# C_2018238EN.01041001.xml

| 6.7.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 238/410 |
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6.7.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 238/410

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P8_TA(2016)0501

Research programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel *

European Parliament legislative resolution of 14 December 2016 on the proposal for a Council decision amending Decision 2008/376/EC on the adoption of the Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel and on the multiannual technical guidelines for this programme (COM(2016)0075 — C8-0099/2016 — 2016/0047(NLE))

(Consultation)

(2018/C 238/31)

The European Parliament,

The European Parliament

| — | having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2016)0075), |
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—

having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2016)0075),

| — | having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, |
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—

having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

| — | having regard to the second paragraph of Article 2 of Protocol No 37 on the financial consequences of the expiry of the ECSC Treaty and on the Research Fund for Coal and Steel, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C8-0099/2016), |
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—

having regard to the second paragraph of Article 2 of Protocol No 37 on the financial consequences of the expiry of the ECSC Treaty and on the Research Fund for Coal and Steel, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C8-0099/2016),

| — | having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure, |
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—

having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (A8-0358/2016), |
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—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (A8-0358/2016),

| 1. | Approves the Commission proposal as amended; |
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1.

Approves the Commission proposal as amended;

| 2. | Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, in accordance with Article 293(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 106a of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community; |
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2.

Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, in accordance with Article 293(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 106a of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community;

| 3. | Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament; |
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3.

Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

| 4. | Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to substantially amend the Commission proposal; |
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4.

Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to substantially amend the Commission proposal;

| 5. | Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and the Commission. |
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5.

Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and the Commission.

Amendment 1

Amendment 1

Proposal for a decision

Proposal for a decision

Recital 3

Recital 3

| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| --- | --- |
| (3) | It is necessary to revise the rules on the competencies and on the composition of the Advisory Groups and of the Technical Groups, notably as regards the nature of the experts appointed by the Commission to ensure increased transparency as well as compliance and coherence with the framework for Commission expert groups, and contribute, as far as possible, to a balanced representation of relevant areas of expertise and areas of interest as well as to an optimal gender balance. |

Text proposed by the Commission

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Amendment

(3)

It is necessary to revise the rules on the competencies and on the composition of the Advisory Groups and of the Technical Groups, notably as regards the nature of the experts appointed by the Commission to ensure increased transparency as well as compliance and coherence with the framework for Commission expert groups, and contribute, as far as possible, to a balanced representation of relevant areas of expertise and areas of interest as well as to an optimal gender balance.

| (3) | It is necessary to revise the rules on the competencies and on the composition of the Advisory Groups and of the Technical Groups
  to make the relevant stakeholders aware of the deliberations in these groups
  , notably as regards the nature of
  and influence exerted by
  the experts appointed by the Commission, to ensure increased transparency as well as compliance and coherence with the framework for
  the
  Commission expert groups, and
  to
  contribute, as far as possible, to a balanced representation of relevant areas of expertise and areas of interest as well as to an optimal gender balance.
  It is, however, necessary to respect the Commission’s decision of 30 May 2016 on establishing horizontal rules on the creation and operation of Commission expert groups and a European Parliament resolution on the control of the register and composition of the Commission’s expert groups. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

It is necessary to revise the rules on the competencies and on the composition of the Advisory Groups and of the Technical Groups
  to make the relevant stakeholders aware of the deliberations in these groups
  , notably as regards the nature of
  and influence exerted by
  the experts appointed by the Commission, to ensure increased transparency as well as compliance and coherence with the framework for
  the
  Commission expert groups, and
  to
  contribute, as far as possible, to a balanced representation of relevant areas of expertise and areas of interest as well as to an optimal gender balance.
  It is, however, necessary to respect the Commission’s decision of 30 May 2016 on establishing horizontal rules on the creation and operation of Commission expert groups and a European Parliament resolution on the control of the register and composition of the Commission’s expert groups.

to make the relevant stakeholders aware of the deliberations in these groups

and influence exerted by

the

to

It is, however, necessary to respect the Commission’s decision of 30 May 2016 on establishing horizontal rules on the creation and operation of Commission expert groups and a European Parliament resolution on the control of the register and composition of the Commission’s expert groups.

