Common position (EC) No 28/2004 of 21 October 2004 adopted by the Council, acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, with a view to adopting a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on a single Community framework for the transparency of qualifications and competences (Europass)
Date: 2004-10-12
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU Member State, administrative transparency, continuing vocational training, cooperation policy, job mobility, professional qualifications, teaching quality, vocational training

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I

(Information)

COUNCIL

COMMON POSITION (EC) No 28/2004

adopted by the Council on 21 October 2004

with a view to adopting Decision …/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of …
on a single Community framework for the transparency of qualifications and competences (Euro-
pass)

(2004/C 321E/01)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EURO-
PEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com-
munity, and in particular Articles 149 and 150 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the Opinion of the European Economic and
Social Committee (1),

Having regard to the Opinion of
Regions (2),

the Committee of

the

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article
251 of the Treaty (3),

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Improved transparency of qualifications and compe-
tences will facilitate mobility throughout Europe for life-
therefore contributing to the
long learning purposes,
development of quality education and training, and will
facilitate mobility for occupational purposes, between
countries as well as across sectors.

(3)

The Action Plan on mobility (4) endorsed by the Euro-
pean Council held in Nice on 7 to 9 December 2000
and Recommendation 2001/613/EC of
the European
Parliament and of the Council of 10 July 2001 on mobi-
lity within the Community for students, persons under-
teachers and trainers (5),
going training, volunteers,

recommended the generalisation of the use of docu-
ments for the transparency of qualifications and compe-
tences, with a view to creating a European area of quali-
fications. The Commission's Action Plan for skills and
mobility called for instruments supporting the transpar-
ency and transferability of qualifications to be developed
and strengthened to facilitate mobility within and
between sectors. Further action to introduce instruments
improving the transparency of diplomas and qualifica-
tions was also demanded by the European Council held
in Barcelona on 15 and 16 March 2002. The Council's
Resolutions of 3 June 2002 on skills and mobility (6) and
of 27 June 2002 on lifelong learning (7) call for increased
cooperation, with a view inter alia to creating a frame-
work for transparency and recognition based on the
existing instruments.

transparency in vocational

The Council Resolution of 19 December 2002 on the
promotion of enhanced European cooperation in voca-
tional education and training (8) called for action to
increase
education and
training, through the implementation and rationalisation
of information tools and networks, including the integra-
tion of existing instruments into one single framework.
This framework should consist in a portfolio of docu-
ments with a common brand name and a common logo,
supported
and
promoted through sustained promotional action at Euro-
pean and national level.

information systems

adequate

by

(1) OJ C 117, 30.4.2004, p. 12.
(2) OJ C 121, 30.4.2004, p. 10.
(3) Opinion of the European Parliament of 22 April 2004 (not yet
published in the Official Journal), Council Common Position of 21
October 2004.

(4) OJ C 371, 23.12.2000, p. 4.
(5) OJ L 215, 9.8.2001, p. 30.

(6) OJ C 162, 6.7.2002, p. 1.
(7) OJ C 163, 9.7.2002, p. 1.
(8) OJ C 13, 18.1.2003, p. 2.

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(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

by

Commission

A number of instruments have been developed in recent
years, both at Community and at international level, to
help European citizens to communicate better their
qualifications and competences when looking for a job
or for admission to a learning scheme. These include the
for curricula vitae (CVs)
common European format
Recommendation
proposed
2002/236/EC of 11 March 2002 (1),
the Diploma
Supplement recommended by the Convention on the
Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Educa-
tion in the European Region, adopted at Lisbon on 11
April 1997,
the Europass Training established by
Council Decision 1999/51/EC of 21 December 1998 on
the promotion of European pathways in work-linked
training,
the Certificate
Supplement and the European Language Portfolio devel-
oped by the Council of Europe. The single framework
should include these instruments.

including apprenticeship (2),

The single framework should be open to the future
inclusion of other documents
consistent with its
purpose, once the implementation structure and proce-
dures have been established and are operational. In par-
ticular, the single framework could be widened subse-
quently to include an instrument aimed at recording its
holders' competences in the field of information tech-
nology.

