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31999D0424

1999/424/CFSP: Council Decision of 28 June 1999 amending Decision 1999/357/CFSP implementing Common Position 1999/318/CFSP concerning additional restrictive measures against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Official Journal L 163 , 29/06/1999 P. 0086 - 0093

COUNCIL DECISIONof 28 June 1999amending Decision 1999/357/CFSP implementing Common Position 1999/318/CFSP concerning additional restrictive measures against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia(1999/424/CFSP)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to Common Position 1999/318/CFSP(1) adopted by the Council on 10 May 1999 concerning additional restrictive measures against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and Decision 1999/357/CFSP(2) implementing that Common Position,Whereas the list at Article 1 of Decision 1999/357/CFSP needs to be updated in accordance with Article 1(3) of Common Position 1999/318/CFSP,HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:Article 1Article 1 of Decision 1999/357/CFSP shall be replaced by the following: "Article 1The persons to which the obligation of non-admission referred to in Article 1 of Common Position 99/318/CFSP applies are the following:>TABLE>"Article 2This Decision shall take effect on the date of its adoption.Article 3This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal.Done at Luxembourg, 28 June 1999.For the CouncilThe PresidentM. NAUMANN(1) OJ L 123, 13.5.1999, p. 1.(2) OJ L 140, 3.6.1999, p. 1.


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31993D0005

93/5/EEC, Euratom, ECSC: Council Decision of 21 December 1992 appointing members of the Court of Auditors

Official Journal L 005 , 09/01/1993 P. 0020 - 0020

COUNCIL DECISION of 21 December 1992 appointing members of the Court of Auditors(93/5/EEC, Euratom, ECSC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,  Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, and in particular Article 78e thereof,  Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 206 thereof,  Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 180 thereof,  Having regard to the Treaty establishing a Single Council and a Single Commission of the European Communities, and in particular Article 22 thereof,  Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1),  Whereas Mr Fernand Hebette, member of the Court of Auditors, has died and Mr Aldo Angioi and Mr Charles J. Carey have resigned as members of the Court of Auditors, with effect from 21 December 1992;  Whereas new appointments should be made,  HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:  Article 1  Mr Roger Camus is hereby appointed a member of the Court of Auditors for the period from the date of this Decision up to and including 17 October 1993.  Article 2  Mr Giorgio Clemente is hereby appointed a member of the Court of Auditors for the period 1 January up to and including 17 October 1993.  Article 3  Mr John Wiggins is hereby appointed a member of the Court of Auditors for the period 1 January 1993 up to and including 20 December 1995.  Article 4  This Decision shall take effect on the date of its adoption.  Done at Brussels, 21 December 1992.  For the Council The President D. HURD (1) Opinion delivered on 16 December 1992 (not yet published in the Official Journal).


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32000D0750

2000/750/EC: Council Decision of 27 November 2000 establishing a Community action programme to combat discrimination (2001 to 2006)

