Version 2 (March 2012)

I – Background
II – Creation and mode of operating of Project Committees
1– Responsibilities
2 – Establishment of Project Committees
3 – Operating
4 – Maintenance
Comparison of Role/definition, responsibilities, rights, composition, mode of working of a Project Committee and a Technical Committee – Background

As a rule, when the Technical Board (BT) decides that CEN publications should be prepared in a new area, it usually creates a new Technical Committee (TC), with the task to establish a business plan and a work programme, as well as to ensure that the planned CEN publications are delivered in time and in accordance with the agreed work programme. The TC usually creates Working Groups to draft the planned CEN publications.

However, in those cases where only a few  CEN publications should be developed in a new area, BT may create (by resolution) a Project Committee.

Note: Project Committees are still referred to as 'Task Forces of the Technical Board' in the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations – Part 2, which are defined as follows:

"A Task Force of the Technical Board (BT-TF) is a technical body set up by the Technical Board with a view to undertaking a specific short term standardization task within a given target date, and is composed of a convenor and national delegations."

II – Creation and mode of operating of Project Committees

1- Responsibilities

A Project Committee follows up and ensures the achievement/delivery of the limited work programme, as agreed by BT. It decides when a draft is ready for submission to CEN Enquiry, Formal Vote or UAP (Unique Acceptance Procedure).

2 - Establishment of Project Committees

2.1 - Project Committees are established and dissolved by BT (by resolution) with a view to undertaking a specific short-term standardization task within a given target date. They are composed of national delegations appointed by CEN national members (maximum three delegates, with a head of delegation), Chairperson and Secretary. Observers are allowed to participate under the same conditions as for participation in Technical Committees. (See profile 'Technical Committee)

2.2 - Project Committees are numbered in the same sequence as CEN Technical Committees and in the order in which they are established in the CEN database. Upon dissolution of a Project Committee, its number shall not be allocated to another Project Committee or Technical Committee.

3 – Operating

As for any other Technical Committee, voting rights are restricted to CEN national members (1 member/1 vote). Weighted vote is applied when necessary in accordance with the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations Part 2.
Project Committees are encouraged to work by correspondence as far as possible and to meet only if deemed necessary, and are disbanded once their specified task has been completed.

4 – Maintenance

Upon dissolution of the Project Committee, the CEN national member that held the Project Committee secretariat will be responsible for the organisation of the regular maintenance of the standard, unless, in the meantime, another Technical Committee is relevant to assume the maintenance of the published standard.

Comparison of a Project Committee vs a Technical Committee regarding their rights, responsibilities, composition and mode of working 

The rights, responsibilities, composition and mode of working of a Project Committee show only small differences with those of a Technical Committee (See profile 'Technical Committee):

  References: Resolution BT 48/2006, Resolution BT 42/2007