Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European citizens’ initiative Preparation for a general approach

Contents

  1. Kerngegevens
  2. Text
  3. More information
  4. EU Monitor

1.

Kerngegevens

Document date 01-06-2018
Publication date 02-06-2018
Reference 9500/18
From Presidency
External link original article
Original document in PDF

2.

Text

Council of the European Union Brussels, 1 June 2018

PUBLIC

(OR. en)

9500/18 Interinstitutional File:

2017/0220 (COD) i LIMITE

INST 206 POLGEN 74 CODEC 891 AG 7

NOTE

From: Presidency

To: Permanent Representatives Committee

No. Cion doc.: 12307/17 + ADD 1-2 + COR 1

Subject: Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European citizens’ initiative

− Preparation for a general approach

  • 1. 
    INTRODUCTION

    On 13 September 2017, the Commission adopted a proposal for a Regulation on the European Citizens' Initiative which should replace Regulation (EU) No 211/2011 i. The aim of the proposal is to improve the functioning of the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) by making it more accessible, less burdensome and more user-friendly so that it can achieve its full potential as a crucial instrument for citizen participation at European level. The ECI is a right enshrined in Article 11(4) of the Treaty on European Union and aims to enhance citizens' participation in the democratic life of the European Union by allowing them to request the Commission directly to submit a proposal for legal acts of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties. The new proposal should contribute to the objective of increasing democratic legitimacy in the EU through enhanced citizens' involvement, and thus to bring the EU closer to its citizens.

    The European Social and Economic Committee delivered its opinion at its plenary session on 14 March 2018.

    The Committee of Regions delivered its opinion at its plenary session on 22-23 March 2018.

    The European Parliament has not yet delivered its opinion.

  • 2. 
    STATE OF PLAY

    The Working Party on General Affairs (GAG) started examining the above proposal in December 2017 and in seven meetings since January 2018. On 25 May, the GAG reached a broad agreement on the text as set out in Annex to this Note.

    The main modifications to the Commission proposal concern Article 2 where the compromise text reverts to the provision on the minimum age of support for the ECI under the current Regulation (EU) No 211/2011 i which corresponds to the age to be entitled to vote in elections to the European Parliament, a large number of delegations having opposed lowering the age to 16 years. Furthermore, Article 11 on individual online collection systems was deleted, as the proposal to maintain the right of organisers to set-up their own individual systems for the purpose of online collection of statements of support was opposed by a number of delegations on the grounds of lack of proportionality in having several collection systems for the ECI.

    Nonetheless, several reservations on different provisions have been maintained by individual Member States:

    General scrutiny reservations

    IT maintained its general scrutiny reservation;

    Reservations on individual provisions:

    DE maintained scrutiny reservations on Article 2 and the related recital 7 concerning the eligible age to support a European citizens' initiative.

    IE maintained reservations on Articles 3(2), 9(2), 12(1) and Annex III in relation to the

    verification of statements of support by Irish nationals residing abroad.

    HU maintained reservations concerning Article 15 and the related Recital 24, being of the view that a valid initiative should automatically trigger a legislative proposal in response. RO maintained a reservation on Article 5 and Recital 25, with regard to its request to exclude government members from being counted for the purpose of the minimum number of members of the group of organisers.

    IT maintained a reservation on Article 9 in relation to the right of the group of organisers to collect statements of support, both online and in paper form, as it felt that maintaining the paper form collection was, with the introduction of the central online collection system, not proportionate.

  • 3. 
    CONCLUSION

    The Permanent Representatives Committee is invited to approve the text of the draft Regulation in Annex to this Note in order to submit it to the Council (GAC) for a general approach.

_______________

ANNEX

Proposal for a

REGULATION (EU) …./… OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE

COUNCIL

of…

on the European citizens’ initiative and repealing Regulation (EU) No 211/2011 i 1

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 24 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee 2 ,

1 IT: general scrutiny reservation.

2 OJ C […], […], p. […].

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions 3 ,

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure 4 ,

Whereas:

  • (1) 
    The Treaty on European Union (TEU) reinforces citizenship of the Union and enhances further the democratic functioning of the Union by providing, inter alia, that every citizen of the Union has the right to participate in the democratic life of the Union. The European citizens’ initiative is a Union instrument of participatory democracy which affords citizens of the Union the possibility of directly approaching the Commission with a request inviting it to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties, similar to the right conferred on the European Parliament under Article 225 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and on the Council under Article 241 TFEU.
  • (3) 
    In its report on the application of Regulation (EU) No 211/2011 i of March 2015 7 , the Commission listed a number of challenges arising in the implementation of that Regulation and made a commitment to analyse further the impact of those issues on the effectiveness of the European citizens' initiative instrument and to improve its functioning.

3 OJ C […], […], p. […].

4 Position of the European Parliament of … [(OJ …)/(not yet published in the Official Journal)] and decision of the Council of ….

5 Regulation (EU) No 211/2011 i of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 on the citizens’ initiative (OJ L 65, 11.3.2011, p. 1–22)

6 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1179/2011 i of 17 November 2011 laying down technical specifications for online collection systems pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 211/2011 i (OJ L 301, 18.11.2011, p. 3–9).

7 COM(2015)145 final i.

  • (5) 
    This Regulation aims to make the European citizens’ initiative more accessible, less burdensome and easier to use for organisers and supporters, in order to achieve the full potential of the European citizens’ initiative as a tool to foster debate and citizen participation at Union level, and to bring the Union closer to its citizens.
  • (6) 
    To achieve those objectives, the procedures and conditions required for the European citizens’ initiative should be clear, simple, user-friendly and proportionate to the nature of this instrument. They should strike a judicious balance between rights and obligations.
  • (7) 
    It is appropriate to set a minimum age for supporting an initiative, which should correspond to the age at which citizens are entitled to vote in elections to the European Parliament 9 .
  • (8) 
    In accordance with Article 11(4) of the TEU an initiative inviting the European Commission, within the framework of its powers, to submit any appropriate proposal on matters where citizens consider that a legal act of the Union is required to implement the Treaties, is to be taken by not less than one million citizens of the Union who are nationals of a significant number of Member States.
  • (9) 
    In order to ensure that an initiative is representative of a Union interest while ensuring that the instrument remains easy to use the minimum number of Member States from which citizens must come should be set at one quarter of Member States.

8 2014/2257(INI).

