2. What is the scope of work of the TEAP?

TOR 1

"The tasks undertaken by the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) are those specified in Article 6 of the Montreal Protocol in addition to those requested from time to time at Meetings of the Parties. TEAP analyses and presents technical information and recommendations when specifically requested. It does not evaluate policy issues and does not recommend policy. TEAP presents technical and economic information relevant to policy. Furthermore, TEAP does not judge the merit or success of national plans, strategies, or regulations.

To carry out its work programme, technical options committees (TOCs) are established and agreed to by a decision of the parties. TEAP may also establish temporary subsidiary bodies (TSBs), as needed. These bodies generally will not last for more than one year and are aimed at responding to specific requests made by the parties."

3. What are the current TOCs?

The TOCs are established and agreed by a decision of the parties to carry out the work programme of the TEAP. The number and composition of TOCs has varied over time to respond to the evolving needs of the parties for technical and economic information on various issues. At present, there are five TOCs, namely:

• The Flexible and Rigid Foams Technical Options Committee (FTOC),
• The Fire Suppression Technical Options Committee (FSTOC),
• The Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee (MBTOC),
• The Medical and Chemicals Technical Options Committee (MCTOC), and
• The Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning and Heat Pumps Technical Options Committee (RTOC).

For issues that cannot be handled by the existing TOCs and are of substantial and continuing nature, TEAP should request the establishment by the parties of a new TOC. A decision of the Meeting of the Parties is required to confirm any TSB that exists for a period of more than one year (TOR 2.6).

4. What are TSBs?

TSBs are appointed by the TEAP in response to parties’ requests to report on specific issues of limited duration. TSBs may take the form of a task force, which consists of members of TEAP and its TOCs as well as outside experts to supplement the expertise available within the Panel and its TOCs.

2. What is the size and balance of the TEAP?

TOR 2.1.1

"The membership size of the TEAP should be about 18-22 members, including 2 or 3 co-chairs to allow it to function effectively. It should include the co-chairs of the TOCs; there should be two co-chairs per TOC and 2-4 Senior Experts for specific expertise not covered by the TEAP co-chairs or TOC co-chairs, taking into account gender and geographical balance.

At least one and preferably all of the TEAP co-chairs should not simultaneously serve as a TOC co-chair."

3. What is the size and balance of the TOCs?

TOR 2.1.2 

"Each TOC should have two co-chairs. The positions of TOC co-chairs must be filled to promote a geographical, gender and expertise balance. TEAP, through its TOC co-chairs, shall compose its TOCs to reflect a balance of appropriate and anticipated expertise so that their reports and information are comprehensive, objective and policy-neutral."

TOR 2.5

"Each TOC should have about 20 members."

4. What is the size and balance of the TSBs?

TOR 2.1.3 

"TEAP, in consultation with the TSB co-chairs, shall compose its TSBs to reflect a balance of appropriate expertise so that their reports and information are comprehensive, objective and policy-neutral. TEAP, acting through the TSB co-chairs, shall provide a description in reports by TSBs on how their composition was determined. TSB members, including co-chairs, who are not already members of the TEAP, do not become members of the TEAP by virtue of their service on the TSB."

2. How are TOC and TSB members nominated?

TOR 2.2.2 

"All nominations to TOCs and TSBs shall be made in full consultation with the national focal point of the relevant party.

Nominations of members to a TOC (other than TOC co-chairs) may be made by individual parties or TEAP and TOC co-chairs may suggest to individual parties experts to consider nominating. Nominations to a TSB (including TSB co-chairs) can be made by the TEAP Co-chairs."

2. How are Co-chairs appointed?

TOR 2.4

“In nominating and appointing co-chairs of the TEAP/TOCs/TSBs, parties should consider the following factors:

1. Co-chairs should have experience or skills in managing, coordinating, and building consensus in technical bodies, in addition to possessing technical expertise in relevant areas;
2. The co-chairs of a TOC should not normally act as co-chairs of another TOC; and
3. The co-chairs of TEAP should not be co-chairs of a TOC;
4. The TEAP and TOC co-chairs may suggest to individual parties experts to consider nominating.”

3. How are TOC members appointed?

TOR 2.5

“Each TOC should have about 20 members. The TOC members are appointed by the TOC co‑chairs, in consultation with TEAP, for a period of no more than four years. TOC members may be re-appointed following the procedure for nominations for additional periods of up to four years each.”

