(1)

Commission Decision (EU) 2021/156 (2) renewed the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies’ (‘EGE’) mandate for an indefinite period to ensure that it continues to provide independent advice at horizontal level to the Commission on all Union policies and legislation where ethical, societal and fundamental rights dimensions intersect with the development of science and new technologies, either at the request of the Commission or on its own initiative and in agreement with the Commission.

(2)

Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3), pursues the objective, among others, to deliver on the Union’s strategic priorities and to contribute to the realisation of Union objectives and policies, which – in line with Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union – aim to promote peace, the Union’s values and the well-being of its peoples. Article 3(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/695 stipulates that the specific objective of the Programme is, inter alia, to generate knowledge supporting and implementing Union policies to address global challenges. Article 12(6) establishes that the budget of Horizon Europe, the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, may also cover expenses for preparation, monitoring, control, audit, evaluation and other activities and expenditures necessary for managing and implementing the Horizon Europe Programme, including all administrative expenditures, as well as evaluating the achievement of its objectives. It may also cover, in so far as they are related to the objectives of the Programme, expenses relating to studies, to meetings of experts, information and communication actions. The EGE provides advice fulfilling the objectives of Horizon Europe.

(3)

The EGE’s activities are essential to the development and monitoring of Union policies or legislation by the Commission as they support the integration of fundamental rights and values into Union policies in the areas of the development of science and new technologies. The EGE is established to this specific end and is tasked with providing guidance critical for the development, implementation and monitoring of Union policies or legislation in the form of analyses and recommendations, presented in Opinions and Statements and oriented towards the promotion of ethical Union policymaking. The guidance provided by the EGE is developed in response to requests from the Commission on specific challenges faced, or on the EGE’s own initiative on the basis of its identification of specific challenges that the Commission may address. The advice of the EGE has come to cover a wide range of areas and challenges of increasing complexity. The interaction between policy demand and the EGE’s advice should be further strengthened, and the independent nature, quality, integrity and transparency of its advice to the Commission should continue to be ensured at the highest standards. Therefore, adequate financial support should be provided in the form of a special allowance for the members of the EGE, in parallel to the reimbursement of travel and subsistence expenses.

(4)

The EGE should be composed of highly qualified and independent experts, appointed in their personal capacity, acting independently and in the public interest. For their selection the Commission is assisted by an independent Identification Committee. Selection takes place on the basis of objective criteria, following an open call for applications. Adequate financial support should also be provided to the members of the Identification Committee in the form of a special allowance to compensate them for their essential work in maintaining the integrity of the EGE in the context of the selection of the EGE members.

(5)

The EGE should designate a chairperson and one or two deputy-chairpersons for a duration of up to their term of office.

(6)

The responsible Commission department should be able to convene meetings of the EGE not only in person but also online to take into account the new working arrangements introduced in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the policy on Greening the Commission.

(7)

The EGE Roundtable events should no longer be linked to the development of an Opinion, so that they may be organised when relevant and possible.

(8)

Decision (EU) 2021/156 should therefore be amended accordingly,

(1)

In Article 5, paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:

‘The selection process shall be overseen by an Identification Committee. In particular, the Identification Committee shall assist the Commission in identifying and selecting potential members of the EGE and in assessing their availability and willingness to serve as such. The Identification Committee shall consist of three members, appointed on the basis of their relevant experience by the member of the Commission responsible for the Commission department providing the secretariat of the EGE and supported by a secretariat provided by the responsible Commission department. The Identification Committee shall make an assessment of the eligible candidates from the list submitted by the responsible Commission department on the basis of an initial assessment of all applications against the selection criteria. The Identification Committee shall submit its recommendation to the member of the Commission responsible for the Commission department providing the secretariat of the EGE.’

(2)

Article 6 is replaced by the following:

‘The EGE shall elect a chairperson and one or two deputy-chairpersons from amongst its members for the duration of up to their term of office by simple majority.’

(3)

In Article 7, paragraph 7 is replaced by the following:

(4)

In Article 7, paragraph 9 is replaced by the following:

(5)

Article 13 is replaced by the following: