Recital (108)

One of the challenges identified during the COVID-19 crisis was the lack of a network for ensuring preparedness, as well as insufficient information sharing and coordination for response measures between the Member States, on the one hand, and between the Member States and the Commission, on the other hand. Therefore, the achievement of the objective pursued by this Regulation to prepare for and respond to the impact of future supply crises on the internal market for defence products should be supported by a governance mechanism. This Regulation should establish a Board, to facilitate cooperation, exchange of information and the smooth, effective and harmonised implementation of the measures provided for in this Regulation aimed at ensuring the security of supply of defence products. The Board should be composed of representatives of the Member States and the Commission. As ensuring the proper functioning of the internal market for defence products in times of supply crisis, or preparing for such supply crises, requires taking account of the ability of Member States to develop, acquire and manage their defence capabilities and to enhance their defence readiness, it is appropriate that the Commission and the Member State holding the rotating presidency of the Council co-chair the Board. In addition, given the contribution of the security of supply regime to the Union’s ability to defend its security and defence interests, the High Representative and the EDA should also be members of the Board. In particular, the EDA’s ongoing work strands on security of supply of defence products could be useful for the implementation of this Regulation. The EDA facilitates the sharing of best practices and reinforces cooperation between Member States on defence-related security of supply. It also generates insights on bottlenecks affecting the supply chains of defence products. Hence, the EDA should be able to share its views and expertise inter alia in the Board, which will contribute to preparing for and responding to the impact of supply crises on the internal market for defence products. Associated countries should have the right to become members, without voting rights, of the Board in accordance with the conditions set out under the Agreement on the European Economic Area. Representatives of the European Parliament should be invited as observers to the meetings of the Board. The Board should facilitate coordination among Member States and provide recommendations to and assist the Commission in the implementation of the mechanisms established by this Regulation aimed at ensuring security of supply, in particular by anticipating, preparing, preventing and addressing crises in the supply of crisis-relevant products.