Decentralized Community agencies: Agency for security and health at work (amend. Regul. 2062/94/EC)

The Commission presents, as a temporary measure, the progress report for the period 1996-2000, which provides a general overview of the progress, achieved in the operational set-up of the European Agency for the Safety and Health at Work, rather than a detailed performance evaluation towards its objectives. The precise evaluation of its performance, and the impact of the Agency's information activities, will be submitted to Council once the results of the extended evaluation launched are available and are analysed by the Commission. The report concentrates on the progress made in the following areas: - the information network - building the links : the aim is to link all existing occupational safety and health information through information technology (IT) to the Agency's network, and to ensure that it is easily accessible to the target users. This involves building up the IT infrastructure and expertise of the Agency, especially related to the Internet, to handle the relevant information; - information projects - developing safety and health knowledge: information projects are being undertaken by the Agency in partnership with its Focal Points with assistance from Thematic Networks, through external experts concerned on a particular topic, through studies on individual studies, or through topic centres designated to carry out a specific task for the Agency; - information services - communicating the safety and health message: the Agency shall use both its network and other media to fulfil its obligations to disseminate information on occupational safety and health as laid down by the Regulation. The Regulation foresees a role for the Agency in organising certain forms of information exchange such as conferences and seminars; - adminstrative arrangements. �