Provision of good quality information and guidance is
an important factor in achieving improved transparency
of qualifications and competences. The existing services
and networks already play a valuable role that could be
enhanced through closer cooperation in order to rein-
force the added value of Community action.

is

It
therefore necessary to ensure coherence and
complementarity between the actions implemented in
pursuance of this Decision and other relevant policies,
instruments and actions. The last-mentioned include, at
Community level, the European Centre for the Develop-
ment of Vocational Training (Cedefop) established by
Council Regulation (EEC) No 337/75 (3), the European
Training
Council
Regulation (EEC) No 1360/90 (4) and the European
Employment Services network (EURES) established by
Commission Decision 2003/8/EC of 23 December 2002
implementing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1612/68 as
regards the clearance of vacancies and applications for
employment (5). Likewise, at the international level, there
Information
is

the European Network of National

Foundation

established

by

(1) OJ L 79, 22.3.2002, p. 66.
(2) OJ L 17, 22.1.1999, p. 45.
(3) OJ L 39, 13.2.1975, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation

(EC) No 1655/2003 (OJ L 245, 29.9.2003, p. 41).

(4) OJ L 131, 23.5.1990, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regu-

lation (EC) No 1648/2003 (OJ L 245, 29.9.2003, p. 22).

(5) OJ L 5, 10.1.2003, p. 16.

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

(12)

Centres on Academic Recognition (ENIC), established by
the Council of Europe and Unesco.

The Europass training document, established by Decision
1999/51/EC, should therefore be replaced by a similar
document with a wider scope, serving to record all
periods of transnational mobility for learning purposes,
at whatever level and for whatever target, achieved
throughout Europe, which satisfy appropriate quality
criteria.

should be implemented through national
Europass
bodies in compliance with Article 54(2)(c) and (3) of
Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of
25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to
the general budget of the European Communities (6).

Participation should be open to acceding States, to non-
Community countries of the European Economic Area
and to the candidate countries for accession to the Euro-
pean Union, in accordance with the relevant provisions
in the instruments governing relations between the
Community and those countries. Third country nationals
resident in the European Union should also be able to
benefit from the system.

Social partners play an important role in relation to this
Decision, and should be involved in its implementation.
The Advisory Committee for Vocational Training set up
by Council Decision 63/266/EEC of 2 April 1963 laying
down general principles for implementing a common
vocational training policy (7), composed of representa-
tives of the social partners and of the national authorities
of Member States, should be regularly informed on the
implementation of this Decision. The social partners at
European level and other relevant stakeholders, including
education and training bodies, will have a particular role
in terms of transparency initiatives that could be incor-
porated into Europass in due course.

Since the objective of this Decision, namely the estab-
lishment of a single Community framework for the
transparency of qualifications and competences cannot
be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can
be better achieved at Community level, the Community
may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of
subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty.
In
accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set
out in that Article, this Decision does not go beyond
what is necessary in order to achieve that objective.

(6) OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.
(7) OJ 63, 20.4.1963, p. 1 338.

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(13)

The measures necessary for the implementation of this
Decision should be adopted in accordance with Council
Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down
the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers
conferred on the Commission (1).

(14) Decision 1999/51/EC should be repealed,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Subject-matter and scope

This Decision establishes a single Community framework for
achieving the transparency of qualifications and competences
by means of the creation of a personal, coordinated portfolio
of documents, to be known as ‘Europass’, which citizens can
use on a voluntary basis to better communicate and present
their qualifications and competences throughout Europe. The
use of Europass or of any of the Europass documents shall not
impose any obligations or confer any rights other than those
defined in this Decision.

Article 2

Europass documents

The Europass documents shall be:

(a) the Europass-curriculum vitae (hereafter ‘the Europass-CV’)

referred to in Article 5;

(b) the documents referred to in Articles 6 to 9;

(c) any other documents approved as Europass documents by
the Commission, in accordance with the criteria laid out in
Annex I, and the procedure referred to in Article 4(2).

