Codified version of the EESC Rules of Procedure (in force on 24 October 2006 )
Date: 2006-10-24
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: European Economic and Social Committee, appointment of members, institutional structure

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I

(Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is obligatory)

RULES OF PROCEDURE

CODIFIED VERSION OF THE EESC RULES OF PROCEDURE

(in force on 24 October 2006)

A.

This edition combines:

REMARKS

The Rules of Procedure of the European Economic and Social Committee adopted at the plenary session
of 17 and 18 July 2002 (OJ L 268, 4 October 2002), which entered into force on 1 August 2002, in
accordance with Rule 78;

the changes resulting from the following:

1.

2.

3.

Amendments of 27 February 2003 to the Rules of Procedure of the European Economic and Social
Committee (OJ L 258, 10 October 2003);

Amendments of 31 March 2004 to the Rules of Procedure of the European Economic and Social
Committee (OJ L 310, 7 October 2004);

Amendments of 5 July 2006 to the Rules of Procedure of the European Economic and Social
Committee.

This edition has been produced by the General Secretariat of the European Economic and Social
Committee and groups together the different amendments approved by the EESC Assembly.

The implementing provisions for the Rules of Procedure, which have been adopted by the Committee
Bureau in accordance with Rule 77(2a), are presented separately.

B.

C.

PREAMBLE

The European Economic and Social Committee represents
1.
the various economic and social components of organised civil
society. It is an institutional consultative body established by the
1957 Treaty of Rome.

The Committee’s consultative role enables its members, and
2.
hence the organisations they represent, to participate in the
Community decision-making process. With views occasionally
being diametrically opposed, the Committee’s discussions often
require real negotiations involving not only the usual social
partners, i.e. employers (group I) and wage-earners (group II) but
also, and this is the distinguishing feature of the EESC, all the
other socio-occupational interests represented (group III). This
expertise, these discussions and negotiations and the search for

convergence may improve the quality and credibility of the
Community decision-making process, inasmuch as they make it
more comprehensible and acceptable for Europe’s citizens and
increase the transparency which is so vital for democracy.

3. Within the European institutional set-up, the EESC fulfils a
specific role: it is the prime forum in which the organisations of
civil society in the European Union can have their views
represented and discussed, and it is especially well placed to act
as an intermediary between organised civil society and the
European institutions.

As a debating and consultative chamber, the EESC helps to
4.
strengthen the democratic credentials of the process of building
including the promotion of relations
the European Union,

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between the EU and socioeconomic groupings in third countries.
In so doing it helps to promote a genuine identification with
Europe.

shall be elected from among the
4. The Vice-Presidents
members of the two groups to which the President does not
belong.

To carry out its missions successfully, the EESC adopted, on
5.
17 July 2002,
in
accordance with Article 260(2) of the Treaty establishing the
European Community:

the Rules of Procedure (1) which follow,

5. The election of the Bureau members shall comply with the
principle of observing the balance between the groups formed
pursuant to Rule 27.

TITLE I

ORGANISATION OF THE COMMITTEE

CHAPTER I

Installation of the Committee in office

Rule 1

1. The Committee shall hold office for terms of four years.

2. The first meeting of the Committee following each four-
yearly renewal shall be convened by the oldest member,
if
possible not later than one month after the members of the
Committee have been notified of their appointment by the
Council.

Rule 2

1. The Committee shall consist of the following bodies: the
Assembly, the Bureau, the President and the sections.

2. The Committee shall be divided into three groups, the
composition and role of which are set out in Rule 27.

CHAPTER II

Bureau

Rule 3

1. The Bureau of the Committee shall comprise:

(a)

the President, the two Vice-Presidents;

Rule 4

its first meeting, held in pursuance of Rule 1,

1. At
the
Committee, with the interim President in the chair, shall elect
from among its members a President, two Vice-Presidents, the
Presidents of the sections and the other members of the Bureau
other than the group Presidents for a term of
two years,
commencing on the date of the installation of the Committee in
office.

2. Only matters pertaining to these elections may be discussed
under the chairmanship of the interim President.

Rule 5

The meeting at which the Bureau of the Committee is elected for
the last two years of a four-year period shall be convened by the
outgoing President. 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 outgoing President.

Rule 6

1. The Committee may set up an election panel, drawn from its
members and consisting of one representative per Member State,
to receive candidatures and to submit a list of candidates to the
Assembly, taking due account of the provisions of Rule 3.

2. The Committee, acting in accordance with the provisions of
this Rule, shall decide on the list or lists of candidates for the
Bureau and the presidency.

(b) members directly elected by the Assembly, comprising one

per Member State;

3. The Committee shall elect the members of the Bureau other
than the Presidents of the groups, holding more than one ballot
if necessary, according to the procedure for voting by list.

(c)

the three group Presidents, elected as provided for in Rule
27;

(d)

the section Presidents.

2. The President shall be elected in turn from among the
members of the three groups.

3. The President and Vice-Presidents may not be re-elected. For
the two years immediately following the expiry of his two-year
term of office the President may not be a member of the Bureau
as a Vice-President or as the President of a group or section.

4. Only complete lists of candidates conforming to the
provisions of Rule 3 and accompanied by a declaration of
acceptance from each candidate may be admitted to the vote.

5. Those candidates on the list which obtains the highest
number and at least one-quarter of the valid votes cast shall be
declared elected as members of the Bureau.

6. The Assembly shall then elect the President and the Vice-
Presidents of the Committee by a simple majority.

(1) This Regulation was subsequently modified on 27 February 2003,

31 March 2004 and 5 July 2006.

7. The Committee shall then elect the Presidents of the sections
by a simple majority.

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Finally, the Committee shall vote on the Bureau as a whole.
8.
At least two-thirds of the total number of valid votes must be
cast in favour.

Rule 7

If a Bureau member is unable to discharge the duties attaching to
his post or in the cases provided for in Rule 70(2), such a
member shall be replaced for the remainder of his term of office
in accordance with Rule 6. Replacement shall be subject to a vote
by the Assembly on the basis of a proposal from the group
concerned.