9 DE: scrutiny reservation on Recital 7 in relation to Article 2.

  • (10) 
    In order to ensure that an initiative is representative and to ensure similar conditions for citizens to support an initiative, it is also appropriate to establish the minimum number of signatories coming from each of those Member States. Those minimum numbers of signatories required in each Member State should be degressively proportional and correspond to the number of Members of the European Parliament elected in each Member State, multiplied by 750 10 .
  • (11) 
    Every citizen of the Union should have the right to support an initiative on paper or online, under similar conditions regardless of the Member State of nationality or residence.
  • (12) 
    While personal data processed in application of this Regulation might include sensitive data, given the nature of the European citizens’ initiative as a participatory democracy instrument, it is justified to require the provision of personal data to support an initiative and to process such data as far as it is necessary in order to allow statements of support to be verified in accordance with national law and practice.
  • (13) 
    In order to make the European citizens’ initiative more accessible and to provide support to citizens and organisers, the Commission should provide information and assistance to organisers and make available an online collaborative platform to provide a dedicated discussion forum and information and advice about the European citizens’ initiative. To ensure proximity to citizens, Member States should establish one or more contact points in their respective territories to provide citizens with information and assistance, notably on those aspects of this Regulation whose implementation falls under the competence of national authorities in the Member States or which concern the applicable national law and for which these authorities are thus best placed to inform and assist citizens and groups of organisers.

10 The number of Members of the European Parliament and Annex I will be adjusted in the light of the final agreement on the new composition of the EP.

  • (14) 
    A minimum organised structure is needed in order to launch and manage citizens’ initiatives successfully. That structure should take the form of a group of organisers, composed of natural persons resident in at least seven different Member States, in order to encourage the emergence of Union-wide issues and to foster reflection on those issues. For the sake of transparency and smooth and efficient communication, the group of organisers should designate a representative to liaise between the group of organisers and the institutions of the Union throughout the procedure. The group of organisers should have the possibility to create, in accordance with national law, a legal entity to manage an initiative. That legal entity should be considered as the group of organisers for the purposes of this Regulation.

(14a) While liablitity and penalties for the processing of personal data remains regulated under Regulation (EU) 2016/679, the group of organisers should be jointly and severally liable, in accordance with applicable national law, for any other damage that they cause in the organisation of an initiative by unlawful acts committed intentionally or with serious negligence. Member States should ensure that the group of organisers is subject to appropriate penalties for infringements of this Regulation.

  • (15) 
    In order to ensure coherence and transparency in relation to initiatives and to avoid a situation where signatures are collected for an initiative which does not comply with the conditions laid down by the Treaties and this Regulation, initiatives that comply with the conditions laid down in this Regulation should be registered by the Commission before collecting statements of support from citizens. The Commission should deal with registration in accordance with the general principles of good administration.
  • (16) 
    In order to make the European citizens’ initiative more accessible, and taking into account that the procedures and conditions required for the European citizens’ initiative should be clear, simple, user-friendly and proportionate, it is appropriate to partially register an initiative in cases where only part or parts of the initiative meet the requirements for registration under this Regulation. Initiatives should be partially registered where a substantial part of the initiative, including its main objectives, does not manifestly fall outside the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties and all the other registration requirements are met. Clarity and transparency should be ensured as regards the scope of the partial registration and potential signatories should be informed of the scope of the registration and of the fact that statements of support are collected only in relation to the scope of the registration of the initiative.
  • (17) 
    Statements of support for an initiative should be collected within a specific time limit. In order to ensure that an initiative remains relevant, whilst taking into account the complexity of collecting statements of support across the Union, that time limit should not be longer than 12 months from the date of the start of the collection period determined by the group of organisers. The group of organisers should have the possibility to choose the start date of the collection period within three months from the registration of the initiative. The group of organisers should inform the Commission of the date chosen at the latest ten working days before that date. To ensure coordination with the national authorities, the Commission should inform the Member States of the date communicated by the group of organisers.
  • (18) 
    In order to make the European citizens’ initiative more accessible, less burdensome and easier to use for organisers and citizens, the Commission should set-up and operate a central system for the online collection of statements of support. That system should be made available free of charge to groups of organisers and should comprise the necessary technical features allowing online collection including the hosting and software as well as accessibility features ensuring that citizens' with disabilities can provide support to the initiatives. That system should be set-up and maintained in accordance with Commission Decision (EU, Euratom) 2017/46 11 .

11 Commission Decision (EU, Euratom) 2017/46 of 10 January 2017 on the security of communication and information systems in the European Commission (OJ L 6, 11.1.2017, p. 40–51).

  • (19) 
    Union citizens should have the possibility to support initiatives online or in paper form by providing only the personal data set out in Annex III of this Regulation. Member States should inform the Commission of whether they wish to be included in part A or B, respectively, of Annex III. Citizens using the central online collection system for the European citizens' initiative should be able to support an initiative through statements of support electronically signed using notified electronic identification and electronic signature means within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 i 12 . The Commission and the Member States should implement the relevant technical features to this end within the framework of that Regulation. Citizens should sign a statement of support only once.
  • (20) 
    […]
  • (21) 
    […]
  • (22) 
    Where an initiative has received the necessary statements of support from signatories, each Member State should be responsible for the verification and certification of statements of support signed by its nationals, in order to assess whether the required minimum numbers of signatories having the right to support a European citizens' initiative have been reached. Taking account of the need to limit the administrative burden for Member States, such verifications should be carried out on the basis of appropriate checks, which may be based on random sampling. Member States should issue a document certifying the number of valid statements of support received.
  • (23) 
    In order to promote participation and public debate on the issues raised by the initiatives, where an initiative supported by the required number of signatories and fulfilling the other requirements of this Regulation is submitted to the Commission, the group of organisers should have the right to present that initiative at a public hearing at Union level. The public hearing should be co-organised by the Commission and the European Parliament within three months from the submission of the initiative and ensure a balanced representation of relevant public and private interests well as the representation at an appropriate level of the Commission. Other institutions and advisory bodies of the Union as well as interested stakeholders should have the opportunity to participate in the hearing.

12 Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 i on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market (OJ L 257, 28.8.2014, p. 73–114).

