Annex 2
EUROPEAN UNION TRANSPORT AGENCIES
EUROPEAN AVIATION
SAFETY AGENCY
The setting up of EASA was prompted first by
the practical shortcomings of the earlier Community Regulation,
3922/91, on the harmonisation of standards and then by the failure
of the mandate on establishing a European aviation safety authority
as an international organisation. Regulation 1592/2002 sets out
a framework for aviation safety regulation (including basic principles
and essential safety requirements) as well as establishing the
agency. There are roles for the Commission and member states as
well as the agency. In practical terms, EASA will be restricted
in the early days to making rules and issuing certificates for
aircraft and product designs. Member states' aviation authorities,
such as the UK Civil Aviation Authority will continue to oversee
the safety of their airlines' fleets. In due course, the Agency
will become involved in the rule-making for operations and licensing
but national authorities will continue to issue certificates to,
and oversee the safety of, operators and personnel. In order to
ensure that national authorities implement the standards uniformly,
they will be subject to standardisation audits by EASA.
EUROPEAN MARITIME
SAFETY AGENCY
EMSA was established by Regulation EC 1406/2002
of 27 June 2002. Its main tasks are to assist the Commission and,
where appropriate, the member states in (i) updating and developing
Community maritime legislation, (ii) effective implementation
of existing legislation; (iii) the provision of technical assistance
and training; (iv) the enhancement of co-operation between the
member states, in particular in relation to ship monitoring and
information systems.
The Agency is governed by an Administrative
Board (currently chaired by the UK) comprising one representative
from each of the member states (with a vote), four from the Commission
(each with a vote) and four from industry (appointed by the Commission)
who do not have voting rights. Decisions are ordinarily subject
to a two thirds majority, so the Commission acting alone is unable
to block most decisions if the member states act collectively.
Enlargement will further weaken the Commission's position on the
Board.
EUROPEAN RAIL
AGENCY
In its role of supporting the Commission's decision-making,
the European Rail Agency will in particular be responsible for
co-ordinating development work on Technical Standards for Interoperability
(TSIs), and the harmonised safety certificate, Common Safety Targets
( CSTs) and Common Safety Methods (CSMs) introduced by the proposed
Safety Directive. It will work with professional organisations
from the sector, and will also have to consult interested parties,
including the representatives of railway customers.
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