11. At the request of a member or of the Secretary-General, the
Bureau shall clarify the interpretation of the Rules of Procedure
and its Implementing Provisions. Its findings shall be binding
subject to the right of appeal to the Assembly to make a final
decision.

12. At the time of the Committee’s four-yearly renewal, the
outgoing Bureau shall discharge current business until the first
meeting of the new Committee. In exceptional cases,
it may
make an outgoing member responsible for the implementation
of specific tasks, or tasks subject to time limits, that require a
particular level of expertise.

Rule 9

Rule 8

1. Meetings of the Bureau shall be convened by the President,
acting either ex officio or at the request of ten members.

Within the framework of
Bureau may instruct
the President
agreements with the institutions and other bodies of
European Union.

the
to conclude cooperation
the

interinstitutional cooperation,

2. Minutes of each Bureau meeting shall be drawn up. These
minutes shall be submitted to the Bureau for approval.

Rule 10

3. The Bureau shall lay down its own procedural rules.

1. A ‘budget group’ shall be set up to assist the Bureau in
exercising its budgetary and financial powers.

It shall lay down the organisation and working procedures
4.
of the Committee. It shall adopt provisions for implementing the
Rules of Procedure after consulting the groups.

5. The Bureau and the President shall exercise the budgetary
and financial powers provided for in the Financial Regulation and
the Committee’s Rules of Procedure.

2. The budget group shall be chaired by one of the two Vice-
Presidents under the authority of the President. It shall have nine
members, appointed by the Bureau on the proposal of the
groups.

For specified matters the Bureau may delegate its decision-

3.
making power to the budget group.

6. The Bureau shall determine the implementing arrangements
regarding the travel and subsistence expenses of members, their
alternates, appointed in accordance with Rule 18, delegates and
their alternates appointed in accordance with Rule 24, and of the
experts appointed in accordance with Rule 23, in compliance
with the budget and financial procedures.

Proposals adopted unanimously by the budget group shall

4.
be submitted to the Bureau for approval without debate.

5. The budget group shall participate in the drawing-up of the
budget and ensure that it is implemented properly.

7. The Bureau shall have political responsibility for the general
management of the Committee. In particular, it shall ensure that
the activities of the Committee, its bodies and its staff are in
keeping with its institutional aims.

8. The Bureau shall be responsible for ensuring that in carrying
out the tasks entrusted to it by the Treaty, the Committee makes
good use of
the human, budgetary and technical resources
available to it. The Bureau shall, for instance, take part in the
budgetary procedure and in the organisation of the Secretariat.

9. The Bureau may set up ad hoc groups, drawn from among
its members,
to examine any questions falling within its
competence. Other members may also be involved in the work
of these groups, except when issues concerning the appointment
of permanent staff are discussed.

6. The President of the budget group shall chair the delegation
responsible for negotiations with the budgetary authorities and
shall report thereon to the Bureau.

7. The budget group’s duties
include advising the
President, the Bureau and the Committee and exercising control
over the various services.

shall

Rule 10a

1. A communication group shall be set up, responsible for
guiding and monitoring the Committee’s
communication
strategy. Each year it shall draw up for the Committee a report
on the implementation of this strategy and a programme for the
year ahead.

10.
Every six months the Bureau shall examine, on the basis of
a report drawn up for this purpose, the action taken on opinions
delivered by the Committee.

2. The communication group shall be chaired by one of the
two Vice-Presidents under the authority of the President. It shall
have nine members, appointed by the Bureau on the proposal of
the groups.

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3. The communication group shall coordinate the activities of
the structures responsible for communication and relations with
the press and media, and ensure that such activities are consistent
with the approved strategy and programmes.

CHAPTER IV

Sections

Rule 14

CHAPTER III

Presidency and the President

Rule 11

1. The Committee shall comprise six sections. Other sections
may be set up by the plenary Assembly on a proposal from the
Bureau, in the fields covered by the Treaties.

2. The Committee shall set up its sections at the inaugural
session following each four-yearly renewal.

1. The presidency shall comprise the President and the two
Vice-Presidents.

3. The list of sections and their terms of reference may be re-
examined at the time of each four-yearly renewal.

2. The Committee presidency shall meet with the group
Presidents to prepare the work of the Bureau and the Assembly.
The section Presidents may be invited to take part in these
meetings.

Rule 15

1. The number of members of the sections shall be decided by
the Committee on a proposal from its Bureau.

In order to define the Committee’s programme of work and
3.
assess its progress, the presidency shall meet at least twice a year
with the Presidents of the groups and sections.

2. Apart from the President, every member of the Committee
must be a member of at least one section.

Rule 12

1. The President shall direct the work of the Committee in
accordance with the Treaties and with these Rules.

2. The President
in his
activities on a permanent basis; he may delegate to them specific
tasks or responsibilities falling within his remit.

involve the Vice-Presidents

shall

3. The President may entrust specific tasks to the Secretary-
General for a limited period.

3. No member may belong to more than two sections, except if
he comes from a Member State where the number of members is
nine or less. However, no member may belong to more than
three sections.

4. The members of the sections shall be appointed by the
Committee. Appointments shall be for two years and shall be
renewable.

5. The procedure laid down for the appointment of section
members shall also be followed for the replacement of such
members.

Rule 16

4. The President shall have the authority to represent the
Committee in its external relations. On certain occasions he may
delegate this authority to a Vice-President or to a member.

1. The Bureau of a section, elected for a term of two years, shall
comprise 12 members including a President and three Vice-
Presidents, one from each group.

5. The President shall report to the Committee on action and
measures taken on its behalf between plenary sessions. These
reports shall not be followed by a debate.

Elections of section Presidents and of other members of

2.
section Bureaux shall be conducted by the Committee.

6. After his election,
the President shall present his work
programme for his term of office. He shall also present a review
of achievements at the end of his term.

These two presentations may be debated by the Assembly.

