The ECDC Founding Regulation states that ECDC in its relations with the Member States cooperates with the competent bodies operating in the technical field of ECDC, in particular in the area of surveillance (article 3, paragraph 2), responses to health threats (article 4), scientific opinions, scientific and technical assistance, collection of data and identification of emerging health threats (article 5, paragraph 4) and public information campaigns (article 12, paragraph 3).

Based on the Founding Regulation, a list of Competent Bodies designated by the Member States governments was compiled by the ECDC Management Board in December 2007.

In November 2010, the Management Board decided to designate one Competent Body in each Member State to coordinate all official relations between ECDC and the Member States. The “Coordinating Competent Body” (CCB) will constitute the connection between ECDC and its scientific and technical counterparts in the Member States. This new approach will focus on more transparency, efficiency and simplicity in the relations between ECDC and the Member States in the years to come.

The list of CCBs was compiled and submitted to the ECDC Management Board in November 2011. The CCBs have identified a National Coordinator for all relations with ECDC.