  • (24) 
    To ensure the effective participation of citizens in the democratic life of the Union, the Commission should examine a valid initiative and respond to it. The Commission should therefore set out its legal and political conclusions as well as the action it intends to take within a period of five months from the receipt of the initiative. The Commission should explain in a clear, comprehensible and detailed manner the reasons for its intended action, and should likewise give its reasons if it does not intend to take any action. 13
  • (25) 
    The support and funding for initiatives should be transparent. Therefore groups of organisers should provide updated information on the sources of support and funding for their initiatives between the date of registration and the date at which the initiative is submitted to the Commission. Entities, notably organisations which under the Treaties contribute to forming European political awareness and expressing the will of citizens of the Union, should be able to promote and provide support and funding to initiatives, provided that they do so in accordance with the procedures and conditions laid down by this Regulation and with full transparency. 14
  • (26) 
    Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council 15 applies to the processing of personal data carried out under this Regulation. In that respect, for the sake of legal certainty, it is appropriate to clarify that the representative of the group of organisers, or as the case may be the legal entity created for the purpose of managing the initiative and the competent authorities of the Member States, are to be considered the data controller(s) within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, in relation to the processing of personal data when collecting statements of support and email addresses and for the purposes of verification and certification of statements of support, and to specify the maximum period within which the personal data collected for the purposes of an initiative can be retained. In their capacity as data controllers, the representative of the group of organisers, or as the case may be the legal entity created for the purpose of managing the initiative, and the competent authorities of the Member States should take all appropriate measures to comply with the obligations imposed by Regulation (EU) 2016/679, in particular those relating to the

13 HU: scrutiny reservation on Recital 24 in relation to Article 15.

14 RO: scrutiny reservation on Recital 25.

15 Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC i (General Data Protection Regulation) (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1).

lawfulness of the processing and the security of the processing activities, the provision of information and the rights of data subjects.

  • (27) 
    [….]
  • (28) 
    [Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 i] 16 applies to the processing of personal data carried out by the Commission in application of this Regulation. It is appropriate to clarify that the Commission is to be considered the data controller within the meaning of [Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 i] in relation to the processing of personal data in the register, the online collaborative platform, the central online collection system and the collection of email addresses. The central online collection system allowing the group of organisers to collect statements of support for their initiatives online should be set up and operated by the Commission in accordance with this Regulation. In that respect, the Commission and the group of organisers should be joint controllers within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 in relation to the processing of personal data in the central online collection system.
  • (29) 
    In order to contribute to the promotion of active participation of citizens in the political life of the Union, the Commission and the organisers should be able to collect, in accordance with data protection rules, email addresses of signatories for the purpose of communication activities regarding an initiative, in particular for the purpose of providing information on the follow-up actions in response to an initiative. The collection of email addresses should be optional and subject to the consent of signatories. Email addresses should not be collected as part of the statements of support forms and potential signatories should be informed that their right to support an initiative is not conditional on giving their consent to collecting their email addresses.

16 [Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 i of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1–22)].

  • (30) 
    In order to adapt to future needs the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission for the purpose of amending the Annexes to this Regulation. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016. In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council should receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts should systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts.
  • (31) 
    [….]
  • (32) 
    This Regulation respects fundamental rights and observes the principles enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, in particular Article 8 thereof.
  • (34) 
    The European Data Protection Supervisor was consulted in accordance with [Article 28(2) of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 i] and delivered an opinion on […] 17 ,

17 OJ C […], […], p. […].

HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

CHAPTER I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

Subject matter

This Regulation establishes the procedures and conditions required for an initiative inviting the European Commission, within the framework of its powers, to submit any appropriate proposal on matters where citizens of the Union consider that a legal act of the Union is required for the purpose of implementing the Treaties (the 'European citizens’ initiative' or 'initiative').

Article 2

Right to support a European citizens’ initiative

Every citizen of the Union who is at least of the age to be entitled to vote in elections to the European Parliament has the right to support an initiative by signing a statement of support ('the signatory'), in accordance with this Regulation 18 .

Article 3

Required number of signatories

  • 1. 
    An initiative is valid if:

(a) it has received the support of at least one million signatories from at least one quarter of the Member States; and

18 DE: scrutiny reservation on Article 2.

(b) in at least one quarter of the Member States, the number of signatories is at least equal to the minimum number set out in Annex I, corresponding to the number of the Members of the European Parliament elected in each Member State, multiplied by 750 19 , at the time of registration of the initiative.

  • 2. 
    For the purpose of paragraph 1 a signatory shall be counted in its Member State of nationality. 20

Article 4

Information and assistance by the Commission and by Member States

  • 1. 
    The Commission shall provide information and assistance about the European citizens’ initiative to citizens and groups of organisers.
  • 2. 
    The Commission shall make available an online collaborative platform providing citizens and groups of organisers with a discussion forum and information and advice about the European citizens’ initiative.

The costs of operating and maintaining the online collaborative platform shall be borne by the general budget of the European Union.

  • 3. 
    The Commission shall make available an online register ('the register') allowing groups of organisers to manage their initiative throughout the procedure. The register shall comprise a public website providing information on the European citizens’ initiative in general as well as on specific initiatives and their respective status.
  • 4. 
    After the Commission has registered an initiative in accordance with Article 6, it shall provide the translation of the content of that initiative into all the official languages of the Union for its publication in the register and its use for the collection of statements of support in accordance with this Regulation. A group of organisers may, in addition, provide translations into all the official languages of the Union of the Annex for its publication in the register and also, as the case may be, of the draft legal act referred to in Annex II and submitted in accordance with Article 6(2).

19 The number of Members of the European Parliament and Annex I will be adjusted in the light of the final agreement on the new composition of the EP.

20 IE: scrutiny reservation on Article 3(2).

  • 5. 
    The Commission shall develop a file exchange service for the transfer of statements of support to the competent authorities of the Member States, in accordance with Article 12, and make it available free of charge to the organisers of European Citizens' Initiatives.
  • 6. 
    Each Member State shall establish one or more contact points to provide information and assistance to groups of organisers in setting up a European citizens’ initiative.

CHAPTER II

PROCEDURAL PROVISIONS

Article 5

Group of organisers 21

  • 1. 
    An initiative shall be prepared and managed by a group of at least seven natural persons (the 'group of organisers'). Members of the European Parliament shall not be counted for the purpose of that minimum number.
  • 2. 
    The members of the group of organisers shall be citizens of the Union, of the age to be entitled to vote in elections to the European Parliament and residents of at least seven different Member States.
  • 3. 
    The group of organisers shall designate two of its members as, respectively, representative and substitute, who shall liaise between them and the institutions of the Union throughout the process and who shall be mandated to act on behalf of the group of organisers (the 'contact persons').

The group of organisers may also designate a maximum of two other natural persons, chosen from among its members or otherwise, who are mandated to act on behalf of the contact persons for the purpose of liaising with the institutions of the Union throughout the procedure.

  • 4. 
    The group of organisers shall inform the Commission of any changes regarding its composition throughout the procedure and shall provide appropriate proof that the requirements laid down in paragraphs 1 and 2 are fulfilled. The changes in the composition of the group of organisers shall be reflected in the statement of support forms and the names of the current and former members of the group of organisers shall remain available in the register throughout the procedure.

For each initiative, the Commission shall publish the names of all members of the group of organisers in the register in accordance with [Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 i].

21 RO: scrutiny reservation on Article 5.

  • 5. 
    Without prejudice to the liability of the representative of the group of organisers as data controller under Article 82(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, the members of a group of organisers shall be jointly and severally liable for any damage caused in the organisation of an initiative by unlawful acts committed intentionally or with serious negligence in accordance with applicable national law,
  • 6. 
    Without prejudice to the penalties under Article 84 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, Member States shall ensure, in accordance with national law, that the members of a group of organisers are subject to effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties for infringements of this Regulation and in particular for:

(a) false declarations;

(b) the fraudulent use of data.

  • 7. 
    Where a legal entity has been created, in accordance with the national law of a Member State specifically for the purpose of managing a given initiative, that legal entity shall be considered as the group of organisers or its members, as the case may be, for the purpose of paragraphs 5 and 6, Articles 6(2) and (4) to (7) and Articles 7 to 18 and annexes II to VII, provided that the member of the group of organisers designated as the representative thereof is given a mandate to act on behalf of the legal entity.

Article 6

Registration

  • 1. 
    Statements of support for an initiative may only be collected after the initiative has been registered by the Commission.
  • 2. 
    The group of organisers shall submit the request for registration to the Commission through the register.

When submitting the request the group of organisers shall also:

(a) transmit the information referred to in Annex II in one of the official languages of the Union;

(b) where it is made up of more than 7 members, indicate those seven members to be taken into account for the purpose of Article 5(1) and (2);

(c) as the case may be, indicate that a legal entity has been created, pursuant to Article 5(7).

Without prejudice to paragraphs 5 and 6, the Commission shall decide on the request within two months of its submission.

  • 3. 
    The Commission shall register the initiative if:

(a) the group of organisers has provided appropriate proof that it fulfills the requirements laid down in Article 5(1) and (2) and has designated the contact persons in accordance with the first subparagraph of Article 5(3);

(b) in the situation referred to Article 5(7), the legal entity has been created specifically for the purpose of managing the initiative and the member of the group of organisers designated as the representative thereof is mandated to act on behalf of the legal entity;

(c) none of the parts of the initiative manifestly falls outside the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties;

(d) the initiative is not manifestly abusive, frivolous or vexatious;

(e) the initiative is not manifestly contrary to the values of the Union as set out in Article 2 TEU.

If one or more of the requirements set out in points (a) to (e) are not met, the Commission shall refuse to register the initiative, without prejudice to paragraphs 4 and 5.

  • 4. 
    Where it considers that the requirements laid down in paragraph 3, points (a), (b), (d) and (e) are met but that the requirement laid down in paragraph 3, point (c) is not met, the Commission shall, within one month of the submission of the request, inform the group of organisers of its assessment and of the reasons thereof.

In that case, the group of organisers may either amend the initiative to take into account the Commission's assessment to ensure that the initiative is in conformity with the requirement laid down in point (c) of paragraph 3 or maintain or withdraw the initial initiative. The group of organisers shall inform the Commission of its choice within one month of the receipt of the Commission's assessment giving the reasons thereof, and shall, as the case may be, transmit amendments to the information referred to in Annex II to replace the initial initiative.

Where the Commission receives the information from the organisers it shall:

(a) register the initiative, if it meets the requirement laid down in point (c) of paragraph 3;

(b) partially register the initiative if a substantial part of the initiative, including its main objectives, does not manifestly fall outside the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties;

(c) otherwise refuse to register the initiative.

The Commission shall decide on the request within one month of receipt of the information and, as the case may be, the amended initiative from the group of organisers referred to in the second subparagraph.

  • 5. 
    An initiative that has been registered shall be made public in the register.

Where the Commission partially registers an initiative:

(a) it shall publish information on the scope of the registration of the initiative in the register;

(b) the group of organisers shall ensure that potential signatories are informed of the scope of the registration of the initiative and of the fact that statements of support are collected only in relation to the scope of the registration.

  • 6. 
    The Commission shall register an initiative under a single registration number and inform the group of organisers thereof.
  • 7. 
    Where it refuses to register or only partially registers an initiative in accordance with paragraph 4, the Commission shall inform the group of organisers of the reasons for its decision and of all possible judicial and extrajudicial remedies available to them.
  • 8. 
    The Commission shall inform the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of the registration of an initiative.

Article 7

Withdrawal of an initiative

At any time before submitting an initiative to the Commission in accordance with Article 13, the group of organisers may withdraw an initiative that has been registered in accordance with Article 6. Such withdrawal shall be published in the register.

Article 8

Collection period

  • 1. 
    All statements of support shall be collected within a period not exceeding 12 months from a date chosen by the group of organisers (the 'collection period'). That date must be not later than three months from the registration of the initiative in accordance with Article 6.

The group of organisers shall inform the Commission of the date chosen at the latest 10 working days before that date.

Where the group of organisers wishes to terminate the collection of statements of support before the end of 12 months after the beginning of the collection period, it shall inform the Commission of the date at which the collection period is to end.

The Commission shall inform the Member States of the date referred to in the first subparagraph.

  • 2. 
    The Commission shall indicate the beginning and end of the collection period in the register.
  • 3. 
    The Commission or the group of organisers, as the case may be, shall close the operation of the central online collection system in accordance with Article 10 on the date at which the collection period ends.

Article 9

Procedure for the collection of statements of support 22

  • 1. 
    Statements of support may be signed online or in paper form.
  • 2. 
    Only forms which comply with the models set out in Annex III may be used to collect statements of support.

The group of organisers shall complete the forms as indicated in Annex III prior to initiating the collection of statements of support. The information given in the forms shall correspond to that contained in the register.

Where the group of organisers choses to collect statements of support online through the central online collection system provided for in Article 10, the Commission shall be responsible for providing the appropriate forms, in accordance with Annex III.

Where an initiative has been partially registered in accordance with Article 6(4) the forms set out in Annex III as well as the central online collection system, as the case may be, shall reflect the scope of the registration of the initiative.

22 IT: scrutiny reservation on Article 9.

The forms for the statement of support may be adapted for the purpose of the collection online or in paper form.

Where the citizens support an initiative online, through the central online collection system referred to in Article 10, using their notified electronic identification means within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 i in accordance with Article 10(4) of this Regulation, Annex III shall not apply. Citizens of the Union shall provide their nationality and Member States shall accept the minimum data set for a natural person in accordance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1501 23 .

  • 3. 
    A person signing a statement of support shall be required to provide only the personal data set out in Annex III.
  • 4. 
    Member States shall inform the Commission of whether they wish to be included in part A or B, respectively, of Annex III before 1 July 2019. Member States wishing to be included in part B of Annex III, shall indicate the type(s) of personal identification (document) number.

By 1 January 2020, the Commission shall publish the forms set out in Annex III in the register.

Member States may request the Commission to be included in the other part of Annex III, part A or B, respectively. They shall inform the Commission at least six months before the date as of which the new forms shall be applicable.

  • 5. 
    The group of organisers shall be responsible for the collection of the statements of support from signatories in paper form.
  • 6. 
    A person may sign a statement of support for a given initiative only once.
  • 7. 
    The group of organisers shall inform the Commission of the number of collected statements of support in each Member State at least every two months during the collection period and of the final number within three months of the end of the collection period for publication in the register.

23 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1501 of 8 September 2015 on the interoperability framework pursuant to Article 12(8) of Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 i of the European Parliament and of the Council on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market (OJ L 235, 9.9.2015, p. 1).

Where the required number of statements of support has not been reached or in the absence of a response from the group of organisers within three months of the end of the collection period, the Commission shall close the initiative and publish a notice to that effect in the register.

Article 10

Central online collection system

  • 1. 
    For the purpose of online collection of statements of support, the Commission shall set-up and operate, by 1 January 2020, a central online collection system, in accordance with Commission Decision (EU, Euratom) 2017/46 24 .

The costs of the setting up and operation of the central online collection system shall be borne by the general budget of the European Union. The use of the central online collection system shall be free of charge.

The central online collection system shall be accessible for persons with disabilities.

The data obtained through the central online collection system shall be stored in the servers made available by the Commission for that purpose.

The central online collection system shall allow for the uploading of statements of support collected in paper form.

  • 2. 
    For each initiative, the Commission shall ensure that statements of support can be collected through the central online collection system during the collection period determined in accordance with Article 8.
  • 3. 
    The group of organisers shall inform the Commission whether it wishes to use the central online collection system and whether it wishes to upload the statements of support collected in paper form at the latest 10 working days before the start of the collection period.

24 Commission Decision (EU, Euratom) 2017/46 of 10 January 2017 on the security of communication and information systems in the European Commission.

Where a group of organisers wishes to upload the statements of support collected in paper form, it shall upload all statements of support collected in paper form not later than two months after the end of the collection period, and inform the Commission thereof.

  • 4. 
    Member States shall ensure that:

(a) citizens can support initiatives online through statements of support by using notified electronic identification means or signing with an electronic signature within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 910/2014;

(b) the Commission e-IDAS node developed within the framework of Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 i and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1501 is recognised.

Article 11

[…]

Article 12

Verification and certification of statements of support by the Member States

  • 1. 
    25 Each Member State (the 'responsible Member State') shall verify and certify that the statements of support signed by its nationals comply with the provisions of this Regulation.
  • 2. 
    Within three months of the end of the collection period and without prejudice to paragraph 3, the group of organisers shall submit the statements of support, collected online or in paper form, to the competent authorities referred to in Article 19(2) of the responsible Member State.

25 IE maintained a reservation on Article 12(1).

The group of organisers shall submit the statements of support to the competent authorities only where the minimum numbers of signatories laid down in Article 3 have been reached by the initiative.

Statements of support shall be submitted to each competent authority in the responsible Member State only once, using the form set out in Annex V.

Statements of support which have been collected online shall be submitted following an electronic schema made publicly available by the Commission.

Statements of support collected in paper form and those collected online shall be submitted separately.

  • 3. 
    The Commission shall submit the statements of support collected online through the central online collection system as well as those collected in paper form and uploaded pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 10(3) to the competent authority of the responsible Member State on the date the organisers submit the form set out in Annex V to the competent authority of the responsible Member State in accordance with paragraph 2.

The Commission shall submit the statements of support in accordance with the second to fourth subparagraph of paragraph 2, using the EU file exchange service referred to in Article 4(5).

  • 4. 
    The competent authorities shall, within three months of receiving the statements of support, verify these on the basis of appropriate checks, which may be based on random sampling, in accordance with national law and practice.

Where statements of support collected online and in paper form are submitted separately, that period shall start running when the competent authority has received all statements of support.

For the purpose of the verification of statements of support collected in paper form, the authentication of signatures shall not be required.

  • 5. 
    On the basis of the verifications carried out, the competent authority shall certify the number of valid statements of support for the Member State concerned. That certificate shall be delivered, free of charge, to the group of organisers, using the model set out in Annex VI.

The certificate shall specify the number of valid statements of support collected in paper form and online including those collected in paper form and uploaded pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 10(3).

Article 13

Submission to the Commission

Within 3 months of obtaining the last certificate provided for in Article 12(5) the group of organisers shall submit the initiative to the Commission.

The group of organisers shall submit the completed form set out in Annex VII together with copies, in paper or electronic form, of the certificates referred to in Article 12(5).

The form set out in Annex VII shall be made publicly available by the Commission in the register.

Article 14

Publication and public hearing

  • 1. 
    When the Commission receives a valid initiative in respect of which the statements of support have been collected and certified in accordance with Articles 8 to 12, it shall publish without delay a notice to that effect in the register and transmit the initiative to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.
  • 2. 
    Within three months after the submission of the initiative, the group of organisers shall be given the opportunity to present the initiative at a public hearing.

The Commission and the European Parliament shall co-organize the public hearing at the European Parliament. Representatives of the other institutions and advisory bodies of the Union, as well as interested stakeholders, shall be given the opportunity to participate in the hearing.

The Commission and the European Parliament shall ensure a balanced representation of relevant public and private interests.

  • 3. 
    The Commission shall be represented in the hearing at an appropriate level.

Article 15

Examination by the Commission

  • 1. 
    Within one month of the submission of the initiative, the Commission shall receive the group of organisers at an appropriate level to allow them to explain in detail the matters raised by the initiative.
  • 2. 
    Within five months after the publication of the initiative in accordance with Article 14(1), and after the public hearing referred to in Article 14(2), the Commission shall set out in a communication its legal and political conclusions on the initiative, the action it intends to take 26 , if any, and its reasons for taking or not taking action.

The communication shall be notified to the group of organisers as well as to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions and shall be made public.

  • 3. 
    The Commission and the group of organisers may inform the signatories on the response to the initiative in accordance with Article 17 (2) and (3).

26 HU: reservation on Article 15(2).

CHAPTER III

OTHER PROVISIONS

Article 16

Transparency

The group of organisers shall provide, for the publication in the register, and as the case may be on their campaign website, information on the sources of support and funding for the initiative exceeding 500 euros per sponsor.

That information shall be updated at least every two months during the period from the date of registration to the date on which the initiative is submitted to the Commission in accordance with Article 13.

Article 17

Communication

  • 1. 
    The Commission shall raise public awareness about the existence of the European citizens’ initiative through communication activities and information campaigns, thereby contributing to promoting the active participation of citizens in the political life of the Union.
  • 2. 
    For the purposes of communication and information activities regarding the initiative concerned and subject to consent by a signatory, his or her email address may be collected by a group of organisers or by the Commission.

Potential signatories shall be informed that their right to support an initiative is not conditional on giving their consent to collecting their email address.

  • 3. 
    Email addresses may not be collected as part of the statement of support forms. However, they may be collected at the same time as statements of support provided they are processed separately.

Article 18

Protection of personal data

  • 1. 
    The representative of the group of organisers shall be the data controller within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 in relation to the processing of personal data when collecting statements of support and email addresses. Where the legal entity referred to in Article 5(7) is created, that entity shall be the data controller.

1a. The competent authorities designated in accordance with Article 19(2) shall be the data controllers within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 in relation to the processing of personal data for the purposes of verification and certification of statements of support.

1b. The Commission shall be the data controller within the meaning of [Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 i] in relation to the processing of personal data in the register, the online collaborative platform, the central online collection system referred to in Article 10, and the collection of email addresses.

  • 2. 
    The personal data provided in the statements of support forms shall be collected for the purpose of the operations required for the secure collection and storage in accordance with Articles 9 to 10, for the submission to the Member States, verification and certification in accordance with Article 12, and for the necessary quality checks and statistical analysis.
  • 3. 
    The group of organisers and the Commission, as the case may be, shall destroy all statements of support signed for an initiative and any copies thereof not later than one month after the submission of the initiative to the Commission in accordance with Article 13 or 21 months after the beginning of the collection period, whichever is the earlier. However, where an initiative is withdrawn after the beginning of the collection period, the statements of support and any copies thereof shall be destroyed no later than one month after the withdrawal.
  • 4. 
    The competent authority shall destroy all statements of support and copies thereof not later than three months after issuing the certificate referred to in Article 12(5).
  • 5. 
    Statements of support for a given initiative and copies thereof may be retained beyond the time limits laid down in paragraphs 3 and 4 if necessary for the purpose of legal or administrative proceedings relating to the initiative concerned. They shall be destroyed not later than one month after the date of conclusion of the said proceedings by a final decision.
  • 6. 
    The Commission and the group of organisers shall destroy records of the email addresses collected in accordance with Article 17(2), not later than, as the case may be, one month after the withdrawal of an initiative or 12 months after the end of the collection period or the submission of the initiative to the Commission. However, where the Commission sets out, by means of a communication, the actions it intends to take in accordance with Article 15(2), records of the email addresses shall be destroyed at the latest three years after the publication of the communication.
  • 7. 
    Without prejudice to their rights under Regulation [(EC) No 45/2001], the members of the group of organisers have the right to request the removal of their personal data from the register after two years from the date of registration of the initiative concerned.

Article 19

Competent authorities within the Member States

  • 1. 
    […]
  • 2. 
    For the purpose of Article 12, each Member State shall designate one competent authority responsible for coordinating the process of verification of statements of support and for issuing the certificates referred to in Article 12(5).
  • 3. 
    By 1 January 2020, Member States shall transmit to the Commission the names and addresses of the authorities designated pursuant paragraph 2. They shall inform the Commission of any update of that information.

The Commission shall make the names and addresses of the authorities designated pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 2 publicly available in the register.

Article 20

Communication of national provisions

  • 1. 
    By 1 January 2020, Member States shall communicate to the Commission the specific provisions adopted in order to implement this Regulation.
  • 2. 
    The Commission shall make these provisions publicly available in the register in the language of the communication by the Member States in accordance with paragraph 1.

CHAPTER IV

DELEGATED ACTS AND IMPLEMENTING ACTS

Article 21

Committee procedure

[…]

Article 22

Delegated powers

The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 23 concerning amendments to the Annexes to this Regulation within the scope of the relevant provisions of this Regulation.

Article 23

Exercise of the delegation

  • 1. 
    The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.
  • 2. 
    The power to adopt the delegated acts referred to in Article 22 shall be conferred on the Commission for a period of five years from [date of entry into force of the basic legislative act or any other date set by the co-legislators].
  • 3. 
    The delegation of power referred to in Article 22 may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.
  • 4. 
    Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016.
  • 5. 
    As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.
  • 6. 
    A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 22 shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the Council within a period of [two months] of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by [two months] at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council.

CHAPTER V

FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 24

Review

The Commission shall periodically review the functioning of the European citizens' initiative and present a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of this Regulation no later than five years from the date of application of this Regulation, and every five years thereafter. The reports shall be made public.

Article 25

Repeal

Regulation (EU) No 211/2011 i is repealed with effect from 1 January 2020.

References to Regulation (EU) No 211/2011 i shall be construed as references to this Regulation.

Article 26

Entry into force and applicability

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 1 January 2020.

However Articles 9(4), 10 and 19 to 23 shall apply from the entry into force of this Regulation.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the European Parliament For the Council

The President The President

ANNEXES

ANNEX 1

Minimum number of signatories per Member State

Belgium 15 750

Bulgaria 12 750

Czech Republic 15 750

Denmark 9 750

Germany 72 000

Estonia 4 500

Ireland 8 250

Greece 15 750

Spain 40 500

France 55 500

Croatia 8 250

Italy 54 750

Cyprus 4 500

Latvia 6 000

Lithuania 8 250

Luxembourg 4 500

Hungary 15 750

Malta 4 500

Netherlands 19 500

Austria 13 500

Poland 38 250 Romania 24 000

Slovenia 6 000

Slovakia 9 750

Finland 9 750

United Kingdom 54 750 ANNEX II

REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR REGISTERING AN INITIATIVE

  • 1. 
    The title of the initiative, in no more than 100 characters;
  • 2. 
    The content of the initiative on which the Commission is invited to act, in no more than 1000 characters;
  • 3. 
    The provisions of the Treaties considered relevant by the organisers for the proposed action;
  • 4. 
    The full names, postal addresses, nationalities and dates of birth of seven members of the group of organisers residing in seven different Member States indicating specifically the representative and the substitute as well as their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers 1 ;

If the representative and/or the substitute are not among the seven members referred to in the above paragraph, their full names, postal addresses, nationalities, dates of birth, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers.

  • 5. 
    Documents that prove the full names, postal addresses, nationalities and dates of birth of each of the seven members referred to in point 4 above and of the representative and the substitute if they are not among those seven members;
  • 6. 
    The names of the other members of the group of organisers;
  • 7. 
    In the situation referred to in Article 5(7), as the case may be, documents that prove the creation of a legal entity in accordance with the national law of a Member State specifically for the purpose of managing a given initiative and that the member of the group of organisers designated as the representative thereof is mandated to act on behalf of the legal entity.
  • 8. 
    All sources of support and funding for the initiative at the time of registration 1 .

Organisers may provide more detailed information on the subject, objectives and background to the initiative in an annex. They may also, if they wish, submit a draft legal act.

1 Privacy statement: in accordance with [Article 11 of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 i of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data, data subjects are informed that these personal data are compiled by the Commission for the purpose of the procedure in respect of the proposed citizens’ initiative. Only the full names of the organisers, the country of residence of the representative or, as the case may be, the name and the country of the seat of the legal entity, the e-mail addresses of the contact persons and information relating to the sources of support and funding will be made available to the public in the Commission’s online register. Data subjects are entitled to object to the publication of their personal data on compelling legitimate grounds relating to their particular situation, and to request the rectification of that data at any time and its removal from the Commission’s online register after the expiry of a period of two years from the date of registration of the proposed citizens’ initiative.]

ANNEX III 1

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FORM — Part A 2

(for Member States that do not require the provision of part of a personal identification number/personal identification document number)

All fields on this form are mandatory.

TO BE PRE-COMPLETED BY THE GROUP OF ORGANISERS:

1 . All signatories on this form are citizens of Please mark only one Member State per list. 3

2.European Commission registration number: 3.Dates of start and end of the collection period:

  • 4. 
    Web address of this initiative in the European Commission’s register:

5.Title of this initiative:

6.Content of the initiative:

7.Names and e-mail addresses of registered contact persons [In the situation referred to in Article 5(7), as the case may be, additionally: the name and the country of the seat of the legal entity].:

  • 8. 
    Website of this initiative (if any):

TO BE COMPLETED BY THE SIGNATORIES IN CAPITAL LETTERS:

1 IE maintained a reservation on Annex III:

2 The form shall be printed on one sheet. Organisers may use a double-sided sheet. For the purpose of uploading the statements of support collected in paper form to the central online collection system a code made available by the Commission shall be used.

3 For Germany: "All signatories of this form are citizens of Germany. German nationals residing outside the country only if they have registered their current permanent residence at their responsible German diplomatic representation abroad. *In alternative, all German citizens have the possibility to sign the initiative electronically and verify their identity via eID in accordance with this Regulation.

DRI LIMITE EN

‘I hereby certify that the information that I have provided in this form is correct and that I have not already supported this initiative.’

FULL FIRST NAMES FAMILY NAMES RESIDENCE 4 DATE DATE SIGNATURE5

(street, number, postal code, city, country) OF BIRTH

Privacy statement 6 for the statements of support collected on paper:

In accordance with Article 13 of General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679), the personal data provided on this form to the group of organisers of the European citizens' initiative will only be made available to the competent authorities for the purpose of verification and certification of the number of valid statements of support received for this citizens’ initiative (see Article [12] of Regulation [ ] of the European Parliament and of the Council of [ ] on the European citizens’ initiative) and, if necessary, further processed for the purpose of administrative or legal proceedings relating to this citizens’ initiative (see Article [18(5)] of Regulation (EU) [ ] of the European Parliament and of the Council of [ ] on the European citizens’ initiative). The data may not be used for any other purpose.

Data subjects are entitled to obtain access to their personal data, rectification of inaccurate data concerning them, erasure and restriction of processing of their personal data . Data subjects are entitled to object to processing.

All statements of support will be destroyed at the latest 21 months after the starting date of collection for the citizens’ initiative, or, in the case of administrative or legal proceedings, at the latest one month after the date of conclusion of the said proceedings. Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, every data subject shall have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of his or her habitual residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement if the data subject considers that the processing of personal data relating to him or her infringes Regulation (EU) 2016/679.

The contact details of the data controller: The contact details of the data protection officer (if any):

Privacy statement for the statements of support collected online via the central online collection system:

In accordance with Article 13 of General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679), and in accordance with [Article 11 of Regulation (EC) 45/2001 i] of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data, the personal data provided on this form to the European Commission will only be made available to the competent authorities for the purpose of verification and certification of the number of valid statements of support received for this citizens’ initiative (see Article [12] of Regulation [ ] of the European Parliament and of the Council of [ ] on the European citizens’ initiative) and, if necessary, further processed for the purpose of administrative or legal proceedings relating to this citizens’ initiative (see Article 18(5) of Regulation (EU) [ ] of the European Parliament and of the Council of [ ] on the European citizens’ initiative). The data may not be used for any other purpose. Data subjects are entitled to obtain access to their personal data, rectification of inaccurate data concerning them erasure and restriction of processing of their personal data. Data subjects are entitled to object to processing. All statements of support will be destroyed at the latest 21 months after the starting date of collection for the citizens’ initiative, or, in the case of administrative or legal proceedings, at the latest one month after the date of conclusion of the said proceedings. Without prejudice to any judicial remedy, every data subject may lodge a complaint with the European Data Protection Supervisor if he or she considers that his or her rights under Article 16 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union have been infringed as a result of the processing of his or her personal data by the European Commission. Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, every data subject shall have the

4 For Germany: German nationals residing outside the country only if they have registered their current permanent residence at their responsible German diplomatic representation abroad.

*In alternative, all German citizens have the possibility to sign the initiative electronically and verify their identity via eID. 5 Signature is not mandatory if the form is submitted online via the central online collection system as referred to in Article 10. 6 Only one of the two proposed versions of the privacy statements is to be used, depending on the mode of collection

DRI LIMITE EN

right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of his or her habitual residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement if the data subject considers that the processing of personal data relating to him or her infringes Regulation (EU) 2016/679.

The contact details of the data controller: The contact details of the data protection officer (if any):

DRI LIMITE EN

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FORM — Part B 1

(for Member States that require the provision of […] a personal identification number / personal identification document number)

All fields on this form are mandatory.

TO BE PRE-COMPLETED BY THE GROUP OF ORGANISERS:

1.All signatories on this form are citizens of:

Please mark only one Member State per list.

See Commission European Citizens' Initiative official register website for personal identification numbers/personal identification document numbers one of which must be provided.

2.European Commission registration number: 3.Dates of start and end of the collection period:

4.Web address of this initiative in the European Commission’s register:

5.Title of this initiative:

6.Content of the initiative:

7.Names and e-mail addresses of registered contact persons: [In the situation referred to in Article 5(7), as the case may be, additionnally: the name and the country of the seat of the legal entity].:

  • 8. 
    Website of this initiative (if any):

TO BE COMPLETED BY THE SIGNATORIES IN CAPITAL LETTERS:

‘I hereby certify that the information that I have provided in this form is correct and that I have not already supported this initiative.’