Official Journal L 303 , 02/12/2000 P. 0023 - 0028

Council Decisionof 27 November 2000establishing a Community action programme to combat discrimination (2001 to 2006)(2000/750/EC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 13 thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament(1),After consulting the Economic and Social Committee(2),After consulting the Committee of the Regions(3),Whereas:(1) The European Union is founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, principles which are common to all Member States. In accordance with Article 6(2) of the Treaty on European Union, the Union should respect fundamental rights as guaranteed by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and as derived from the shared constitutional traditions common to the Member States, as general principles of Community law.(2) The European Parliament has strongly and repeatedly urged the European Union to develop and strengthen its policy in the field of equal treatment and equal opportunities across all grounds of discrimination.(3) The European Union rejects theories which attempt to determine the existence of separate human races. The use of the term "racial origin" in this Decision does not imply an acceptance of such theories.(4) In the implementation of the programme, the Community will seek, in accordance with the Treaty, to eliminate inequalities and promote equality between men and women, particularly because women are often the victims of multiple discrimination.(5) The different forms of discrimination cannot be ranked: all are equally intolerable. The programme is intended both to exchange existing good practice in the Member States and to develop new practice and policy for combating discrimination, including multiple discrimination. This Decision may help to put in place a comprehensive strategy for combating all forms of discrimination on different grounds, a strategy which should henceforward be developed in parallel.(6) Experience of action at Community level, in particular in the field of gender, has shown that combating discrimination in practice calls for a combination of measures and in particular of legislation and of practical action designed to be mutually reinforcing. Similar lessons can be drawn from experience dealing with racial and ethnic origin and disability.(7) The programme should deal with all grounds of discrimination with the exception of sex, which is dealt with by specific Community action. Discrimination on different grounds can have similar features and can be combated in similar ways. Experience built up over many years in combating discrimination on some grounds, including sex, can be used to the benefit of other grounds. However, the specific features of the diverse forms of discrimination should be accommodated. Therefore, the particular needs of people with disabilities should be taken into account in terms of the accessibility of activities and results.(8) Access to the programme should be open to all public and/or private bodies and institutions involved in the fight against discrimination. In this connection account must be taken of the experience and abilities of both local and national non-governmental organisations.(9) Many non-governmental organisations at European level have experience and expertise in fighting discrimination, as well as acting at European level as the advocates of people who are exposed to discrimination. They can therefore make an important contribution towards a better understanding of the diverse forms and effects of discrimination and to ensuring that the design, implementation and follow-up of the programme take account of the experience of people exposed to discrimination. The Community has in the past provided core funding for various organisations working in the area of discrimination. The core funding of effective non-governmental organisations may be a valuable asset in combating discrimination.(10) The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission(4).(11) It is necessary, in order to reinforce the added value of Community action, that the Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, should ensure, at all levels, the coherence and complementarity of actions implemented in the framework of this Decision and other relevant Community policies, instruments and actions, in particular those in the fields of education and training and equal opportunities between men and women under the European Social Fund and those to promote social inclusion. Consistency and complementarity with the relevant activities of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia should also be ensured.(12) The Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA Agreement) provides for greater cooperation in the social field between the European Community and its Member States, on the one hand, and the countries of the European Free Trade Association participating in the European Economic Area (EFTA/EEA), on the other. Provision should be made to open up this programme to participation by the candidate countries of Central and Eastern Europe, in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils, to Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, funded by additional appropriations in accordance with the procedures to be agreed with those countries.(13) A financial reference amount, within the meaning of point 34 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May 1999 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission(5) is included in this Decision for the entire duration of the programme, without thereby affecting the powers of the budgetary authority as they are defined by the Treaty.(14) The Commission and the Member States should make efforts to ensure that all the texts, guidelines and calls for proposals published under this programme are written in clear, simple and accessible language.(15) It is appropriate that account should be taken of the need to provide special assistance, where appropriate, to enable people to overcome the obstacles to their participation in the programme.(16) It is necessary for the success of any Community action to monitor and evaluate the results set against the objectives.(17) In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as defined in Article 5 of the Treaty, the objectives of the proposed action concerning the contribution of the Community to combating discrimination cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States because, inter alia, of the need for multilateral partnerships, the transnational exchange of information and the Community-wide dissemination of good practice. In accordance with the principle of proportionality as defined in the said Article, this Decision does not go beyond what is necessary to achieve those objectives,HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:Article 1Establishment of the programmeThis Decision establishes a Community action programme, hereinafter referred to as "the programme", to promote measures to combat direct or indirect discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, for the period from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2006.Article 2ObjectivesWithin the limits of the Community's powers, the programme shall support and supplement the efforts at Community level and in the Member States to promote measures to prevent and combat discrimination whether based on one or on multiple factors, taking account, where appropriate, of future legislative developments. It shall have the following objectives:(a) to improve the understanding of issues related to discrimination through improved knowledge of this phenomenon and through evaluation of the effectiveness of policies and practice;(b) to develop the capacity to prevent and address discrimination effectively, in particular by strengthening organisations' means of action and through support for the exchange of information and good practice and networking at European level, while taking into account the specific characteristics of the different forms of discrimination;(c) to promote and disseminate the values and practices underlying the fight against discrimination, including through the use of awareness-raising campaigns.Article 3Community actions1. With a view to achieving the objectives set out in Article 2, the following actions may be implemented within a transnational framework:(a) analysis of factors related to discrimination, including through studies and the development of qualitative and quantitative indicators and benchmarks, in accordance with national law and practices, and the evaluation of anti-discrimination legislation and practice, with a view to assessing its effectiveness and impact, with effective dissemination of the results;(b) transnational cooperation and the promotion of networking at European level between partners active in the prevention of, and the fight against, discrimination, including non-governmental organisations;(c) awareness-raising, in particular to emphasise the European dimension of the fight against discrimination and to publicise the results of the programme, in particular through communications, publications, campaigns and events.2. Arrangements for the implementation of the Community actions described in paragraph 1 are set out in the Annex.Article 4Implementation of the programme and cooperation with the Member States1. The Commission shall:(a) ensure the implementation of the Community actions covered by the programme in conformity with the Annex;(b) have a regular exchange of views with representatives of non-governmental organisations and the social partners at European level on the design, implementation and follow-up of the programme and on related policy orientations. To that end the Commission shall make the relevant information available to the non-governmental organisations and the social partners. The Commission shall inform the committee established under Article 6 of their exchange of views.2. The Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, shall take the necessary steps to:(a) promote the involvement in the programme of all the parties concerned, including non-governmental organisations of all sizes;(b) promote active partnership and dialogue between all the partners involved in the programme, inter alia to encourage an integrated and coordinated approach to the fight against discrimination;(c) ensure the dissemination of the results of the actions undertaken within the framework of the programme;(d) provide accessible information and appropriate publicity and follow-up with regard to actions supported by the programme.Article 5Implementing measures1. The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision relating to the matters referred to below shall be adopted in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 6(2):(a) the general guidelines for the implementation of the programme;(b) the annual plan of work for the implementation of the programme's actions, including the possibility of adapting or supplementing the programme themes;(c) the financial support to be supplied by the Community;(d) the annual budget and the breakdown of the funds among different actions of the programme;(e) the arrangements for selecting actions and organisations for Community support and the draft list of actions and organisations submitted by the Commission for such support;(f) the criteria for monitoring and evaluating the programme and, in particular, its cost-effectiveness and the arrangements for disseminating and transferring the results.2. The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision relating to all other matters shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 6(3).Article 6Committee1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee.2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply.The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at two months.3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 3 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply.4. The committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.Article 7Cooperation with other committeesTo ensure the consistency and complementarity of the programme with other measures referred to in Article 8, the Commission shall keep the Committee regularly informed of other Community action contributing to the fight against discrimination. Where appropriate, the Commission shall establish regular and structured cooperation between this Committee and the monitoring committees established for other relevant policies, instruments and actions.Article 8Consistency and complementarity1. The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Member States, ensure overall consistency with other Union and Community policies, instruments and actions, in particular by establishing appropriate mechanisms to coordinate the activities of the programme with relevant activities relating to research, employment, equality between women and men, social inclusion, culture, education, training and youth policy and in the field of the Community's external relations.2. The Commission and the Member States shall ensure consistency and complementarity between action undertaken under the programme and other relevant Union and Community action, in particular under the Structural Funds and the Community initiative Equal.3. Member States shall make all possible efforts to ensure consistency and complementarity between activities under the programme and those carried out at national, regional and local levels.Article 9Participation of the EFTA/EEA countries, the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Cyprus, Malta and TurkeyThe programme shall be open to the participation of:(a) the EFTA/EEA countries in accordance with the conditions established in the EEA Agreement;(b) the candidate countries of central and eastern Europe (CCEE) in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils;(c) Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, funded by additional appropriations in accordance with procedures to be agreed with these countries;Article 10Funding1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the programme for the period 2001 to 2006 is hereby set at EUR 98,4 million.2. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective.Article 11Monitoring and evaluation1. The Commission shall regularly monitor the programme in cooperation with the Member States, in accordance with the procedures set out in Article 6(2) or 6(3).2. The programme shall be evaluated by the Commission with the assistance of independent experts. This evaluation shall assess the relevance, the effectiveness and the cost/effectiveness ratios of actions implemented with regard to the objectives referred to in Article 2. It shall also examine the impact of the programme as a whole.The evaluation will also examine the complementarity between action under the programme and that pursued under other relevant Community policies, instruments and actions.3. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions an evaluation report on the implementation of the programme by 31 December 2005.Article 12Entry into forceThis Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.Done at Brussels, 27 November 2000.For the CouncilThe PresidentÉ. Guigou(1) Opinion delivered 5.10.2000 (Not yet published in the Official Journal).(2) OJ C 204, 18.7.2000, p. 82.(3) OJ C 226, 8.8.2000, p. 1.(4) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.(5) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1.ANNEXINDICATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMMEI. Areas of actionThe programme may operate in the following areas, within the limits of the powers conferred by the Treaty upon the Community:(a) non-discrimination within and by public administrations;(b) non-discrimination within and by the media;(c) equal participation in political, economic and social decision-making;(d) equal access to, and supply of, goods and services which are available to the public, including housing, transport, culture, leisure and sport;(e) effective monitoring of discrimination, including multiple discrimination;(f) effective dissemination of information about rights to equal treatment and non-discrimination;(g) the mainstreaming of anti-discriminatory policies and practices.In all its activities, the programme will respect the principle of gender mainstreaming.In carrying out the programme, the Commission may, for the mutual benefit of the Commission and of the beneficiaries, have recourse to technical and/or administrative assistance in the identification, preparation, management, monitoring, audit and control of the programme or projects.The Commission may also carry out studies, organise meetings of experts, conduct information campaigns and launch publications directly related to the objective of this programme.II. Access to the programmeUnder the conditions and arrangements for implementation specified in this Annex, access to this programme shall be open to public and/or private bodies and institutions involved in the fight against discrimination, in particular:(a) Member States;(b) local and regional authorities;(c) bodies for the promotion of equal treatment;(d) social partners;(e) non-governmental organisations;(f) universities and research institutes;(g) national statistical offices;(h) the media.III. ActionsStrand 1 - Analysis and evaluationThe following measures may be supported:1. the development and dissemination of comparable statistical series on the scale of discrimination in the Community in accordance with national law and practices;2. the development and dissemination of methodologies and indicators for evaluating the effectiveness of anti-discrimination policy and practice (benchmarking) in accordance with national law and practices;3. the analysis, by means of annual reports, of anti-discrimination legislation and practice, with a view to evaluating its effectiveness and disseminating lessons learned;4. thematic studies within the framework of the priority themes comparing and contrasting approaches within and across the different grounds of discrimination.In implementing this Strand, the Commission will in particular ensure consistency and complementarity with the activities of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia, the Community framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities and the Community statistical programme.Strand 2 - Capacity buildingThe following measures may be supported in order to improve the capacity and effectiveness of target actors involved in combating discrimination in the fields covered by this programme:1. Transnational exchange actions involving a range of actors from at least three Member States, consisting of the transfer of information, lessons learned and good practice. Activities may include a comparison of the effectiveness of processes, methods and tools related to the chosen themes, the mutual transfer and application of good practice, exchanges of personnel, the joint development of products, processes, strategy and methodology, the adaptation to different contexts of the methods, tools and processes identified as good practices and/or the common dissemination of results, visibility materials and events. The process of selecting applications for funding under the programme will take account of the diverse nature of discrimination;2. Core funding for relevant European-level non-governmental organisations with experience of fighting discrimination and acting as advocates of people exposed to discrimination in order to promote the development of an integrated and coordinated approach to the fight against discrimination.Core funding will be capped at 90 % of the expenditure eligible for support.The procedures for selecting such organisations may take account of the diverse and heterogeneous nature of the groups facing discrimination.Strand 3 - Awareness-raisingThe following measures may be supported:1. the organisation of conferences, seminars and events at European level;2. the organisation of seminars by the Member States in support of the implementation of Community law in the field of non-discrimination, and the promotion of a European dimension to events organised at national level;3. the organisation of European media campaigns and events to support the transnational exchange of information and the identification and dissemination of good practice, including the award of prizes to successful actions under Strand 2, to strengthen the visibility of the fight against discrimination;4. the publication of materials to disseminate the results of the programme, including through the construction of an Internet Site providing examples of good practice, a forum for the exchange of ideas and a database of potential partners for transnational exchange actions.IV. Method of presenting applications for supportStrand 1: this Strand will be implemented mainly through calls for tender. For cooperation with National Statistical Offices, the EUROSTAT procedures will apply.Strand 2: Strands 2, Point 1 and 2, Point 2 will be implemented in response to calls for proposals which will be submitted to the Commission.Strand 3: this Strand will be implemented, in general, in response to calls for tender. However, action under Strands 3, Point 2 and 3, Point 3 may be subsidised in response to requests for subsidies, for example from the Member States.