4. How are TSB members appointed?

TOR 2.6

“Temporary Subsidiary Technical Bodies (TSBs) can be appointed by TEAP to report on specific issues of limited duration. TEAP may appoint and dissolve, subject to review by the parties, such subsidiary bodies of technical experts when they are no longer necessary. For issues that cannot be handled by the existing TOCs and are of substantial and continuing nature, TEAP should request the establishment by the parties of a new TOC. A decision of the Meeting of the Parties is required to confirm any TSB that exists for a period of more than one year.”

5. What is the procedure for appointment termination?

TOR 2.7

“Members of TEAP, a TOC or a TSB may relinquish their position at any time by notifying in writing as appropriate the co-chairs of the TEAP, TOC or TSB and the relevant party.

TEAP can dismiss a member of TEAP, the TOCs and the TSBs, including co-chairs of those bodies, by a two-thirds majority vote of TEAP. A dismissed member has the right to appeal to the next Meeting of the Parties through the Secretariat. The TEAP co-chairs will inform the relevant party if TEAP is dismissing members.”

6. What is the procedure for the replacement of a TEAP member?

TOR 2.8

“If a member of TEAP, including TOC co-chairs, relinquishes or is unable to function including if he or she was dismissed by TEAP, the Panel, after consultation with the nominating party, can temporarily appoint a replacement from among its bodies for the time up to the next Meeting of the Parties, if necessary to complete its work. For the appointment of a replacement TEAP member, the procedure for nomination should be followed.”

7. What are the guidelines for nominations and the matrix of needed expertise?

TOR 2.9

“The TEAP/TOCs will draw up guidelines for nominating experts by the parties. The TEAP/TOCs will publicize a matrix of expertise available and the expertise needed in the TEAP/TOCs so as to facilitate submission of appropriate nominations by the parties. The matrix must include the need for geographic and expertise balance and provide consistent information on expertise that is available and required. The matrix would include the name and affiliation and the specific expertise required including on different alternatives. The TEAP/TOCs, acting through their respective co-chairs, shall ensure that the matrix is updated at least once a year and shall publish the matrix on the Secretariat website and in the Panel’s annual progress reports. The TEAP/TOCs shall also ensure that the information in the matrix is clear, sufficient and consistent as far as is appropriate between the TEAP and TOCs and balanced to allow a full understanding of needed expertise.”

8. Where can the matrix of needed expertise be found?

The matrix of needed expertise is updated annually by the TEAP and is included in its annual progress reports. The matrix is then posted by the Secretariat on its website at: https://ozone.unep.org/science/assessment/teap/teap-expertise-required.

9. What is the role of the national focal points?

TOR 2.2.1

“Nominations of members to the TEAP, including co-chairs of the TEAP and TOCs, must be made by individual Parties to the Secretariat through their respective national focal points. The TEAP co‑chairs shall ensure that any potential nominee identified by TEAP for appointment to the Panel, including co-chairs of TEAP and the TOCs, is agreed to by the national focal points of the relevant party.”

TOR 2.2.2:

“All nominations to TOCs and TSBs shall be made in full consultation with the national focal point of the relevant party.”

Decision XXXI/8, paras. 3 and 5

When nominating experts to the Panel, its technical options committees or its temporary subsidiary bodies, parties are requested to use the Panel’s nomination form and associated guidelines so as to facilitate the submission of appropriate nominations, taking into account the matrix of needed expertise, and geographical and gender balance, in addition to the expertise needed to address new issues related to the Kigali Amendment, such as energy efficiency, safety standards and climate benefits.

Nominating parties are also urged to follow the terms of reference of the Panel, consult the Panel’s co-chairs and refer to the matrix of needed expertise prior to making nominations for appointments to the Panel.

10. What is the role of the Ozone Secretariat in the nomination process?

The Secretariat receives nominations of members to the TEAP, including co-chairs of the TEAP and TOCs, from individual Parties through their respective national focal points (TOR 2.2.1).

Decision XXXI/8, para. 4

The Ozone Secretariat is requested to make the nomination form for Panel membership available on the Secretariat’s website and to make the forms submitted by parties nominating members to the Panel available on meeting portals so as to facilitate the review by and discussions among the parties of the proposed nominations.