Article 3

Social partners

Without prejudice to the procedure referred to in Article 4(2),
the Commission shall consult the social partners and other rele-
vant stakeholders at European level,
including education and
training bodies.

Article 4

Committee procedure

1.
For the purposes of Article 2(c), the Commission shall be
assisted, depending on the nature of the document concerned,
by the Socrates Committee and/or by the Leonardo Committee,

(1) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

established by Decision No 253/2000/EC of
the European
Parliament and of the Council of 24 January 2000 establishing
the second phase of the Community action programme in the
field of education ‘Socrates’ (2) and by Council Decision 1999/
382/EC of 26 April 1999 establishing the second phase of the
Community vocational training action programme ‘Leonardo
da Vinci’ (3) respectively.

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and
7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the
provisions of Article 8 thereof.

Article 5

Europass-CV

The Europass-CV shall provide citizens with the opportunity to
present in a clear and comprehensive way information on all
their qualifications and competences. The Europass-CV shall be
as set out in Annex II.

Article 6

Europass-Mobility

The Europass-Mobility shall record periods of learning attended
by its holders in countries other than their own. The Europass-
Mobility shall be as set out in Annex III.

Article 7

Europass-Diploma Supplement

The Europass-Diploma Supplement shall provide information
on its holder's educational achievements at higher education
level. The Europass-Diploma Supplement shall be as set out in
Annex IV.

Article 8

Europass-Language Portfolio

The Europass-Language Portfolio shall provide citizens with the
opportunity to present
their language skills. The Europass-
Language Portfolio shall be as set out in Annex V.

Article 9

Europass-Certificate Supplement

The Europass-Certificate Supplement shall describe the compe-
tences and qualifications corresponding to a vocational training
certificate. The Europass-Certificate Supplement shall be as set
out in Annex VI.

(2) OJ L 28, 3.2.2000, p. 1. Decision as last amended by Council Regu-

lation (EC) No 885/2004 (OJ L 168, 1.5.2004, p. 1).

(3) OJ L 146, 11.6.1999, p. 33. Decision as last amended by Regulation

(EC) No 885/2004.

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Article 10

Europass in the Internet

The NEC shall act as an implementation body at national
and (3) of
in accordance with Article 54(2)(c)

3.
level
Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002.

In order to implement this Decision, the Commission and the
relevant national authorities shall cooperate in setting up and
managing a Europass Internet-based information system, which
include elements managed at Community level and
shall
level. The information system
elements managed at national
supporting the Europass framework shall be as set out
in
Annex VII.

Article 11

National Europass Centres

1.
Each Member State shall be responsible for the implemen-
tation of this Decision at national level. For this purpose, each
Member State shall designate a National Europass Centre (NEC),
which shall be responsible for the coordination at national level
of all activities referred to in this Decision and which shall
replace or develop, where appropriate, existing bodies currently
carrying out similar activities.

A European network of NECs is hereby established. Its activities
shall be coordinated by the Commission.

2.

The NEC shall:

(a) coordinate,

in cooperation with the relevant national
bodies, the activities related to making available or issuing
the Europass documents or, where appropriate, carry out
these activities;

(b) set up and manage the national

information system,

in

accordance with Article 10;

(c) promote the use of Europass,

including through Internet

based services;

(d) ensure,

in cooperation with the relevant national bodies,
that adequate information and guidance on the Europass
and its documents is made available to individual citizens;

(e) facilitate the provision of

information and guidance on
learning opportunities throughout Europe, on the structure
of education and training systems, and on other issues
related to mobility for learning purposes,
in particular
through close coordination with relevant Community and
national services, and, where appropriate, make available to
citizens an introductory guide to mobility;

(f) manage at national level the Community financial support

for all activities related to this Decision;

(g) participate in the European network of NECs.

