Register of Comitology launched, January 2004

The new Register of Comitology is now available on the Commission's website at http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/regcomito/registre.cfm?CL=en. It contains documents dating from 1st January 2003 relating to the work of the comitology committees where these documents have been passed on from the Commission to the Parliament. Documents not transmitted to the Parliament are excluded from the register. The new register complements the Commission's own register and offers a further insight into the legislative processes. The Welcome page contains a rather daunting block of text with the access points hidden at the bottom of the page. However the content of the text and the detailed explanations in the Frequently Asked Questions section provide helpful guidance and background information. There is also a help screen outlining how to search for documents and explaining the document numbering sequences. The search template uses both drop-down and pop-up menus and offers limited contextual help. At the time tested however it appeared to have some problems with the width of the page so that all active parts could not be viewed at the same time and it was impossible to read and select from one drop-down menu. No doubt this technical hitch will be resolved but it is disappointing that it went live in such a state. The final component of the site is an online application form to request access to documents not immediately available through the site. It will require further testing and experience of the site to gauge how successful the register will prove to be, but all such efforts to improve transparency and openness are to be welcomed.