four-yearly renewal, the Interim Chairman  shall acquaint the Committee with the communication which he has received from the Council with  respect to the appointment of the members of the Committee, and shall declare the Committee in  office for the new four-year term.CHAPTER IIBUREAUArticle 3Election for the first half of a  four-year periodAt its first meeting, held in pursuance of Article 1 and chaired by the Interim  Bureau, the Committee shall elect its Bureau for a term of two years, commencing on the date of the  installation of the Committee in office in accordance with Article 2. The Interim Bureau shall remain in the chair until the result of the election of the Bureau of the  Committee has been announced. Only matters pertaining to that election may be discussed under the  chairmanship of the Interim Bureau. Article 4Election for the second half of a four-year periodThe meeting at which the bureau is  elected for the last two years of a four-year period shall be convened by the retiring Chairman. It  shall be held at the beginning of the session of the month in which the term of office of the  Bureau elected for the first two years of a four-year period expires. The chair shall be taken by  the retiring Chairman or his deputy. Article 5CompositionThe Bureau of the Committee shall comprise a Chairman, two Vice-Chairmen  and 27 members. The composition of the Bureau shall reflect the representation within the Committee of the Member  States and the various categories of economic and social activity pursuant to the Treaties. Unless otherwise decided beforehand by the Committee by a majority of three-quarters of its  members, the Chairman shall be elected in turn from among the members representing employers, those  representing workers and those representing the other categories of economic and social activity. The Vice-Chairmen shall be elected from among the members representing the categories of economic  and social activity to which the Chairman does not belong. The offices of Chairman, Vice-Chairman and member of the Bureau shall be incompatible with that of  Chairman of a Section. Except by virtue of a decision as referred to in the third paragraph of this Article, the Chairman  and Vice-Chairmen may not be re-elected for the two years immediately following the expiry of their  two-year term of office. Article 6Election procedureThe Committee may set up a panel, drawn from its members, to prepare  lists of candidates for election to the Bureau. The composition of such a panel shall reflect the  representation within the Committee of the Member States and the various categories of economic and  social activity. The panel shall carry out a preliminary examination of candidatures. It may propose candidates to  the Committee, taking due account of the provisions of Articles 5. It must, however, lay before the  Plenary Session all the candidatures which it has received and which have not been withdrawn by the  persons concerned. The Committee, acting in accordance with the provisions of this Article, shall decide on all  candidatures. The Committee shall elect its Chairman, holding more than one ballot if necessary. To be elected, a  candidate must obtain at least one quarter of the valid votes in the first ballot or an absolute  majority of the valid votes in subsequent ballots. The Committee shall elect its two Vice-Chairmen, holding more than one ballot if necessary. To be  elected, a candidate must obtain a least one half of the valid votes in the first ballot or one  third of the valid votes in subsequent ballots. In the event of a tied vote between two or more  candidates, the oldest shall be declared elected. The Committee shall elect the other members of the Bureau, holding more than one ballot if  necessary. Provided they secure at least one quarter of the valid votes, those members of the  Committee who obtain the highest number of the valid votes shall be declared elected. In the event  of a tied vote between two or more candidates, the oldest shall be declared elected. A list setting out the names of the Chairmen, the two Vice-Chairmen and the other members elected  shall then be voted on as a whole. It must receive at least two thirds of the total number of valid  votes. Should there be the same number of candidatures as posts to be filled, the Committee shall vote  immediately on the list as a whole in accordance with the previous paragraph. Voting under this Article shall be by secret ballot. Voting by proxy shall not be permitted. Voting papers shall be considered spoilt if they bear more names than there are posts to be filled  in the relevant ballot. Article 7Replacement of membersIn the event of resignation, death or inability to discharge the  duties attaching to his post, a member of the Bureau shall be replaced for the remainder of his  term of office in accordance with Articles 5 and 6 of these Rules. Article 8Duties - Convening of meetingsThe Bureau shall lay down instructions as to how these  Rules are to be applied. It shall lay down in the same manner the organization and working procedures of the Committee. It shall prepare, organize and coordinate the work of the Plenary Session and the