Section Presidents and other members of section Bureaux

3.
may be re-elected.

4. The presidency of three sections shall be rotated between the
groups every two years. The same group may not hold the
presidency of any section for a period exceeding four consecutive
years.

Rule 13

Rule 17

The two Vice-Presidents shall be respectively President of the
budget group and President of the communication group and
shall perform these tasks under the authority of the President.

1.
It shall be the task of the sections to adopt opinions or
information reports on questions referred to them in accordance
with Rule 32.

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2. The sections may set up from among their members a study
group or drafting group or appoint a rapporteur working alone
to deal with the questions referred to them.

4. The rules governing sections shall be applicable, mutatis
mutandis, to subcommittees.

3. The appointment of rapporteurs and, where appropriate, co-
rapporteurs, the composition of study and drafting groups shall
be decided on the basis of proposals from the groups.

4. The rapporteur, with the help of his expert, where
appropriate, shall be responsible for monitoring action taken
on an opinion after its adoption at the plenary session. He shall
be assisted in this task by the Secretariat of
the section
concerned. The section shall be informed of the findings of
such monitoring.

5.
Study groups may not become permanent bodies, save in
exceptional cases for which the Committee Bureau’s prior
authorisation is required for the same two-year period.

Rule 18

1. Any member of
the Committee unable to attend a
preparatory meeting, including the section debate, may arrange
to be represented by his alternate. Alternates may not participate
in section votes.

2. The name and capacity of the alternate selected shall be
communicated to the Bureau of the Committee for its approval.

3. During the preparatory work the alternate shall carry out the
same duties as the member whom he replaces and shall be
subject to the same rules as regards travel and subsistence
expenses.

CHAPTER V

Rule 20

The Committee may appoint a rapporteur-general or rapporteur
working alone,
in particular in the event of a mandatory
consultation under the Treaty on which it needs to issue only a
formal or succinct opinion.

CHAPTER VI

Observatories, hearings, experts

Rule 21

1. The Committee may set up observatories when the nature,
extent and complexity of the subject to be dealt with calls for
particular flexibility in the working methods, procedures and
instruments to be used.

2. An observatory shall be set up by a decision of the plenary
Assembly, ratifying a decision taken earlier by the Bureau on a
proposal from a group or from a section.

3. The decision to set up an observatory shall define the object,
structure, composition and duration in each case.

Rule 22

If an issue under discussion is of sufficient importance, the
various bodies and working units of the Committee may invite
guest speakers from outside the Committee to a hearing. If the
use of guest speakers involves additional costs, the body or unit
concerned must seek prior authorisation from the Committee
Bureau and submit a programme giving reasons why it considers
that certain aspects call for outside assistance.

Subcommittees, rapporteur-general and rapporteur working
alone

Rule 23

Rule 19

1. On the initiative of the Bureau, the Committee may,
in
exceptional cases, set up subcommittees drawn from its members
to produce, for submission initially to the Bureau and then to the
Assembly, draft opinions or information reports on strictly
horizontal general matters.

2.
In the periods between plenary sessions the Bureau may set
up subcommittees, subject to subsequent confirmation by the
Committee. In no case may a subcommittee be set up for more
than one issue. A subcommittee shall be automatically dissolved
as soon as the draft opinion or information report which it has
prepared is voted on by the Committee.

Insofar as such action is essential for carrying out certain tasks,
the President may, on his own initiative, or on a proposal from
the groups, sections, rapporteurs or co-rapporteurs, appoint
experts under the terms laid down by the Bureau in line with the
provisions of Rule 8(6). Experts taking part in preparatory work
shall be subject to the same conditions as those laid down for
members as regards travel and subsistence expenses.

CHAPTER VII

Consultative commissions

Rule 24

3.
Subcommittees set up for questions coming within the
purview of two or more sections shall be made up of members
of those sections.

1. The Committee shall have the option of
setting up
consultative commissions. These shall be made up of members
of the Committee and of delegates from areas of civil society that
the Committee wishes to involve in its work.

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Such commissions shall be set up by a decision of the
2.
plenary Assembly which shall confirm a decision taken by the
Bureau. The decision setting up such commissions shall define
their object, their structure, their composition, their duration and
their rules.

from organisations

3.
In accordance with Rule 24(1) and (2), a ‘consultative
commission on industrial change’ (CCMI) may be set up, made
up of members of the European Economic and Social Committee
and delegates
representing the various
economic and social sectors as well as civil society organisations
concerned by industrial change. The President of the commission
shall be a member of the Committee Bureau, to which he shall
report every two years on the activity of the CCMI. He shall be
chosen from among the members of the Bureau referred to in
Rule 3(1)(b) of these Rules of Procedure. Delegates and alternates
participating in preparatory work shall be subject to the same
rules as members as regards travel and subsistence expenses.

CHAPTER VIII

CHAPTER IX

Groups and categories

Rule 27

1. The Committee shall be made up of
three groups of
members representing respectively employers, employees and the
various other economic and social components of organised civil
society.

2. The groups shall elect their Presidents and Vice-Presidents.
These groups shall participate in the preparation, organisation
and coordination of the business of the Committee and its
constituent bodies, and help supply them with information. Each
group shall be provided with a Secretariat.

2a. The groups shall propose to the Assembly candidates for
election as President and Vice-Presidents,
in accordance with
Rule 6(6) and respecting the principle of equality between men
and women as defined by the institutions of the European Union.

Dialogue with economic and social organisations in EU and
non-EU States

3. The group Presidents shall be members of the Bureau in
accordance with Rule 3(1)(c).

Rule 25

4. The group Presidents shall assist the Committee presidency
in the formulation of policy and, where appropriate,
in the
monitoring of expenditure.

the Bureau, may
1. The Committee, on the initiative of
maintain structured relations with economic and social councils
and similar institutions and with civil society organisations of an
economic and social nature in the European Union and non-EU
countries.

5. The group Presidents shall meet with the Committee
presidency to assist in preparing the work of the Bureau and
the Assembly.

