Article 41 2.

For the purposes of Article 17, and without prejudice to the role of the committee referred to in Article 9a(7), the Chairperson shall propose a decision to convene an independent panel, to be adopted by the Board of Supervisors. The independent panel shall consist of the Chairperson and six other members, to be proposed by the Chairperson after consulting the Management Board and following an open call for participation. The six other members shall not be representatives of the competent authority alleged to have breached Union law and shall not have any interest in the matter or direct links to the competent authority concerned.