Appointment
Article 4
1. The members of the Group representing national consumer organisations shall be appointed in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3. 2. Each Member State shall propose a list of three candidates, through national bodies representing consumer organisations set up by that Member State, where they exist, or through the competent national authorities. Candidates shall be part of the most representative national consumer organisations according to national rules or practices. 3. The Commission shall appoint one member and one alternate per Member State in accordance with the following criteria: (a) candidates shall have a broad competence and experience in EU consumer affairs; (b) candidates who have not previously been members of this Group shall be given priority; (c) gender balance. 4. The members of the group representing European consumer organisations and an alternate for each member shall be appointed by the Commission on a proposal from the European consumer organisations. 5. Alternates shall automatically replace members who are absent. 6. The Commission shall publish the list of members and alternates on the Internet site of the Health and Consumers Directorate-General and in the C series of the Official Journal of the European Union . The names of members and alternates shall be collected, processed and published in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 2 ) .