various bodies of  the Committee. In particular, it shall keep itself informed of the work of the Sections and Sub-Committees, ensure  that time limits are met and take note of the results of work before such results are submitted to  the Committee. The Bureau may set up ad hoc groups drawn from among its members to examine any questions falling  within its competence, particularly budgetary matters. The Bureau shall hold a joint meeting with the Chairmen of the Groups and the Sections at least  twice a year, and more frequently if the need arises. The Section Chairmen may ask to be heard by  the Bureau when a item on its agenda is of concern to them. The Bureau shall examine regularly the action taken on opinions delivered by the Committee. The  Chairman, acting on behalf of the Bureau, shall report on his action to the plenary session at  least once before the end of his term of office. Meetings of the Bureau shall be convened by the Chairman, acting either ex officio or at the  request of ten of the members of the Bureau.CHAPTER IIICHAIRMANArticle 9The Chairman of the  Committee shall direct the work of the Committee in accordance with these rules and with the  Treaties. The Chairman shall have authority to represent the Committee in its external relations. The Chairman shall report to the Committee on action and measures taken on its behalf between  plenary sessions. The Vice-Chairmen, who shall deputize for the Chairman if he is absent, shall be informed by him at  regular intervals about questions in hand. Should the Chairman and the Vice-Chairmen be absent, the  oldest member of the Bureau shall take the chair.CHAPTER IVSECTIONSArticle 10The Committee  may, where necessary, on a proposal from the Bureau or from at least 35 members, set up, in the  fields covered by the Treaty establishing the EEC and by the Treaty establishing the EAEC, Sections  other than those established by the Treaties. The Committee shall set up its Sections at the first session following each four-yearly renewal. Article 11CompositionThe number of members and the general composition of its Sections shall be  decided by the Committee on a proposal from its Bureau, on the basis of fair representation of the  Member States and the various categories of economic and social activity represented on the  Committee. N° Section may have less than 35 or more than 72 members. Article 12Appointment of MembersApart from the Chairman, every member of the Committee must be  a member of a Section. N° member may belong to more than three Sections. The Bureau of the Committee may, however, allow  exceptions where justified by the need to ensure fair representation of the Member States. The members of each Section shall be appointed by the Committee on the basis of their competence.  Appointments shall be for two years and shall be renewable. Candidatures sponsored by at least  five members shall be communicated to the Bureau, which shall submit them to the Committee. The procedure laid down for the appointment of Section members shall also be followed for the  replacement of Section members. Article 13BureauThe Bureau of a Section shall, depending on the number of members in that  Section, comprise six or nine members including a Chairman and two Vice-Chairmen. The Chairman, Vice-Chairmen and other members of a Section Bureau shall be elected for a term of  two years by the members of the Section. Unless unanimously decided otherwise by the members,  election shall be by secret ballot, by an absolute majority of the valid votes in the first ballot  or a relative majority of the valid votes in the second ballot. Elections of Section Chairmen and of other members of Section Bureaux shall be subject to  confirmation by the Committee. Section Chairmen and other members of Section Bureaux may be re-elected. Article 14Duties - Rapporteurs - Study GroupsIt shall be the task of the Sections to draw up  opinions and, if necessary, reports, or studies or information reports on questions referred to  them in accordance with Articles 22, 23 or 24 of these Rules. Sections shall appoint a Rapporteur, who may be assisted by Co-Rapporteurs, to study the questions  referred to them and prepare the relevant documents. Where necessary, Sections may, in addition, set up Study Groups drawn from their members; they  shall appoint the Chairmen and members of such Study Groups. Article 15ExpertsIn so far as this is essential for the work to be performed, a Section may, on  its own initiative or on a proposal from its Bureau, and with the agreement of the Chairman of the  Committee, authorize its Rapporteur and Co-Rapporteurs each to obtain the assistance of a person  who, in his capacity as an expert and by virtue of his experience and knowledge, is particularly  well qualified to provide information on the questions for consideration. Where necessary, up to three further experts may be appointed on a proposal from the Bureau of the  Section concerned. The appointments of experts shall terminate on completion of the relevant work in the Section; the  appointment of an expert advising a Rapporteur, however, shall terminate when the plenary session  completes its examination of the relevant