
Article 1 
The group of experts ‘Member States’ Expert Group on Digitisation and Digital Preservation’, hereinafter referred to as ‘the group’, is hereby set up with effect from the date of adoption of this Decision.
Article 2 
The group’s tasks shall be:

((a)) to monitor progress and assess the impact of the implementation of the Commission Recommendation of 24 August 2006 on the digitisation and online accessibility of cultural material and digital preservation and of the Council Conclusions of 13 November 2006 on the digitisation and online accessibility of cultural material and digital preservation;
((b)) to provide a forum for cooperation between Member State bodies and the Commission at European level and to exchange information and good practices of Member States’ policies and strategies on the digitisation and online accessibility of cultural material and digital preservation.
In implementing the above mentioned tasks, the group will take into account the work carried out by other groups set up by the Commission in the area of digitisation and digital preservation.
Article 3 
The Commission may consult the group on any matter relating to the digitisation and online accessibility of cultural material and digital preservation.
Article 4 

1. The group shall normally be composed of up to two representatives appointed by each Member State. In duly justified circumstances, Member States may appoint a third representative. Members shall be appointed taking into account their competence in the domains of digitisation and online accessibility of cultural material and digital preservation.
2. Member States may appoint alternate members for the members of the group in equal numbers and on the same conditions as the members to replace members who are absent.
3. Members of the group shall remain in office until such time as they are replaced or their mandate is renewed.
4. Members who are no longer capable of contributing effectively to the group’s deliberations, who resign or who do not comply with the conditions set out in paragraph 3 of this Article, or Article 287 of the Treaty may be replaced.
5. The names of members shall be collected, processed and published in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001. The names of members shall be published on the i2010 Digital libraries website.
Article 5 

1. The group shall be chaired by the Commission.
2. In agreement with the Commission, sub-groups may be set up to examine specific questions under the terms of reference established by the group. Such sub-groups shall be dissolved as soon as their mandates are fulfilled.
3. The Commission’s representative may ask observers, in particular from other European countries and international organisations, or experts with specific competence on a subject on the agenda to participate in the group’s or sub-group’s deliberations as appropriate for achieving effective European cooperation.
4. Information obtained by participating in the deliberations of a group or sub-group shall not be divulged if, in the opinion of the Commission, that information relates to confidential matters.
5. The group and its sub-groups shall normally meet on Commission 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.
6. The group shall adopt its rules of procedure on the basis of the standard rules of procedure adopted by the Commission.
7. The Commission may publish in the original language of the document concerned, any summary, conclusion, or partial conclusion or working document of the group.
Article 6 
The Commission shall reimburse travel and, where appropriate, subsistence expenses for members, experts and observers in connection with the group’s activities in accordance with the Commission’s rules on the compensation of external experts. Reimbursement of expenses for members is limited to one expert per Member State.
The members, experts and observers shall not be remunerated for the services they render.
Meeting expenses are reimbursed within the limits of the annual budget allocated to the group by the responsible Commission services.
Article 7 
This Decision shall apply until 31 December 2010.
Done at Brussels, 22 March 2007.
For the Commission
Viviane REDING
Member of the Commission