11. What is expected from TEAP, TOCs and TSB members?

Serving on the TEAP is a significant commitment of time and effort, and members should have realistic expectations of their availability to serve on a voluntary basis, given other professional and personal commitments. The work includes drafting parts of reports, modelling or analyses, presenting or responding to questions from parties. All members are expected to participate in meetings, and actively engage in critical consensus review of draft reports/presentations. They are also expected to be responsive and available for planning meetings and the development of the reports requested by the parties to meet key deadlines.

All members of the TEAP, TOCs and TSBs must follow the Code of Conduct for the TEAP and its bodies (TOR 5), while taking into consideration the relevant conflict of interest and disclosure guidelines (TOR 6) and the standard operating procedures developed by the TEAP and its TOCs (see E.4 below).

2. When and where are the meetings organized?

TOR 3.2.1 

"The place and time of the TEAP/TOCs/TSBs meetings will be fixed by the co-chairs."

3. How does the Ozone Secretariat support the functioning of the TEAP?

TOR 3.2.2 

"The Ozone Secretariat should attend the meetings of the TEAP whenever possible and appropriate to provide ongoing institutional advice on administrative issues when necessary."

4. What are the operating procedures for the meetings of the TOCs?

TOR 3.2.3 

"Co-chairs of the TOCs should organize meetings in accordance with operating procedures developed by the TOCs in consultation with the Secretariat to ensure full participation of all members, sound and appropriate decision-making and record keeping. The procedures should be updated periodically and made available to the parties."

In Decision XXIV/8, para. 3, the TEAP and its TOCs were requested to make available to the parties their standard operating procedures (SOPs). In response, the Panel set out in in Annexes 3, 4 and 5 of Volume 3 of its May 2013 Report operating procedures with respect to the following issues:

• Meeting functioning and logistics
• Consensus
• Strong Opinion (Bias) and Conflict of Interest

5. What are the applicable rules of procedures?

TOR 3.3 

"The rules of procedure of the Montreal Protocol for committees and working groups will be followed in conducting the meetings of the TEAP/TOCs/TSBs, unless otherwise stated in these terms of reference for TEAP/TOCs/TSBs or other decisions approved by a Meeting of the Parties."

6. Can observers attend the meetings?

TOR 3.4 

“No observers will be permitted at TEAP, TOC or TSB meetings. However, anyone can present information to the TEAP/TOCs/TSBs with prior notice and can be heard personally if the TEAP/TOCs/TSBs consider it necessary.”

7. How do TEAP/TOC/TSB members function?

TOR 3.5 

“The TEAP/TOCs/TSBs members function on a personal basis as experts, irrespective of the source of their nominations and accept no instruction from, nor function as representatives of Governments, industries, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or other organizations.”

2. Who can access TEAP materials and draft reports?

TOR 4.2

"Access to materials and drafts considered by the TEAP/TOCs/TSBs will be available only to TEAP/TOCs members or others designated by TEAP/TOCs/TSBs."

3. How are TOC and TSB final reports reviewed by the TEAP and communicated to the parties?

TOR 4.3

"The final reports of TOCs and TSBs will be reviewed by the TEAP and will be forwarded, without modification (other than editorial or factual corrections which have been agreed with the co‑chairs of the relevant TOC or TSB) by TEAP to the Meeting of the Parties, together with any comments TEAP may wish to provide. Any factual errors in the reports may be rectified through a corrigendum following publication, upon receipt by TEAP or the TOC of supporting documentation."

4. Can the public provide comments to the final reports?

TOR 4.4

"Any member of the public can comment to the co-chairs of the TOCs and TSBs with regard to their reports and they must respond as early as possible. If there is no response, these comments can be sent to the TEAP co-chairs for consideration by TEAP."