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32002D0050

Decision No 50/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 December 2001 establishing a programme of Community action to encourage cooperation between Member States to combat social exclusion

Official Journal L 010 , 12/01/2002 P. 0001 - 0007

Decision No 50/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Councilof 7 December 2001establishing a programme of Community action to encourage cooperation between Member States to combat social exclusionTHE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the second and third subparagraphs of Article 137(2) thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the Commission(1),Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee(2),Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions(3),Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty(4), in the light of the joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee on 18 September 2001,Whereas:(1) Pursuant to Article 2 of the Treaty, the Community shall have as part of its tasks that of promoting a high level of employment and of social protection and the raising of the standard of living and quality of life throughout the Community and economic and social cohesion.(2) Pursuant to Article 136 of the Treaty, the Community and the Member States, taking note of fundamental political principles, such as those set out in the European Social Charter signed at Turin on 18 October 1961, the revised Social Charter of the Council of Europe (1996), in particular in Article 30 thereof on the right to protection against poverty and social exclusion, and in the 1989 Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers, and bearing in mind also the rights and principles recognised by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union(5) proclaimed jointly by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on 7 December 2000, shall have as an objective the combating of exclusion.(3) In its Recommendation 92/441/EEC(6), the Council recommends that Member States should recognise the basic right of a person to sufficient resources and social assistance to live in a manner compatible with human dignity. In Recommendation 92/442/EEC(7), the Council recommends that Member States should guarantee a level of resources in keeping with human dignity. In its Conclusions of 17 December 1999(8), the Council commits itself to promoting social inclusion as one of the objectives of the modernisation and improvement of social protection systems.(4) The European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions have all urged the Community to strengthen its contribution to efforts in Member States to prevent and to combat social exclusion.(5) The Commission communication of 1 March 2000, "Building an inclusive Europe", described the challenge of social exclusion and poverty and the existing policy responses in Member States and at Community level, and proposed on this basis to give a new impetus to cooperation of the European Union in this field.(6) The Lisbon European Council of 23 and 24 March 2000 incorporated as intrinsic to the overall strategy of the Union the promotion of social inclusion to achieve its strategic goal for the next decade of becoming the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth, with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion.(7) The said Lisbon European Council, finding the number of people living below the poverty line and in social exclusion in the Union unacceptable, deemed it necessary to take steps to make a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty by setting adequate objectives. Such objectives were agreed by the Nice European Council of 7, 8 and 9 December 2000.(8) The said Lisbon Council further acknowledged that the new knowledge-based society offers the potential for reducing social exclusion, both by creating the economic conditions for greater prosperity through higher levels of growth and employment, and by opening up new ways of participating in society. At the same time, it brings a risk of an ever-widening gap between those who have access to the new knowledge, and those who are excluded. It recognised that policies should be directed towards avoiding this risk and maximising this new potential and that the best safeguard against social exclusion is a job.(9) The said European Council further agreed that policies for combating social exclusion should be based on an open method of coordination combining national action plans and a Commission initiative for cooperation.(10) This Commission initiative which consists of a proposal for a multiannual action programme designed to encourage cooperation between Member States should aim at improving knowledge, developing exchanges of information and best practices, and evaluating experiences in order to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of policies to combat exclusion.(11) The drawing-up of harmonised surveys and analyses, and the study of commonly agreed qualitative and quantitative indicators, will provide a basis for the development of the open method of coordination.(12) The fight against social exclusion and poverty requires participation in quality employment and access for all to resources, rights, goods and services, to be facilitated.(13) Measures to combat social exclusion should aim at enabling everyone to support himself or herself, by gainful employment or otherwise, and to integrate into society.(14) The Social Protection Committee, set up by Council Decision 2000/436/EC(9) to enhance cooperation between the Member States on social protection policies, contributes to the development of and systematic follow-up to action to modernise social protection and promote social integration in accordance with the Presidency conclusions of the European Council meeting in Lisbon on 23 and 24 March 2000 and in Feira on 19 and 20 June 2000.(15) Many non-governmental organisations at various levels (local, regional, national and European) have experience of and expertise in fighting social exclusion, as well as acting at European level as the advocates of people who are exposed to social exclusion. Local and regional authorities also have experience and knowledge in this field. Non-governmental organisations, social partners and local and regional authorities can therefore make an important contribution at European level to understanding the diverse forms and effects of social exclusion and to ensuring that the design and implementation of and follow-up to the programme take account of the experience of people exposed to social exclusion.(16) The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission(10).(17) It is necessary, in order to reinforce the added value of Community action, that the Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, should ensure, at all levels, the coherence and complementarity of actions implemented in the framework of this Decision and all other relevant Community instruments, policies and actions, in particular those under the Structural Funds.(18) Special attention should be paid to social exclusion in view of the future enlargement of the Union.(19) The Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA Agreement) provides for greater cooperation in the social field between the European Community and its Member States, on the one hand, and the countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) participating in the European Economic Area (EFTA/EEA countries), on the other. Provision should be made for opening up this programme to participation by the applicant countries of Central and Eastern Europe, in accordance with the conditions laid down in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils, and by Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, funded by additional appropriations in accordance with the procedures to be agreed with those countries.(20) In implementing this programme, the work carried out by other international organisations, in particular the United Nations, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the International Labour Organisation and the Council of Europe, will be of particular interest.(21) This Decision lays down, for the entire duration of the programme, a financial framework constituting the prime reference for the budgetary authority during the annual budgetary procedure, within the meaning of point 33 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May 1999 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, on budgetary discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure(11). The amount of the financial framework proposed in the programme is compatible with the current financial perspective.(22) Gender is a crucial cross-cutting issue which has a large impact on the effects and causes of exclusion. Moreover, by virtue of Articles 2 and 3 of the Treaty, the elimination of inequalities and the promotion of equality, between men and women, are part of the task conferred on the Community, which should feature as an aim in all its activities.(23) It is essential to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the programme to ensure that it achieves its objectives.(24) Since the objectives of the proposed action concerning the contribution of the Community to combating social exclusion cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States for reasons including the need for multilateral partnerships, the transnational exchange of information and the Community-wide dissemination of good practice and can therefore, by reason of the scale and effects of the proposed action, be better achieved at Community level, the Community may adopt measures in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Decision does not go beyond what is necessary to achieve those objectives,HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:Article 1Establishment of the programmeA programme of Community action to encourage cooperation between Member States in order to combat social exclusion, hereinafter referred to as "the programme", shall be adopted for the period 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2006.Article 2Principles1. The programme shall be part of an open method of coordination between Member States to give a decisive impetus to the elimination of social exclusion and poverty by setting appropriate objectives at Community level and by the implementation of national action plans.2. The programme and the national action plans shall contribute to a better understanding of social exclusion, the mainstreaming of the combating of exclusion in Member States' and Community policies and measures, and the development of priority actions chosen by Member States in accordance with their particular situation.3. In designing, implementing and following up the activities under the programme, account shall be taken of the experience of Member States at all levels involved and of people exposed to social exclusion and poverty, as well as social partners, non-governmental and voluntary organisations, bodies providing social services and other actors involved in the fight against social exclusion and poverty.Article 3ObjectivesIn the context of the open method of coordination referred to in Article 2(1), the programme shall support cooperation which enables the Community and the Member States to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of policies to combat social exclusion by:(a) improving the understanding of social exclusion and poverty with the help in particular of comparable indicators;(b) organising exchanges on policies which are implemented and promoting mutual learning inter alia in the context of national action plans, with the help in particular of comparable indicators;(c) developing the capacity of actors to address social exclusion and poverty effectively, and to promote innovative approaches, in particular through networking at European level, and by promoting dialogue with all those involved including at national and regional level.Article 4Community actions1. With a view to achieving the objectives set out in Article 3, the following Community actions may be implemented within a transnational framework:(a) analysis of characteristics, causes, processes and trends in social exclusion, including the collection of statistics on the various forms of social exclusion in order to compare these data, the study of quantitative and qualitative indicators, the development of common methodologies and thematic studies;(b) exchange of information and best practices encouraging the development of quantitative and qualitative indicators, based on these objectives as agreed by the European Parliament and the Council, assessment criteria and benchmarks and monitoring, evaluation and peer review;(c) promotion of dialogue involving the various actors and support for relevant networking at European level between organisations active in the fight against poverty and social exclusion, in particular non-governmental organisations.2. Arrangements for the implementation of the Community actions described in paragraph 1 are set out in the Annex.Article 5Implementation and cooperation with the Member States1. The Commission shall:(a) ensure the implementation of the Community actions covered by the programme;(b) have a regular exchange of views with representatives of non-governmental organisations and the social