document. Experts appointed in accordance with this Article shallbe entitled to reimbursement of travel and  subsistence expenses. Article 16AlternatesAny member of the Committee who is unable to participate in the proceedings  of the Committee may arrange to be represented by an alternate for the proceedings of the Study  Groups to which he belongs. The name and capacity of the alternate selected by the member shall be communicated to the Bureau  of the Committee for its approval. The alternate must be a national of the same Member State and belong to the same category of  economic and social activity as the member of the Committee. The member may at any time terminate  the duties of the alternate on his own initiative or at the request of the latter. The member shall  inform the Bureau of such action. The duties of the alternate shall in any event expire when the  duties of the member of the Committee expire. The alternate shall take part in meetings on the initiative of the absent member, who shall notify  the Chairman of the Study Group concerned thereof in accordance with Article 48 of these Rules of  Procedure. He shall carry out the same duties in the Study Groups as the member whom he replaces. Article 16aAssistantsMembers of Sections or Study Groups may be accompanied at meetings by an  assistant, who may take part in the proceedings but not vote in the case of Sections. Before work  is started on a question for which the participation of the assistant is requested, his name and  capacity shall becommunicated to the Chairman of the Section or Study Groups for his approval. Members of Sections or Study Groups may be accompanied by their alternates as assistants. CHAPTER VSUB-COMMITTEESArticle 17Constitution - Terms of reference - CompositionOn the  initiative of the Bureau, the Committee may set up Sub-Committees drawn from its members to  produce, for submission to the plenary session, draft opinions and the accompanying reports on  general questions or on given matters coming within the purview of two or more Sections. In the periods between plenary sessions the Bureau may set up Sub-Committees, subject to subsequent  confirmation by the Committee. In no case may a Sub-Committee be set upfor more than one referral.  A Sub-Committee shall be automatically dissolved as soon as the opinion which it has prepared is  adopted by the Committee. The composition of Sub-Committees shall reflect the representation within the Committee of the  Member States and of the various categories of economic and social activity. Sub-Committees set up for questions coming within the purview of two or more Sections shall be made  up of members of those Sections. The rules governing Sections shall be applicable, mutatis mutandis, to Sub-Committees.CHAPTER  IVRAPPORTEUR-GENERALArticle 18The Committee may appoint a Rapporteur-General for any question  which it is to examine.CHAPTER VIIGROUPSArticle 19Members of the Committee may, on a voluntary  basis, form Groups representing employers, workers and the other categories of economic and social  activity. The role and working procedures of such Groups shall be laid down by the Bureau of the Committee in  provisions implementing these Rules.TITLE IIPROCEDURE OF THE COMMITTEECHAPTER ICONSULTATION OF  THE COMMITTEEArticle 20Convening of the CommitteeThe Committee shall be convened by its  Chairman to produce opinions requested by the Council or the Commission. It shall be convened by its Chairman, in consultation with the Bureau, to prepare the study of  questions on which the Treaties provide that it must or may be consulted. It shall be convened by its Chairman, in consultation with theBureau, to give further  consideration to questions on which it has already delivered an opinion. It may be convened by its Chairman, on a proposal from its Bureau and with the agreement of the  majority of its members, to deliver, on its own initiative, opinions on any question pertaining to  the tasks assigned to the European Economic Community or the European Atomic Energy Community. Article 21Requests for opinionsRequests made by the Council or the Commission for opinions  shall be addressed to the Chairman of the Committee. The Chairman, in consultation with the Bureau,  shall plan the work of the Committee in the light of the time limits set by the Council or the  Commission.CHAPTER IIORGANIZATION OF WORKA. WORK OF THE SECTIONSArticle 22Referral  procedureWhen an opinion, study or information report is to be produced, the Chairman, in  agreement with the Bureau, shall designate the Section which is to be responsible for preparing the  work in question. Where the matter for consideration is clearly within the purview of a given  Section, the Chairman shall designate that Section and inform the Bureau of his decision. The Chairman of the Section which has been designated shall be notified by the Chairman of the  subject to be considered and of the time limit for submission of the documents to be drawn up by  the Section. The Chairman shall inform the members of the Committee of the referral to the Section and of the  date on which the subject is to be dealt with by the plenary session. Article 23Supplementary