30.11.2011 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 349/4
COMMISSION DECISION
of 28 November 2011
setting up the European multi-stakeholder platform on ICT standardisation
2011/C 349/04
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Whereas:
(1) The Europe 2020 strategy, as set out in the Communication from the Commission entitled ‘Europe 2020: A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth’ (1), sets out a vision of Europe’s social market economy for the 21st century enjoying the full economic and social benefits of a digital society. It emphasises the importance of reinforcing the growth of the European economy while delivering high levels of employment productivity, a low carbon economy and social cohesion.
(2) One of the flagship initiatives of the Europe 2020 strategy, set out in the Communication from the Commission entitled ‘A Digital Agenda for Europe’ (2), gives a prominent role to improved standard setting in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT) to ensure interoperability between ICT applications, services and products with a view to reducing fragmentation of the digital single market while at the same time promoting innovation and competition.
(3) Another flagship initiative of the Europe 2020 strategy, set out in the Communication from the Commission entitled ‘An integrated industrial policy for the globalisation era — Putting competitiveness and sustainability at centre stage’ (3), calls on Europe to develop a standards system that meets the expectations of both market players and European public authorities while also promoting European influence beyond the single market in the globalised economy.
(4) The Communication from the Commission entitled ‘A strategic vision for European standards: Moving forward to enhance and accelerate the sustainable growth of the European economy by 2020’ (4), states that in 2011 the Commission will create and chair a dedicated multi-stakeholder platform to advise it on matters relating to the implementation of ICT standardisation policy, including the work programme for ICT standardisation, priority-setting in support of legislation and policies and identification of specifications developed by global ICT standards development organisations.
(5) It is therefore necessary to set up a multi-stakeholder platform in the field of ICT standardisation and to define its tasks and its structure.
(6) The multi-stakeholder platform should be composed of representatives of national authorities of Member States and EFTA countries, stakeholder organisations representing industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, consumers and other societal stakeholders as well as European and international standardisation bodies and other non-profit making organisations, which are professional societies, industry or trade associations or other membership organisations active in Europe that within their area of expertise develop standards in the field of ICT.
(7) Rules on disclosure of information by members of the platform should be provided for, without prejudice to the Commission’s rules on security as set out in the Annex to Commission Decision 2001/844/EC, ECSC, Euratom.
(8) Personal data should be processed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data,
Subject matter
The European multi-stakeholder platform on ICT standardisation, hereinafter referred to as ‘the platform’, is hereby set up.
Tasks
The platform’s tasks shall be to:
(a) advise the Commission on all matters related to European ICT standardisation policy and its effective implementation;
(b) advise the Commission on its ICT standardisation work programme and its priorities;
(c) identify potential future ICT standardisation needs in support of European legislation, policies and public procurement;
(d) advise the Commission on possible standardisation mandates concerning ICT for European standardisation bodies and activities which may be carried out by other bodies in cooperation with European standardisation bodies;
(e) advise the Commission on the progress of ICT standardisation and related activities in support of legislation and policies;
(f) advise the Commission on technical specifications in the field of ICT which are not national, European or international standards with regard to the requirements set out in Annex II to the proposed regulation on European standardisation (5);
(g) advise the Commission on cooperation between standards development organisations and European standardisation bodies to improve the integration of their work in European ICT standardisation and ensure availability of ICT standards supporting interoperability;
(h) gather information on the work programmes of ICT standards development organisations to help ensure coordination and avoid unnecessary duplication or fragmentation of efforts.
Consultation
The Commission may consult the platform on any matter relating to:
(a) other initiatives that may be taken at Union level to address barriers to ICT interoperability;
(b) national, European and international initiatives concerning standardisation in support of ICT interoperability.
Membership — appointment
1.   The platform shall be composed of up to 67 members.
2.   The members shall be the national authorities of Member States and EFTA countries and organisations representing ICT standardisation stakeholders appointed by the Commission as follows:
(a) up to 18 organisations representing industry, small and medium-sized enterprises and societal stakeholders;
(b) up to 14 European and international standardisation bodies and other non-profit making organisations which are professional societies, industry or trade associations or other membership organisations active in Europe that within their area of expertise develop standards in the field of ICT.
3.   The members referred to in 2(a) and (b) shall be appointed by the Directors-General of DG Enterprise and Industry and DG Information Society and Media on behalf of the Commission from relevant stakeholder organisations with the aim of achieving a balanced representation taking account of the tasks and expertise required.
4.   The national authorities and the organisations appointed by the Commission shall nominate their representative as well as an alternate representative, to participate in the activities of the platform.
5.   Members of the platform are appointed for a period of three years. They shall remain in office until such time as they are replaced or their term of office ends. Their term of office may be renewed.
6.   Members who are no longer capable of contributing effectively to the platform’s deliberations, who resign or who do not comply with the conditions set out in Article 339 of the Treaty, may be replaced for the remainder of their term of office.
7.   The names of the members referred to in Articles 2(a) and (b) shall be published in the Register of Commission expert groups and other similar entities (‘the Register’).
8.   Personal data shall be collected, processed and published in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001.
Operations
1.   The platform shall be chaired by the services of DG Enterprise and Industry and DG Information Society and Media.
2.   In agreement with the Commission’s representative, the platform may set up sub-groups to examine specific questions on the basis of terms of reference defined by the platform. Such sub-groups shall be disbanded as soon as their mandate is fulfilled.
3.   The Commission’s representative may invite experts with specific competence in a subject on the agenda to participate in the work of the platform on an ad hoc basis. In addition, the Commission’s representative may give observer status to individuals or organisations as defined in Rule 8(3) of the horizontal rules on expert groups and candidate countries.
4.   Members of the platform and their representatives, as well as invited experts and observers, shall comply with the obligations of professional secrecy laid down by the Treaties and their implementing rules, as well as with the Commission’s rules on security regarding the protection of EU classified information, laid down in the Annex to Decision 2001/844/EC, ECSC, Euratom. Should they fail to respect these obligations, the Commission may take all appropriate measures.
5.   The meetings of the platform and any sub-groups shall be held on Commission premises. The Commission shall provide secretarial services. Other Commission officials with an interest in the proceedings may attend the meetings of the platform and its sub-groups.
6.   The platform shall adopt any necessary rules of procedures, including rules on conflicts of interest, on the basis of the standard rules of procedure for expert groups adopted by the Commission.
7.   The Commission shall publish relevant information on the activities carried out by the platform, either by including it in the Register or via a link from the Register to a dedicated website.
8.   The Joint Research Centre may provide scientific advice and services within its area of expertise.
Meeting expenses
1.   Participants in the activities of the platform shall not be remunerated for the services they render.
2.   Travel and subsistence expenses incurred by participants in the activities of the platform shall be reimbursed by the Commission in accordance with the provisions in force within the Commission.
3.   Those expenses shall be reimbursed within the limits of the available appropriations allocated under the annual procedure for the allocation of resources.
Applicability
This Decision shall apply from 1 January 2012.