Single Community framework for the transparency of qualifications and competences (Europass)

In its common position, the Council approved the Commission's proposal in principle, while making certain amendments which it thought desirable. It equally considers that its common position constitutes a balanced text, providing a good basis for launching this instrument , thereby facilitating mobility throughout Europe for lifelong learning purposes.

It notes that the 14 amendments by the European Parliament incorporated in full or in substance in the common position do not alter the content of the Commission's initial proposal. The Council introduced other changes, in particular amending the procedure and defining the criteria for introducing new documents in the Europass structure. The names of the documents included in the framework and of the implementation bodies are also slightly amended. These changes do not alter the content of the Commission's initial proposal.

More specifically, as regards the amendments made by the Council to the Commission's proposal, these concern the following :

- Future inclusion of other documents : the Council considers that provision should be made for the inclusion of other documents in the future (e.g. in the field of IT) in accordance with the criteria laid down in the new Annex I and the procedure;

- Committee Procedure : in view of the future introduction of other documents, the Council is of the view that the Commission should be assisted in this task by the relevant existing Committees (Socrates and Leonardo) in accordance with a management procedure;

- Social Partners : provision has been made for the consultation by the Commission of the social partners and other relevant stakeholders at European level;

- Designation of the documents : with a view to enhancing the Europass logo, the Council proposes that "Europass" be part of the designation of all the documents in the portfolio (i.e. Europass-Curriculum Vitae; Europass-Mobility; Europass-Diploma Supplement; Europass-Language Portfolio; Europass-Certificate Supplement);

- National Europass Centres : the Council is of the view that the bodies responsible for the implementation of the decision should be called "National Europass Centres" (NEC) rather than "Europass National Agencies", since the term agency could be taken to imply a specifically created body, whereas the NECs are intended to replace or develop, where appropriate, existing bodies carrying out similar activities;

- Information Systems : the Council has clarified the scope of citizens' access to information systems as far as Europass documents are concerned.