referralIn exceptional cases or at the request of the Section to which  a question has been referred for the main opinion, the Chairman may, in agreement with the Bureau,  call upon one or more other Sections to produce a supplementary opinion on an aspect or aspects of  the question for which an opinion has been requested. The Section to which a question has been referred for the main opinion shall retain sole competence  to report on that question to the Committee. It must, however, annex to its opinion any  supplementary opinions requested from other Sections. Failing a decision in accordance with the first paragraph of this Article, no Section may request  an opinion from another Section on questions referred to it. Article 24Information procedureWithout prejudice to the provisions of the fourth paragraph of  Article 20, the Committee may, on a proposal from the Bureau, decide to prepare an information  report with a view to examining any question pertaining to the tasks assigned to the EEC or the  EAEC. The information report drawn up for the members of the Committee may be forwarded to the  institutions if the plenary session so decides. Article 25Joint meetingsAs a general rule, Sections shall not discuss matters jointly. However,  the Chairman, in agreement with the Bureau, may authorize two or more Sections to hold joint  meetings if he considers such meetings necessary for the preparation of the relevant opinion or if  the Section to which a question has been referred for the main opinion requests joint meetings for  the same reason. Article 26Convening of meetingsSections to which a question has been referred in accordance  with these Rules shall be convened by their Chairman. Article 27Preparation of meetingsSection meetings shall be prepared by the Section Chairman in  consultation with his Bureau. The draft agenda and the other documents pertaining to a Section meeting shall be sent in good time  to the members of the Section and, for information purposes, to any member of the Committee who so  requests. Meetings shall be chaired by the Section Chairman or, if he is absent, by one of the  Vice-Chairmen. If the Chairman and the Vice-Chairmen are absent, the oldest member of the Bureau shall take the  chair. Article 28QuorumA quorum shall exist at Section meetings if over half of the members of the  Section are present or represented. If there is not a quorum, the Chairman shall close the meeting and arrange for a further meeting to  be held at a time which he considers appropriate, but during the course of the same day; at that  further meeting a quorum shall exist irrespective of the number of members present or represented. Article 29Preparation of opinionsSection opinions and, if necessary, reports shall be drawn up  with reference to the working documents compiled by theRapporteur or the Study Group and to any  documents prepared by a Section to which supplementary referral has been made. Article 30Opinions and reportsSection opinions shall contain only texts adopted by the Section  in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 45 of these Rules. The text of proposed amendments which have been rejected, together with the result of the voting  thereon, shall be appended to the opinion if the amendments received at least one quarter of the  total votes cast or the amendments constituted a counter-opinion.Section opinions shall be accompanied by the Section report, if one has been produced, and by the  opinions of any other Sections to which supplementary referral has been made. The report shall be  drawn up by the Rapporteur in accordance with the decisions taken by the Section and shall set out  the views expressed during the proceedings. Conformity with the aforesaid decisions shall be  certified by the counter-signature of the Chairman of the Section. If the Chairman refuses to sign,  the matter shall be settled by the Bureau of the Section. Article 31Forwarding of opinions and reportsSection opinions and reports (if produced),  together with all the documents appended thereto in accordance with Article 30, shall be sent by  the Chairman of the Section to the Chairman of the Committee and shall be laid before the Committee  by its Bureau as soon as possible. They shall be sent to the members of the Committee in good  time. Article 32MinutesConcise minutes of each Section meeting shall be drawn up and submitted to the  Section for approval. Article 33Reference back of opinions to SectionsThe Chairman, in agreement with the Bureau or  the plenary session, may refer a question back to a Section if he considers that the procedure laid  down in these Rules for drawing up opinions has not been adhered to or that further study is  necessary.B. PREPARATORY WORKArticle 34The Rapporteur or the Rapporteur and the Study Group,  acting in accordance with the instructions given by the Section concerned, shall study the question  referred and collect and arrange the basic material for the opinion and the report (if one is to be  produced) and shall compile the dossier of working documents, which shall be sent to the Chairman  of the Section. The meetings of a Study Group shall be presided over by a Chairman appointed