Division 1.1 Policy and legal context

Decision No 1350/2007/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council^f1 (hereinafter referred to as the Programme Decision) established the second programme of Community action in the field of health (2008-2013) (hereinafter referred to as the second Health Programme).

The second Health Programme is intended to complement, support and add value to the policies of the Member States and contribute to increased solidarity and prosperity in the European Union. The Programme's objectives are to improve citizens' health security; to promote health, including the reduction of health inequalities; and to generate and disseminate health information and knowledge.

Article 8(1) of the Programme Decision states that the Commission shall adopt:

1. (a)

   the annual Work Plan for the implementation of the Programme, setting out:

   1. (i)

      priorities and actions to be undertaken, including the allocation of financial resources;

   2. (ii)

      criteria for the percentage of Community financial contribution, including criteria for assessing whether or not exceptional utility applies;

   3. (iii)

      the arrangements for implementing the joint strategies and actions referred to in Article 9;

2. (b)

   selection, award and other criteria for financial contributions to the actions of the Programme in accordance with Article 4.

According to Article 75 of the Financial Regulation (FR) applicable to the general budget of the European Communities, the commitment of the expenditure should be preceded by a financing decision adopted by the institution or the authorities to which powers have been delegated by the institution. According to Article 90 of the detailed rules for the implementation of the Financial Regulation (IR), the decision adopting the annual work programme referred to in Article 110 of the FR may be considered to be the financing decision provided that this constitutes a sufficiently detailed framework. This document aims to fulfil those obligations and present the different activities scheduled for 2010, which is the third year of the implementation of the second Health Programme.

The Executive Agency for Health and Consumers (EAHC) assists the Commission in the implementation of the Work Plan for 2010 according to the provisions of this Work Plan and Commission Decision C(2008) 4943 of 9 September 2008 delegating powers to it.