Further implementation of the European satellite navigation programmes (EGNOS and Galileo)

This regulation sets out rules on the further implementation of the European satellite navigation programmes, EGNOS and Galileo, as well as the governance and funding of the programmes by the European Union (EU).

ACT

Regulation (EC) No 683/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 on the further implementation of the European satellite navigation programmes (EGNOS and Galileo) [See amending act(s)].

SUMMARY

The EGNOS and Galileo programmes cover all the activities needed to define, develop, validate, construct, operate, renew and improve the two European satellite navigation systems, namely the EGNOS system and the system established under the Galileo programme.

EGNOS system

The EGNOS system monitors and improves the quality of signals from existing global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), whereas the Galileo programme established an independent GNSS infrastructure.

The operation of the EGNOS system will predominantly involve infrastructure management, maintenance, improvement and renewal of the system, marketing, and the certification and standardisation operations relating to the programme. The EU will contribute to the financing of the EGNOS system operation.

Galileo programme

The Galileo programme consists of four phases:

• a definition phase which ended in 2001;
• a development and validation phase which will end in 2010;
• a deployment phase which runs from 2008 to 2013;
• an exploitation phase which will begin by the conclusion of the deployment phase.

The development and validation phase will be funded by the EU and the European Space Agency (ESA). The EU will finance the deployment phase regardless of additional funding from EU countries, non-EU countries and international organisations.

Ownership of the systems

The EU will own all tangible and intangible assets created or developed under the programmes, to which effect agreements will be concluded with third parties, wherever appropriate, with regard to existing ownership rights.

Budgetary contribution and mechanisms

Within the programmes concerned by this regulation, the EU can allocate funding to:

• activities relating to the completion of the development and validation phase of the Galileo programme;
• activities relating to the deployment phase of the Galileo programme;
• activities relating to the operation of EGNOS and actions preceding the exploitation phase of the programmes.

The budget for the implementation of the above-listed activities between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2013 is EUR 3 405 million.

Public governance of the programmes

Public governance of the programmes is based on the principle of strict division of responsibilities between the EU (represented by the Commission), the European GNSS Agency and the ESA.

The Commission is responsible for:

• the management of the programmes;
• all questions regarding the security of the systems;
• the management of the funds allocated to the programmes under this regulation.

The European GNSS Agency is responsible for the following tasks, in accordance with Commission guidelines:

• ensure the security of the programmes;
• contribute to the preparation of the commercialisation of the systems;
• undertake other tasks given to it by the Commission relating to the programmes.

The EU’s public procurement rules will apply to the deployment phase of the Galileo programme, without prejudice to measures required to protect the essential interests of the security of the EU or public security or to comply with EU export control requirements.

The Commission shall conclude a multi-annual delegation agreement with the ESA relating to the delegated tasks and budget implementation of the Galileo programme. This delegation agreement will cover the general conditions for the management of the funds entrusted to ESA, in particular:

• actions to be implemented;
• relevant financing;
• management procedures;
• monitoring and inspection measures;
• measures applicable in case of inadequate performance of contracts;
• rules relating to ownership of tangible and intangible assets.

Mid-term review

Attached to this regulation, a joint declaration by the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission provides for the creation of a Galileo Interinstitutional Panel (GIP) which will be responsible for facilitating the EU institutions exercising its respective responsibility. The GIP, which will be composed of three representatives from the Council, three from the European Parliament, and one from the Commission, will meet on a regular basis.

This regulation repeals Regulation (EC) No 876/2002 of 24 May 2002 setting up the Galileo Joint Undertaking.

RELATED ACTS

Council Decision 2014/20/EU of 23 September 2013 on the signing, on behalf of the Union, and the provisional application of the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other, on the European Satellite Navigation Programmes [Official Journal L15 of 20.1.2014].

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - Action Plan on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Applications [COM/2010/0308 final – not published in the Official Journal].

Commission Decision 2009/846/EC of 20 October 2009 on the conclusion of an administrative Agreement between the European Commission and the European GNSS Supervisory Authority on the security and exchange of classified information [Official Journal L 306 of 20.11.2009].

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of the GNSS programmes and on future challenges pursuant to Article 22 of Regulation (EC) No 683/2008 [COM/2009/0302 final – not published in the Official Journal].

Commission Decision 2009/334/EC of 20 April 2009 establishing an expert group on the security of the European GNSS systems [Official Journal L 101 of 21.4.2009].

Last updated: 20.05.2014