The European Parliament adopted a decision on the procedure with associated committees and referral back to committee in the event of rejection of a Commission proposal (interpretation of Rules 50 and 56 of Parliament's Rules of Procedure).

Parliament decided to append the interpretation of the following rules:

Interpretation of Rule 50

“The Conference of Presidents' decision to apply the procedure with associated committees applies at all stages of the procedure in question.

The rights attaching to the status of “committee responsible” are exercised by the lead committee. In exercising those rights, the lead committee must take due account of the prerogatives of the associated committee, and in particular must comply with the obligation to observe the principle of sincere cooperation as regards the timetable and respect the right of the associated committee to determine the amendments submitted in plenary which fall within its exclusive competence.

Should the lead committee disregard the prerogatives of the associated committee, decisions taken by the former remain valid but the latter may table amendments directly in plenary, within the limits of its exclusive competence”.

Interpretation of Rule 56(3)

“Following a referral back to committee pursuant to Rule 56(3), the lead committee must, before taking a decision on the procedure to be followed, allow an associated committee, as provided for in Rule 50, to make choices as to the amendments which fall within its exclusive competence, and in particular to choose which amendments are to be resubmitted in plenary.

The time-limit laid down in the second subparagraph of paragraph 3 applies to the tabling in writing, or the oral presentation, of the report of the committee responsible. It does not apply to Parliament's decision as to the appropriate juncture at which to continue consideration of the procedure in question”.

T7-0060/2011

The Committee on Constitutional Affairs, which had been consulted on the application of Rules 56 and 50, provided the following interpretations on those provisions: " Interpretation of Rule 56 Following a referral back to committee under Rule 56(3), the committee responsible, prior to adopting its decision on the procedure, must allow a committee associated under Rule 50 to make its choice as to which amendments are its exclusive competence, including the choice of the amendments that are to be resubmitted to Parliament. The time limit set in the second subparagraph of paragraph 3 applied to the submission, orally or in writing, of the report by the committee responsible. It did not affect Parliament's decision as to when consideration of the procedure in question should recommence. Interpretation of Rule 50 The decision by the Conference of Presidents to apply the associated committee procedure applied at all stages of the procedure in question. The committee responsible could exercise the entitlements arising from its status as 'lead committee'. In exercising those entitlements it had to respect the prerogatives of the associated committee, including the requirement to cooperate fairly with regard to timing and the right of the associated committee to decide on the amendments to be submitted to Parliament in fields that were its exclusive competence. In the event of the committee responsible not recognising the prerogatives of the associated committee, the decisions taken by the former would remain valid, but the latter could directly submit amendments to Parliament, within the bounds of its exclusive competence."