2.
In the same way, it shall undertake actions designed to foster
the establishment of economic and social councils or similar
institutions in countries which do not yet have them.

6. The groups shall make proposals to the Assembly for the
election of section Presidents under Rule 6(7) and of section
Bureaux under Rule 16.

Rule 26

1. The Committee, on a proposal
from the Bureau, may
appoint delegations to maintain relations with the various
economic and social components of organised civil society in
States or associations of States outside the European Union.

2. Cooperation between the Committee and partners from
organised civil society in the candidate countries shall take the
form of joint consultative committees if these have been formed
by the Association Councils. Otherwise it shall take place in
contact groups.

7. The groups shall make proposals for membership of the
budget group to be set up by the Bureau under Rule 10(1).

8. The groups shall make proposals for the membership of
observatories and consultative commissions to be set up by the
Assembly under Rules 21 and 24 respectively.

9. The groups shall make proposals for the membership of
delegations and joint consultative committees to be set up in
accordance with Rules 26(1) and (2) respectively.

10. The groups shall make proposals for rapporteurs and for
the composition of study and drafting groups to be appointed/set
up by the sections under Rule 17(3).

3. The joint consultative committees and contact groups shall
draw up joint information reports and declarations, which may
be forwarded by the Committee to the relevant institutions and
to the actors concerned.

In applying Rules 27(6) to 27(10), the groups shall take
11.
account of
the
the representation within the Committee of
Member States, the various components of economic and social
activity, terms of reference and the criteria of good management.

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12. Members may, on a voluntary basis, join one of the groups
subject to the approval of their eligibility by the members of that
group. No member shall belong to more than one group at the
same time.

13. The General Secretariat
shall provide members not
belonging to a group with the material and technical support
required for the performance of their duties. Their participation
in study groups and other internal bodies shall be the subject of a
decision by the Committee President after consultation of the
groups.

Rule 28

1. Members of the Committee may, on a voluntary basis, form
categories representing the various economic and social interests
of organised civil society in the European Union.

2. A category may be made up of members from the three
groups within the Committee. No member shall belong to more
than one category at the same time.

3. The creation of a category shall be subject to approval being
granted by the Bureau, who shall inform the Assembly.

TITLE II

PROCEDURE OF THE COMMITTEE

CHAPTER I

Consultation of the Committee

Rule 29

1. The Committee shall be convened by its President to adopt
opinions requested by the Council, the Commission or the
European Parliament.

2.
It shall be convened by its President, 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 European Union, its policies and their possible
developments.

Rule 30

Requests for opinions referred to in Rule 29(1) shall be addressed
to the President of the Committee. The President, in consultation
with the Bureau, shall organise the work of the Committee,
taking account as far as possible of the time limits set in the
request for an opinion.

Rule 31

Rule 31a

The Committee may, following a proposal from a section, a
group or a third of its members, issue resolutions on a current
topic, which shall be adopted by the Assembly in accordance
with Rule 56(2). Draft resolutions shall be given priority on the
agenda for the plenary session.

CHAPTER II

Organisation of work

A.

Work of the sections

Rule 32

1. When an opinion or information report is to be produced,
the Bureau, in accordance with Rule 8(4), 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 President shall designate that
section and inform the Bureau of his decision.

2. Where a section that has been designated to prepare an
opinion wishes to hear the views of the Consultative Commis-
sion on Industrial Change (CCMI) or where the CCMI wishes to
set out its views on an opinion allocated to a section, the Bureau
may authorise the CCMI to draw up a supplementary opinion on
one or more of the issues covered by the referral. The Bureau
may also take this decision on its own initiative. The Bureau shall
organise the Committee’s work in such a way that the CCMI is
able to prepare its opinion in good time to be taken into
consideration by the section.

The section alone shall be responsible for reporting to the
shall however append to its opinion the
Committee.
supplementary opinion drawn up by the Consultative Commis-
sion on Industrial Change.

It

3. The President of the section concerned shall be notified by
the Committee President of the decision and of the time limit for
the completion of the section’s work.

4. The Committee President 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.

Rule 33

(deleted)

Rule 34

The Committee President, in agreement with the Bureau, may
authorise a section to hold a joint meeting with a European
Parliament committee, or a Committee of the Regions commis-
sion.

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 policies of the European Union and
their possible developments.

Rule 35

Sections to which a question has been referred in accordance
with these Rules shall be convened by their President.

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Rule 36

1. Meetings of the sections shall be prepared by the section
Presidents in consultation with the section Bureau.

2. The rapporteur, assisted by his expert and, where appro-
priate, by one or more co-rapporteurs, shall study the question
referred, take account of the views expressed and, on this basis,
draw up the draft opinion, which shall be sent to the President of
the section.

2. Meetings shall be chaired by the section President or, in his
absence, by one of the Vice-Presidents.

3. There shall be no voting at study group meetings.

Rule 37

B.

Proceedings of the plenary sessions

1. A quorum shall exist at section meetings if over half of the
full members are present or represented.

Rule 44

If

there is not a quorum, the President shall close the
2.
meeting and convene a further meeting to be held at a time and
in a manner which he considers appropriate, but during the
course of the same day; at that further meeting a quorum shall
the number of members present or
exist
represented.

irrespective of

Rule 38

The sections shall adopt opinions with reference to the draft
opinion submitted by the rapporteur and, where appropriate, the
co-rapporteur.

Rule 39

1.
Section opinions shall contain only texts adopted by the
section in accordance with the procedure laid down in Rule 56.

2. 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 votes cast.

Rule 40

Section opinions, together with all the documents appended
thereto in accordance with Rule 39, shall be sent by the President
of the section to the President of the Committee and shall be laid
before the Committee by its Bureau as soon as possible. These
documents shall be made available to the members of
the
Committee in good time.

Rule 41

Concise minutes of each section meeting shall be drawn up and
submitted to the section for approval.

Rule 42

The Assembly, comprising all the members of the Committee,
shall meet in plenary session.