Amendment 2

Amendment 2

Proposal for a decision

Proposal for a decision

Recital 4

Recital 4

| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| --- | --- |
| (4) | It is appropriate to
  consider simpler funding rules to ease the
  participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in the RFCS Programme and to permit the use of ‘unit costs’ to calculate eligible staff costs for SME owners and other natural persons not receiving a salary. |

Text proposed by the Commission

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Amendment

(4)

It is appropriate to
  consider simpler funding rules to ease the
  participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in the RFCS Programme and to permit the use of ‘unit costs’ to calculate eligible staff costs for SME owners and other natural persons not receiving a salary.

consider simpler funding rules to ease the

| (4) | It is appropriate to
  support the overall
  participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in the RFCS Programme
  by, inter alia, simplifying the rules
  and to permit the use of ‘unit costs’ to calculate eligible staff costs for SME owners and other natural persons not receiving a salary. |
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(4)

It is appropriate to
  support the overall
  participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in the RFCS Programme
  by, inter alia, simplifying the rules
  and to permit the use of ‘unit costs’ to calculate eligible staff costs for SME owners and other natural persons not receiving a salary.

support the overall

by, inter alia, simplifying the rules

Amendment 3

Amendment 3

Proposal for a decision

Proposal for a decision

Recital 5 a new

Recital 5 a new

| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| --- | --- |
| | (5a) | The coal and steel sectors are important in the process of European integration and have a key role in the Union's overall industrial landscape. At the same time, the working conditions in those sectors are demanding and have often resulted in damage to the health of workers and citizens. Installations and companies should therefore respect all legal requirements on social responsibility, bring definitive solutions, and minimise the social implications of transition or closure of installations. The social partners need to be consulted to the extent possible on issues relating to social responsibility. |

Text proposed by the Commission

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Amendment

(5a)

(5a)

The coal and steel sectors are important in the process of European integration and have a key role in the Union's overall industrial landscape. At the same time, the working conditions in those sectors are demanding and have often resulted in damage to the health of workers and citizens. Installations and companies should therefore respect all legal requirements on social responsibility, bring definitive solutions, and minimise the social implications of transition or closure of installations. The social partners need to be consulted to the extent possible on issues relating to social responsibility.

The coal and steel sectors are important in the process of European integration and have a key role in the Union's overall industrial landscape. At the same time, the working conditions in those sectors are demanding and have often resulted in damage to the health of workers and citizens. Installations and companies should therefore respect all legal requirements on social responsibility, bring definitive solutions, and minimise the social implications of transition or closure of installations. The social partners need to be consulted to the extent possible on issues relating to social responsibility.

Amendment 16

Amendment 16

Proposal for a decision

Proposal for a decision

Article 1 — point - 1 (new)

Article 1 — point - 1 (new)

Decision 2008/376/EC

Article 3 — point 1 — point g

| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| --- | --- |
| | (-1) | Point (g) of point 1 of Article 3 is deleted; |

Text proposed by the Commission

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Amendment

(-1)

(-1)

Point (g) of point 1 of Article 3 is deleted;

Amendment 4

Amendment 4

Proposal for a decision

Proposal for a decision

Article 1 — point - 1 a (new)

Article 1 — point - 1 a (new)

Decision 2008/376/EC

Article 6 — paragraph 2 — point g a (new)

| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| --- | --- |
| | (-1a) | In Article 6(2), the following point is added:









  ‘(ga) | the impact on the employment of workers and on the local community of mining operations;’ |

Text proposed by the Commission

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Amendment

(-1a)

(-1a)

In Article 6(2), the following point is added:

‘(ga)

‘(ga)

the impact on the employment of workers and on the local community of mining operations;’

the impact on the employment of workers and on the local community of mining operations;’

Amendment 5

Amendment 5

Proposal for a decision

Proposal for a decision

Article 1 — point - 1 b (new)

Article 1 — point - 1 b (new)

Decision 2008/376/EC

Article 6 — paragraph 2 — point g b (new)

| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| --- | --- |
| | (-1b) | In Article 6(2), the following point is added:









  ‘(gb) | the impact on the health and safety of workers and of the local community of mining operations.’ |

Text proposed by the Commission

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Amendment

(-1b)

(-1b)

In Article 6(2), the following point is added:

‘(gb)

‘(gb)

the impact on the health and safety of workers and of the local community of mining operations.’

the impact on the health and safety of workers and of the local community of mining operations.’