partners at European level on the design and implementation of and follow-up to the programme and on related policy orientations. To this end, the Commission shall make useful information available to non-governmental organisations and social partners. The Commission shall inform the Committee established under Article 8 of these views;(c) promote active partnership and dialogue between all the partners involved in the programme to encourage an integrated and coordinated approach to the fight against social exclusion and poverty.2. The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Member States, take the necessary steps to:(a) promote the involvement in the programme of all the parties concerned;(b) ensure the dissemination of the results of the Community actions undertaken within the framework of the programme;(c) provide appropriate information, publicity and follow-up with regard to Community actions supported by the programme.Article 6Financing1. The financial framework for the implementation of the programme for the period referred to in Article 1 is hereby set at EUR 75 million, including technical and administrative expenditure.2. The annual appropriations, including those relating to human resources, shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective.Article 7Implementing measures1. The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision relating to the matters referred to below shall be adopted in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 8(2):(a) the annual implementation of the programme's Community actions and the annual plan of work;(b) the breakdown of the funds between the different strands of the programme;(c) the arrangements for selecting activities and organisations for Community support;(d) the criteria for evaluating the programme, including those relating to cost-effectiveness, and the arrangements for disseminating and transferring the results.2. The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision relating to all other matters shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 8(3).Article 8Committee1. The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee.2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at two months.3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 3 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.4. The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.Article 9Cooperation with other committees and links with the Social Protection Committee1. To ensure the consistency and complementarity of this programme with other measures referred to in Article 10, the Commission shall keep the Committee regularly informed about other Community action contributing to combating social exclusion. Where appropriate, the Commission shall establish regular and structured cooperation between this Committee and the monitoring committees established for other relevant policies, instruments and actions.2. The Commission shall establish the necessary links with the Social Protection Committee within the framework of the Community actions referred to in this Decision.Article 10Consistency and complementarity1. The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Member States, ensure overall consistency with other relevant Community policies, instruments and actions, in particular by establishing appropriate mechanisms to coordinate the activities of this programme with relevant activities relating to research, employment, economic, industrial and enterprise policies, non-discrimination, immigration, equality between women and men, social protection, education, training and youth policy, health and in the field of enlargement and the Community's external relations.2. The Member States shall make every possible effort to ensure consistency and complementarity between activities under this programme and those carried out at national, regional and local levels.3. The Commission and the Member States shall ensure consistency and complementarity between action undertaken under this programme and action undertaken in the field of employment and also with Community action under the structural funds, in particular the Community initiative EQUAL.Article 11Participation of the EFTA/EEA countries, the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Cyprus, Malta and TurkeyThis programme shall be open to the participation of:- the EFTA/EEA countries in accordance with the conditions established in the EEA Agreement;- the associated central and eastern European countries in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in their additional protocols and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils;- Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, funded by additional appropriations in accordance with procedures to be agreed with each country.Article 12Monitoring and evaluation1. The Commission shall regularly monitor this programme in cooperation with the Member States in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 8(2).2. The Commission shall report on the overall consistency of policies with social cohesion including progress achieved under this programme in its annual summary report to the Spring European Council, on which the European Parliament shall express its views in due course.3. The programme shall be evaluated by the Commission by the end of the third year and at the end of the programme with the assistance of independent experts. This evaluation will assess the relevance, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of activities implemented with regard to the objectives referred to in Article 3. It will also examine the impact of the programme as a whole. The evaluation will also examine the complementarity between action under the programme and that pursued under other relevant Community policies, instruments and actions.4. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions a final report on the implementation of the programme by 31 December 2006.Article 13Entry into forceThis Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.Done at Brussels, 7 December 2001.For the European ParliamentThe PresidentN. FontaineFor the CouncilThe PresidentI. Durant(1) OJ C 337 E, 28.11.2000, p. 130 andOJ C 96 E, 27.3.2001, p. 229.(2) OJ C 14, 16.1.2001, p. 69.(3) OJ C 144, 16.5.2001, p. 52.(4) Opinion of the European Parliament of 16 November 2000 (OJ C 223, 8.8.2001, p. 284), Council Common Position of 12 February 2001 (OJ C 93, 23.3.2001, p. 11) and Decision of the European Parliament of 17 May 2001. Decision of the European Parliament of 15 November 2001 and Council Decision of 21 November 2001.(5) OJ C 364, 18.12.2000, p. 1.(6) OJ L 245, 26.8.1992, p. 46.(7) OJ L 245, 26.8.1992, p. 49.(8) OJ C 8, 12.1.2000, p. 7.(9) OJ L 172, 12.7.2000, p. 26.(10) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.(11) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1.ANNEXINDICATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME1. Action strandsWith a view to achieving the objectives set out in Article 3 and implementing the Community actions set out in Article 4, the following measures may be implemented within a transnational framework:Strand 1:Analysis of characteristics, processes, causes and trends in social exclusionTo improve understanding of the phenomenon of social exclusion, the following measures may be supported:1.1. studies and meetings on the development of common methodologies to measure and understand social exclusion and poverty, their extent, characteristics, processes, causes and trends, and on technical work on indicators;1.2. the collection, in Member States and at Community level, and dissemination of statistics on the various types of social exclusion for the purposes of comparing such data effectively. This measure should support cooperation between national statistical offices and the Commission and improve the statistical reference sources at Community level and their contribution to the analysis of social exclusion and poverty;1.3. the promotion of innovative approaches, the development of thematic studies to contribute to the understanding of social exclusion, in order to address common issues in connection with policy developments in Member States, including emerging issues in relation to the knowledge-based society.It is important to reflect the experience on the ground of persons confronted with social exclusion and poverty and to make use of all relevant sources of information on social exclusion and poverty, including that coming from non-governmental organisations.In analysing social exclusion and poverty, special attention will be paid to their multiple dimensions and to the diverse situations of the social groups concerned, including child poverty, and of the geographical areas which are exposed to the risks of social exclusion.Strand 2:Policy cooperation and exchange of information and best practicesIn order to promote policy cooperation and mutual learning in the context of national action plans, the following transnational activities may be supported:2.1. transnational exchanges aimed at transferring information and good practices and encouraging peer review by means of meetings/workshops/seminars on benchmarks or on policies and practices, or other forms of exchange such as joint development of strategies and common dissemination of information, field visits and exchanges of personnel etc., organised at the initiative of either Member States and/or other key actors with the active involvement of Member States, or European organisations. Transnational exchanges between national observatories or similar recognised bodies may also be supported under this strand;2.2. expert work and technical studies in connection with the development of indicators and benchmarks, including in relation to the knowledge-based society;2.3. annual report on social exclusion, which would present the state of play on the action conducted, especially national action plans, in the main policies and fields where the fight against poverty and social exclusion is at stake.Bearing in mind that social exclusion is a multidimensional phenomenon, particular attention should be paid to relevant policy developments on social protection, employment, education and training, health and housing policies.Strand 3:Participation of the various actors and support for networking at European levelTo promote dialogue with all the operators concerned, the following measures may be supported:3.1. core funding for key European networks involved in the fight against poverty and social exclusion; the core funding is subject to an upper limit of 90 % of the expenditure eligible for support. This ceiling may only be reached under exceptional circumstances;3.2. an annual European Union Round Table Conference on social exclusion. The conference would be organised in close collaboration with the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and prepared for in consultation with all the actors concerned, among others social partners, representatives of non-governmental organisations with experience in the field, and representatives of the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee, and the Committee of the Regions.2. Access to the programmeUnder the conditions and arrangements for implementation specified in this Annex, access to this programme shall be open to all public and/or private bodies, actors and institutions involved in the fight against social exclusion, in particular:(a) Member States;(b) local and regional authorities;(c) bodies responsible for combating social exclusion;(d) social partners;(e) bodies providing social services;(f) non-governmental organisations;(g) universities and research institutes;(h) national statistical offices;(i) media.3. General considerationsThe programme shall take into account the results of preparatory actions and activities under other relevant Community policies, instruments and actions.In designing, implementing, following up and evaluating activities under the programme, account will be taken of the experience of people exposed to poverty and social exclusion, as well as social partners, non-governmental organisations and other bodies involved in the fight against social exclusion and poverty. In all its activities, the programme will respect the principle of gender mainstreaming.4. Method of presenting applications for support>TABLE>5. Carrying out the activitiesThe activities to be taken may be funded by service contracts following calls for tender or by subsidies for joint financing with other sources. In the latter case, the level of financial assistance by the Commission may not, as a general rule, exceed 80 % of the expenditure actually incurred by the recipient.In carrying out the programme, the Commission may require additional resources, including recourse to experts. These requirements will be decided in the context of the Commission's ongoing assessment of resource allocation.In implementing the programme, the Commission may make use of technical and/or administrative assistance (definition, preparation, management, monitoring, audit and control), in the mutual interests of the Commission and of the recipients.The Commission may also undertake information, publication and dissemination activities. It may also undertake evaluation studies and organise seminars, workshops or other meetings of experts.Activities undertaken will fully respect the principles of data protection.