Rule 45

Sessions shall be prepared by the President in consultation
1.
with the Bureau. The Bureau shall meet before each session, and
where appropriate during a session, to organise the proceedings.

2. The Bureau may set a time limit for the general discussion of
each opinion at the session.

Rule 46

1. The draft agenda drawn up by the Bureau on a proposal
from the Committee presidency in collaboration with the group
Presidents shall be sent by the Committee President
to all
Committee members and to the Council, the Commission and
the European Parliament at least 15 days before the opening of
the relevant session.

2. The draft agenda shall be submitted to the Assembly for
approval at the opening of each session. Once the agenda has
been adopted, the items must be examined during the sitting for
which they are scheduled. The documents necessary for the
Committee’s deliberations
shall be made available to the
members in accordance with Rule 40.

Rule 47

1. A quorum shall exist at session sittings if more than half of
the members of the Committee are present or represented.

2.
If there is not a quorum, the President shall close the sitting
and convene a further sitting to be held at a time he considers
appropriate but during the same session; at that further sitting
there shall be a quorum whatever the number of members
present or represented.

in agreement with the Bureau or where
The President,
appropriate the Assembly, 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.

Rule 48

When the agenda is submitted for adoption, the inclusion of any
topical
item shall be announced, where appropriate, by the
President.

Rule 43

Rule 49

1. Without prejudice to Rule 17(2), the preparatory work of
the sections shall be carried out, in principle, within a study
group.

The Committee may amend the draft agenda for the purpose of
examining draft resolutions submitted in accordance with the
procedure referred to in Rule 31a.

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Rule 50

1. The President shall open session sittings, preside over
discussions and ensure that
these Rules are observed. The
President shall be assisted by the Vice-Presidents.

2.
If the President is absent, the Vice-Presidents shall deputise.
If the Vice-Presidents are absent, the oldest member of the
Bureau shall deputise.

3. The Committee shall base its deliberations on the work of
the section competent
to the Assembly on the
questions concerned.

to report

4. Where a text has been adopted by a section with no votes
against, the Bureau may propose to the Assembly that the text be
voted on without a discussion. This procedure shall be applied
unless at least 25 members signify their objection.

5.
If a text fails to secure a majority of votes in the Assembly,
the President of the Committee may, with the consent of the
Assembly, refer the opinion back to the competent section for re-
examination or appoint a rapporteur-general, who shall submit a
new draft opinion at the same or another session.

Rule 51

the President of

in
8. Where appropriate,
consultation with the President and the rapporteur of
the
competent section, may propose to the Committee that any
amendments be dealt with in such a way as to ensure that the
final text is consistent.

the Committee,

Rule 52

1. The President, either on his own initiative or at the request
of a member, may invite the Committee to decide on a limitation
of speaking time or the number of speakers, the adjournment of
a sitting 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 by the President.

2. A member may at any time request and be given precedence
to speak during a discussion for the purpose of submitting a
procedural motion.

Rule 53

1. Minutes of each plenary session shall be drawn up and
submitted to the Committee for its approval.

1.
Proposals for amendments must be drawn up in writing,
signed by the proposers and lodged with the Secretariat before
the opening of the relevant session.

2. The final version of such minutes shall be signed by the
President and the Secretary-General of the Committee.

2.
In the interests of efficient organisation of the proceedings
of the Assembly, the Bureau shall fix the arrangements for the
lodging of proposals for amendments.

3. The Committee shall, however, allow proposals for amend-
ments to be lodged up to the opening of the relevant session
least 25
sitting, provided such proposals are signed by at
members.

4.
Proposals for amendments must specify the part of the text
to which they refer and be supported by a brief explanatory
statement. Amendments that are repetitive in their form and
content shall be examined together.

5. As a general rule, for each amendment the Assembly shall
hear only the proposer, a member who is against the proposed
amendment and the rapporteur.

for an amendment

the
6. When a proposal
rapporteur may put forward compromise proposals orally with
the agreement of the proposer of the amendment. In such cases
the Committee shall only vote on these compromise proposals.

is examined,

Rule 54

1. Opinions of the Committee shall consist of, in addition to
the legal basis of the opinion, an explanatory statement and the
views of the Committee on the question as a whole.

2. The result of the voting on the opinion as a whole shall be
set out in a preamble to the text of the opinion. Where a
recorded vote is held, the names of the voters shall be given.

If proposed amendments are rejected by the plenary session
3.
but receive at least one-quarter of the votes cast, their texts and
explanatory statements
shall be appended to the relevant
Committee opinions, together with the results of the voting.
This requirement shall also apply to counter-opinions.

Section opinion texts

4.
that are rejected in favour of
amendments adopted by the Assembly shall also be appended
to Committee opinions together with the results of the voting,
provided that at least one-quarter of the votes cast were in favour
of retention of the section opinion texts.

7.
In the case of an amendment or a series of amendments, the
purpose of which is to set out a generally divergent view to the
section opinion, it is for the Bureau to decide whether to treat
it/them as a counter-opinion or assess, in consultation with the
section President and the rapporteur, whether the matter should
be referred back to the section for further study.

5. When one of the groups formed within the Committee
under Rule 27 or one of the categories of economic and social
activity formed under Rule 28 adopts a divergent but uniform
standpoint on a matter
submitted to the Assembly for
examination,
its position may be summarised in a brief
statement to be appended to the opinion, where the debate on
that matter has been concluded by a recorded vote.

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Rule 55

1. Opinions adopted by the Committee and minutes of
Committee sessions shall be sent to the European Parliament,
the Council and the Commission.

2. Opinions adopted by the Committee may be forwarded to
any other institution or concerned entity.

TITLE III

GENERAL PROVISIONS

CHAPTER I

Methods of voting

Rule 56

1. The valid forms of votes shall be votes for, votes against and
abstentions.

2.
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 for and against.

3. Voting shall be by open ballot, by recorded vote, or by secret
ballot.

4. Voting on a proposed amendment or on the complete text
of an opinion shall be by recorded vote if one-quarter of the
members present or represented so request.

