27.7.2002 Official Journal of the European Communities L 198/49 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 26 July 2002 establishing a Radio Spectrum Policy Group (Text with EEA relevance) (2002/622/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Whereas: 1 Decision No 676/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on a regulatory framework for radio spectrum policy in the European Community (') (hereinafter the Radio Spectrum Decision) establishes a policy and legal framework in the Commu- nity for radio spectrum policy so as to ensure the coordi- nation of policy approaches and, where appropriate, harmonised conditions with regard to the availability and efficient use of the radio spectrum necessary for the establishment and functioning of the internal market in Community policy areas such as electronic communica- tions, transport and Research and Development. The Radio Spectrum Decision recalls that the Commis- sion may organise consultations in order to take into account the views of Member States, Community institu- tions, industry and of all radio spectrum users involved, both commercial and non-commercial, as well as of other interested parties on technological, market and regulatory developments which may relate to the use of radio spectrum. A consultative group to be called the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (hereinafter the Group) should be estab- lished. The Group should assist and advise the Commis- sion on radio spectrum policy issues such as radio spec- trum availability, harmonisation and allocation of radio spectrum, provision of information concerning alloca- tion, availability and use of radio spectrum, methods for granting rights to use spectrum, refarming, relocation, valuation and efficient use of radio spectrum as well as protection of human health. () OJ L 108, 24.4.2002, p. 1. (4) The Group should contribute to the development of a radio spectrum policy in the Community that takes into account not only technical parameters but also economic, political, cultural, strategic, health and social considerations, as well as the various potentially conflicting needs of radio spectrum users with a view to ensuring that a fair, non-discriminatory and propor- tionate balance is achieved. The Group should gather high-level governmental experts from the Member States and a high level repre- sentative of the Commission. The Group could also include observers and invite other persons to attend meetings as appropriate, including regulators, competi- tion authorities, market participants, user or consumer groups. The Group should therefore allow cooperation between Member States and the Commission in such a way as to contribute to the development of the internal market. As the focal point for addressing radio spectrum policy issues in the context of all relevant Community policies, close operational links should be maintained between the Group and specific groups or committees established for the implementation of sectoral Community policies including transport policy, internal market policy for radio equipment, audiovisual policy, space policy, and communications. The Radio Spectrum Decision has created a Radio Spec- trum Committee to assist the Commission in the elaboration of binding implementing measures addres- sing harmonised conditions for the availability and effi- cient use of radio spectrum. The work of the Group should not interfere with the work of the Committee.