No L 58/48 Official Journal of the European Communities 27. 2. 97 COMMISSION DECISION of 24 February 1997 on the setting-up of a European consultative forum on the environment and sustainable development (Text with EEA relevance) (97/150/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Whereas in the Resolution of 1 February 1993 on a Community programme of policy and action in relation to the environment and sustainable development ('), the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council approved the approach and general strategy of the programme “Towards Sustainability’ presented by the Commission; Whereas the programme provided for in the setting-up of a general consultative forum bringing together representa- tives from the sectors of production, the business world, regional and local authorities, professional associations, unions and environmental and consumer organizations; Whereas Commission Decision 93/701/EC () set up a General Consultative Forum on the environment; Whereas the Forum contained a balanced number of representatives from the various sectors concerned; whereas its members were appointed by the Commission in the light of recommendations from organizations representing each sector concerned at Community level; Whereas the Forum has proved to be a successful body in advising the Commission on aspects of both sustainable development and environment policies; Whereas the Forum has been a place of consultation and dialogue between the representatives of the said sectors and the Commission; Whereas in the light of the success of the Forum in de- veloping dialogue, there is a need to reinforce its public profile and to give it a more independent role; Whereas it is appropriate to appoint an independent chairman and to change its title; Whereas the problems of the environment require a higher degree of involvement of closely associated coun- tries in Europe and there is therefore a need to make () O] No C 138, 17. 5. 1993, p. 1. () OJ No L 328, 29. 12. 1993, p. 53. provision for the involvement of participants from EEA countries and the associated countries; Whereas for reasons of clarity, Decision 93/701/EC should be replaced, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 1. A European Consultative Forum on the Environ- ment and Sustainable Development (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Forum’) is set up. 2. The Forum shall consist of figures from the sectors of products, the business world, regional and local au- thorities, professional associations, unions and environ- mental protection and consumer organizations. 3. The Commission may appoint members of the Forum from EEA countries and associated countries. Article 2 1. The Forum may be consulted by the Commission on any problem relating to the environment and sus- tainable development in the Community or in Europe as a whole. 2. A member of the bureau of the Forum referred to in Atrticle 7 (3) may draw the Commission’s attention to the expediency of consulting the Forum on a matter within the latter’s field of competence on which no opinion has been requested. Article 3 The Forum shall consist of 32 members with particular competence in the field of the environment and sus- tainable development. Seats shall be allocated as follows: (a) seven to twelve seats for business figures; {b) three to five seats for representatives from regional and local authorities; (c) four to seven seats for representatives from environ- mental protection and consumer organizations; (d) one to three seats for union representatives; (e) seven to ten seats for eminent personalities.