FULL FIRST NAMES FAMILY NAMES PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER/ TYPE OF PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION DATE

NUMBER OR DOCUMENT SIGNATURE2

PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENT NUMBER

1 The form shall be printed on one sheet. Organisers may use a double-sided sheet. For the purpose of uploading the statements of support collected in paper form to the central online collection system a code made

2 available by the Commission shall be used. Signature is not mandatory if the form is submitted online via the central online collection system as referred to in Article 10.

DRI LIMITE EN

Privacy statement 3 for the statements of support collected on paper:

In accordance with Article 13 of General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679), the personal data provided on this form to the group of organisers of the European citizens' initiative will only be made available to the competent authorities for the purpose of verification and certification of the number of valid statements of support received for this citizens’ initiative (see Article [12] of Regulation [ ] of the European Parliament and of the Council of [ ] on the European citizens’ initiative) and, if necessary, further processed for the purpose of administrative or legal proceedings relating to this citizens’ initiative (see Article [18(5)] of Regulation (EU) [ ] of the European Parliament and of the Council of [ ] on the European citizens’ initiative). The data may not be used for any other purpose.

Data subjects are entitled to obtain access to their personal data, rectification of inaccurate data concerning them, erasure and restriction of processing of their personal data. Data subjects are entitled to object to processing. All statements of support will be destroyed at the latest 21 months after the starting date of collection for the citizens’ initiative, or, in the case of administrative or legal proceedings, at the latest one month after the date of conclusion of the said proceedings. Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, every data subject shall have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of his or her habitual residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement if the data subject considers that the processing of personal data relating to him or her infringes Regulation (EU) 2016/679.

The contact details of the data controller: The contact details of the data protection officer (if any):

Privacy statement for the statements of support collected online via the central online collection system:

In accordance with Article 13 of General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679), and in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation (EC) 45/2001 i of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data, the personal data provided on this form to the European Commission will only be made available to the competent authorities for the purpose of verification and certification of the number of valid statements of support received for this citizens’ initiative (see Article [12] of Regulation [ ] of the European Parliament and of the Council of [ ] on the European citizens’ initiative) and, if necessary, further processed for the purpose of administrative or legal proceedings relating to this citizens’ initiative (see Article 18 (5) of Regulation (EU) [ ] of the European Parliament and of the Council of [ ] on the European citizens’ initiative). The data may not be used for any other purpose. Data subjects are entitled to obtain access to their personal data, rectification of inaccurate data concerning them erasure and restriction of processing of their personal data. Data subjects are entitled to object to processing. All statements of support will be destroyed at the latest 21 months after the starting date of collection for the citizens’ initiative, or, in the case of administrative or legal proceedings, at the latest one month after the date of conclusion of the said proceedings. Without prejudice to any judicial remedy, every data subject may lodge a complaint with the European Data Protection Supervisor if he or she considers that his or her rights under Article 16 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union have been infringed as a result of the processing of his or her personal data by the European Commission. Without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy, every data subject shall have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, in particular in the Member State of his or her habitual residence, place of work or place of the alleged infringement if the data subject considers that the processing of personal data relating to him or her infringes Regulation (EU) 2016/679.

3 Only one of the two proposed versions of the privacy statements is to be used, depending on the mode of collection

DRI LIMITE EN

The contact details of the data controller: The contact details of the data protection officer (if any):

DRI LIMITE EN

ANNEX IV

[…]

ANNEX V

FORM FOR THE SUBMISSION OF STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT TO THE MEMBER

STATES’ COMPETENT AUTHORITIES

  • 1. 
    Full names, postal addresses and e-mail addresses of the contact persons (representative and substitute of the group of organisers) or of the legal entity managing the initiative and its representative:
  • 2. 
    Title of the initiative:
  • 3. 
    Commission registration number:
  • 4. 
    Date of registration:
  • 5. 
    Number of signatories who are nationals of (name of Member State):
  • 6. 
    Total number of collected statements of support:
  • 7. 
    Number of Member States where the threshold has been reached:
  • 8. 
    Annexes:

(Include all statements of support from signatories who are nationals of the relevant Member State.

  • 9. 
    I hereby declare that the information provided in this form is correct and that the statements of support have been collected in accordance with Article […] of Regulation (EU) No […] of the European Parliament and of the Council of […] on the European citizens’ initiative.
  • 10. 
    Date and signature of one of the contact persons (representative/substitute 1 ) or of the representative of the legal entity:

1 Delete as appropriate"

ANNEX VI

CERTIFICATE CONFIRMING THE NUMBER OF VALID STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT COLLECTED FOR … (NAME OF MEMBER STATE)

… (name of competent authority) of … (name of Member State), having made the necessary verifications required by Article 12 of Regulation (EU) […] of the European Parliament and of the Council of […] on the European citizens’ initiative, hereby certifies that … (number of valid statements of support) statements of support for the initiative having the registration number … (registration number of the initiative) are valid in accordance with the provisions of that Regulation.

Date, signature and official stamp

ANNEX VII

FORM FOR THE SUBMISSION OF AN INITIATIVE TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

  • 1. 
    Title of the initiative:
  • 2. 
    Commission registration number:
  • 3. 
    Date of registration:
  • 4. 
    Number of valid statements of support received (must be at least one million):
  • 5. 
    Number of signatories certified by Member States:

    BE BG CZ DK DE EE IE EL ES FR HR IT CY LV LT LU

Number of signatories

HU MT NL AT PL PT RO SI SK FI SE UK TOTAL

Number of signatories

  • 6. 
    Full names, postal addresses and e-mail addresses of the contact persons (representative and substitute of the group of organisers) 38 or of the legal entity managing the initiative and its representative.
  • 7. 
    Indicate all sources of support and funding received for the initiative, including the amount of financial support at the time of submission.

38 Privacy statement: [in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 i of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data, data subjects are informed that these personal data are compiled by the Commission for the purpose of the procedure in respect of the citizens’ initiative. Only the full names of the organisers, the e-mail addresses of the contact persons and information relating to the sources of support and funding will be made available to the public on the Commission’s online register. Data subjects are entitled to object to the publication of their personal data on compelling legitimate grounds relating to their particular situation, and to request the rectification of that data at any time and its removal from the Commission’s online register after the expiry of a period of two years from the date of registration of the proposed citizens’ initiative.]

  • 8. 
    I hereby declare that the information provided in this form is correct and that all relevant procedures and conditions set out in Regulation (EU) No […] of the European Parliament and of the Council of […] on the European citizens’ initiative have been complied with.

Date and signature of one of the contact persons (representative/substitute 39 ) or of the representative of the legal entity:

  • 9. 
    Annexes: (Include all certificates)

39 Delete as appropriate"

 
 
 

3.

More information

 

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