Date: 2018-03-15Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 162/2016 of 8 July 2016 amending Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement, on cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms [2018/383]
## Policy Summary: EEA Joint Committee Decision No. 162/2016
This decision, adopted by the EEA Joint Committee on July 8, 2016, amends Protocol 31 to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA). The amendment extends cooperation between the Contracting Parties to include Decision (EU) 2015/2240 of the European Parliament and of the Council, which establishes the ISA2 programme. The ISA2 programme aims to modernize the public sector through interoperability solutions and common frameworks for European public administrations, businesses, and citizens.
Specifically, the amendment to Protocol 31, Article 17, includes the following:
* EFTA States will participate in the projects and activities of the ISA2 programme starting January 1, 2016.
* EFTA States will participate fully, without the right to vote, in the Committee on Interoperability Solutions for European Public Administrations, Businesses and Citizens (ISA2 Committee).
* Liechtenstein is exempted from participation in and financial contribution to the ISA2 programme.
This decision entered into force on the day following the last notification under Article 103(1) of the EEA Agreement and applies retroactively from January 1, 2016. The decision will be published in the EEA Section of, and in the EEA Supplement to, the Official Journal of the European Union.
Key Entities Referenced
EFTA States: The member states of the European Free Trade Association.
EEA Joint Committee: The governing body responsible for managing the EEA Agreement.
EEA Agreement: The Agreement on the European Economic Area, defining the relationship between the EU and EFTA states.
Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement: A specific protocol within the EEA Agreement concerning cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms.
European Parliament: One of the legislative bodies of the European Union.
Council of the European Union: A legislative body of the European Union, composed of government ministers from each member state.
Decision EU 2015/2240: A decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the ISA2 programme.
ISA2 programme: A programme on interoperability solutions and common frameworks for European public administrations, businesses and citizens.
L 73/36 EN Official Journal of the European Union 15.3.2018
DECISION OF THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE
No 162/2016
of 8 July 2016
amending Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement, on cooperation in specific fields outside the four
freedoms [2018/383]
THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE,
Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (‘the EEA Agreement’), and in particular Articles 86 and
98 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) It is appropriate to extend the cooperation of the Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement to include Decision (EU)
2015/2240 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2015 establishing a programme on
interoperability solutions and common frameworks for European public administrations, businesses and citizens
(ISA2 programme) as a means for modernising the public sector (1).
(2) Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended in order to allow for this extended cooperation to
take place from 1 January 2016,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Article 17 (Telematic interchange of data) of Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement shall be amended as follows:
(1) In paragraph 1, the following subparagraph is added:
‘The EFTA States shall, as from 1 January 2016, participate in the projects and activities of the programme of the Union
referred to in paragraph 6(d).’
(2) The following paragraph is inserted after paragraph 5:
‘5a. The EFTA States shall, as from the start of cooperation in the programme referred to in paragraph 6(d), participate
fully, without the right to vote, in the Committee on Interoperability Solutions for European Public
Administrations, Businesses and Citizens (the ISA2 Committee), which assists the European Commission in the
implementation, management and development of that programme.’
(3) In paragraph 6, the following is inserted:
‘(d) with a view to participation as from 1 January 2016:
— 32015 D 2240: Decision (EU) 2015/2240 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November
2015 establishing a programme on interoperability solutions and common frameworks for European public
administrations, businesses and citizens (ISA2 programme) as a means for modernising the public sector
(OJ L 318, 4.12.2015, p. 1).
Liechtenstein shall be exempted from the participation in, and the financial contribution to, this programme.’
(1) OJ L 318, 4.12.2015, p. 1.15.3.2018 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 73/37
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the day following the last notification under Article 103(1) of the EEA Agreement (*).
It shall apply from 1 January 2016.
Article 3
This Decision shall be published in the EEA Section of, and in the EEA Supplement to, the Official Journal of the European
Union.
Done at Brussels, 8 July 2016.
For the EEA Joint Committee
The President
Bergdís ELLERTSDÓTTIR
(*) No constitutional requirements indicated.