Q1. What is XBRL Europe?
XBRL Europe is founded as an international non-profit association based in Brussels under Belgian law in accordance with the Law of 27 June 1921 on Non-Profit Associations, International Non-Profit Associations and Foundations.
Q2. What are its objectives?
The organisation’s objectives are as follow:
• To promote a platform for the creation and exchange of business and financial information including the development and maintenance of XBRL.
• To promote and support the standardisation of electronic financial and business information within Europe.
• To foster the reduction of the regulatory burden by taking advantage of the XBRL standard.
• To support its members in communication, dialogue, representation and co-operation in matters of a European nature to the benefit of the members and the XBRL standard.
• To support European regional XBRL projects to ensure collaboration enhancing consistency.
• To develop European XBRL Taxonomies and contribute to the harmonization of national implementations, with special focus on cross-border companies and institutions.
• To promote and contribute to the development of new and existing European XBRL members.
• To identify and resource fund opportunities to achieve its aims.
• To support all other activities within Europe to the advancement of the XBRL standard.
Q3. Who are the founding members?
The founding members of XBRL Europe are XBRL France, XBRL Spain, XBRL Ireland, XBRL Belgium, XBRL International.
Q4. Who can become a member?
Established Jurisdictions of XBRL International (the list of Established Jurisdictions is maintained by XBRL International), provisional jurisdictions of XBRL International (the list of Provisional Jurisdictions is maintained by XBRL International), any public or private entity, interest group or individual of which the registered office, principal place of business, or headquarters is located in Europe, or an association composed of public or private entities, can become a Direct Association Member of XBRL Europe.
Q5. How does my organisation apply for membership?
Applications for membership should be submitted by registered letter to the Secretarial office. The Secretarial office will forward such applications to the Chairman. As an initial step, please contact XBRL International tonyf@mail.xbrl.org to express an interest in becoming a member of XBRL Europe.
Q6. What is the governance structure of XBRL Europe?
The official bodies of the Association are:
• the General Assembly;
• the Chairmanship;
• the Executive Committee.
Q7. Who are the Chairperson and Executive Committee members?
The XBRL Europe Working Group , working under the auspices of XBRL International Board of Directors has made the following appointments to the Acting Office of Chair and the Acting Office of Executive Committee- Conor O’Kelly, 1st Vice Chair XBRL International is Chairperson (Acting) of XBRL Europe. The Executive Committee consists of Conor O’Kelly (Chair, Acting), Tony Fragnito (Acting), and Jean-Luc Menda (Acting)
Q8. When will a permanent Chair and Executive Committee be appointed?
The timeline and calendar for the appointment of permanent Chair and Executive Committee seats will be announced at the 17th XBRL International Conference on Monday 5th May 2008 at Eindhoven.
Q9. How will XBRL Europe be staffed?
The XBRL Europe Executive Committee are currently recruiting a Secretary General for the organisation. The appointment will be made and announced on or before the 17th XBRL International Conference at Eindhoven.
Q10. How is XBRL Funded?
For the first two years XBRL Europe is funded jointly by the European member jurisdictions and XBRL International. A portion of the anticipated surplus from the 17th XBRL International Conference will be applied to fund XBRL Europe operating expenses.
Q11. When is the first general meeting of members?
The timeline and calendar for the inaugural General Assembly of Members will be announced at the 17th XBRL International Conference.
Q12. What are the key decisions that will be taken at the inaugural General Assembly of Members?
The acting Chair and Executive Committee members will retire to allow for permanent Chair and Executive Committee appointments and new Jurisdiction and other members will be admitted.
Q13. What is the background to the formation of XBRL Europe?
In 2007 the XBRL International Executive Committee sponsored due diligence leading to the establishment of XBRL Europe so as to present a consistent presence across all 27 member states in EU decision making and member representation. The XBRL International Working Group who worked on this were Conor O’Kelly (XBRL 1st Vice Chair), Tony Fragnito (CEO XBRL International), Chris Rodgers (XBRL UK), Jean-Luc Menda (XBRL France), Luc Dufresne (XBRL Belgium), Camille Dumm (XBRL Belgium), Ignacio Boxio (XBRL Spain), Kurt Ramin (IASCF)
Q14. Where can I get more information on XBRL Europe?