2. How should members carry out their duties?

TOR 5.3-5.4 

3. "
   In carrying out their duties, members shall:
   1. Perform their official duties and arrange their private affairs in such a manner that public confidence and trust in the integrity, objectivity and impartiality of TEAP, the TOCs and the TSBs are conserved and enhanced;
   2. Act in a manner that will bear the closest public scrutiny, an obligation that is not fully discharged by simply acting within the law of any country;
   3. Act in good faith for the best interest of the process;
   4. Exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances;
   5. Not give preferential treatment to anyone or any interest in any official manner related to TEAP, the TOCs or the TSBs;
   6. Not solicit or accept significant gifts, hospitality or other benefits from persons, groups or organizations having or likely to have dealings with TEAP, the TOCs or the TSBs;
   7. Not accept transfers of economic benefit, other than incidental gifts, customary hospitality or other benefits of nominal value, unless the transfer is pursuant to an enforceable contract or property right of the member;
   8. Not represent or assist any outside interest in dealings before TEAP, the TOCs or the TSBs;
   9. Not knowingly take advantage of, or benefit from, information that is obtained in the course of their duties and responsibilities as a member of TEAP, the TOCs and the TSBs, and that is not generally available to the public; and
   10. Not act, after their term of office as members of TEAP, the TOCs or the TSBs in such a manner as to take improper advantage of their previous office.
4. To avoid the possibility or appearance that members of TEAP, the TOCs or the TSBs might receive preferential treatment, members shall not seek preferential treatment for themselves or third parties or act as paid intermediaries for third parties in dealings with TEAP, the TOCs or the TSBs."

2. What are the Disclosure procedures?

TOR 6.8-6.11 

8. "
   Members are to disclose annually any potential conflicts of interest. They must also disclose the source of any funding for their participation in the work of the TEAP, TOC and/or TSB. An illustrative list of other interests that should be disclosed is provided in Annex A to these Guidelines.
9. Members are to disclose any material change to previously submitted information within 30 days of any such change.
10. Notwithstanding paragraphs 8 and 9, a member may decline to disclose information related to activities, interests and funding where its disclosure would adversely and materially affect:
    1. Defense, national security or imminent public safety;
    2. The course of justice in prospective or current court cases;
    3. The ability to assign future intellectual property rights; or
    4. The confidentiality of commercial, government, or industrial information.
11. Members who decline to disclose information under paragraph 10 must declare that they are doing so in their disclosure of interest under paragraphs 8 or 9 and must be completely excluded from discussions and decisions on related topics."

3. What is a conflict of interest?

TOR 6.1 (a)

1. "
   For the purposes of these Guidelines:
   1. Conflict of interest” means any current interest of a member, or of that member’s personal partner or dependant which, in the opinion of a reasonable person does or appears to:
      1. Significantly impair that individual’s objectivity in carrying out their duties and responsibilities for TEAP, the TOC or the TSB; or
      2. Create an unfair advantage for any person or organization;"

4. What are the Conflict of Interest procedures?

TOR 6.12-6.19

12. "
    A member’s strong opinion (sometimes referred to as bias), or particular perspective, regarding a particular issue or set of issues does not create a conflict of interest. It is expected that the TEAP, TOCs and TSBs will include members with different perspectives and affiliations, which should be balanced so far as possible.
13. These Guidelines apply only to current conflicts of interest. They do not apply to past interests that have expired, no longer exist and cannot reasonably affect current assessment. Nor do they apply to possible interests that may arise in the future but that do not currently exist, as such interests are inherently speculative and uncertain. For example, a pending application for a particular job is a current interest, but the mere possibility that one might apply for such a job in the future is not a conflict of interest.

Procedures

14. All of the bodies involved in advising on and deciding conflict of interest issues under these Guidelines should consult the relevant member where the body has concerns about a potential conflict of interest and/or where it requires clarification of any matters arising out of a member’s disclosure. Such bodies should ensure that the relevant individuals and, where appropriate, the nominating Party, have an opportunity to discuss any concerns about a potential conflict of interest.
15. In the event that an issue regarding a potential conflict of interest arises, the relevant member and co-chairs should attempt to resolve the issue through consultations, including consultations with the advisory body. If the consultations reach an impasse, TEAP could request the Executive Secretary to select an outside mediator to assist in resolving the matter. The mediator should not be a member and should not otherwise have any current affiliation with the relevant individuals, bodies or issues.
16. At any point, the conflict resolution advisory body may be consulted by members or potential members regarding issues related to:
    1. Member disclosures;
    2. Potential conflicts of interest or other ethics issues; or
    3. Potential recusal of members.
17. The conflict resolution advisory body must promptly inform a member if it has been asked to advise on an issue regarding the member. Any information provided to and any advice provided by the conflict resolution advisory body will be considered confidential and will not be used for any purpose other than consideration of conflict of interest issues under these Guidelines without the express consent of the individual providing the information or requesting the advice, as appropriate.
18. If an issue under these Guidelines cannot be resolved through the procedures in paragraphs 14 through 17:
    1. A TEAP member, including TEAP and TOC co-chairs, may be recused from a defined area of work only by a three-fourths majority of TEAP (excluding the individual whose recusal is at issue).
    2. A TOC or TSB member, excluding TEAP and TOC co-chairs, may be recused from a defined area of work by the co-chairs of the relevant TOC or, upon appeal, by a three-fourths majority of TEAP.
19. In the event of the procedure under the previous paragraph taking place, the Member whose recusal is at issue may not participate. In the event that the matter is brought to the TEAP consistent with paragraph 18, the Member whose recusal is under discussion, should be excluded from those discussions."

