THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 723/2009 of 25 June 2009 on the Community legal framework for a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) (1), and in particular point (a) of Article 6(1) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) The Kingdom of Belgium, the Czech Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Estonia, Ireland, the Republic of Lithuania, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Poland, the Portuguese Republic, the Republic of Slovenia, the Kingdom of Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland requested the Commission to set up the European Social Survey as a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ESS ERIC). The Kingdom of Norway and the Swiss Confederation will participate initially in the ESS ERIC as Observers.
(2) The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has been chosen by the Kingdom of Belgium, the Czech Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Estonia, Ireland, the Republic of Lithuania, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Poland, the Portuguese Republic, the Republic of Slovenia and the Kingdom of Sweden as the Host Member State of ESS ERIC.
(3) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 20 of Regulation (EC) No 723/2009,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

1. A European Research Infrastructure Consortium for the European Social Survey Research Infrastructure named ESS ERIC is hereby established.

2. The Statutes of ESS ERIC are set out in the Annex. These Statutes shall be kept up to date and made publicly available on the website of ESS ERIC and at its statutory seat.

3. The essential elements of the ESS ERIC Statutes for which amendments shall require approval by the Commission in accordance with Article 11(1) of Regulation (EC) No 723/2009 are provided for in Articles 1, 2, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25.

This Decision shall enter into force on the third day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.