EFSA Management Board Endorses Draft Policy on Independence and Scientific Decision-making Processes

Board Members adopted the Management Board Code of Conduct, which upholds core principles and values such as integrity, objectivity and serving in the public interest while providing guidance on standards expected by EU institutions and the general public.

6/17/2011 --- Members of the European Food Safety Authority’s Management Board have endorsed a draft integrated policy on independence and scientific decision-making processes, adopted a Management Board Code of Conduct and reviewed a discussion paper on EFSA’s Science Strategy for 2011-2016 which sets out priorities for its scientific work in a changing environment.

Meeting in Budapest, Board members endorsed a comprehensive draft policy bringing together all measures EFSA has put in place to ensure the independence of its scientific work. High-quality scientific outputs require transparent, open and unbiased scientific decision-making processes, all of which are critical in building further trust in EFSA’s scientific advice. The independence of EFSA’s advice is secured, amongst others, through procedures governing the processing of mandates and requests, information gathering, selection of experts, declaration of interests and collegial decision-making, as well as public consultations and a comprehensive quality review programme.

The draft paper on Independence and Scientific Decision-Making Processes incorporates EFSA’s 2007 Policy on Declarations of Interests, benchmarked by an independent consultancy as being one of the most robust systems in existence. To further strengthen the policy and facilitate its implementation, rules will be simplified and other aspects clarified, such as providing greater explanation on how conclusions over conflicts of interest are reached. The draft policy will be submitted for public consultation, scheduled for launch in July, and a meeting with interested parties will be organised in September to further discuss the policy.

Board Members adopted the Management Board Code of Conduct, which upholds core principles and values such as integrity, objectivity and serving in the public interest while providing guidance on standards expected by EU institutions and the general public.

The Board supported the underlying vision and thinking behind the discussion paper on EFSA’s Science Strategy, which was developed in consultation with EU Member States, the European Commission, the scientific community and stakeholders as well as through discussions with EFSA staff.

EFSA’s workload continues to grow. EFSA received 950 questions in 2010 compared to 220 in 2007, two-thirds of these related to evaluations of applications for regulated products, substances and claims. In addition, the nature of questions has changed and now often involves advice on such issues as environmental safety, occupational health, risk benefit and efficacy.

The discussion paper illustrates how EFSA will address these growing demands by setting objectives and priorities for its scientific work over the long term in an open and transparent manner. These include: extending and improving the evidence base for risk assessment and risk monitoring; building risk assessment capacity across the EU; taking the lead in harmonising methodologies and approaches to assess risks associated with the food chain; as well as strengthening engagement with all stakeholders and interested parties.

EFSA’s draft multi-annual staff policy plan, adopted by the Board, shows zero growth for the period 2012-2014, with a staff total remaining around 465. An efficiency programme begun in 2010 continues with the aim of optimising performance and preparing for future challenges. EFSA’s Founding Regulation foresees an external evaluation of the Authority and its activities every six years. The first results of the second evaluation will be available early 2012.