by the Section in  accordance with Article 14. If the Chairman of a Study Group is absent, a Study Group member  designated by the Chairman himself or, failing this, by the other members of the Study Group, shall  take the chair. A quorum shall exist at Study Group meetings if at least one third of the members of the Study  Group are present or represented by their alternates or by other members of the Committee. If there is not a quorum, the Chairman shall close the meeting, and arrange for a further meeting  to be held at a time which he considers appropriate, but during the course of the same day; at that  further meeting a quorum shall exist whatever the number of members present or represented. There shall be no voting at Study Group meetings. Concise minutes of each Study Group meeting shall be drawn up for the Rapporteur. These minutes  shall include a list of the members, alternates, experts and assistants who attended the meeting.C.  PROCEEDINGS OF THE FULL COMMITTEEArticle 35SessionsThe Committee shall sit as full Committee  at its sessions. Sessions of the Committee shall be convened in accordance with Article 20 of these Rules and shall  as a general rule be held during the last seven days of the month. Article 36Preparation of sessionsSessions shall be prepared by the Chairman in consultation  with the Bureau. The Bureau shall meet before and possibly during each session.Article  37AgendaWithout prejudice to Article 46 of these Rules, which lays down the urgency procedure,  the draft agenda drawn up by the Bureau shall be sent by the Chairman to all Committee members and  to the Council and the Commission at least 15 days before the opening of the relevant session. The draft agenda shall be submitted to the full Committee for approval at the opening of each  session. A draft agenda may be amended by the Committee at the request of the Council or the  Commission, or on a proposal from the Bureau. The documents necessary for the Committee's  deliberations shall be sent to the members of the Committee in accordance with Article 31. Article 38QuorumA quorum shall exist at session meetings if more than half of the members of  the Committee are present or represented. If there is not a quorum, the Chairman shall close the meeting and arrange for a further meeting to  be held at a time he considers appropriate but during the same session; at that further meeting  there shall be a quorum whatever the number of members present or represented. Article 39Procedure at session meetingsThe Chairman shall open session meetings, preside over  discussions and ensure that these Rules are observed. The Chairman shall be assisted by the  Vice-Chairmen. The Committee shall base its deliberations on the work of the Section competent to report to it on  the questions concerned. The Chairman of the Section competent to report to the Committee shall outline the procedure  followed by the Section in its work. The Rapporteur shall introduce the opinion adopted by the  Section. A general discussion shall then be held on the question covered by the opinion; those members of  the Committee who have given their names to the Chairman for inclusion on the list of speakers  shall be called upon to speak. After closure of the general discussion, the Committee shall draw up its opinion on the basis of  the Section opinion and any amendments proposed thereto in accordance with Article 40 of these  Rules. In the event of a Section opinion being rejected, the Chairman of the Committee may, with the  consent of the plenarysession, refer the matter back to the competent Section for re-examination  or appoint a Rapporteur-General, who shall submit a new draft opinion during the same session or at  a subsequent session. Where a text has been adopted by a Section without votes against, the Bureau may, in the light of  the information received from the Chairman of that Section under Article 31 of these Rules, propose  to the Committee that the text be voted on without a discussion. The Committee shall then apply  this procedure unless a member objects. Such voting without a discussion shall be by show of hands unless a member objects. Article 40AmendmentsProposals for amendments must be drawn up in writing, signed by the  proposers and lodged with the Chairman before the opening of the relevant session. The Committee may, however, allow proposals for amendments to be lodged up to the opening of the  relevant session meeting, provided such proposals are signed by at least five members. Except where the relevant Section opinion or study was sent to members under the urgency procedure,  proposals for amendments may not be tabled during a session meeting unless they relate to changes  made to the text in the course of the discussion and unless they are signed by at least five  members. Proposals for amendments must specify the part of the text to which they refer and be supported by  a brief explanatory statement. When the Committee examines proposals for amendments, the Chairman of the Committee, in  consultation with the Chairman and the Rapporteur of the competent Section, may propose to the  Committee any changes needed to ensure that the final text is