OREANDA-NEWS. September 18, 2015. European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authorities (EIOPA) launches the Call for Expression of Interest regarding the setting up of EIOPA Stakeholder Groups, the Insurance and Reinsurance Stakeholder Group (IRSG) and the Occupational Pensions Stakeholder Group (OPSG), following the expiration of their mandates early next year.

The Stakeholder Groups (SG) are set up according to Article 37 of EIOPA Regulation, to help facilitate consultation with stakeholders in areas relevant to the tasks of EIOPA. Their members serve for a period of 2.5 years with the possibility to renew the mandate only once. More information on the SGs activities can be viewed here: https://eiopa.europa.eu/about-eiopa/organisation/stakeholder-groups

Members of the IRSG and OPSG (30 in total in each group), are individuals appointed to represent in balanced proportions the following categories:

For IRSG - (re)insurance undertakings , insurance intermediaries operating in the Union, their employees' representatives, consumers, users of (re)insurance services, representatives of SMEs and relevant professional associations.

For OPSG - institutions for occupational retirement provision operating in the Union, representatives of employees, pension scheme beneficiaries, SMEs and relevant professional associations, institutions for occupational retirement provision operating in the Union, representatives of employees, pension scheme beneficiaries, SMEs and relevant professional associations.

At least five members in each group shall be independent top-ranking academics.

EIOPA Stakeholder Groups meet at least 4 times a year in Frankfurt. For the 5th time both groups jointly meet EIOPA’s Board of Supervisors.

EIOPA covers accommodation and travelling costs for the following categories: consumers, academics, beneficiaries, employee/trade-union representatives and users of financial services. Other SG members have the possibility to benefit from preferential accommodation rates at some hotels in Frankfurt.

EIOPA expects to complete the selection process by February 2016. The first SG meetings in the new composition are foreseen for 26 April 2016 (IRSG) and 28 April 2016 (OPSG).

The Calls for Expression of Interest and the application documents (in English only) can be accessed from EIOPA website here.

EIOPA strives to ensure appropriate geographical and gender balance in its Stakeholder Groups.

The deadline for application is 15 November 2015.