98/682/EC, Euratom: Commission Decision of 20 November 1998 appointing the members, chairmen and vice-chairmen of the expert groups to assist the Commission on the content and direction of the key actions in the field of research and technological development [notified under document number C(1998) 3347] (Text with EEA relevance)

COMMISSION DECISION of 20 November 1998 appointing the members, chairmen and vice-chairmen of the expert groups to assist the Commission on the content and direction of the key actions in the field of research and technological development (notified under document number C(1998) 3347) (Text with EEA relevance) (98/682/EC, Euratom)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community,
Having regard to Commission Decision 98/610/EC, Euratom of 22 October 1998 setting up expert groups assisting the Commission on the content and direction of the key actions in the field of research and technological development (1),Whereas Article 3(1) of Decision 98/610/EC, Euratom provides that the Commission shall set the groups up, ensuring that they have a balanced composition, taking account of the geographical origin and sector of origin of their members (in particular industry and services, research and innovation, users and public regulatory authorities and socio-economic circles); whereas it shall also endeavour to ensure the best possible balance between the participation of women and men;
Whereas, for the purposes of appointing the members of the expert groups, the Commission will assess all the applications in the light of the selection criteria set out in point A paragraph 2 of the Annex to Decision 98/610/EC, Euratom; whereas, on the basis of that assessment, the commission will appoint the members of the expert groups in accordance with the provisions of Article 3(1) of that Decision and Section B of the Annex to the Decision;
Whereas, in accordance with Article 4(1) of Decision 98/610/EC, Euratom, the members of the expert groups will be appointed by the Commission in a personal capacity for a period of two years; whereas their appointment may be renewed once, for a maximum of two years;
Whereas, in accordance with Article4(4) of the abovementioned Decision, the Commission will also appoint the chairman and vice-chairman of each of the expert groups from among their members; whereas, the vice-chairman may not be of the same geographical origin or sector of origin as the chairman;
Whereas, in accordance with the fourth recital of Decision 98/610/EC, Euratom, the expert groups are expected to deliver their conclusions in an independent and transparent manner; whereas, as a consequence, the members should act independently of any outside instructions in order to provide the Commission with objective views;
Whereas, in the light of this, it is necessary that the members inform the Commission on the basis of the agenda, before each meeting of all interests which could be considered as prejudicial to their independence; whereas they should abstain from discussions on a topic on which they have a conflict of interests;
Whereas, for this purpose, the experts selected should, before each meeting of the expert groups, sign a declaration in which they certify that, on the basis of the agenda, no conflict of interest exists which could be prejudicial to their independence;
Whereas, without prejudice to Article 214 of the Treaty establishing the European Community and Article 194 of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, the members should be required not to divulge information given in the context of the work of the expert groups when it has been indicated to them that this information is subject to a request for confidentiality;
Whereas, when a member is in breach of these requirements for independence and confidentiality, he/she should be considered as no longer being in a position to contribute effectively to the group's work, in accordance with Article 4 of Decision 98/610/EC, Euratom;
Whereas the members of the expert groups and the 17 chairmen and 17 vice-chairmen of those groups should be appointed, and the confidentiality of their work and the independence of the members guaranteed,