COUNCIL DECISION of 15 December 1994 adopting a specific programme of research and training in the field of nuclear fission safety (reactor safety, waste management and radiation protection) (1994 to 1998) (94/920/Euratom)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 7 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), which has consulted the Scientific and Technical Committee,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas, by Decision 94/268/Euratom (4), the Council adopted a framework programme of Community activities in the field of research and training for the European Atomic Energy Community (1994 to 1998) specifying inter alia the activities to be carried out in the field of nuclear fission safety; whereas this Decision takes account of the grounds set out in the preamble to that Decision;
Whereas Article 2 of Decision 94/268/Euratom specifies that the framework programme is to be implemented through specific programmes adopted in accordance with Article 7 of the Treaty; whereas each specific programme is to specify its precise objectives in accordance with the scientific and technical objectives referred to in Annex III to the Decision, define the detailed rules for implementing it, fix its duration and provide for the means deemed necessary;
Whereas the amount deemed necessary for carrying out this programme is ECU 160 million; whereas the appropriations for each financial year shall be laid down by the budgetary authority subject to the availability of resources within the financial perspectives and to the conditions set out in Article 1 (3) of Decision 94/268/Euratom;
Whereas the content of the framework programme of Community activities in the field of research and training was established in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity; whereas this specific programme specifies the content of the activities to be carried out in accordance with this principle in the field of nuclear fission safety;
Whereas, as is laid down in Annex III to Decision 94/268/Euratom, the Community needs a 'Nuclear fission safety` programme with the objective of arriving at a better understanding of nuclear safety issues and of stimulating broad collaboration between the Member States in this field;
Whereas Decision 94/268/Euratom (framework programme 1994 to 1998) lays down that Community action is justified if, inter alia, the research contributes to the strengthening of the economic and social cohesion of the Community and the promotion of its overall harmonious development while being consistent with the pursuit of scientific and technical quality; whereas this programme is intended to help meet these objectives;
Whereas the abovementioned Decision 94/268/Euratom provides that the Community's research actions should strengthen the technological base of Community industry and provide it with the knowledge and know-how required to make it more competitive at international level, while ensuring the safety of all nuclear activities;
Whereas the Community should only support RTD activities of high quality;
Whereas basic research in the field of nuclear fission safety must be encouraged within the Community so as to enable innovative approaches to be developed;
Whereas the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres (including the JRC) and universities, specified in Decision 94/761/Euratom (5), apply to this specific programme;
Whereas this programme will help to strengthen synergy between the research and training activities carried out in the field of nuclear fission safety by research centres, universities and undertakings established in the Member States and between these and the corresponding Community research and training activities;
Whereas it may be appropriate to engage in international cooperation activities with international organizations and third countries for the purpose of implementing this programme;
Whereas this programme should compromise also activities for the dissemination and exploitation of research results, in particular vis-à-vis small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as activities promoting the mobility and training of researchers within this programme to the extent necessary for the proper implementation of the programme;
Whereas an analysis should be made of possible socio-economic consequences and technological risks associated with the programme;
Whereas progress with this programme should be continuously and systematically monitored with a view to adapting it, where appropriate, to scientific and technological developments in this area; whereas in due course there should be an independent evaluation of progress with the programme so as to provide all the background information needed in order to determine the objectives of the next framework programme of research and training for the European Atomic Energy Community; whereas at the end of this programme there should be a final evaluation of the results obtained compared with the objectives set out in this Decision; and whereas the conclusions of these evaluations should be submitted to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee;
Whereas the JRC may participate in indirect actions covered by this programme;
Whereas the JRC will also contribute, through its own programme, to the attainment of the Community research and training objectives in the areas covered by this programme,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
A specific programme of research and training for the European Atomic Energy Community in the field of nuclear fission safety, as set out in Annex I, is hereby adopted for the period from the date of adoption of this Decision to 31 December 1998.
Article 2
1. The amount deemed necessary for carrying out the programme is ECU 160 million, including a maximum of 12,5 % for staff and administrative expenditure.
2. An indicative breakdown of this amount is given in Annex II.
3. The budgetary authority shall lay down the appropriations for each financial year, subject to the availability of resources within the financial perspectives and in accordance with the conditions set out in Article 1 (3) of Decision 94/268/Euratom concerning the framework programme, taking into account the principles of sound management referred to in Article 2 of the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities.
Article 3
1. The general rules for the Community's financial contribution are laid down in Annex IV to Decision 94/268/Euratom concerning the framework programme.
2. The rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities are specified in Decision 94/761/Euratom.
3. Annex III sets out the specific rules for implementing this programme, supplementary to those referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2.
Article 4
1. In order to help ensure, inter alia, the cost-effective implementation of this programme, the Commission shall continually and systematically monitor, with appropriate assistance from independent, external experts, the progress within the programme in relation to the objectives set out in Annex I. It shall in particular examine whether the objectives, priorities and financial resources are still appropriate to the changing situation. It shall, if necessary, in the light of the results of this monitoring process, submit proposals to adapt or supplement this programme.
2. In order to contribute towards the evaluation of Community activities, as required by Article 4 (2) of Decision 94/268/Euratom concerning the framework programme and in compliance with the timetable laid down in that paragraph, the Commission shall have an external assessment conducted by independent experts of the activities carried out within the areas covered by this programme and their management during the five years preceding this assessment.
3. At the end of this programme, the Commission shall have an independent final evaluation carried out of the results achieved compared with the objectives set out in Annex III to the framework programme and Annex I to this Decision. The final evaluation report shall be forwarded to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee.
Article 5
1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the programme. In this context, it will ensure arrangements for coordination with other RTD activities carried out in this field, in particular under the JRC programme.
2. The Commission shall be assisted in the implementation of the programme by a consultative Committee for the Nuclear Fission Safety programme, which is established hereby in replacement of the existing Coordinating Committees (CGCs) (No 5 on Safety of Reactor and Fission Material; No 6 on Radioactive Waste Management and Disposal; and No 10 on Radiation Protection Research) set up by Decision 84/338/Euratom, ECSC, EEC (6). The procedures and operational modalities defined in that Council Decision apply to the new Committee.
Article 6
Participation in the areas of radiological impact on man and the environment and of mastering events of the past may be open on a project-by-project basis, without financial support from the Community, to legal entities established in third countries, where such participation contributes effectively to the implementation of the programme taking into account the principle of mutual benefit.
Article 7
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 15 December 1994.