29.11.2002 Official Journal of the European Communities L 324/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) REGULATION (EC) No 2099/2002 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 5 November 2002 establishing a Committee on Safe Seas and the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (COSS) and amending the Regulations on maritime safety and the prevention of pollution from ships THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity, and in particular Article 80(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (°), Acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty (%), Whereas: (1) The measures implementing the existing Regulations and Directives in the field of maritime safety were adopted by a regulatory procedure involving the Committee set up by Council Directive 93/75/EEC of 13 September 1993 concerning minimum requirements for vessels bound for or leaving Community ports and carrying dangerous or polluting goods (°) and, in certain cases, an ad hoc committee. These committees were governed by the rules set out in Council Decision 87/373/EEC of 13 July 1987 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commis- sion (%). (2) By its Resolution of 8 June 1993 on a common policy on safe seas (), the Council approved in principle the establishment of a Committee on Safe Seas and the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (COSS) and called on the Commission to present a proposal to set up such a committee. 1 OJ C 365 E, 19.12.2000, p. 276. ?) 0] C 139, 11.5.2001, p. 21. O] C 253, 12.9.2001, p. 1. Opinion of the European Parliament of 13 February 2001 (O] C 276, 1.10.2001, p. 42), Council Common Position of 27 May 2002 (OJ C 170 E, 16.7.2002, p. 37) and Decision of the European Parlia- ment of 24 September 2002 (not yet published in the Official Journal). () OJ L 247, 5.10.1993, p. 19. Directive as last amended by Directive 98/74[EC (O] L 276, 13.10.1998, p. 7). () OJ L 197, 18.7.1987, p. 33. () 0] C 271, 7.10.1993, p. 1. 4 () () () () (3)  The role of COSS is to centralise the tasks of the committees set up under the Community legislation on maritime safety, the prevention of pollution from ships and the protection of shipboard living and working conditions and to assist and advise the Commission on all matters of maritime safety and prevention or reduc- tion of pollution of the environment by shipping activ- ities. (4)  In keeping with the Resolution of & June 1993, a Committee on Safe Seas and the Prevention of Pollution from Ships should be set up and assigned the tasks previously devolved to the committees established under the aforesaid legislation. All new Community legislation adopted in the field of maritime safety should stipulate recourse to the Committee thereby set up. (5)  Decision 87[373/EEC has been replaced by Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (), the provisions of which should therefore be applied to COSS. The purpose of the latter decision is to define the Committee proce- dures applicable and ensure more comprehensive infor- mation to the European Parliament and the public on the work of the committees. (6)  The measures required to implement the aforesaid legis- lation should be adopted in accordance with Decision 1999/468[EC. (7)  The aforesaid legislation should also be amended to substitute COSS for the Committee set up by Directive 93|75[/EEC or, where appropriate, for the ad hoc committee established under any particular act. This Regulation should in particular amend the relevant provisions of Council Regulations (EEC) No 613/91 of 4 () OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.