consistent. Article 41Closure of discussionsThe Chairman, either on his own initiative or at the request of  a member, may invite the Committee to decide on a limitation of speaking time, the adjournment of a  meeting or the closure of a discussion. Once a discussion has been declared closed, no member may  speak except to explain his vote; such explanations of voting shall be made after the relevant vote  has been taken and shall not exceed the speaking time allotted for the purpose by the Chairman. Article 42MinutesMinutes of each Committee session shall be drawn up and submitted to the  Committee for its approval. The final version of such minutes shall be signed by the Chairman and the Secretary-General of the  Committee. The following documents shall be annexed to such minutes: (a)  records of the Committee proceedings on opinions or studies, such records to include the texts  of all amendments proposed and put to the vote, and a statement of the voting thereon; where voting  was by name, the names of the voters shall be given; (b)  the opinions of the competent Sections; (c)  any other documents which the Committee deems essential for an understanding of the  discussions. Article 43OpinionsOpinions of the Committee shall consist of two parts: - an introduction, setting out the legal basis of the opinion and the procedure followed in its  preparation, and containing an explanatory statement, - as second part, containing the views of the Committee on the question as a whole and specific  comments on aspects thereof. The result of the voting on the opinion as a whole shall be appended thereto. Where voting was by  name, the names of the voters shall be given. When one of the Groups formed within the Committee or one of the categories of economic and social  activity represented thereon adopt a divergent but uniform standpoint on a matter submitted to the  plenary session for examination, their position can be summarized in a brief statement to be  appended to the opinion, where the debate on that matter has been concluded by a vote by name. The texts and explanatory statements of proposed amendments rejected by the plenary session shall  also be appended to Committee opinions together with the results of the voting on those amendments,  if the amendments received at least one quarter of the total cast or the amendments constituted a  counter-opinion. Article 44Forwarding of opinions and minutesOpinions adopted by the Committee, Section  opinions, Section reports (if produced) and minutes of Committee sessions shall be sent to the  Council and the Commission. Committee opinions and session minutes shall also be sent to the members of the Committee as soon  as possible after each session. In the case of minutes this shall be done as early as possible  before the next session.TITLE IIIGENERAL PROVISIONSCHAPTER IMETHODS OF VOTINGArticle 45The  valid forms of votes shall be votes for, votes against and abstention. Except where otherwise provided in these Rules, adoption of the texts and decisions of the  Committee and its constituent bodies shall be by a majority of the votes cast, excluding  abstentions. Voting shall be by name, by show of hands or by secret ballot. Voting shall be by name if one quarter of the members present or represented so request. The final  vote on opinions shall also be by name unless the members present or represented unanimously decide  otherwise. In addition, the Chairman of a meeting may order a vote by name to be taken on a matter which has  already been voted on by show of hands, where he considers the result of that vote to be in doubt,  or deems it desirable that the names of the voters be recorded in the minutes. Without prejudice to Articles 6 and 13, voting shall be by secret ballot where a majority of the  members present or represented so request.CHAPTER IIURGENCY PROCEDUREArticle 46Urgency  procedure at Committee levelWithout prejudice to cases where the urgency results from a deadline  for the submission of its opinion imposed on the Committee by the Council or by the Commission  pursuant to the second paragraph of Article 198 of the EEC Treaty or the second paragraph of  Article 170 of the EAEC Treaty, the urgency procedure may be applied if the Chairman finds the  procedure necessary to enable the Committee to adopt opinions in good time. In cases of urgency at Committee level, the Chairman may immediately and without consulting the  Bureau beforehand, take all requisite steps to enable the Committee to carry out its work. He  shall, however, inform the members of the Bureau of the steps which he takes. Where the urgency procedure is applied, time limits applicable under the normal procedure may be  disregarded. Arrangements made by the Chairman under the urgency procedure shall be submitted to the next  session of the Committee for confirmation. Article 47Urgency procedure at Section levelIf a situation of urgency arises from the time  limits imposed on a Section, the Chairman of that Section may, with the agreement of the Chairman  of the Committee and in consultation with the Section Bureau, organize the work of the Section  otherwise than as provided in these Rules. Arrangement made by the