title: Decision No 1926/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 establishing a programme of Community action in the field of consumer policy (2007-2013)   (Text with EEA relevance)

text:
               30.12.2006

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 404/39

      DECISION No 1926/2006/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

   of 18 December 2006
   establishing a programme of Community action in the field of consumer policy (2007-2013)
   (Text with EEA relevance)
   THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 153 thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
   Having regard to the Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1),
   Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (2),
   Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3),
   Whereas:

               (1)

               The Community can contribute to protecting the health, safety and economic and legal interests of citizens through actions in the field of consumer protection.

               (2)

               It is therefore appropriate to establish a programme of Community action in the field of consumer policy, replacing Decision No 20/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 December 2003 establishing a general framework for financing Community actions in support of consumer policy for the years 2004 to 2007 (4). That Decision should therefore be repealed.

               (3)

               Integrating consumer interests in all Community policies, in accordance with Article 153 of the Treaty, should be given high priority, together with the consumer policy objectives set out in this programme. Coordination with other Community policies and programmes is a key part of ensuring that consumer interests are taken fully into account in other policies. In order to promote synergies and avoid duplication, other Community funds and programmes should provide for financial support for the integration of consumer interests in their respective fields.

               (4)

               This Decision lays down, for the entire duration of the programme, a financial envelope constituting the prime reference, within the meaning of point 37 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (5), for the budgetary authority during the annual budgetary procedure.

               (5)

               It is of general European interest that the health and safety aspects of services and non-food products and the economic and legal interests of citizens, as well as consumers' interests in the development of standards for products and services, be represented at Community level. Given the particular nature of the organisations concerned, the renewal of Community support for the functioning of such organisations should not be subject to the principle of gradual decrease of the extent of Community support.

               (6)

               It is appropriate to ensure a transition between this programme and the programme it replaces, in particular regarding the continuation of multi-annual measures and the evaluation of the previous programme's successes and areas that need more attention. As of 1 January 2014, the technical and administrative assistance appropriations should cover, if necessary, the expenditure related to the management of actions not completed by the end of 2013.

               (7)

               The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (6).

               (8)

               Implementation of the programme should take into account the fact that the internal market will not function properly if consumers are less well protected in some Member States than in others. The programme should therefore focus especially on consumer protection and consumer awareness in the Member States which have acceded on or after 1 May 2004, in order to ensure a level playing field for all Member States.

               (9)

               The Agreement on the European Economic Area (hereinafter referred to as ‘the EEA Agreement’) provides for cooperation in the field of consumer protection between the European Community and its Member States, on the one hand, and the countries of the European Free Trade Association participating in the European Economic Area (hereinafter referred to as ‘the EFTA/EEA countries’), on the other. Provision should also be made to open the programme to participation by other countries, in particular the neighbouring countries of the European Union and countries which are applying for, are candidates for, or are acceding to, membership of the European Union.

               (10)

               In the context of the implementation of the programme, cooperation with third countries not participating in the programme should be encouraged, taking into account any relevant agreements between those countries and the Community.

               (11)

               The value and impact of the measures taken under the programme should be regularly monitored and evaluated, including by independent external evaluators. For the purposes of evaluating consumer policy, measurable objectives should be formulated and indicators developed.

               (12)

               Since the objectives of this Decision cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States due to the cross-border nature of the issues involved, and can therefore by reason of the greater potential of Community action efficiently and effectively to protect the health, safety and economic and legal interests of citizens be better achieved at Community level, the Community may adopt measures in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Decision does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives,

         HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
   Article 1
   Establishment of the programme
   A programme of Community action in the field of consumer policy covering the period from 31 December 2006 to 31 December 2013, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Programme’, is hereby established.
   Article 2
   Aim and objectives
   1.   The aim of the Programme shall be to complement, support and monitor the policies of the Member States and to contribute to protecting the health, safety and economic and legal interests of consumers, as well as to promoting their rights to information, to education and to organise themselves in order to safeguard their interests.
   2.   The aim referred to in paragraph 1 shall be pursued through the following objectives:

               (a)

               to ensure a high level of consumer protection, notably through improved evidence, better consultation and better representation of consumers' interests;

               (b)

               to ensure the effective application of consumer protection rules, in particular through enforcement cooperation, information, education and redress.

         These objectives shall be achieved through a combination of actions and instruments drawn from the list set out in Annex I according to the priorities set out in the annual work plan referred to in Article 7(2)(a).
   Article 3
   Funding
   1.   The financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme for the period from 31 December 2006 to 31 December 2013 is hereby set at EUR 156 800 000.
   2.   Annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial framework.
   Article 4
   Financial contributions
   1.   Financial contributions by the Community shall not exceed the following levels:

               (a)

               50 % of the costs of actions jointly financed by the Community and one or more Member States, or by the Community and the competent authorities of the third countries participating pursuant to Article 8; except in the case of actions of exceptional utility, the Community contribution to the costs of which shall not exceed 70 %;

               (b)

               85 % of the costs of actions intended to develop integrated European Master Degree courses in consumer issues;

               (c)

               50 % of expenditure for the functioning of European consumer organisations;

               (d)

               95 % of expenditure for the functioning of European consumer organisations representing consumer interests in the development of standards for products and services at Community level.

         2.   Financial contributions by the Community may take the form of:

               (a)

               scholarship grants for individual mobility of teachers and students in the framework of integrated European Master Degree courses in consumer issues. The management of these grants may be entrusted to the Erasmus National Agencies of the Life Long Learning programme;

               (b)

               travel and subsistence allowances for the exchange of enforcement officials.

