2001/531/EC,Euratom: Commission Decision of 27 June 2001 on establishing the European Research Advisory Board (notified under document number C(2001) 1656)
Date: 2001-06-27
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU research policy, advisory committee (EU), research and development, technological change

14.7.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 192/21

COMMISSION

COMMISSION DECISION

of 27 June 2001

on establishing the European Research Advisory Board

(notified under document number C(2001) 1656)

(2001/531/EC, Euratom)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

(8)

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

The Commission supports adequate representation of
women in consultative committees and has a target of
40 % for participation of women in RTD activities,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic
Energy Community,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

The Commission needs an independent high-level body
to increase effectiveness of European RTD policies.

The advisory body should be made up of high-level
individuals from the scientific community, industry, and
the services sector, in order to examine general research
policy issues.

The Presidency Conclusions of
the Lisbon European
Council (March 2000) state that the Union must work
in the Commission
towards the objectives set out
Communication entitled ‘Towards a European research
area’.

the
The Council reiterated, on 16 November 2000,
importance of the setting-up of such an independent
advisory body by the Commission.

Scientific knowledge and advice is increasingly central to
the design and implementation of European Union poli-
cies.

consulted widely with the
The Commission has
academic and industrial communities concerned, on the
optimal form such a body should take.

It is appropriate to adjust the consultative system to the
policy requirements in the field of science and tech-
in particular the development of a European
nology,
research area,
in full respect of the competencies of
more specific Community advisory structures, in partic-
ular those responsible for risk assessment.

Article 1

A consultative committee, hereinafter referred to as the ‘Euro-
pean Research Advisory Board’ (the Committee), is established
by the Commission. The Committee shall be an advisory body
on research and technological development policy.

Article 2

The task of

the Committee shall be to advise the
1.
Commission on design and implementation of Community
policy in research and technological development.
In this
context, the Committee will pay particular attention to the
realisation of the European research area and the use of policy
instruments such as the Community research and technological
development framework programmes.

2.
In order to accomplish the tasks set out in paragraph 1,
the Committee shall, on its own initiative or at the request of
the Commission, deliver opinions and provide advice on
various aspects of Community research policy or developments
in science and technology in Europe and worldwide.

The Commission shall ensure that the Committee receives
3.
the information necessary to perform its task. In this context,
the Committee shall be regularly informed of developments in
Community research policy.

4. When formally
the
requested by
Commission services shall provide to the Committee, written
comments on its opinion or advice. The Commission services
will also provide regular information on the possible follow-up
actions undertaken.

the Committee,

L 192/22

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

14.7.2001

5. Whenever
opinion,
should be given.

the Commission requests the Committee's
it may set a time limit within which the opinion

The Committee shall hold a clearly stated independent
6.
position and shall not represent scientific, industrial, any other
organisations, countries or sectoral interests. Whenever appro-
priate,

it should consult with such organisations.

7. Without prejudice to Article 8, the Committee's advice
shall be made public and known to the institutions of the
European Communities, as well as to the Member States.

Article 3

The Committee shall be composed of 45 members,
1.
appointed by the Commission in a personal capacity. In order
to ensure a proper representation of the scientific/academia,
business/industrial world and other stakeholders, as well as full
independence of the Committee, the nomination process will
be as follows:

— 20 members with an academic focus will be nominated on
the basis of a proposal from the European Science Founda-
tion (ESF),

— 20 members with a business and industrial focus will be
nominated on the basis of a proposal from the Union of
Industrial
and Employers' Confederations of Europe
(UNICE),

— five members will be identified by the Commission.

The 45 members will be appointed in a single decision and the
list of Committee members shall be published by the Commis-
sion in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

2.
The final composition of the Committee shall reflect the
diversity of Europe. The set of criteria to be applied throughout
the nomination process is the following:

— excellence in research and/or research management,

— advisory experience on a European or international level,

— balance among S & T disciplines including persons with

specific university-industry experience,

— geographical balance, taking into account the enlargement
of the EU and the countries associated with the framework
programmes,

— appropriate gender balance.

Article 4

The term of office of each member of the Committee shall be
for three years with a possibility of one renewal. The members
of the Committee shall remain in office until provision is made
for their replacement or for renewal of their term of office.

The functions of the Committee members shall not be remun-
erated. Travel and subsistence expenses for meetings of the
Committee, or any working party set up within the Committee,

shall be covered by the Commission in accordance with the
current administrative rules and regulations. Subject to prior
approval, travel and subsistence expenses for preparing opin-
ions or advice may be also covered by the Commission. This
includes meetings between members of the Committee and
external experts outside Brussels.

Article 5

In addition,

1.
The Committee shall elect a chairperson and two vice-
chairpersons, each by a two-thirds majority of the members
its
present.
members, also by two-thirds majority of the members present,
who, together with the chairperson and the vice-chairpersons,
will form the Bureau of the Committee. The composition of
the Bureau should respect the criteria specified in Article 3(2).

the Committee shall elect

five of

The Bureau shall organise the work of the Committee.

For the purposes of preparing the Committee's opinions and
the Bureau may ask the Commission to undertake
advice,
studies or consult outside organisations.

2.
The Commission shall provide financial and adminis-
trative support to the secretariat of the Committee, ensuring
that its independence is fully guaranteed.

3.
To enable the Committee to accomplish its tasks, the
Bureau may set up working parties consisting of members of
the Committee and, where necessary, outside persons. The
Committee and the working parties may invite experts to
participate in their work. Such experts shall participate only in
the discussions of the item for which they were invited. The
Commission shall cover their travel and subsistence costs.

The Committee shall be able to hold workshops or confer-
ences. Subject to prior approval, the Commission shall cover
the cost of those events.

4.
The Commission shall provide the Committee with
appropriate tools for communication and for dissemination of
its activities and opinions.

Article 6

The Committee shall meet an average of three times a year. The
regular venue will be on the Commission's premises.

Commission representatives will attend the meetings of the
Committee and of its working parties unless otherwise formally
requested by the Chairperson of the Committee.

Article 7

The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.

14.7.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 192/23

Article 8

exists, which would be prejudicial to their independence, they
will

inform the Chairperson.

Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 287 of the EC
Treaty and Article 194 of the EAEC Treaty, the members of the
Committee shall sign a declaration that they shall not divulge
any information they obtain through their work in the
Committee or its working parties where the Commission
informs them that a particular opinion or matter is confiden-
tial.

Members of the Committee should abstain from discussions on
a topic on which they have a conflict of interest. For this
purpose they should sign a declaration in which they certify
that should an agenda item arise where a conflict of interest

Article 9

Commission Decision 98/611/EC, Euratom establishing the
European research forum is hereby repealed.

Done at Brussels, 27 June 2001.

For the Commission

Philippe BUSQUIN

Member of the Commission