Chairman of a Section under the urgency procedure shall be submitted to the  next meeting of that Section for confirmation.CHAPTER IIIABSENCE AND REPRESENTATIONArticle  48AbsenceAny member of the Committee who is unable to attend a Committee session or a Section or  Study Group meeting must give the Chairman concerned advance notice of his absence. Where a member of the Committee fails to attend more than three consecutive sessions of the  Committee without appointing a member to represent him and without a validreason, the Chairman  may, after consulting the Bureau and inviting the member concerned to explain his absence, call  upon the Council to remove that member from office. Where a member of a Section fails to attend more than three consecutive meetings of the Section  without appointing a member to represent him and without a valid reason, the Chairman of that  Section may, after inviting the member concerned to explain his absence, call upon him to yield his  seat on the Section to another member. Article 49Delegation of voting rightsAny member of the Committee who is unable to attend a  Committee session or a Section meeting may, after notifying the Chairman concerned, delegate his  voting right, in writing, to another member of the Committee or the Section. N° member may hold more than one delegated voting right at a plenary session or Section meeting. Article 50RepresentationAny member of a Section or a Study Group who is unable to attend a  meeting of that Section or Study Group may, after giving written notice to the Chairman concerned  arrange for another member of the Committee to represent him at the relevant meeting. Such proxies shall be valid solely for the meeting in respect of which they are issued. At the time of the constitution of a Study Group, any member designated as a member of that Study  Group may ask to be replaced by another member of the Committee. Such replacement shall apply for a  specific question and for the duration of the Section's work on that question. It may not be  revoked.CHAPTER IVPUBLICATION - ADMISSION OF THE PUBLICArticle 51PublicationThe Committee  shall publish its opinions in the Official Journal of the European Communities in accordance with  the procedure laid down by the Council and the Commission after consultation of the Bureau of the  Committee. The names of the members of the Committee, its Bureaux and its Sections, and all changes in the  composition thereof, shall likewise be published in the Official Journal of the European  Communities. Article 52Admission of the public to meetingsPlenary sessions of the Commissions shall be  public. Proceedings on particular questions may be declared confidential by decision of the Committee  acting on a request from the institution concerned or a proposal from the Bureau. Other meetings shall not be public. The Chairman of the Committee may issue persons sponsored by one of the Groups of the Committee  with a visitor's pass for session meetings; such passes may be issued on a permanent basis or for  the duration of one session, but shall not be valid for proceedings which have been declared  confidential. Article 53Attendance by members and officials of the Council and the CommissionMembers of the  Council and the Commission may attend meetings of the Committee and its constituent bodies and may  speak at such meetings. Duly authorized officials of the Council and the Commission may attend meetings of the Committee  and its constituent bodies and may be called upon by the chair to answer questions which fall  within their purview.CHAPTER VTITLE, PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES OF MEMBERSArticle 54Members of  the Committee shall have the title 'Member of the Economic and Social Committee'. The privileges and immunities of the members of the Committee shall be as laid down in Article 10  of the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Economic Community, and Article 10  of the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Atomic Energy Community.CHAPTER  IVTERMINATION OF OFFICE OF MEMBERSArticle 55Membership of the Committee shall expire at the  end of thefour-year term of office fixed by the Council on renewal of the Committee. Membership shall cease on an individual basis on resignation, on removal from office, through  death, in the case of force majeure or in the event of an incompatibility of functions arising. The functions of a member of the Committee shall be incompatible with those of a member of a  national government, a national parliament, a Community institution, the Court of Auditors or the  Board of Directors of the European Investment Bank, and with the post of official or other servant  of the Communities with active status. Resignations shall be in writing and shall be addressed to the Chairman of the Committee. The circumstances in which members may be removed from office are laid down in Article 48. In such  cases the Council shall initiate the replacement procedure, if it decides to terminate membership. In the case of resignation, death, force majeure or incompatibility of functions, the Chairman of  the Committee shall notify the Council, which shall verify the vacancy