EEA Scientific Committee

Last modified: Mar 16, 2012

The scientific committee assists the EEA management board and the Executive Director in providing scientific advice and delivering professional opinion on any scientific matter in the areas of work undertaken by the Agency.

Legal Basis: Article 10 of the EEA founding regulation (regulation (EC) No 401/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the European Environment Agency and the European Environment Information and Observation Network.)

What are the committee's tasks?

The scientific committee has three major tasks:

To deliver an opinion on the EEA multiannual and annual work-programmes;
To give an opinion to the Executive Director for the purposes of recruitment of the Agency's scientific staff;
To provide advice and/or opinion on any scientific matter concerning the Agency's activity, which the management board or the Executive Director may submit to it.

Who are the members of the committee?

The committee is composed of independent scientists from the EEA member-countries, covering a variety of environmental fields relevant for the Agency's areas of activity. The chairperson and vice-chairperson of the committee are elected from amongst its members.
The total number of members in the scientific committee shall not exceed 20 experts. The members are identified through an open selection process and appointed for a four-years term, renewable once.

Scientific Committee members are required to sign a delcaration of commitment at the start of their term as SC members, valid for their full term in the Committee. They also sign an annual declaration on conflicts of interest.