Article 12

Commission's and Member States' joint tasks

The Commission and the Member States shall:

(a) ensure that adequate promotion and information activities
are carried out at Community and national level, covering
inter alia citizens, education and training providers and
social partners and enterprises including SMEs, supporting
and integrating as necessary the action of the NECs;

(b) ensure adequate cooperation, at the appropriate level, with
relevant services, in particular the EURES service and other
Community services;

(c) take steps to facilitate equal opportunities, in particular by

raising awareness among all relevant actors;

(d) ensure that all relevant stakeholders,

including education
and training bodies and social partners, are involved in the
implementation of this Decision;

(e) ensure that in all activities related to the implementation of
this Decision the relevant Community and national provi-
sions concerning the processing of personal data and the
protection of privacy are fully respected.

Article 13

Commission tasks

1.
The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Member
States, ensure the overall consistency of the actions imple-
mented in pursuance of this Decision with other relevant Com-
munity policies, instruments and actions, in particular in the
fields of education, vocational training, youth, employment,
social inclusion, research and technological development.

2.
The Commission shall secure the expertise of the Euro-
the Development of Vocational Training
pean Centre for
(Cedefop) in implementing this Decision, in accordance with
Regulation (EEC) No 337/75. Subject to the same conditions
and in the relevant areas, coordination shall be established
the Commission with the European
under the auspices of
Training Foundation as
set out by Regulation (EEC) No
1360/90.

The Commission shall regularly inform the European
3.
Parliament and the Council, as well as other relevant bodies,
and in particular
the Advisory Committee on Vocational
Training, on the implementation of this Decision.

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Article 14

Participating countries

Participation in the activities referred to in this Decision
1.
shall be open to acceding States and to non-Community coun-
tries of the European Economic Area in accordance with the
conditions laid down in the EEA Agreement.

Participation shall also be open to the candidate countries
2.
for accession to the European Union in accordance with their
respective Europe Agreements.

Article 17

Repeal

Decision 1999/51/EC is hereby repealed.

Article 18

Entry into force

Article 15

Evaluation

By … (*) and then every four years, the Commission shall
submit to the European Parliament and the Council an evalua-
tion report on the implementation of this Decision, based on
an evaluation carried out by an independent body.

This Decision shall enter into force on 1 January 2005.

Article 19

Addressees

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Article 16

Financial provisions

Done at Strasbourg,

The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary
authority within the limits of the financial perspective. The
expenditure resulting from this Decision shall be managed as
set out in Annex VIII.

For the European Parliament

The President

For the Council

The President

(*) Three years after the entry into force of this Decision.

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Criteria for the introduction of new Europass documents as referred to in Article 2(c)

ANNEX I

All new Europass documents should respect the following minimum criteria:

Relevance: Europass documents should specifically aim at improving the transparency of qualifications and compe-

1.
tences;

European dimension: without prejudice to their voluntary nature, Europass documents should potentially be

2.
applicable in all Member States;

Linguistic coverage: the models of Europass documents should be available at least in all the official languages of

3.
the European Union;

Feasibility: Europass documents should be fit for effective dissemination, where appropriate through awarding

4.
bodies, in both paper and electronic form.

ANNEX II

THE EUROPASS-CURRICULUM VITAE (EUROPASS-CV)

1. Description

The Europass-CV builds upon the common European format for curricula vitae (CVs) proposed by Recommenda-

1.1.
tion 2002/236/EC.

It provides individual citizens with a model for the systematic, chronological and flexible presentation of their qualifica-
tions and competences. Specific directions on the different fields are provided and a set of guidelines and examples has
also been produced to help citizens to complete the Europass-CV.

1.2.

The Europass-CV includes categories for the presentation of:

— information on personal matters, language proficiency, work experience and educational and training attainments,

— additional competences held by the individual, emphasising technical, organisational, artistic and social skills,

— additional information which might be added to the Europass-CV in the form of one or more annexes.

1.3.

The Europass-CV is a personal document, which contains self declarations written by individual citizens.