and initiate the replacement  procedure. In the case of resignation, however, the resigning member shall remain in office until  the date on which the appointment of his replacement takes effect, unless the resigning member  indicates otherwise. In all the cases referred to in the second paragraph of this Article, the replacement shall be  appointed for the remainder of the current term of office.CHAPTER VIIADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES OF  THE COMMITTEEArticle 56General SecretariatThe Committee shall be assisted by a General  Secretariat headed by a Secretary-General, who shall discharge his duties under the direction of  the Chairman, representing the Bureau. The Secretary-General shall attend the meetings of the Bureau in an advisory capacity and shall  keep the minutes of those meetings. The Secretary-General shall be responsible for giving effect to decisions taken by the Bureau or  the Chairman in virtue of these Rules. The Secretary-General may delegate his powers within the limits decided by the Chairman. He shall give a solemn undertaking, before the Bureau, to discharge his duties conscientiously and  with complete impartiality. The Bureau, acting on a proposal from the Secretary-General, shall organize the General  Secretariat in such a way that it can ensure the efficient functioning of the Committee and its  constituent bodies, and help the members in the performance of their duties. Article 57AppointmentsThe powers which the Staff Regulations of Officials of the Communities  confer on the appointing authority shall be exercised as follows: - for officials in Grades 6 to 8 of Category A and of the Language Service and for officials in  Categories B, C and D, by the Secretary-General, - for officials in Grades 4 and 5 of Category A and of the Language Service, by the Chairman,  acting on a proposal from the Secretary-General, - for other officials and the Secretary-General, by the Council, acting on a proposal from the  Bureau with the agreement of the Commission, as regards application of Articles 1, 13, 15 (second  paragraph), 16, 22, 29, 30, 31, 32, 38, 40, 41, 49, 50, 51, 78, 87, 88, 89 and 90 of the Staff  Regulations; by the Chairman as regards application of the other provisions of the Staff  Regulations. The powers which the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the Communites confer on the  authority competent to conclude contracts of service shall be exercised as follows: - for temporary staff in Grades 6 to 8 of Category A and of the Language Service and for temporary  staff in Categories B, C and D, by the Secretary-General; for temporary staff in Grades 4 and 5 of  Category A and of the Language Service, by the Chairman, acting on a proposal from the  Secretary-General; for other temporary staff, by the Council, acting on a proposal from the Bureau  and with the agreement of the Commission, - for special advisers, by the Chairman, in accordance with Article 82 of the Conditions of  Employment of Other Servants, - for auxiliary staff in Category A, Group I, by the Chairman, acting on a proposal from the  Secretary-General, and for all other auxiliary staff, by the Secretary-General, - for local staff, by the Secretary-General. Article 58Secretariat of the ChairmanThe Chairman may have a private secretariat. The members of the secretariat shall be engaged under the budget as temporary staff, the powers of  the authority competent to conclude contracts of service being exercised by the Chairman. Article 59Estimates of expenditure and revenueBefore 1 June of each year the Secretary-General  shall submit to the Bureau the draft estimates of the expenditure and revenue of the Committee for  the next financial year. The Bureau shall draw up the estimates of the expenditure and revenue of  the Committee. It shall forward these estimates in accordance with the procedure and within the  time limits laid down in the financial regulations referred to in Article 209 of the Treaty  establishing the European Economic Community and Article 183 of the Treaty establishing the  European Atomic Energy Community. The Chairman of the Committee, acting in accordance with the financial regulations, shall implement  or cause to be implemented the statement of the expenditure and revenue of the Economic and Social  Committee annexed to Section II of the General Budget of the European Communities. Article 60CorrespondenceCorrespondence to the Committee shall be addressed to the Chairman or  the Secretary-General at the headquarters of the Committee.CHAPTER VIIIREVISION OF THE RULES OF  PROCEDUREArticle 61The Committee may decide by an absolute majority of its members that  complete or partial revision of these Rules is called for. In the event of such a decision the Committee shall instruct a panel which shall be known as the  'Panel for the Rules of Procedure' and shall have a Rapporteur-General in accordance with Article  18 of these Rules, to produce a report and draft a new text. On the basis of these documents the  Committee shall decide by an absolute majority of its members whether to adopt new provisions. Any such new provisions shall enter into force after approval by the Council.