Establishment of panels

The membership of EFSA’s Scientific Committee and Panels is re-established every three years. At least one year before their re-establishment, EFSA publishes an open call for applications from independent scientific experts. New members are selected from among the respondents to these calls. These calls may also be used to create a reserve list for potential future panel members.

How is this different to the EFSA Expert database?

The objective of the Expert database is to establish a pool of external experts whom EFSA may call upon to assist it on specific scientific tasks e.g. as ad hoc experts in working groups. As the two processes serve different needs, the two application procedures are also separate.

How does EFSA select the Scientific Committee and Panel members?

EFSA publishes a call that is open to scientific experts specialised in the fields within the remit of EFSA’s Scientific Committee and Panels. EFSA follows a detailed selection procedure including external evaluation, as set out in the Decision on the selection of members of the Scientific Committee, Scientific Panels and external experts. EFSA’s Management Board nominates new Scientific Committee and Panel members, based on a shortlist submitted by the Executive Director.

• Decision on the selection of members of the Scientific Committee, Scientific Panels and external experts (0.1 Mb)

When will the Panels be re-established again?

What do Scientific Committee and Panel members do?

 EFSA’s Scientific Committee and Panels are responsible for EFSA’s risk assessment work including delivering scientific opinions to support the work of risk managers. Each Panel is responsible for a different area of the food chain. They are composed of highly qualified scientific experts.

• How EFSA works