Article 12 Transparency

This article establishes the transparency obligations governing the scientific panel's activities.

It places the responsibility for public disclosure firmly on the Secretariat, which must publish a range of information on a dedicated Commission website without undue delay.

The article connects directly to other parts of the regulation, as the information it requires to be published — such as the rules of procedure from Article 8 and conclusions from thematic hearings under Article 7 — flows from obligations established elsewhere.

Notably, the transparency requirement is not absolute; opinions and recommendations may be withheld where publication would compromise confidential business information, trade secrets, or the strategic interests of the Union.

Important points:

• The Secretariat is required to proactively publish key information about the scientific panel, including expert names, CVs, declarations of interest, and procedural rules on a dedicated Commission website.
• Opinions and recommendations produced under the panel's tasks are subject to public disclosure, except where confidential business information, trade secrets, or Union strategic interests are at stake.
• The publication obligation applies without undue delay, meaning there is an expectation of timely disclosure rather than a discretionary or periodic release.