This unofficial translation contains provisions that apply at the date of translation (January 2006). Please note that only the Danish version has legal validity.

Act no. 375 of June 14th 1995

Act on The Danish Board of Technology

WE, MARGRETHE II, by the Grace of God Queen of Denmark, do hereby proclaim: The Parliament has adopted and We have by Our consent ratified the following act:

Part 1.

1. The Danish Board of Technology is a self-governing body, which has the objective to:
   
   1. Monitor the technological development
      
   2. Carry out studies and comprehensive assessments of the possibilities and consequences of technology for society and the individual citizen
      
   3. Conduct independent technology assessments, and
      
   4. Communicate the results of the work to the Danish Parliament and to other political decision-makers as well as to the Danish population so as to encourage and support public debates on technology.
      
2. The Board is free to choose which methods of assessment to employ. Methods that involve individual representatives of the population directly in the assessments are emphasized.
   
3. The Board monitors the technological development nationally as well as internationally. It is to collect and disseminate information on activities and methods of technology assessment as practised in other countries.
   

Part 2.
The Danish Board of Technology consists of a Board of Governors and a Board of Representatives. A secretariat is attached to the Board.

Part 3.

1. The Board of Governors of The Danish Board of Technology consists of a chairman and ten trustees appointed by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation. The chairman and three trustees are appointed directly by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation. One trustee is appointed on the recommendation of The Danish Council for Adult Education, one on the recommendation of The Central Organisation of Functionaries and Civil Servants, one on the recommendation of The Confederation of Danish Trades Unions, one on the recommendation of The Danish Employers' Confederation, one on the recommendation of The Industry and Trade Development Council, one on the recommendation of the national association of Local Government in Denmark in concert with The Association of County Councils in Denmark, and one on the recommendation of The Danish National Research Councils.
   
2. Members of Parliament cannot serve as trustees of the Board of Governors.
   
3. The chairman and the trustees are appointed for a period of three years. They may be re-appointed once.
   
4. The trustees elect a vice-chairman from among themselves.
   

1. The Board of Governors determines independently the tasks of the Danish Board of Technology. The Danish Board of Technology serves in an advisory capacity to the Danish Parliament as well as the Danish Government, both of whom may suggest specific topics for assessment and debate.
   
2. The governing body of trustees lays down its own procedure.
   

1. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation sets up a Board of Representatives consisting of a maximum of 50 members.
   
2. The Board of Representatives is constituted as follows:
   • One member is appointed by each of the Danish National Research Councils.
   • One member is appointed by The Industry and Trade Development Council.
   • Two members are appointed by The Danish Council for Adult Education.
   • One member is appointed by The Danish Consumer Council.
   • One member is appointed by The Gender Equality Council.
   • One member is appointed by The Danish Society for Nature Conservation.
   • One member is appointed by The Danish Outdoor Council.
   • One member is appointed by The Danish Association for International Co-operation.
   • One member is appointed by The Danish Association of Folk High Schools.
   • Five members are appointed by The Confederation of Danish Trades Unions.
   • Five members are appointed by The Danish Employers' Confederation.
   • Two members are appointed by The Central Council for Functionaries and Civil Servants.
   • One member is appointed by The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.
   • One member is appointed by The Confederation of Danish Industries.
   • One member is appointed by The Agricultural Council of Denmark.
   • One member is appointed by The Danish Academy of Technical Sciences.
   • One member is appointed by GTS - Advanced Technology Group.
   • One member is appointed by The Danish Cancer Society.
   • One member is appointed by The Danish Council of Organisations of Disabled People.
   • One member is appointed by The Ecological Council.
   • One member is appointed by The Danish Youth Council.
   • One member is appointed by the City of Copenhagen.
   • One member is appointed by the City of Frederiksberg.
   • One member is appointed by The Association of County Councils in Denmark.
   • One member is appointed by Local Government in Denmark.
   • One member is appointed by The Danish Bankers' Association.
3. In addition to the above, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation appoints a maximum of nine members who are knowledgeable on modern technology and its possibilities, and who are users of modern technology. Other persons with an interest in the subject may also be appointed.
   
4. The appointments mentioned in subsection 3 must be discussed beforehand with the Board of Governors in order to ensure that all the essential interests are represented.
   

1. The members of the committee of representatives are appointed for a period of three years and may be re-appointed.
   
2. The governing body of trustees decides the procedure of the committee of representatives.
   
3. The committee of representatives convenes twice a year. Members of the Board of Governors may attend these meetings, which are directed by the chairman of the Board of Governors who is also chairman of the Board of Representatives.
   
4. The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation and the members of a parliamentary committee may also attend the meetings of the representatives.
   
5. The objective of the Board of Representatives is to serve as a room for open debate on current issues in relation to technology assessment. This includes proposing new initiatives and discussing initiatives already launched by the Board of Technology.
   

Part 7.
The chairman of the Board of Technology assigns a director to lead a secretariat, which is to handle the secretarial tasks for the Board of Governors and the Board of Representatives.

Part 8.
Once a year the Board of Technology presents the Parliament and the public with a report of its activities.

1. Every year a government grant is provided for the Board as part of the Finance Act.
   
2. The trustees are responsible for the prioritisation of the tasks of the Board and the administration of the grant.
   
3. The Board is subject to standard rules of the State on accounts submission and auditing.
   

Part 10.
The appointment of trustees and representatives is subject to Act No. 157 of April 24th 1985 on the equal opportunity of gender in the appointment of members for public committees, commissions etc.

1. The Board, including its administration and financial arrangements, is supervised by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation. The accounts are audited by The National Audit.
   
2. The audited annual accounts must be approved by the trustees and submitted to the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation.
   
3. The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation and The National Audit are always entitled to exact whatever information they may deem necessary from the Board of Governors. The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation and The National Audit are allowed at any time to inspect the documents and accounts of the Board and its activities in general.
   
4. The National Audit is entitled to inspect and audit the accounts at their normal location or wherever the necessary material is kept.
   

Part 12.
Should The Danish Board of Technology be abolished, the Treasury will assume all rights and obligations of the Board.

1. This Act will come into force August 1st 1995.
   
2. Act No. 925 of December 30th 1989 concerning a Technology Board is cancelled.

Given at Christiansborg Castle, June 14th 1995
Under Our Royal Hand and Seal
Margrethe R.

/Frank Jensen