         3.   The criteria for assessing whether actions exhibit exceptional utility within the meaning of paragraph 1(a) shall be established in advance in the annual work plan. Actions of exceptional utility shall benefit, in particular, consumers from Member States which acceded to the European Union on or after 1 May 2004.
   4.   The renewal of financial contributions set out in paragraphs 1(c) and 1(d) shall be exempted from the principle of gradual decrease.
   5.   For the purposes of paragraphs 1 and 2, financial contributions by the Community may also be given in the form of flat-rate or lump sum financing where this is suited to the nature of the actions concerned as defined in the annual work plan. In the case of flat-rate or lump sum financing, the percentage limits provided for in paragraph 1 shall not apply, although co-financing is still required.
   Article 5
   Beneficiaries
   The classes of beneficiaries eligible for the financial contributions established in Article 4 are set out in Annex II.
   Article 6
   Administrative and technical assistance
   1.   The financial allocation for the Programme may also cover expenses pertaining to preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities which are required directly for the management of the Programme and the achievement of its objectives; in particular, studies, meetings, information and publication actions, expenses linked to IT networks focusing on information exchange, together with all other technical and administrative assistance expenses incurred by the Commission for the management of the Programme.
   2.   The financial allocation for the Programme may also cover technical and administrative assistance expenses necessary to ensure the transition between the Programme and the measures adopted under Decision No 20/2004/EC. If necessary, appropriations may be entered in the budget beyond 2013 to cover these expenses, to enable the management of actions not completed by 31 December 2013.
   Article 7
   Implementation
   1.   The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the Programme.
   Actions in pursuit of the aim and objectives set out in Article 2 shall make full use of appropriate available methods of implementation including, in particular, direct or indirect implementation by the Commission on a centralised basis.
   2.   The procedure referred to in Article 10(2) shall apply to the adoption of:

               (a)

               the annual work plan for the implementation of the Programme, setting out;

                           —

                           priorities and actions to be undertaken, including the allocation of financial resources,

                           —

                           selection and award criteria and criteria for the percentage of Community financial contributions,

                           —

                           use made of flat rate and lump sum financing, and

                           —

                           the planned timing of calls for tenders, joint actions and calls for proposals;

               (b)

               the arrangements, including selection and award criteria, for the implementation of the actions referred to in Article 4(1)(a).

         3.   The Commission shall inform the Committee referred to in Article 10 of the actions undertaken in the implementation of the Programme.
   Article 8
   Participation of third countries
   The Programme shall be open to the participation of:

               (a)

               the EFTA/EEA countries, in accordance with the conditions established in the EEA Agreement;

               (b)

               third countries, in particular countries to which the European Neighbourhood Policy applies, countries that are applying for, are candidates for, or are acceding to, membership of the European Union, and the western Balkan countries included in the stabilisation and association process, in accordance with the conditions laid down in the respective bilateral or multilateral agreements with those countries establishing the general principles for their participation in Community programmes.

         Article 9
   Monitoring, evaluation and dissemination of results
   1.   The Commission, in close cooperation with the Member States, shall monitor the implementation of the actions of the Programme in the light of its objectives. It shall report thereon to the Committee referred to in Article 10, and shall keep the European Parliament and the Council informed thereof.
   2.   At the request of the Commission, Member States shall submit to it information on the implementation and impact of the Programme.
   3.   The Commission shall ensure that the Programme is evaluated three years after its start, and following its end. The Commission shall communicate the results of those evaluations, accompanied by its comments, to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.
   The Commission shall make the results of actions undertaken pursuant to this Decision publicly available.
   Article 10
   Committee procedure
   1.   The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee.
   2.   Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 3 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.
   3.   The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.
   Article 11
   Repeal
   Decision No 20/2004/EC is hereby repealed.
   Article 12
   Entry into force
   This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

      Done at Brussels, 18 December 2006.

            For the European Parliament

            The President

         J. BORRELL FONTELLES

            For the Council

            The President

         J.-E. ENESTAM

      (1)  OJ C 88, 11.4.2006, p. 1.

      (2)  OJ C 192, 16.8.2006, p. 8.

      (3)  Opinion of the European Parliament of 23 March 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal), Common Position of the Council of 14 November 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Position of the European Parliament of 12 December 2006.

      (4)  OJ L 5, 9.1.2004, p. 1. Decision as amended by Decision No 786/2004/EC (OJ L 138, 30.4.2004, p. 7).

      (5)  OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.

      (6)  OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. Decision as amended by Decision No 2006/512/EC (OJ L 200, 22.7.2006, p. 11).

      ANNEX I
      ACTIONS AND INSTRUMENTS REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 2
      Objective I
      To ensure a high level of consumer protection, notably through improved evidence, better consultation and better representation of consumers' interests.
      Action 1
      The collection, exchange, and analysis of data and information that provide an evidence base for the development of consumer policy and for the integration of consumer interests in other Community policies, including:

                  1.1.

                  Monitoring and assessment of market developments with an impact on the economic and other interests of consumers, including studies, price surveys, surveys of changes in the structure of markets, surveys of consumers and business, collection and analysis of consumer complaints, collection and analysis of data on cross-border business-to-consumer trade and markets.

                  1.2.

                  Development and maintenance of databases.

                  1.3.

                  Collection and analysis of statistical and other relevant evidence, the statistical element of which will be developed using as appropriate the Community Statistical Programme.

            Action 2
      The collection, exchange, analysis of data and information, and development of assessment tools that provide an evidence base on the safety of consumer goods and services, including consumer exposure to chemicals released from products, risks and injuries in relation to specific consumer products and services, and technical analysis of alert notifications.
      Action 3
      Support for scientific advice and risk evaluation, including the tasks of the independent scientific committees established by Commission Decision 2004/210/EC of 3 March 2004 setting up Scientific Committees in the field of consumer safety, public health and the environment (1).
      Action 4
      Preparation of legislative and other regulatory initiatives and promotion of co-regulatory and self-regulatory initiatives, including:

                  4.1.

                  Legal and technical expertise, including studies, in relation to regulation and its impact.

                  4.2.

                  Legal and technical expertise, including studies, in relation to policy development on the safety of products and services and the economic and legal interests of consumers.

                  4.3.

                  Legal and technical expertise, including studies, in relation to assessment of the need for product safety standards and the drafting of standardisation mandates for products and services.

                  4.4.

                  Seminars, conferences, workshops and meetings of stakeholders and experts.

            Action 5
      Financial contributions to the functioning of European consumer organisations.
      Action 6
      Financial contributions to the functioning of European consumer organisations representing consumer interests in the development of standards for products and services at Community level.
      Action 7
      Capacity building for regional, national and European consumer organisations, notably through training and exchange of best practice and expertise for staff members, in particular for consumer organisations in Member States which acceded to the European Union on or after 1 May 2004.
      Objective II
      To ensure the effective application of consumer protection rules, in particular through enforcement cooperation, information, education and redress.
      Action 8
      Actions to improve the effective application of Community consumer protection legislation, in particular Directive 2001/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 December 2001 on general product safety (2) and Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 October 2004 on cooperation between national authorities responsible for the enforcement of consumer protection laws (3), including:

                  8.1.

                  Actions to improve the coordination of monitoring and enforcement and to improve cooperation between competent authorities, including the development and maintenance of IT tools (e.g. databases, information and communication systems) and the organisation of seminars, conferences, workshops and meetings of stakeholders and experts on enforcement, exchanges of enforcement officials and training, also for members of the judiciary.

                  8.2.

                  Monitoring and assessment of the safety of non-food products and services, including the reinforcement and extension of the scope and operation of the RAPEX alert system, taking developments in market surveillance information exchange into account, and the further development of the consumer product safety network as provided for in Directive 2001/95/EC.

                  8.3.

                  Joint monitoring and enforcement actions and other actions in the context of administrative and enforcement cooperation.

                  8.4.

                  Actions for administrative and enforcement cooperation with third countries which are not participating in the programme.

            Action 9
      Legal and technical expertise, including studies, for the monitoring and assessment of the transposition, implementation and enforcement of consumer protection legislation by Member States, notably Directive 2005/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2005 concerning unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices in the internal market (4) and Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004. This also includes the development and maintenance of easily and publicly accessible databases covering the implementation of Community consumer protection legislation.
      Action 10
      Actions on information, advice and redress, including:

                  10.1.

                  Monitoring the functioning of alternative dispute resolution schemes and assessing their impact.

                  10.2.

                  Financial contributions for joint actions with public or non-profit bodies constituting Community networks which provide information and assistance to consumers to help them exercise their rights and obtain access to appropriate dispute resolution (the European Consumer Centres Network).

                  10.3.

                  Actions improving communication with EU citizens on consumer issues, especially in Member States which acceded to the European Union on or after 1 May 2004, including publications on issues of interest for consumer policy, provision of information on-line, and actions providing information about consumer protection measures and consumer rights.

            Action 11
      Actions on consumer education, including:

                  11.1.

                  Specific actions targeted at young consumers, old consumers and vulnerable groups of consumers who are clearly less able to defend their interests, and the development of interactive tools for consumer education.

                  11.2.