Amendment 20

Amendment 20

Proposal for a decision

Proposal for a decision

Article 1 — point - 1 c (new)

Article 1 — point - 1 c (new)

Decision 2008/376/EC

Article 8 — introductory part

| Present text | Amendment |
| --- | --- |
| | (-1c) | In Article 8, the introductory part is replaced by the following: |

Present text

Present text

Amendment

Amendment

(-1c)

(-1c)

In Article 8, the introductory part is replaced by the following:

‘Research and technological development (RTD) shall aim toimprove steel production processes with a view to enhancing product quality and increasing productivity. Reducing emissions, energy consumption and the environmental impact as well as enhancing the use of raw materials and the conservation of resources shall form an integral part of the improvements sought. Research projects shall address one or more of the following areas:’

‘Research and technological development (RTD) shall aim to improve steel production processes with a view to enhancing product quality and increasing productivity. Reducing emissions, energy consumption and the environmental impact as well as enhancing the use of raw materials and the conservation of resources shall form an integral part of the improvements sought. Research projects shall address
  ground-breaking technologies in
  one or more of the following areas:’

Amendment 6

Amendment 6

Proposal for a decision

Proposal for a decision

Article 1 — point 1

Article 1 — point 1

Decision 2008/376/EC

Article 21 — point i a (new)

| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| --- | --- |
| | (ia) | assessment of finalised projects of coal and steel production in the areas concerned; |

Text proposed by the Commission

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Amendment

(ia)

(ia)

assessment of finalised projects of coal and steel production in the areas concerned;

assessment of finalised projects of coal and steel production in the areas concerned;

Amendment 7

Amendment 7

Proposal for a decision

Proposal for a decision

Article 1 — point 2

Article 1 — point 2

Decision 2008/376/EC

Article 22 — paragraph 1 — subparagraph 1

| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| --- | --- |
| Each Advisory Group shall be composed in accordance with the tables set out in the Annex. Members of the Advisory Groups shall be individuals appointed by the Director General of Directorate General for Research and Innovation to represent a common interest shared by stakeholders. They shall not represent an individual stakeholder, but shall express an opinion common to the different stakeholder organisations. | Each Advisory Group shall be composed in accordance with the tables set out in the Annex. Members of the Advisory Groups shall be individuals appointed by the Director General of
  the Commission’s
  Directorate General for Research and Innovation to represent a common interest shared by stakeholders. They shall
  act individually and shall
  not represent an individual stakeholder, but shall express an opinion common to the different stakeholder organisations. |

Text proposed by the Commission

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Amendment

Each Advisory Group shall be composed in accordance with the tables set out in the Annex. Members of the Advisory Groups shall be individuals appointed by the Director General of Directorate General for Research and Innovation to represent a common interest shared by stakeholders. They shall not represent an individual stakeholder, but shall express an opinion common to the different stakeholder organisations.

Each Advisory Group shall be composed in accordance with the tables set out in the Annex. Members of the Advisory Groups shall be individuals appointed by the Director General of
  the Commission’s
  Directorate General for Research and Innovation to represent a common interest shared by stakeholders. They shall
  act individually and shall
  not represent an individual stakeholder, but shall express an opinion common to the different stakeholder organisations.

the Commission’s

act individually and shall

Amendment 8

Amendment 8

Proposal for a decision

Proposal for a decision

Article 1 — point 2

Article 1 — point 2

Decision 2008/376/EC

Article 22 — paragraph 2 — subparagraph 2

| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| --- | --- |
| They shall be active in the field concerned and be aware of the industrial priorities. | They shall be active in the field concerned and be aware of the industrial
  and sectoral
  priorities. |

Text proposed by the Commission

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Amendment

They shall be active in the field concerned and be aware of the industrial priorities.

