Article 41a

(1) The European Data Innovation Board is established as a means to advising and assisting the Commission and the European Data Protection Board in coordinating the enforcement of this Regulation and to serve as a forum of discussion for the development of a European data economy and data policies.

(1) The European Data Innovation Board is established as a means to advising and assisting the Commission in coordinatingcoordinate the enforcement of this Regulation, to advise and assist the Commission and national competent authorities, and to serve as a forum of discussion for the development of a European data economy and data policies.

(2) It shall be composed at least of representatives of Member States competent for matters related to data, the competent authorities for enforcement of Chapters II, III, V, VIIa and VIIc of this Regulation, the European Data Protection Board, the European Data Protection Supervisor, ENISA, the EU SME Envoy or a representative appointed by the network of SME envoys. The Commission may decide to add additional categories of members. In its appointments of individual experts, the Commission shall aim to achieve gender and geographical balance among the members of the group. The European Data Innovation Board shall include structured participation from all relevant stakeholders and such participation shall ensure balanced representation and shall not affect the independence of competent authorities. Such participation shall be organised in a manner that ensures the absence of conflicts of interest and safeguards the independence of the Board. In particular, very large enterprises including undertakings designated as gatekeepers under Regulation (EU) 2022/1925 and other natural or legal persons representing them, including interest organisations including them as members, shall be excluded from participation in the stakeholder component of the Board, without prejudice to their ability to be openly consulted in individual proceedings where appropriate and subject to strict conflict-of-interest safeguards.

(2) It shall be composed at least of representatives of Member States competent for matters related to data, the competent authorities for enforcement of Chapters II, III, V, VIIa and VIIc of this Regulation, the European Data Protection Board, the European Data Protection Supervisor, ENISA, the EU SME Envoy or a representative appointed by the network of SME envoys. The Commission may decide to add additional categories of members. In its appointments of individual experts, the Commission shall aim to achieve gender and geographical balance among the members of the group.The European Data Innovation Board shall be composed of one representative appointed by each Member State. The European Data Protection Board, the European Data Protection Supervisor, ENISA and a representative of small and medium-sized enterprises shall participate in an advisory capacity. Additional members may be admitted only by a unanimous decision of the representatives of the Member States.

Justification

A coordination forum shall not become a substitute legislator or a central enforcement body under the control of the Commission.

(3) The Commission shall decide on the composition of the different configurations in which the Board will fulfil its tasks.

(3) The Commission, taking utmost account of the opinion of the Board and the European Data Protection Board for matters related to the processing of personal data, shall decide on the composition of the different configurations in which the Board will fulfil its tasks.

(3) The Commission shall decide on the composition of the different configurations in which the Board will fulfil its tasks.The representatives of the Member States shall decide on the functioning and composition of the respective configurations. Decisions and opinions shall be adopted by consensus.

Justification

A coordination forum shall not become a substitute legislator or a central enforcement body under the control of the Commission.

(4) The Commission shall chair the meetings of the European Data Innovation Board.

(4) The Commission shall chair the meetings of the European Data Innovation Board.’The board shall be chaired by each Member State representative for a period of 12 months, rotating in accordance with the order laid down by the Council. The Commission shall participate without the right to vote and shall provide the secretariat.

Justification

A coordination forum shall not become a substitute legislator or a central enforcement body under the control of the Commission.