
Article 1 
A High Level Group on the Competitiveness of the Chemicals Industry in the European Union, hereinafter referred to as ‘the group’, is hereby set up with effect from the day of the adoption of this Decision.
Article 2 

1. The group shall address issues that determine the competitiveness of the Community chemicals industry. In particular its tasks are:
(a) to conduct economic and statistical analysis of the factors determining the structural changes in the chemicals industry as well as other factors that influence the competitive position of the European chemicals industry;
(b) to assist the Commission in questions related to the competitiveness of the chemicals industry;
(c) to formulate a set of sector-specific policy recommendations addressed to policy makers at the Community and national level, industry and civil society organisations.
2. The group will not discuss matters directly linked to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 concerning REACH or assess its functioning.
Article 3 

1. The Commission may consult the group on any matter relating to the competitiveness of the EU chemical industry.
2. The Chairperson of the group may advise the Commission that it is desirable to consult the group on a specific question.
Article 4 

1. The members of the group shall be appointed by the Commission from high level specialists with competence and responsibility in areas which are related to the competitiveness of the European chemicals industry.
2. The group shall be composed of up to 31 members composed of representatives of the Commission, the European Parliament, the Member States, the industry, and of civil society.
3. Members of the group are appointed for their expertise in a personal capacity. Each member of the group shall nominate a personal representative to a preparatory sub-group hereinafter referred to as the ‘sherpa’ sub-group.
4. Members are appointed for a 2-year renewable term of office and shall remain in office until such time as they are replaced in accordance with paragraph 5 or their term of office ends.
5. Members may be replaced for the remaining period of their term of office in any of the following cases:
(a) where the member resigns;
(b) where the member is no longer capable of contributing effectively to the group’s deliberations;
(c) where the member does not comply with Article 287 of the Treaty.
6. The names of members shall be published on the Internet site of DG Enterprise and Industry. The names of members shall be collected, processed and published in accordance with the provision of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001.
Article 5 

1. The group shall be chaired by the Commission.
2. The ‘sherpa’ sub-group shall prepare the discussions, position papers and advice for actions and/or policy measures to be recommended by the group; it will work in close contact with the Commission services in order to prepare the work for the group meetings.
3. The group may, with the agreement of the Commission, set up sub-groups to examine specific questions under terms of reference established by the group. Such subgroups shall be dissolved as soon as their mandates are fulfilled.
4. The Commission’s representative may ask experts or observers with specific competence on a subject on the agenda to participate in the work of the group, or in the deliberations or work of sub-groups and ad hoc groups, if in the opinion of the Commission this is necessary or useful.
5. Information obtained by participating in deliberations or work of the group or ad hoc groups or sub-groups shall not be divulged if, in the opinion of the Commission, that information relates to confidential matters.
6. The group, the ‘sherpa’ sub-group, and other sub-groups shall normally meet on the Commission’s premises in accordance with the procedures and schedule established by it. The Commission shall provide secretarial services. Other Commission officials with an interest in the proceedings may attend meetings of the group and its sub-groups.
7. The group shall adopt its rules of procedure on the basis of the standard rules of procedure adopted by the Commission.
8. The Commission may publish, or place on the Internet, in the original language of the document concerned, any summary, conclusion, partial conclusion or working document of the group. Proceedings and interim reports will be available on a dedicated website. The final report will be published early after the final meeting of the group.
Article 6 
The Commission shall reimburse travel expenses and, where appropriate, subsistence expenses for members, ‘sherpa’ group members, experts and observers in connection with the group’s activities in accordance with the Commission’s rules on the compensation of external experts.
The members of the group, ‘sherpa’ sub-group members, experts and observers shall not be remunerated for the services they render.
Meeting expenses shall be reimbursed within the limits of the annual budget allocated to the group by the competent Commission department.
Article 7 
The Decision shall apply until two years from the day of its adoption.
Done at Brussels, 14 June 2007.
For the Commission
Günter VERHEUGEN
Vice-President