April 2002	DGIV/EDU/LANG (2000) 26 rev. 2

EUROPEAN LANGUAGE PORTFOLIO (ELP)

RULES FOR THE ACCREDITATION OF ELP MODELS

Language Policy Division
Strasbourg

RULES FOR THE ACCREDITATION OF ELP MODELS

Chair of the committee:	The Validation Committee will have a chair and vice chair.
	The chair calls the meetings and sets the agenda.
	The chair holds the casting vote.
If deemed necessary the chair or three members of the committee can ask for a meeting to take place.

Secretariat of the committee:	The Language Policy Division of the CoE will be the Secretariat of the Validation Committee.

Bureau of the committee:	A bureau (up to 4 members) can prepare decisions related to applications for accreditation, ensure that guidance is given when requested and ensure continuity between meetings.

Working methods	The Committee may decide, if necessary and on the initiative of the Chair, that written procedure is to be applied. 

Voting procedures:	There shall be a quorum if two thirds of the members of the Committee entitled to vote are present. Are considered present those who replied to the written procedure.

	Decisions will be taken on majority vote among the members of the committee.

	In the case of equality of votes the chair will have the casting vote.
	
Time frames:	Invitation to meetings will be issued at least 15 calendar days before a meeting.
	Applications for accreditation, guidance or any other relevant documents will normally be made available to the members of the Committee and the nominated consultants at least six weeks prior to the decision deadline. 

VALIDATION PROCEDURES	
Principles and methods:	A.	The principle of self-declaration:
	Applicants declare:
	-	the conformity of the ELP model submitted to the Principles and Guidelines, or their reasons for any proposed deviations;
	-	their commitment to the Principles and Guidelines and their reasons for any proposed deviations.
	-	their observation of the common core and any variations
		proposed; 
	-	the links to the Common European Framework of reference;
	-	the parties having an interest in the ELP model;
	-	how it will be produced and disseminated.
	B.	Information is given and received in good faith.
 	C.	A mock-up of the ELP model has to be available for examination	before accreditation is granted.
D.	the committee will (in the interest of quality and credibility of 
the ELP as a pedagogic and reporting tool) verify the conformity of form, content and intent with the Principles and Guidelines.
It will use its discretion in forming an opinion on the degree of conformity to the common core needed in the specific case and to the acceptability of the variations proposed.
Where judged necessary, it will ask for further information and provide guidance before taking a decision.
E.	The committee will consider the advice of national committees or other relevant bodies.
Several ELP models may be accredited, even when target groups overlap.
The committee will endeavour to foster co-operation between developers with a view to avoiding the undue proliferation of ELP models.
The advice of national and regional educational authorities on ELP models for the school sectors is taken into account.
F.	The Validation Committee’s decision on accreditation will be communicated to applicants within 10 working days following the meeting.

G. The accreditation does not prejudice the rights third parties may have.
Accreditation application	The application form for the accreditation of an ELP model can be down loaded from http://culture.coe.int/portfolio or obtained from the Language Policy Division of the Council of Europe.
This form provides guidance for a self-evaluation of the proposed ELP model by the applying education authority or other body. 
The ELP is normally submitted for the opinion or advice of the national committee or competent INGO according to agreed procedures. 

The application for accreditation should reach the Validation Committee at least six weeks prior to the date of the meeting at which it will be examined.

The completed and signed form should be sent to:
The European Validation Committee
c/o The Language Policy Division
	Directorate of Education DGIV, Council of Europe
	F – 67075 Strasbourg
The application should be accompanied by a mock-up of the ELP model proposed.  Twenty copies should be attached.
	The Secretariat will acknowledge receipt of applications.
If necessary, the applicant will be asked for further information.
Application for guidance	Educational authorities or institutions undertaking to produce an ELP model may ask for guidance and a preliminary reaction from the Validation Committee at an early stage.
	A draft mock-up of the ELP model should be enclosed if available.

Accreditation confirmation 	The response to request for validation will be communicated in writing by the secretariat.
Accredited ELP models will carry an accreditation number.
All accredited ELP models will be acknowledged on the ELP web site.
The following rights are granted to accredited models:
- to use the Council of Europe Logo with the addition “European 
Language Portfolio” (© of the Council of Europe) as a design element for the accredited ELP model; 
- to use the Accreditation Stamp on the ELP model and its individual distinct parts;
- to use these logos, names and stamps in English and/or French, the official Council of Europe languages, in any other language in harmony with the language policy of the member state.
The following conditions are attached:
- the obligation to observe the agreed Principles and Guidelines when implementing and using the accredited ELP model;
- the commitment to promote as far as possible the implementation of the recommendations 
- any reasonable additional conditions judged necessary by the Validation Committee.
Duration of accreditation 	The accreditation of a specific ELP model is linked to the production, the distribution and the use of the document in question.
Any changes made to an accredited ELP model shall be submitted to the national committee, competent INGO or, if necessary, to the Validation Committee which will decide whether a new application for accreditation is necessary. In this case, the revised ELP model will bear a new accreditation model.
Withdrawal of accreditation	The accreditation can be withdrawn by the European Validation Committee in the case of abuse and/or major infringement of the Principles and Guidelines.
Finances	The expenses of the members of the European Validation Committee shall be met by the Council of Europe.
A fee may be charged for expertise and guidance. The expenses may be passed on to the applicant.
A fee may be required for the validation procedure, use of the name “European Language Portfolio” (© of the Council of Europe). Royalties may be required in the case of commercial publications. 
Applicants will be informed in advance of any financial implications.

Revision of Regulations	These Regulations and Procedures may be revised at any time by
Revision of Procedures 	the Validation Committee with the consent of the Steering Group for Education.

Strasbourg, 10 April 2002