5. Voting shall be by secret ballot where a majority of the
members present or represented so request.

If the vote is a tie (an equal number of votes for and against),

6.
the chairman of the meeting shall have a casting vote.

7. The acceptance by the rapporteur of an amendment shall
not constitute a reason for not voting on that amendment.

CHAPTER II

Urgency procedure

Rule 57

from a deadline for

the
1. Where the urgency results
submission of its opinion imposed on the Committee by the
Council, by the European Parliament or by the Commission, the
urgency procedure may be applied if the President finds that this
is necessary to enable the Committee to adopt its opinion in
good time.

2.
In cases of urgency at Committee level the President may,
immediately and without consulting the Bureau beforehand, take
all requisite steps to enable the Committee to carry out its work.
He shall inform the members of the Bureau of the steps which he
takes.

3. Arrangements made by the President under the urgency
procedure shall be submitted to the following session of the
Committee for confirmation.

Rule 58

(deleted)

Rule 59

1. Where the urgency results from the deadlines imposed on a
section, the President of that section may, with the agreement of
the President of the Committee and in consultation with the
section Bureau, organise the work of the section otherwise than
as provided in these Rules.

2. Arrangements made by the President of a section under the
urgency procedure shall be submitted to the following meeting
of that section for confirmation.

CHAPTER III

Absence and representation

Rule 60

1. Any member of the Committee who is unable to attend a
meeting to which he has been duly invited must give the
President concerned advance notice of his absence.

2. Where a member of the Committee fails to attend more than
three consecutive plenary sessions of the Committee without
appointing a member to represent him and without a reason
the President may, after consulting the
recognised as valid,
Bureau and inviting the member concerned to explain his
absence, call upon the Council to remove that member from
office.

3. 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 providing a reason
recognised as valid, the President 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 and shall
inform the Bureau of this fact.

Rule 61

1. Any member of the Committee who is unable to attend a
Committee session or a section meeting may, after notifying the
in writing, to
President concerned, delegate his voting right,
another member of the Committee or section.

2. No member may hold more than one delegated voting right
at a plenary session or section meeting.

Rule 62

1. Any member who is unable to attend a meeting to which he
has been duly invited may, after giving written notice to the
President concerned directly or through his group Secretariat,
arrange for another member of the Committee to represent him
at the relevant meeting. This possibility does not apply for
meetings of the Bureau or budget group.

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Such proxies shall be valid solely for the meeting in respect

2.
of which they are issued.

address or answer questions at meetings, under the direction of
the President of the meeting.

3. At the time of the constitution of a study group, any
member designated as a member of that study group may ask to
the Committee. Such
be replaced by another member of
replacement shall apply for a specific question and for the
duration of the work of the section on that question. It may not
be revoked.

CHAPTER V

Titles, privileges, immunities and statute of members,
quaestors

Rule 67

CHAPTER IV

1. Members of the Committee shall have the title ‘member of
the European Economic and Social Committee’.

Publication and distribution of Committee texts – admission of
the public

Rule 63

1. The Committee shall publish its opinions in the Official
Journal of the European Union in accordance with the procedure
laid down by the Council and the Commission after consultation
of the Committee Bureau.

2. The names of the members of the Committee, its Bureau
and its sections, and all changes in the membership thereof, shall
be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and on
the Committee’s website.

Rule 64

1. The Committee shall ensure the transparency of
decisions, in accordance with Article 1 of the EU Treaty.

its

2. The Secretary-General shall be responsible for taking the
measures necessary to guarantee the public’s right of access to
the corresponding documents.

3. Any citizen of
the European Union may write to the
Committee in one of the official languages and receive a reply
written in the same language (in accordance with Article 21(3) of
the EC Treaty).

Rule 65

Plenary sessions of the Committee and meetings of the

1.
sections shall be public.

2. Certain debates that do not concern consultative work may
be declared confidential by the Committee, acting on a request
from a concerned institution or body or on a proposal from the
Bureau.

3. Other meetings shall not be public. However,
in duly
justified cases at the discretion of the chairman of the meeting
other persons may attend as observers.

Rule 66

1. Members of
the European institutions may attend and
address meetings of the Committee and its constituent bodies.

2. The provisions of Article 11, Chapter IV of the Protocol on
the privileges and immunities of the European Communities of
8 April 1965, annexed to the Treaty, shall apply to the members
of the European Economic and Social Committee.

Rule 68

1. The members’ statute shall contain the rights and duties of
Committee members, as well as the rules governing their activity
and their relations with the institution and its services.

2.
It shall also determine the measures that may be taken in the
event of violations of the Rules of Procedure or of the statute.

Rule 69

On a proposal from the Bureau, the Assembly shall elect, for
each two-year period,
three members, who have no other
permanent responsibilities within the Committee structure, to
form the quaestors’ group with the following functions:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

to monitor and ensure the proper implementation of the
members’ statute;

to draw up appropriate proposals for perfecting and
improving the members’ statute;

to endeavour, by taking appropriate steps, to resolve any
cases of doubt or dispute arising from application of the
members’ statute;

to be responsible for relations between the members of the
Committee and the General Secretariat as regards applica-
tion of the members’ statute.

Chapter VI

Termination of members’ tenure of office, incompatibilities

Rule 70

1. Membership of the Committee shall expire at the end of the
four-year term laid down by the Council at the time of the
Committee’s renewal.

2. Members of other bodies and duly authorised officials of the
institutions and these other bodies may be invited to attend,

2.
Individual membership shall cease on resignation, on
removal from office, through death, in the case of force majeure
or in the event of an incompatibility of functions arising.

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3. The functions of a member of the Committee shall be
incompatible with those of a member of a government, a
parliament, a Community institution, the Committee of the
Regions or the board of directors of the European Investment
Bank, and with the post of official or other servant of the
Communities in active employment.