                  Financial contributions to the development of integrated European Master Degree courses in consumer issues, including a scheme of scholarships enabling students to spend up to six months in a different country.

         (1)  OJ L 66, 4.3.2004, p. 45.

         (2)  OJ L 11, 15.1.2002, p. 4.

         (3)  OJ L 364, 9.12.2004, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Directive 2005/29/EC (OJ L 149, 11.6.2005, p. 22).

         (4)  OJ L 149, 11.6.2005, p. 22.

      ANNEX II
      BENEFICIARIES ELIGIBLE FOR THE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS ESTABLISHED IN ARTICLE 4

                  1.

                  The financial contributions for actions referred to in Article 4(1)(a) may be awarded to a public body or a non-profit-making body designated through a transparent procedure by the Member State or the competent authority concerned and agreed by the Commission.

                  2.

                  The financial contributions for actions referred to in Article 4(1)(b) may be awarded to higher education institutions of the Member States or third countries participating pursuant to Article 8, as defined in Article 2 of Decision No 2317/2003/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 December 2003 establishing a programme for the enhancement of quality in higher education and the promotion of intercultural understanding through cooperation with third countries (Erasmus Mundus) (2004-2008) (1).

                  3.

                  The financial contributions for actions referred to in Article 4(2)(a) may be awarded to students and teachers participating in the integrated European Master Degree courses in consumer issues benefiting from co-financing under Article 4(1)(b).

                  4.

                  The financial contributions for actions referred to in Article 4(2)(b) may be awarded to the consumer protection enforcement officials referred to in Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 and Directive 2001/95/EC.

                  5.

                  The financial contributions for actions referred to in Article 4(1)(c) may be awarded to European consumer organisations which:

                              (a)

                              are non-governmental, non-profit making, independent of industry, commercial and business or other conflicting interests, and have as their primary objectives and activities the promotion and protection of the health, safety and economic and legal interests of consumers in the Community;

                              (b)

                              have been mandated to represent the interests of consumers at Community level by national consumer organisations in at least half of the Member States that are representative, in accordance with national rules or practice, of consumers and are active at regional or national level; and

                              (c)

                              have provided to the Commission satisfactory accounts of their membership, internal rules and sources of funding.

                  6.

                  The financial contributions for actions referred to in Article 4(1)(d) may be awarded to European consumer organisations which:

                              (a)

                              are non-governmental, non-profit-making, independent of industry, commercial and business or other conflicting interests, and have as their primary objectives and activities to represent consumer interests in the standardisation process at Community level;

                              (b)

                              have been mandated in at least two thirds of the Member States to represent the interests of consumers at Community level:

                                          —

                                          by bodies representative, in accordance with national rules or practice, of national consumer organisations in the Member States, or

                                          —

                                          in the absence of the bodies, referred to in the first indent, by national consumer organisations in the Member States that are representative, in accordance with national rules or practice, of consumers and are active at national level;

                              (c)

                              have provided to the Commission satisfactory accounts of their membership, internal rules and sources of funding.

         (1)  OJ L 345, 31.12.2003, p. 1.


Avis juridique important

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31996D0198

96/198/JHA: Council Decision of 4 March 1996 on an alert and emergency procedure for burden-sharing with regard to the admission and residence of displaced persons on a temporary basis

Official Journal L 063 , 13/03/1996 P. 0010 - 0011

COUNCIL DECISION of 4 March 1996 on an alert and emergency procedure for burden-sharing with regard to the admission and residence of displaced persons on a temporary basis (96/198/JHA)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article K.3 (2) (a) thereof,Having regard to the Council resolution of 25 September 1995 on burden-sharing with regard to the admission and residence of displaced persons on a temporary basis (1),Whereas the aforementioned resolution must be supplemented if the principles set out therein are to be applied effectively when crisis situations arise requiring swift action;Whereas it is necessary to this end to introduce an alert and emergency procedure,HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:1. Initiation of the procedureOn the initiative of the Presidency, a Member State or the Commission, an urgent meeting of the Coordinating Committee referred to in Article K.4 may be convened, the members of which shall be advised by those responsible in the Member States for asylum and immigration affairs, to note whether a situation exists which requires concerted action by the European Union for the admission and residence of displaced persons on a temporary basis.When an action of this type is envisaged, the conditions laid down in paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Council resolution of 25 September 1995 must be fulfilled.Periodically and in any event prior to the meeting, the Presidency shall, in collaboration with the Commission, in the light of the opinion of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and with the assistance of the General Secretariat of the Council, prepare a report on the situation. That report shall be forwarded to the Member States.2. Agenda for the meetingThe agenda for the meeting may in particular cover the following:- a study of the situation and an assessment of the extent of population movement,- an appraisal of the expediency of urgent intervention at European Union level,- a study of other possibilities, including any local action,- the drawing up of a timetable and a progressive plan for anticipated admission requirements,- an indication by each Member State of the number of persons who will be admitted and when they will be admitted, pursuant to paragraph 4 of the Council resolution of 25 September 1995,- coordination with the Commission's actions in the area of humanitarian aid,- exchange of information with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and coordination of the admission plan,- coordination with third countries.3. Decision on burden-sharingIn the light of the outcome of the proceedings of the meeting of the abovementioned Coordinating Committee, a proposal shall be prepared for submission to the Council for approval.If it is judged necessary, in accordance with paragraph 3 of the Council resolution of 25 September 1995 and if a month has elapsed without agreement being reached within the Coordinating Committee, the provisions laid down by the Council's Rules of Procedure for urgent cases may be applied.4. Monitoring of the situationThe detailed arrangements for admitting displaced persons shall be decided on by each Member State.While the crisis lasts, the abovementioned Coordinating Committee may hold frequent meetings at intervals to be decided on by the Committee itself and on the basis of paragraph 2 of this Decision.Done at Brussels, 4 March 1996.For the CouncilThe PresidentP. BARATTA(1) OJ No C 262, 7. 10. 1995, p. 1.


title: 2012/465/EU: Commission Decision of 2 August 2012 adjusting the weightings applicable from 1 August 2010 , 1 September 2010 , 1 October 2010 , 1 November 2010 , 1 December 2010 , 1 January 2011 , 1 February 2011 , 1 March 2011 , 1 April 2011 , 1 May 2011 and 1 June 2011 to the remuneration of officials, temporary staff and contract staff of the European Union serving in third countries

text:
               8.8.2012

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 211/7

         COMMISSION DECISION
   of 2 August 2012
   adjusting the weightings applicable from 1 August 2010, 1 September 2010, 1 October 2010, 1 November 2010, 1 December 2010, 1 January 2011, 1 February 2011, 1 March 2011, 1 April 2011, 1 May 2011 and 1 June 2011 to the remuneration of officials, temporary staff and contract staff of the European Union serving in third countries
   (2012/465/EU)
   THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 336 thereof,
   Having regard to the Staff Regulations of Officials and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union, as laid down by Regulation (EEC, Euratom, ECSC) No 259/68 of the Council (1), and in particular the second paragraph of Article 13 of Annex X thereto,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               In accordance with the first paragraph of Article 13 of Annex X to the Staff Regulations, the weightings to be applied from 1 July 2010 to the remuneration of officials, temporary staff and contract staff of the European Union serving in third countries payable in the currency of their country of employment were laid down by Council Regulation (EU) No 964/2011 (2).

               (2)

               Some of these weightings need to be adjusted in accordance with the second paragraph of Article 13 of Annex X to the Staff Regulations, with effect from 1 August, 1 September, 1 October, 1 November, 1 December 2010 and 1 January, 1 February, 1 March, 1 April, 1 May and 1 June 2011 since the statistics available to the Commission show that in certain third countries the variation in the cost of living measured on the basis of the weighting and the corresponding exchange rate has exceeded 5 % since weightings were last laid down,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   The weightings applied to the remuneration of officials, temporary staff and contract staff of the European Union serving in third countries, payable in the currency of the country of employment, shall be adjusted for certain countries as shown in the Annex hereto. It contains 11 monthly tables showing which countries are affected and the applicable dates for each one.
   The exchange rates used for the calculation of this remuneration shall be established in accordance with the detailed rules for the implementation of the Financial Regulation and correspond to the dates referred to in the first paragraph.
   Article 2
   This Decision shall enter into force on the first day of the month following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

      Done at Brussels, 2 August 2012.