They shall be active in the field concerned and be aware of the industrial
  and sectoral
  priorities.

and sectoral

Amendment 9

Amendment 9

Proposal for a decision

Proposal for a decision

Article 1 — point 3

Article 1 — point 3

Decision 2008/376/EC

Article 24 — paragraph 1 — subparagraph 2

| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| --- | --- |
| Members of the Technical Groups shall be appointed in their personal capacity by the Director General of Directorate General for Research and Innovation. | Members of the Technical Groups shall be appointed in their personal capacity by the Director General of
  the Commission’s
  Directorate General for Research and Innovation. |

Text proposed by the Commission

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Amendment

Members of the Technical Groups shall be appointed in their personal capacity by the Director General of Directorate General for Research and Innovation.

Members of the Technical Groups shall be appointed in their personal capacity by the Director General of
  the Commission’s
  Directorate General for Research and Innovation.

the Commission’s

Amendment 15

Amendment 15

Proposal for a decision

Proposal for a decision

Article 1 — point 3

Article 1 — point 3

Decision 2008/376/EC

Article 24 — paragraph 3 a (new)

| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| --- | --- |
| | 3a.
     
  The Commission is urged to provide the maximum transparency possible, including publication of the agenda, background documents, voting records and detailed minutes, including dissenting opinions in line with the recommendation of the European Ombudsman; |

Text proposed by the Commission

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Amendment

3a.
     
  The Commission is urged to provide the maximum transparency possible, including publication of the agenda, background documents, voting records and detailed minutes, including dissenting opinions in line with the recommendation of the European Ombudsman;

3a.

The Commission is urged to provide the maximum transparency possible, including publication of the agenda, background documents, voting records and detailed minutes, including dissenting opinions in line with the recommendation of the European Ombudsman;

Amendment 10

Amendment 10

Proposal for a decision

Proposal for a decision

Article 1 — point 9

Article 1 — point 9

Decision 2008/376/EC

Article 39

| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| --- | --- |
| For the appointment of independent and highly qualified experts referred to in Article 18, Article 28(2) and Article 38, the provisions set out in Article 40 of Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013 (*1) shall apply by analogy. | For the appointment of independent and highly qualified experts referred to in Article 18, Article 28(2) and Article 38, the provisions set out in Article 40 of Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013
  of the European Parliament and of the Council

   (*2) shall apply by analogy
  together with, for expert groups as a whole, the Commission Decision of 30 May 2016 on establishing horizontal rules on the creation and operation of Commission expert groups and a European Parliament resolution on control of the register and composition of the Commission’s expert groups
  . |

Text proposed by the Commission

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Amendment

For the appointment of independent and highly qualified experts referred to in Article 18, Article 28(2) and Article 38, the provisions set out in Article 40 of Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013 (*1) shall apply by analogy.

*1

For the appointment of independent and highly qualified experts referred to in Article 18, Article 28(2) and Article 38, the provisions set out in Article 40 of Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013
  of the European Parliament and of the Council

   (*2) shall apply by analogy
  together with, for expert groups as a whole, the Commission Decision of 30 May 2016 on establishing horizontal rules on the creation and operation of Commission expert groups and a European Parliament resolution on control of the register and composition of the Commission’s expert groups
  .

of the European Parliament and of the Council

*2

together with, for expert groups as a whole, the Commission Decision of 30 May 2016 on establishing horizontal rules on the creation and operation of Commission expert groups and a European Parliament resolution on control of the register and composition of the Commission’s expert groups

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(*1)  Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 laying down the rules for participation and dissemination in ‘Horizon 2020 — the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020)’ and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1906/2006 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 81).";

*1

(*2)  Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 laying down the rules for participation and dissemination in ‘Horizon 2020 — the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020)’ and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1906/2006 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 81).";

*2

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