The template is quite detailed, but it will be up to the individual citizens to choose which fields to fill. Citizens
1.4.
who complete the electronic form – either downloaded or on line – should be allowed to remove any field which they
choose not to complete. For instance, a person who does not indicate his or her sex or who has no specific technical
skill to report, should be allowed to remove these fields, so that no blank field appears on the screen or in the printed
version.

The Europass-CV is the backbone of the Europass: a Europass portfolio for a given citizen will include the Euro-
1.5.
pass-CV completed by the citizen himself or herself, and one or more other Europass documents, according to the
specific learning and working history of that citizen. The electronic form of the Europass-CV should make it possible to
establish links from its sections to the relevant Europass documents, for instance from the education and training section
to a Diploma Supplement or a Certificate Supplement.

1.6.
In accordance with Article 12(e) of this Decision, in managing the Europass-CV, particularly in its electronic
form, appropriate measures should be taken by the competent authorities to ensure that the relevant Community and
national provisions concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy are fully respected.

2. Common structure of the Europass-CV

In the box below, the model for the structure and text of the Europass-CV is indicated. The layout of both the paper and
the electronic form, as well as modifications of the structure and text, will be agreed between the Commission and the
competent national authorities.

Text in italics is meant as an aid to completing the document.

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ANNEX III

THE EUROPASS-MOBILITY

1. Description

The Europass-Mobility is meant to record, using a common European format, a European learning pathway as

1.1.
defined in section 1.2.

It is a personal document, recording the specific European learning pathway achieved by its holder and it will help the
holder better to communicate what he/she gained through this experience, particularly in terms of competences.

A European learning pathway is a period that a person – of whatever age, educational level and occupational

1.2.
status – spends in another country for learning purposes and that:

(a) either takes place within the framework of a Community programme in the field of education and training,

(b) or satisfies all the following quality criteria:

— the period spent in another country takes place within the framework of a learning initiative based in the

country of provenance of the person that follows it,

— the organisation responsible for the learning initiative in the country of provenance (sending organisation) stipu-
lates with the host organisation and submits to the National Europass Centre, or a body delegated to manage the
Europass-Mobility in the country of provenance, a written agreement on the content, objectives and duration of
the European learning pathway, ensuring that appropriate linguistic preparation is provided to the person
concerned, and identifying a mentor in the host country, charged with assisting, informing, guiding and moni-
toring the person concerned,

— each of the countries involved should be a Member State of the European Union or an EFTA/EEA country,

— where appropriate, the sending organisation and the host organisation cooperate in providing the person
concerned with appropriate information about workplace health and safety, labour law, equality measures and
other work-related provisions applying in the host country.

The Europass-Mobility is completed by the sending and host organisation involved in the mobility project, in a

1.3.
language agreed between them and the person concerned.

Citizens who are awarded a Europass-Mobility are entitled to ask for a translation in a second language, chosen by them
from amongst the languages of the sending and host organisations or a third European language. In the case of a third
language, the responsibility for translation rests with the sending organisation.

1.4.
The Europass-Mobility includes personal data (see paragraph 2 below). The name of the person who is awarded
the Europass-Mobility is the only compulsory piece of personal data. The organisations completing the Europass-Mobi-
lity may only complete the other fields concerning personal data if the person concerned agrees to it.

The field ‘Qualification’ is also not compulsory, in recognition of the fact that not all education or training initiatives
lead to a formal qualification.

Any arrangement for completing the Europass-Mobility in electronic form – either downloaded or on line – should
allow any field, which has not been completed to be removed, so that no blank field appears on the screen or in the
printed version.

1.5.

The National Europass Centre is responsible for ensuring that:

— Europass-Mobility documents are only released to record European learning pathways,

— all Europass-Mobility documents are completed in electronic form,

— all Europass-Mobility documents are also awarded to their holders in paper form, using a folder specifically produced

in cooperation with the Commission.

1.6.
In accordance with Article 12(e) of this Decision, in managing the Europass-Mobility, particularly in its electronic
form, appropriate measures should be taken by the competent authorities to ensure that the relevant Community and
national provisions concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy are fully respected.