4. Resignations shall be in writing and shall be addressed to the
President of the Committee.

5. The circumstances in which members may be removed from
office are laid down in Rule 60(2). In such cases the Council shall
initiate the replacement procedure,
if it decides to terminate
membership.

6.
In the case of resignation, death, force majeure or incompat-
ibility of functions, the President 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.

7.
In all the cases referred to in the second paragraph of this
Rule, the replacement shall be appointed for the remainder of the
current term of office.

CHAPTER VII

Administration of the Committee

Rule 71

1. The Committee shall be assisted by a Secretariat headed by a
Secretary-General, who shall discharge his duties under the
direction of the President, representing the Bureau.

Rule 72

1. The powers which the Staff Regulations of officials of the
Communities confer on the appointing authority shall be
exercised as follows:

— with respect to the Secretary-General, by the Bureau,

— with respect to officials in grades 16, 15 and 14 of function
group AD, by the Bureau, acting on a proposal from the
Secretary-General, as regards application of Articles 13, 29,
30, 31, 32, 40, 41, 49, 50, 51, 78 and 90(1) of the Staff
Regulations; by the President, acting on a proposal from the
the other
Secretary-General, as regards application of
provisions of the Staff Regulations, including Article 90(2),

— with respect to officials in grades 13, 12 and 11 of function
group AD, by the President, acting on a proposal from the
Secretary-General,

— with respect to officials in the other grades of function
group AD and all grades of function group AST, by the
Secretary-General.

2. The powers which the Conditions of Employment of Other
Servants of the Communities (CEOS) confer on the authority
competent to conclude contracts of service shall be exercised as
follows:

— with respect to temporary staff in grades 16, 15 and 14 of
function group AD, by the Bureau, as regards application of
Articles 11, 17, 33 and 48 of the CEOS; as regards the
other provisions of the CEOS, by the President, acting on a
proposal from the Secretary-General,

2. The Secretary-General shall attend the meetings of
the
Bureau in an advisory capacity and shall keep the minutes of
those meetings.

— with respect to temporary staff in grades 13, 12 and 11 of
function group AD, by the President, acting on a proposal
from the Secretary-General,

3. He shall give a solemn undertaking, before the Bureau, to
discharge his duties conscientiously and with complete imparti-
ality.

4. The Secretary-General shall be responsible for giving effect
to decisions taken by the Assembly, the Bureau and the President
pursuant to the Rules of Procedure; he shall report in writing
every three months to the President on the criteria and
implementing provisions which have been adopted or are
envisaged for handling administrative or organisational problems
and staff matters.

5. The Secretary-General may delegate his powers within the
limits decided by the President.

in such a way that

from the Secretary-
6. The Bureau, acting on a proposal
General, shall draw up the establishment plan for the general
Secretariat
it can ensure the efficient
functioning of the Committee and its constituent bodies and
help the members in the performance of
in
particular in the organisation of meetings and the preparation of
opinions.

their duties,

— with respect to temporary staff in other grades of the
the

administrators’
assistants’ function group, by the Secretary-General,

function group and all grades of

— with respect to special advisers, and contract and local staff,

by the Secretary-General.

3. The President shall exercise the powers conferred on the
institution by Article 110 of the Staff Regulations with a view to
implementing the general provisions for giving effect to the Staff
Regulations and the rules adopted by agreement between the
institutions.

4. The Bureau, the President and the Secretary-General may
delegate the powers vested in them by this Rule.

5. Decisions to delegate adopted in accordance with Rule 72(4)
above shall specify the scope of the powers delegated, their limits
and period of validity, as well as stating whether they may be
subdelegated.

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Rule 73

1. The President shall have a private Secretariat.

CHAPTER VIII

General provisions

Rule 76

2. The staff 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 President.

The terms used in these Rules of Procedure for the various offices
are not gender-specific.

Rule 77

Rule 74

1. The Committee may decide by an absolute majority of its
members that these Rules should be revised.

1. Before 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 budget group
shall examine the draft before the Bureau discussion and, where
appropriate, make remarks or propose modifications. The
Bureau shall draw up the estimates of the expenditure and
revenue of the Committee. It shall forward these in accordance
with the procedure and within the time limits laid down in the
Financial Regulation of the European Communities.

2. The President of the Committee, acting in accordance with
the Financial Regulation, shall
implement or cause to be
implemented the statement of expenditure and revenue.

If such a decision is taken, the Committee shall set up a
2.
panel, which shall be known as the Rules of Procedure Panel. The
Committee shall appoint a rapporteur-general to produce a draft
text of the new Rules.

2a. After the adoption of the amended Rules of Procedure by
an absolute majority, the Assembly shall renew the mandate of
the Rules of Procedure Panel for a maximum period of sixty days
so that, if necessary, it may draw up a draft amendment of the
implementing provisions and submit it to the Bureau, who will
take a decision after receiving the views of the groups.

3. The date on which the new Rules of Procedure and the
changes to the implementing provisions shall enter into force
shall be decided at the time of their adoption by the Committee.

Rule 75

Rule 78

Correspondence to the Committee shall be addressed to the
President or the Secretary-General.

These Rules of Procedure shall enter into force on 24 October
2006.