Information will be posted to http://www.xbrl-org/eu
Q15. Where can I learn more about the governance of XBRL-Europe?
The draft Bylaws of XBRL Europe are available at http://www.xbrl.org/eu/frontend.aspx?clk=SLK&val=50
Q16. When does the incorporation of XBRL Europe become effective?
The Belgian Law under which XBRL Europe has been incorporated gives legal status to XBRL-Europe through the publication in the official gazette. Six months after the publication of the bylaws and notices in the Official Gazette, these are considered as the effective documents of XBRL Europe.
Q17. Can I become a member of XBRL Europe in the interim?
Yes- organisations can apply for membership immediately.
Q18. Who can I talk to more about XBRL Europe?
A series of information sessions are being booked with XBRL ISC and Jurisdiction Members in advance of the Eindhoven Conference where you can ask more questions. These will be publicised through the ISC and INT mailing lists. A round table of EU jurisdictions is scheduled for 09:30-11:00 am Monday May 5th at the Jupiter Room at the Eindhoven Conference
Q19. Where can I find out more about the membership structure of XBRL Europe?
The Bylaws posted on http://www.xbrl.org/eu contain details about member voting rights and member benefits.
Q20. Is XBRL Europe a member of XBRL International?
No- XBRL Europe is neither a jurisdiction nor a direct member of XII. It is its own autonomous legal entity. XBRL Europe does not have a seat on the International Steering Committee (ISC) of XII nor does it have its own voting rights at XII.
Q21. Is XBRL International a member of XBRL Europe?
Yes- XBRL International is a founding member of XBRL Europe and has voting rights in XBRL Europe.
Q22. Are the European jurisdictions of XBRL International members of XBRL Europe?
XBRL International jurisdictions are not automatic members of XBRL Europe. They are eligible for membership upon submission of an application to XBRL Europe and upon satisfaction of the entry criteria set out in the XBRL Europe bylaws. However, the definition of a jurisdiction and the list of jurisdictions is maintained by XBRL International.
Q23. Is there a change in how the interests of European members of XII are represented at XII?
The establishment of XBRL Europe does not have any impact on the existing rights or representation of members, (jurisdictions or direct), European or otherwise, at XBRL International. Existing International Steering Committee and Board Members at XII will keep their places and the interests of individual members will still be represented at XII ISC as normal. The establishment of XBRL Europe allows the XII ISC to continue to focus on developing the XBRL specification and supporting members’interests worldwide whilst giving the European members a separate vehicle and forum to support projects and members at a regional European level.
Q24. Will XBRL Europe have a role in the development of the XBRL specification?
It is not envisaged that XBRL Europe will develop the XBRL specification. The development of the specification will remain with XBRL International under the auspices of the XBRL Standard Board (XSB) and the XBRL Best Practices Board.
Q25. Can members of XBRL Europe participate in XBRL International?
Jurisdiction membership of XBRL Europe does not affect the rights and obligations of members of XBRL International to participate in XBRL International.
Q26. Para 2.1 of the Draft Bylaws of XBRL Europe dated 2008-03-18 indicate that XBRL Europe will promote a platform for the development of the XBRL Specification. Is this at odds with Q24 above?
No- XBRL Europe and XBRL International will work collaboratively for the benefit of XBRL. The ownership of the XBRL Specification and development and maintenance thereof remains with XBRL International, the XBRL Standards Board (XSB) and working groups of XBRL International.
Q27. Will Full and Provisional Jurisdictions pay equal dues to XBRL Europe ?
It is not envisaged that provisional jurisdictions will contribute dues equally to full jurisdictions.
Q28. Why does para 3.7 of the XBRL Europe Bylaws consider Europe as a geographic concept and not simply the 27 member states of the European Union?
The main objective of XBRL Europe is to support development and adoption of XBRL within the European Union. The concept of “Europe” was broadened as to include nations that are not members of the European Union (eg Switzerland, Norway) so as to foster co-operation and adoption within these states.