5. What types of interests should be disclosed?

Annex to the terms of reference

"The following is an illustrative list of the types of interests that should be disclosed:

1. A current proprietary interest of a member or his/her personal partner or dependent in a substance, technology or process (e.g., ownership of a patent) to be considered by the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel or any of its technical options committees or temporary subsidiary bodies;
2. A current financial interest of a member or his/her personal partner or dependent, e.g., shares or bonds in an entity with an interest in the subject matter of the meeting or work (but not shareholdings through general mutual funds or similar arrangements where the expert has no control over the selection of shares);
3. A current employment, consultancy, directorship or other position held by a Member or his/her personal partner or dependent, whether or not paid, in any entity which has an interest in the subject matter of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel. This element of disclosure also includes paid consultancy efforts performed on behalf of an implementing agency to assist developing countries to adopt alternatives;
4. The provision of advice on significant issues to a government with respect to its implementation of the Montreal Protocol or engaging in the development of significant policy positions of a government for a Montreal Protocol meeting.

Performance of any paid research activities or receipt of any fellowships or grants for work related to a proposed use of an ozone-depleting substance or an alternative to a proposed use of an ozone depleting substance;"

6. What is recusal?

TOR 6.1 (c)

1. "
   For the purposes of these Guidelines:
   1. (c)“Recusal” means that a member does not participate in particular elements of TEAP, TOC or TSB work because of a conflict of interest;"

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

7. What are the recusal procedures?

TOR 6.20-6.21

20. "
    When a conflict of interest is determined to exist with respect to a particular Member, the Member should, depending on what is appropriate in the circumstances, be:
    1. Excluded from decision-making and discussions related to a defined area of work;
    2. Excluded from decision-making but may participate in discussions related to a defined area of work; or
    3. Excluded from participation in the matter in any other manner deemed appropriate.
21. A Member who is recused completely or partially from an area of work may nevertheless answer questions with respect to that work at the request of the TEAP, TOC or TSB."

8. How does an appointed “Conflict resolution advisory body” operate?

TOR 6.22 

"The conflict resolution advisory body is not envisioned as a body that will meet on any regular basis but will come together, physically or virtually, as needed to provide advice to members or potential members and assist with resolving issues. It shall consist of Co-Chairs of the Open-Ended Working Group and the President of the Bureau of the Meeting of the Parties, with the Ozone Secretariat providing logistical, technical legal and administrative support and advice to the body. No additional travel support or other financial support will be provided to members serving on the body."

2. How can the TEAP reports can be accessed?

The TEAP reports can be found on the Ozone Secretariat website, both on the TEAP portal and the portal of the meetings those reports are considered at. An interactive tool on TEAP reports expected to be produced until 2030, is also available on the Secretariat’s website.

2. What kind of issues are addressed in the annual TEAP progress report?

Typically, the annual TEAP progress reports include:

• Progress reports by the TOCs;
• Response to parties’ requests included in various decisions (if TEAP does not deem appropriate to present its response in separate reports);
• Any significant developments in response to decision IV/13 and several subsequent decisions;
• Organizational matters including information on TEAP membership and current and needed expertise; and
• Any other matters TEAP wishes to bring to the attention of the parties.

3. When does the TEAP progress report becomes available to the parties?

The TEAP progress report is normally finalized in May or June each year, together with other additional reports requested by parties for the consideration of the OEWG, which normally meets in June or July each year. The Secretariat posts the report both on the TEAP portal and the portal of the OEWG meeting. If issues addressed in the progress report are due for consideration at the annual MOP towards the end of the year, the progress report is also posted on the portal of that meeting.