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INDEX TO THE RULES OF PROCEDURE

Rule

A

ABSENCE of members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

60 to 62

ADMINISTRATION OF THE COMMITTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

71 to 75

AGENDA FOR THE PLENARY SESSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

46, 48, 49

ALTERNATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

AMENDMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Amendment at section level (see SECTIONS)

— Amendment to whole text (COUNTER-OPINIONS)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Amendment — rejection of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Amendment — tabling of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Examination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

APPOINTMENT OF OFFICIALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ASSEMBLY

18

51

51

54

51

51

51

72

— Agenda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

46, 48, 49

— Conduct of proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Minutes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

50

53

— Organisation of work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

44 to 55

— Participation of the institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

66

— Preparation of sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

45, 46

— Procedural motions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

52

— Public access to meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

65, 66

— Publication of decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Quorum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

64

47

— Referral of an opinion back to the section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

42, 50

— Sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

B

BODIES OF THE COMMITTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BUDGET

— Budget group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Estimates of revenue and expenditure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

44

2

10

74

— Implementation of the budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10, 74

BUREAU OF THE COMMITTEE

— Appointment of officials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

72

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— Composition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Convening of meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rule

3

8

— Election . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3 to 7

— Interpretation of the Rules of Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Organisation of the Secretariat

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Replacement of a member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Tasks and procedural rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Term of office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BUREAUX OF SECTIONS

— Composition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Election . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Term of office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CATEGORIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Creation, composition and approval

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

C

8

71

7

8

3

16

16

16

28

28

CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS (see Preamble) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

25, 26

COMMITTEE

— Convening of meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1, 29

— External representation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Installation in office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CONSULTATIVE COMMISSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12

1, 2

47

24

CONSULTATIVE COMMISSION ON INDUSTRIAL CHANGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

24, 32

COMMITTEES — JOINT CONSULTATIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

COMMUNICATION GROUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

COOPERATION — INTERINSTITUTIONAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

26

10a

9

COUNTER-OPINIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

51, 54

CO-RAPPORTEURS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

43

D

DEBATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

DECLARATIONS by a group, by a category . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

DELEGATION OF VOTING RIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

DELEGATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

DOCUMENTS

— Correspondence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

50

54

61

26

75

L 93/16

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

3.4.2007

— Publication and distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

63, 64

DIALOGUE — STRUCTURED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

25, 26

DRAFTING GROUPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17

Rule

ELECTIONS

E

— Presidency and Bureau of the Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3 to 7

— Presidency and Bureau of sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ELECTION PANEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ENTRY INTO FORCE OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

EXPERTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16

6

78

74

23

EXTERNAL RELATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12, 25, 26

G

GENERAL SECRETARIAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

71 to 75

GROUPS

— Formation and organisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Role of the groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Secretariat of the groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GROUP — BUDGET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

27

27

27

10

GROUP — COMMUNICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10a

HEARINGS

H

— Guest speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

22

I

IMMUNITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

INCOMPATIBILITIES

— Incompatibilities for the members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

67

8

70

INFORMATION REPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

19, 31, 32

INTERPRETATION OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8

3.4.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 93/17

L

Rule

LIMITATION OF SPEAKING TIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

52

M

MAJORITIES REQUIRED

(A)

For election

— Bureau of the Committee

— Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Vice-Presidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(B)

For decisions

— Convening of the Committee Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Revision of the Rules of Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6

3, 6

3, 6

8

77

— Study groups and rapporteurs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17, 43

MEETINGS (JOINT)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34

MEMBERS

— Absence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

60, 61

— Alternates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Delegation of voting rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— End of tenure of office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Incompatibility of functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Resignation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18

61

70

70

62

70

— Statute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

68, 69

— Titles, privileges and immunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MINUTES

— Plenary sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

O

OBSERVATORIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

OFFICIAL JOURNAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

OLDEST MEMBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

OPINIONS

— Form and content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Monitoring of action taken on opinions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Own-initiative opinions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

67

53

41

21

63

1

54

17

29

L 93/18

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

3.4.2007

— Publication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rule

63

— Referral of an opinion back to a section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

42, 50

— Requests for an opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

29, 30

— Section opinions (see under SECTIONS, Drawing-up of an opinion)

— Transmission:

— Opinion of the Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Voting (see VOTING)

OPINIONS — FOLLOW-UP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

55

8

PRESIDENCY OF THE COMMITTEE

P

— Review of the President's achievements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12

— Election of the President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3 to 6, 27

— Work programme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Functions

— Appointment of experts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Appointment of officials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12

23

72

— Conduct of debates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

50 to 52

— Convening the Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Convening the Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— External representation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Financial and budgetary powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8

29

12

10

— Preparation of sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

45, 46

— Secretariat of the President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PROCEDURAL MOTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PLANNING OF WORK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

73

52

11

67

PROCEDURE — URGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

57, 59

PUBLIC ACCESS TO SESSIONS AND MEETINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

65, 66

PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF TEXTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

63 to 67

Q

QUAESTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

QUORUM

— Plenary sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Section meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

69

47

37

3.4.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 93/19

R

RAPPORTEUR-GENERAL AND RAPPORTEUR WORKING ALONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

REFERRALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

REFERRAL OF OPINIONS BACK TO A SECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

REPRESENTATION OF THE COMMITTEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

RESIGNATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rule

20

29, 30

42, 50

12

70

RESOLUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

31a, 49

RULES OF PROCEDURE PANEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

RULES OF PROCEDURE — AMENDMENT TO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

77

77

SECRETARY-GENERAL

S

— Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

71, 72, 74

SECTIONS

— Absences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

60, 61, 62

— Amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Appointment of members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Bureau (see BUREAUX OF SECTIONS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Composition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Convening of meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Experts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Formation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

51

15

16

15

35

23

14

— Information report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

19, 31, 32

— Joint meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34

— Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

35, 36

— Minutes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Number of members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Number of sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

41

15

14

— Opinions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17, 39, 40

— Powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14

— Preparation of opinions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

38, 39

— Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

32 to 43

— Public access to meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

65, 66

— Quorum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Replacement of a member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Term of office of members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

37

15

17

15

L 93/20

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

3.4.2007

— Urgency procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

STUDY GROUPS

Rule

59

— Alternates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18

— Formation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17, 43

— Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

62

— Role and composition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17, 43

STUDY GROUPS — PERMANENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SUBCOMMITTEES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

STATUTE — MEMBERS’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17

19

68

TOPICAL ISSUES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

48

T

URGENCY PROCEDURE

U

— At Committee level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— At section level

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

57

59

VICE-PRESIDENTS

V

— Election . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6

— Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11, 12, 13

VOTING

— Collective voting statements (or minority declarations) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Delegation of voting rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Explanation of votes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Methods of voting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Voting without a debate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

54

61

52

56

50