            For the Commission, On behalf of the President,
         Catherine ASHTON

            Vice-President

      (1)  OJ L 56, 4.3.1968, p. 1.

      (2)  OJ L 253, 29.9.2011, p. 1.

      ANNEX

         AUGUST 2010

                  Place of employment

                  Economic parities August 2010

                  Exchange rate August 2010 (1)

                  Weightings August 2010 (2)

                  Egypt

                  4,398

                  7,40935

                  59,4

                  Eritrea

                  18,83

                  19,7388

                  95,4

         SEPTEMBER 2010

                  Place of employment

                  Economic parities September 2010

                  Exchange rate September 2010 (3)

                  Weightings September 2010 (4)

                  Eritrea

                  19,78

                  19,4388

                  101,8

                  Sudan

                  2,827

                  3,15356

                  89,6

                  Venezuela

                  4,516

                  5,45421

                  82,8

                  Zambia

                  5 270

                  6 297,45

                  83,7

         OCTOBER 2010

                  Place of employment

                  Economic parities October 2010

                  Exchange rate October 2010 (5)

                  Weightings October 2010 (6)

                  Egypt

                  4,701

                  7,60410

                  61,8

                  Ethiopia

                  16,15

                  22,2107

                  72,7

                  Haiti

                  50,97

                  55,0818

                  92,5

                  Paraguay

                  3 677

                  6 399,74

                  57,5

                  Suriname

                  2,305

                  3,75000

                  61,5

                  Timor Leste

                  1,274

                  1,36110

                  93,6

         NOVEMBER 2010

                  Place of employment

                  Economic parities November 2010

                  Exchange rate November 2010 (7)

                  Weightings November 2010 (8)

                  Eritrea

                  21,80

                  21,4143

                  101,8

                  Ghana

                  1,359

                  2,00225

                  67,9

                  Guinea (Conakry)

                  5 200

                  8 493,73

                  61,2

                  Venezuela

                  4,745

                  5,95110

                  79,7

                  Zambia

                  5 547

                  6 444,62

                  86,1

         DECEMBER 2010

                  Place of employment

                  Economic parities December 2010

                  Exchange rate December 2010 (9)

                  Weightings December 2010 (10)

                  Angola

                  144,4

                  127,091

                  113,6

                  Egypt

                  5,034

                  7,75680

                  64,9

                  Nepal

                  79,72

                  98,9700

                  80,5

                  Sierra Leone

                  5 458

                  5 730,45

                  95,2

                  Sudan

                  3,010

                  3,33921

                  90,1

         JANUARY 2011

                  Place of employment

                  Economic parities January 2011

                  Exchange rate January 2011 (11)

                  Weightings January 2011 (12)

                  Eritrea

                  23,16

                  20,2338

                  114,5

                  Ghana

                  1,427

                  1,87210

                  76,2

                  Pakistan

                  57,86

                  114,090

                  50,7

                  Sudan

                  3,186

                  3,48053

                  91,5

                  Zambia

                  5 852

                  6 178,44

                  94,7

         FEBRUARY 2011

                  Place of employment

                  Economic parities February 2011

                  Exchange rate February 2011 (13)

                  Weightings February 2011 (14)

                  Armenia

                  397,0

                  497,460

                  79,8

                  Ethiopia

                  17,59

                  22,7406

                  77,4

                  Ghana

                  1,564

                  1,99590

                  78,4

                  Guinea (Conakry)

                  5 487

                  8 205,25

                  66,9

                  Kosovo

                  0,6410

                  1,00000

                  64,1

                  Malawi

                  179,1

                  205,194

                  87,3

                  Mozambique

                  31,72

                  43,9700

                  72,1

                  Uzbekistan

                  1 151

                  2 263,30

                  50,9

                  Serbia

                  74,80

                  104,558

                  71,5

                  Suriname

                  2,454

                  4,59285

                  53,4

                  Tajikistan

                  4,004

                  6,03651

                  66,3

                  Venezuela

                  4,984

                  5,88797

                  84,6

         MARCH 2011

                  Place of employment

                  Economic parities March 2011

                  Exchange rate March 2011 (15)

                  Weightings March 2011 (16)

                  Saudi Arabia

                  3,427

                  5,09730

                  67,2

                  Belarus

                  2 793

                  4 099,94

                  68,1

                  Haiti

                  47,71

                  55,5912

                  85,8

                  Liberia

                  USD 1,398

                  USD 1,37620

                  101,6

                  Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa)

                  USD 1,898

                  USD 1,37620

                  137,9

                  Timor Leste

                  USD 1,361

                  USD 1,37620

                  98,9

         APRIL 2011

                  Place of employment

                  Economic parities April 2011

                  Exchange rate April 2011 (17)

                  Weightings April 2011 (18)

                  Azerbaijan

                  1,151

                  1,11762

                  103,0

                  Barbados

                  3,130

                  2,83209

                  110,5

                  Russia

                  43,08

                  40,2462

                  107,0

                  Suriname

                  2,609

                  4,57925

                  57,0

                  Ukraine

                  8,031

                  11,2355

                  71,5

                  Vietnam

                  14 537

                  29 444,6

                  49,4

         MAY 2011

                  Place of employment

                  Economic parities May 2011

                  Exchange rate May 2011 (19)

                  Weightings May 2011 (20)

                  Argentina

                  3,496

                  6,03921

                  57,9

                  Belarus

                  2 955

                  4 444,18

                  66,5

                  Ethiopia

                  18,75

                  24,6099

                  76,2

                  Kenya

                  87,48

                  122,669

                  71,3

         JUNE 2011

                  Place of employment

                  Economic parities June 2011

                  Exchange rate June 2011 (21)

                  Weightings June 2011 (22)

                  Ghana

                  1,664

                  2,14365

                  77,6

                  Guinea (Conakry)

                  5 787

                  9 426,41

                  61,4

                  Laos

                  9 103

                  11 273,5

                  80,7

                  Nicaragua

                  17,64

                  31,8675

                  55,4

                  Uzbekistan

                  1 212

                  2 428,78

                  49,9

                  Serbia

                  78,61

                  97,3302

                  80,8

                  Sudan

                  3,359

                  4,00271

                  83,9

                  Thailand

                  34,07

                  43,2870

                  78,7

                  Venezuela

                  5,380

                  6,12932

                  87,8

                  Yemen

                  213,9

                  305,135

                  70,1

         (1)  1 EURO = x units of national currency, except USD for: Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador, Liberia, Panama, D.R. Congo and Timor-Leste.

         (2)  Brussels = 100.

         (3)  1 EURO = x units of national currency, except USD for: Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador, Liberia, Panama, D.R. Congo and Timor-Leste.

         (4)  Brussels = 100.

         (5)  1 EURO = x units of national currency, except USD for: Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador, Liberia, Panama, D.R. Congo and Timor-Leste.

         (6)  Brussels = 100.

         (7)  1 EURO = x units of national currency, except USD for: Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador, Liberia, Panama, D.R. Congo and Timor-Leste.

         (8)  Brussels = 100.

         (9)  1 EURO = x units of national currency, except USD for: Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador, Liberia, Panama, D.R. Congo and Timor-Leste.

         (10)  Brussels = 100.

         (11)  1 EURO = x units of national currency, except USD for: Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador, Liberia, Panama, D.R. Congo and Timor-Leste.

         (12)  Brussels = 100.

         (13)  1 EURO = x units of national currency, except USD for: Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador, Liberia, Panama, D.R. Congo and Timor-Leste.

         (14)  Brussels = 100.

         (15)  1 EURO = x units of national currency, except USD for: Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador, Liberia, Panama, D.R. Congo and Timor-Leste.

         (16)  Brussels = 100.

         (17)  1 EURO = x units of national currency, except USD for: Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador, Liberia, Panama, D.R. Congo and Timor-Leste.

         (18)  Brussels = 100.

         (19)  1 EURO = x units of national currency, except USD for: Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador, Liberia, Panama, D.R. Congo and Timor-Leste.

         (20)  Brussels = 100.

         (21)  1 EURO = x units of national currency, except USD for: Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador, Liberia, Panama, D.R. Congo and Timor-Leste.

         (22)  Brussels = 100.