Annex B: Main EU agencies related to science and technology
Table 1: Main EU agencies related to science and technology
|
Agency |
Role |
Arrangements for third countries |
Jurisdiction or complaints mechanism |
|
European Medicines Agency (EMA) |
Provides market authorisation for medicines and medical devices |
No provisions for third party participation, but representatives of international organisations can participate |
CJEU |
|
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) |
Provides market authorisation for chemicals and products containing chemicals |
Third countries can be invited to participate |
Board of Appeal and CJEU |
|
European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) |
Manages the EU trademark and registered Community design; also works with IP offices of the EU Member States and international partners to standardise registration for trademarks and designs globally |
Third countries can be observers and co-operate, but cannot become members |
European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF); Board of Appeal and CJEU jurisdiction |
|
Euratom Supply Agency (ESA) |
Concludes supply contracts for nuclear materials for civil nuclear energy, and monitors medical radioisotope markets |
No provision for third country participation |
CJEU |
|
European Research Council Executive Agency (ERCEA) |
Implements European Research Council strategy and awards some Horizon 2020 grants |
Representatives “should collectively reflect the full breadth of the research community across Europe”, but no clear ban on non-Member states |
n/a |
|
Research Executive Agency |
Manages and awards some Horizon 2020 grants |
No provision for third country membership |
Under a Memorandum of Understanding between the Research Executive Agency and various Commission DGs: Commission, OLAF, CJEU |
|
European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) |
Brings together higher education institutions, research labs and businesses to develop new products and start new companies |
Third countries can participate, subject to agreement with EU in relevant areas |
OLAF; Court of Auditors; CJEU |
|
Innovation and Networks Executive Agency |
Provides expertise and programme management to infrastructure, research and innovation projects in the fields of transport, energy and telecommunications |
No provision for 3rd country membership |
n/a |
|
European Environment Agency (EEA) |
Provides independent information on the environment to policymakers and the public |
No provision for 3rd party involvement |
CJEU |
|
Office of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) |
Develops guidelines and advises national regulatory authorities and the European Commission on telecommunications regulations |
Observer status granted for EEA states and candidate accession states |
CJEU |
|
Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) |
Complements and coordinates work of national energy regulators at EU level, and works towards the completion of the Internal Energy Market |
Third countries can participate, subject to agreement with EU in relevant areas |
Board of Appeal and CJEU |
|
European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency (GSA) |
Oversees Galileo satellite services provision |
Third countries can participate |
CJEU |
|
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) |
Gathers, analyses and disseminates data on over 50 communicable diseases and conditions |
Third countries can participate, subject to equivalent regulations |
CJEU |
|
European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) |
Collects, analyses and disseminates evidence-based information on drugs and drug addiction |
EMCDDA co-operates with candidate and potential candidate countries to the EU |
CJEU |
|
Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) |
Brings together universities, the pharmaceutical industry, SMEs, patient organisations and regulators to accelerate development of, and access to, new treatments |
Countries associated to Horizon 2020 represented on States Representatives Group |
CJEU |
|
European Union Satellite Centre (EU SatCen) |
Provides geospatial intelligence products and services, primarily through the analysis of data from Earth observation satellites |
Third countries can co-operate |
CJEU |
|
European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA) |
EU cybersecurity agency setting standards, providing analysis and advice, and co-ordinating preparation exercises |
Third countries can participate, subject to equivalent regulations |
CJEU |
|
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) |
Produces scientific advice on food safety, nutrition, and animal and plant health, to form the basis for EU policies and legislation |
Third countries can participate, subject to equivalent regulations |
CJEU |
|
Community Plant Variety Office |
Provides intellectual property rights for breeders of new plant varieties, and provides policy guidance and assistance in the exercise of these rights |
Observer states can be invited |
Board of Appeal and CJEU |
|
European Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy (F4E) |
Provides Europe’s contribution to ITER, an international research effort for nuclear fusion |
Third countries can participate, subject to co-operation agreement with Euratom |
Commission, Court of Auditors and OLAF; arbitration tribunal; CJEU |
|
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) |
Public-private partnership between European Commission and industry to accelerate introduction of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies |
Partnership is between European Commission and research and industry bodies |
CJEU |
|
Clean Sky Joint Undertaking |
Public-private partnership between European Commission and industry to reduce environmental impact of aviation |
Membership open only to legal entities established in the EU or countries associated to Horizon 2020 |
CJEU |
Sources: Agency websites; European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, EU agencies working for you (2015); EU agencies and post-Brexit options, Briefing Paper 7597, House of Commons Library, 2017. CJEU = Court of Justice of the European Union, OLAF = European Anti-Fraud Office
Published: 21 March 2018