16.9.2009 Official Journal of the European Union L 24421 COMMISSION DECISION of 14 September 2009 setting up a European Consumer Consultative Group (2009/705/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Whereas: (1)  Within the framework of consumer protection as provided for in Article 153 of the Treaty it is appropriate for the Commission to consult consumers on problems concerning the protection of their interests at Community level. (2)  Since 1973 the Commission has been assisted by a consultative group created for this purpose by consecutive Decisions, the latest one being Commission Decision 2003/709/EC of 9 October 2003 setting up a European Consumer Consultative Group ('). (3)  The work of the Group over an extensive period has shown the necessity to improve its efficiency, representa- tiveness and openness. Therefore, provisions related to the creation of sub-groups and to the adoption of the Group opinions should be clarified and should embody best practices developed over the last years. (4)  In this regard, it is further appropriate to revise the procedure for the appointment of members of the Group representing national consumer organisations and to introduce additional reporting obligations on Group members to better involve national consumer organisations in the work of the Group. (5) It is important to ensure that the Group and its members participate actively and effectively to bring a consumer perspective to the broad deliberations among interested stakeholders that are the norm for consultation in Europe today. (6)  For reasons of data protection, it is necessary to make the processing of personal data relating to members of the Group subject to Community legislation on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing () O] L 258, 10.10.2003, p. 35. of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Atticle 1 The European Consumer Consultative Group A European Consumer Consultative Group, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Group’, is hereby set up. Article 2 Task 1. The Group may be consulted by the Commission on all issues related to consumer interests at Community level. 2. The Group: (a) constitutes a group for general discussions on issues related to consumer interests; (b) prepares consumer input into other fora and participates as requested in groups advising the Commission on issues relevant to EU consumer policy; () advises the Commission when it outlines policies and activities having an effect on consumers; (d) may give an opinion on Community matters affecting consumers; (¢) informs the Commission of developments in consumer policy in the Member States; (f) acts as a source of information and a sounding board on Community action for the national organisations. Atticle 3 Membership 1. The Group shall be composed of: (a) one member representing national consumer organisations for each Member State;