Introduction

This chapter contains reports on the theoretical role and practical operation of research ethics committees (RECs) and in particular the impact of relevant international and national instruments on this area. The reports were prepared for the workshop of the EC-funded 5 Framework Programme concerted action project, 'Privacy in Research Ethics and Law' (PRIVIREAL), which took place at the University of Helsinki. The companion volume contains keynote papers given at the second workshop and a review of the operation of RECs in the different states, looking at the relevant regulation on the area, with a particular focus on data protection. The primary source of data is reports by experts in the partner countries. To assist with the second and third phases of the project, there was a questionnaire for RECs that could be completed on-line in English, French or German. The purpose of the third workshop was to discuss and prepare recommendations for the European Commission.