Established in 2002, the EFSA Management Board ensures that the Authority functions effectively and efficiently, delivers its mandate as defined in the founding Regulation and meets the expectations of European and national institutions, stakeholders and the public. The Board’s function and role have evolved since the Authority became operational in 2002, shifting from an initial focus on the adoption of rules and procedures to its current emphasis on evolving EFSA’s strategy and future direction.

The Board meets several times a year.

Its key tasks are:

• to establish the budget and work programmes and monitor their implementation;
• to appoint the Executive Director and members of the Scientific Committee and the nine Scientific Panels.

Other more general tasks include:

• ensuring that EFSA’s priorities are in line with its mandate and key missions and that adequate time is given by EFSA to so-called “self-tasking”. ‘Self-tasking’ occurs when EFSA, during the course of its regular work, identifies a particular issue which it believes requires further analysis and research;
• meeting legal requirements and that EFSA meets deadlines for scientific opinions as far as possible;
• ensuring appropriate financial management and accountability.

The Board’s decisions are taken by a majority of its members. For more information on Management Board Members, click here

Transparency

All Management Board meetings are open to the public and can be watched live over the Internet in four languages. All of the Board’s documents are also posted on the web prior to meetings. A video recording of the meeting is also posted online on the EFSA website. This approach is in line with the Authority’s commitment to openness and transparency. Click here for the meetings page.

Read more about Openess and Transparency at EFSA

EFSA Independent Evaluation Report In 2005, EFSA’s Management Board commissioned a report - required by EFSA’s founding regulation - to assess the Authority’s achievements, working practices and impact. The report was published in March 2006 and an open consultation with all stakeholders was held to gather feedback from January to 28 February 2006. In its June 2006 meeting the EFSA Management Board discussed the recommendations made in the report. The Board focused on key directions for action as follows: further develop and strengthen co-operation with Member States; enhance EFSA’s internal organisation; strengthen EFSA’s relationship with its institutional partners; enhance the impact and effectiveness of EFSA risk communications; and explore further development of the Authority’s mandate. Independent EFSA Evaluation report Annexe Recommendations of the EFSA Management Board with respect to the external evaluation of EFSA