A Technical Committee (TC) is a technical decision making body with precise title, scope and work programme, established in the CEN System by the Technical Board (BT). A TC essentially manages the preparation of CEN deliverables - in accordance with an agreed business plan.
A Technical Committee is composed of a chairperson, a secretary and CEN national members. The national delegations are designated by the CEN members. At meetings CEN national members are represented by a number of delegates, normally not exceeding three, one of whom acts as head of delegation. Other bodies may delegate observers to meetings. Observers in the TC may be Associates, Affiliates, European Commission and EFTA secretariats and on request, Observers from organisations that have been granted liaison and Specific PSBs, having indicated that they want and been granted the right to participate in the TC.
A Technical Committee:
- establishes and secures BT approval for its programme of work with precise title, scope and scheduled target dates for the critical stages of each project based on agreed business plans;
- follows up and ensures the achievement/delivery of the work programme as detailed in the business plans;
- follows up and ensures the achievement/delivery of the work programme as detailed in the business plan and in accordance with the CEN strategic aim to develop standards 'in production times needed by the market';
- takes into account any ISO/IEC work coming within its scope, together with such data as may be supplied by members and by other relevant international organisations, and work on related subjects in any other Technical Committees (TC);
- establishes an Editing Committee once work starts;
- remains formally responsible should questions of amendment and interpretation arise pending the next periodic review of those standards it has produced;
- supplies drafts in the reference language version for processing at the 3 key stages (CEN enquiry, formal vote and publication);
- reviews all ENs within its responsibility at least every 5 years. In addition reviews other deliverables in accordance with the Internal Regulations Part 2.