2. Common format of the Europass-Mobility

In the box below, the structure and the text of the Europass-Mobility are indicated. The layout of both the paper and the
electronic forms, as well as modifications of the structure and text, will be agreed between the Commission and the
competent national authorities.

Each item of text is numbered, to facilitate its retrieval in a multilingual glossary. Text in italics is meant as an aid to
completing the document. Fields marked with a star (*) are not compulsory.

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ANNEX IV

THE EUROPASS-DIPLOMA SUPPLEMENT

1. Description

1.1.
The Europass-Diploma Supplement (DS) is a document attached to a higher education diploma, in order to make
it easier for third persons – particularly persons in another country – to understand what the diploma means in terms of
knowledge and competences acquired by its holder.

To this end, the DS describes the nature, level, context, content and status of the studies that were pursued and success-
fully completed by the individual who holds the original diploma to which the DS is attached. It is therefore a personal
document, referring to its specific holder.

1.2.
The DS does not replace the original diploma and does not give any entitlement to formal recognition of the
original diploma by academic authorities of other countries. On the other hand, it facilitates a sound appreciation of the
original diploma, so that it can be helpful to obtain recognition by the competent authorities or by admission staff of
higher education institutions.

The DS is produced by the competent national authorities in accordance with a template that has been developed
1.3.
by a joint European Commission – Council of Europe – UNESCO working party that tested and refined it. The DS
template is available in the official languages of the European Union. It is a flexible, non-prescriptive tool, which is
conceived for practical purposes, can be adapted to local needs and is subject to regular revisions.

1.4.
The DS includes eight sections, that identify the holder of the qualification (1) and the qualification itself (2), give
information on the level of the qualification (3), the contents and results gained (4), and the function of the qualification
(5), allow for further information (6), certify the Supplement (7) and, finally, give information on the national higher
education system (8). Information in all eight sections should be provided. Where information is not provided, an expla-
nation should be given. Institutions have to apply to the DS the same authentication procedures as for the qualification
itself.

In accordance with Article 12(e) of this Decision, in managing the DS, particularly in its electronic copy, appro-
1.5.
priate measures should be taken by the competent authorities to ensure that the relevant Community and national provi-
sions concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy are fully respected.

2. Common structure of the DS

In the box below, the common, non-binding model of structure and text of the DS is indicated. The layout of both the
paper and electronic copies will be agreed with the competent national authorities.

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ANNEX V

THE EUROPASS-LANGUAGE PORTFOLIO

1. Description

The Europass-Language Portfolio (LP), developed by the Council of Europe, is a document in which language

1.1.
learners can record their language learning and cultural experiences and competences.

1.2.

The LP has two functions: pedagogic and reporting.

As regards the former, it is designed to enhance the motivation of language learners to improve their ability to commu-
nicate in different languages and to pursue new learning and intercultural experiences. It seeks to help learners to reflect
on their learning objectives, plan their learning and learn autonomously.

As regards its reporting function, the LP aims to document its holder's language proficiency in a comprehensive, infor-
mative, transparent and reliable way. It helps learners take stock of the levels of competence they have reached in one or
several foreign languages and enables them to inform others in a detailed and internationally comparable manner. All
competence is valued, regardless of whether it is gained inside or outside the ambit of formal education.

1.3.

The LP contains:

— a language passport which its owner regularly updates. The owner describes his/her language skills, in accordance

with common criteria accepted throughout Europe,

— a detailed language biography describes the owner's experiences in each language,

— a dossier enables examples of personal work to be kept to illustrate language skills.

The Europass-Language Portfolio is the property of the learner.

1.4.
A set of common principles and guidelines has been agreed for all Portfolios. Different models are being devel-
oped in Council of Europe member States depending on the age of learners and national contexts. All models should
conform to agreed principles and be approved by the European Validation Committee in order to use the Council of
Europe logo. A model is given below for the language passport, which is the section of the Portfolio which has to be
completed in accordance with a defined structure.

