2009/872/EC: Commission Decision of 30 November 2009 establishing a European Union Committee of Experts on Rare Diseases

2.12.2009 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 315/18
COMMISSION DECISION
of 30 November 2009
establishing a European Union Committee of Experts on Rare Diseases
(2009/872/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 152 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) The Commission White Paper ‘Together for health: a strategic approach for the EU 2008-2013’ (1) adopted by the Commission on 23 October 2007, developing the EU health strategy, identified rare diseases as a priority for action.
(2) In parallel, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Decision No 1350/2007/EC of 23 October 2007 establishing a second programme of Community action in the field of health (2008 to 2013) (2). According to Article 7(2) as well as to the Annex to that Decision, the actions in the field of generation and dissemination of health information and knowledge shall be implemented in close cooperation with Member States developing consultation mechanisms and participatory processes.
(3) The European Commission adopted on 11 November 2008 the ‘Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on rare diseases: Europe's challenges’ (3) (hereafter referred to as the Commission Communication) and the Council on 8 June 2009 a Council Recommendation on an action in the field of rare diseases (4) (hereafter referred to as the Council Recommendation).
(4) The preparation and implementation of Community activities in the field of rare diseases require close cooperation with the specialised bodies in Member States and with the interested parties.
(5) Therefore, a framework is required for the purpose of regular consultations with those bodies, with the managers of projects supported by the European Commission in the fields of research and public health action and with other relevant stakeholders acting in the field.
(6) This need for a framework was reflected in the Communication COM(2008) 679 final on rare diseases. Point 7 of the Communication recommended that the Commission be assisted by a European Union Advisory Committee on Rare Diseases.
(7) The Committee shall not act as a Committee within the meaning of Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (5),