Laid down by Order in Council on the 17th of November 2000.
1. Objectives
The Norwegian Board of Technology is to be an independent consultative office for technology assessment. The Norwegian Board of Technology will work in the interface of technology and society, and contribute to further a human- and environmentally friendly technological development. The Board will assess technological challenges and the possibilities of new technology in all fields of society, stimulate public debate on technology and outline measures regarding technology management.
2. Tasks
The tasks of The Norwegian Board of Technology are as follows:
1) Identify and analyse major technological challenges and aim to further a humane and sustainable technological development.
2) Monitor international trends, developments and activities within technology assessment and technological foresight.
3) Actively stimulate public debate on technology related issues and thereby raise public awareness concerning the impacts and options of technology.
4) Initiate reports and holistic assessments of the potential benefits and consequences of specific technologies for both individual citizens and the society at large.
5) Communicate the results of its work to the Parliament, governmental authorities and the wider society.
The Board chooses its own approaches to the problems and decides on which working and assessment methods they should be based. Emphasis should be put on assessment methods that directly involve the opinions of lay people.
The Board shall cooperate with other bodies working on similar tasks and find an adequate division of work.
The Board shall keep abreast of international developments in the technology field, and contribute to Norway becoming aware of and making decisions on new technological challenges.
3. Appointment and composition
The Norwegian Board of Technology is to be appointed by Royal resolution for a period of up to four years at a time, with the possibility of one reappointment. The appointment takes place on a free basis. Any interested parties may make proposals.
The Board shall have 15 ordinary members. It shall be composed of persons with broad insight into relevant technologies, creative activity and social issues.
The chairman shall be appointed by Royal resolution. The Board itself will choose its Deputy Chairman from among its members.
If individual members withdraw from the Board during their term of office, The Ministry of Trade and Industry may appoint new members for the rest of the term.
The Board itself will determine its rules of procedure.
4. The Secretariat
The Norwegian Board of Technology shall have its own independent secretariat.
5. Reporting
The Norwegian Board of Technology will be expected to make a yearly report to The Ministry of Trade and Industry. This report will be distributed to a wide range of bodies and organisations.
6. Regulations
The regulations of The Norwegian Board of Technology are laid down once a year by Order in Council. Proposals for alterations of the regulations are to be submitted to the Board for its opinion.