1.5.
In accordance with Article 12(e) of this Decision, in managing the LP, particularly in its electronic form, appro-
priate measures should be taken by the competent authorities to ensure that the relevant Community and national provi-
sions concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy are fully respected.

2. Common structure of the Language Passport section of the LP

In the box below, the common, non-binding model of structure and text of the Language Passport section of the LP is
indicated. The layout of the paper and electronic copies will be agreed with the competent national authorities.

(Europass logo)

LANGUAGE PASSPORT

Profile of Language Skills

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Summary of language learning and intercultural experiences

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ANNEX VI

THE EUROPASS-CERTIFICATE SUPPLEMENT

1. Description

1.1.
The Europass-Certificate Supplement (CS) is a document attached to a vocational certificate, in order to make it
easier for third persons – particularly persons in another country – to understand what the certificate means in terms of
competences acquired by its holder.

To this end, the CS provides information on:

— the skills and competences acquired,

— the range of occupations accessible,

— the awarding and accreditation bodies,

— the level of the certificate,

— the different ways of acquiring the certificate,

— the entry requirements and access opportunities to next level education.

1.2.
The CS does not replace the original certificate and does not give any entitlement to formal recognition of the
original certificate by authorities of other countries. On the other hand, it facilitates a sound appreciation of the original
certificate, so that it can be helpful to obtain recognition by the competent authorities.

CS's are produced by the competent authorities at national level and issued to citizens who hold the corre-

1.3.
sponding certificate in accordance with procedures agreed at national level.

2. Common structure of the CS

In the box below, the common model of structure and text of the CS is indicated. The layout of both the paper and the
electronic form will be agreed, as well as any modifications of the structure and text, between the Commission and the
competent national authorities.

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ANNEX VII

INFORMATION SYSTEM

The Commission and the Member States will cooperate to ensure that the individual citizens are allowed to complete,
through the Internet, their Europass-CV and any other Europass document which does not need to be issued by
authorised bodies.

All Europass documents issued by authorised bodies are completed in electronic form and made available to their
holders. While choices concerning the appropriate technological instrument should be made in cooperation by the
Commission and the relevant national authorities taking into account the state of the art and the existing national
systems, the features listed below should be ensured.

1. Design principles

Open system. The Europass information system should be developed taking into account the opportunity for future
developments, with particular reference to the inclusion of further documents in the Europass framework and to integra-
tion with information services on job and learning opportunities.

Interoperability. The parts of the Europass information system managed at national level
should be fully interoperable with each other and with the parts managed at Community level.

in the different countries

2. Document management and access

2.1.
All Europass documents issued by authorised bodies should be completed in electronic form, in accordance with
the procedures agreed between the issuing bodies and the National Europass Centre and in conformity with the proce-
dures agreed at European level.

The Europass-CV and any other Europass document which does not need to be issued by authorised bodies

2.2.
should also be available in electronic form.

2.3.

Citizens will be entitled:

— to complete through the Internet their Europass-CV and any other Europass document which does not need to be

issued by authorised bodies,

— to establish, update and remove links between their Europass-CV and their other Europass documents,

— to attach any other supporting documents to their Europass documents,

— to print totally or partially their Europass and its annexes, if any.

2.4.
Access to documents, including personal data, will be allowed only for the person concerned, in conformity with
the relevant Community and national provisions concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of
privacy.

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ANNEX VIII

FINANCIAL ANNEX

The expenditure is intended to co-finance implementation at national level and to cover certain costs incurred at

1.
Community level in relation to coordination, promotion and production of documents.

Community financial support for national implementation activities will be provided through yearly operating

2.
grants to the National Europass Centre.

National Europass Centres will be established as legal persons and will not receive any other operating grant from the
Community budget.

The grants will be awarded after approval of a work programme related to the activities listed in Article 11 of

2.1.
this Decision and based on specific terms of reference.

2.2.

The co-financing rate will not exceed 50 % of the total costs of the relevant activities.

2.3.
In implementing this Decision, the Commission may have recourse to experts and to technical assistance organi-
sations, the financing of which may be provided for within the overall financial framework for this Decision. The
Commission may organise seminars, colloquia or such other meetings of experts as are likely to facilitate the implemen-
tation of this Decision, and may undertake appropriate information, publication and dissemination actions.

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STATEMENT OF THE COUNCIL'S REASONS

I. INTRODUCTION

1. On 5 January 2004 the Commission submitted to the European Parliament and to the Council a
proposal for a decision, based on articles 149 and 150 of the EC Treaty, on a single framework for
the transparency of qualifications and competences (Europass).

2. The European Economic and Social Committee delivered its opinion on 28 April 2004 (1).

The Committee of the Regions delivered its opinion on 21 April 2004 (2).

3. The European Parliament delivered its opinion on 21 April 2004.

4. The Commission has informed the Parliament fully of its position.

5. On 21 October 2004, the Council adopted its common position in accordance with Article 251 (2)

of the EC Treaty.

II. AIM OF THE PROPOSAL

The proposal aims to establish a Community framework for achieving transparency of qualifications
and competences by means of the creation of a personal, coordinated portfolio of documents, to be
known as ‘Europass’.

1. GENERAL COMMENTS

In its common position the Council has approved the Commission's proposal in principle, while
making certain amendments which it thought desirable.

2. SPECIFIC COMMENTS

2.1. Amendments made by the Council to the Commission's proposal (3)

2.1.1 Future inclusion of other documents (Recital 5, Article 2 §c, Annex I)

The Council considers that provision should be made for the inclusion of other docu-
ments in the future (e.g. in the field of IT) in accordance with the criteria laid down in
the new Annex I and the procedure referred to in article 4.

2.1.2 Committee Procedure (Article 4)

In view of the future introduction of other documents, the Council is of the view that
the Commission should be assisted in this task by the relevant existing Committees
(Socrates and Leonardo) in accordance with a management procedure.

2.1.3 Social Partners (Article 3)

Provision has been made for the consultation by the Commission of the social partners
and other relevant stakeholders at European level.

2.1.4 Designation of the documents (Articles 5-9 and Annex II-VI)

With a view to enhancing the Europass logo, the Council proposes that ‘Europass’ be
part of the designation of all the documents in the portfolio (i.e. Europass-Curriculum
Vitae; Europass-Mobility; Europass-Diploma Supplement; Europass-Language Portfolio;
Europass-Certificate Supplement).

(1) OJ C 117, 30.4.2004, p. 12.
(2) OJ C 121, 30.4.2004, p. 10.
(3) References in this section are to the text of the common position

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2.1.5 National Europass Centres (Articles 11-12; Annex III,VII,VIII)

The Council is of the view that the bodies responsible for the implementation of the
(NEC) rather than ‘Europass
decision should be called ‘National Europass Centres’
National Agencies’, since the term agency could be taken to imply a specifically created
body, whereas the NECs are intended to replace or develop, where appropriate, existing
bodies carrying out similar activities.

2.1.6 Information Systems (Annex VII)

The Council has clarified the scope of citizens' access to information systems as far as
Europass documents are concerned.

2.1.7 Other questions

The Council has also introduced other minor modifications or clarifications to the text,
concerning inter alia:

— Europass-Mobility (Annex III)

— Europass-Diploma Supplement (Annex IV)

2.2. European Parliament amendments

2.2.1. Parliament amendments adopted by the Commission

The Commission adopted in full,
adopted by the Parliament.

in part or in essence 12 of the 14 amendments

2.2.2. Parliament amendments adopted by the Council

The Council adopted in full, in part or in essence 12 of the amendments proposed by
the Parliament and adopted by the Commission. Those amendments are: 1-6; 8-11; 13-
14. The remaining amendments 7 and 12, which were not acceptable to the Commis-
sion as tabled, have been adopted by the Council in modified form (7) or in part (12).

III. CONCLUSIONS

The Council considers that its common position constitutes a balanced text, providing a good basis for
launching this instrument,
thereby facilitating mobility throughout Europe for lifelong learning
purposes.