3. 9. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 228/3 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
COMMISSION 
Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific research and technological development 
programme of the European Economic Community in the fields of industrial manufacturing 
technologies and advanced materials applications (Brite/Euram) 
(1989 to 1992) 
COM(88) 385 final — SYN 142 
(Submitted by the Commission on 29 July 1988) 
(88/C 228/03) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 130Q 
(2) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
In cooperation with the European Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee, 
Whereas Article 130K of the Treaty stipulates that the 
framework programme shall be implemented through 
specific programmes developed within each activity; 
Whereas, by its Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC ('), the 
Council has adopted a framework programme of 
Community research and technological development 
(1987 to 1991) providing for activities in the field of 
science and technology for manufacturing industry and 
advanced materials; 
Whereas that Decision provides that a particular aim of 
Community research shall be to strengthen the scientific 
and technological basis of European industry and to 
encourage it to become more competitive at international 
level and that Community action is justified where 
research contributes inter alia 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 it is intended that the 
Brite/Euram programme should contribute to the 
achievement of these objectives; Whereas Council Decision 85/196/EEC (2) decided on a 
first multiannual research and development programme 
for the European Economic Community in the fields of 
basic technological research and the application of new 
technologies (Brite, 1985 to 1988); 
Whereas Council Decision 86/235/EEC (J) decided on a 
research programme on materials (raw materials and 
advanced materials) (1986 to 1989); 
Whereas it is necessary to react adequately to the interest 
shown by the industry in transnational cooperation; 
Whereas it is necessary to involve small and 
medium-sized enterprises to the maximum extent 
possible in the development of industrial technologies by 
taking into account their particular and specific 
requirements while respecting the objective of the 
scientific and technical quality of the programme; 
Whereas it is necessary to underline the industrial and 
transnational nature of the programme by requiring 
applied research projects with at least two industrial 
partners from two different Member States; 
Whereas it is necessary to ensure the industrial nature of 
the programme by requiring focussed fundamental 
research projects with industrial endorsement from at 
least two independent enterprises; 
Whereas the participation of organizations from EFTA 
countries in industrially-oriented research and devel­
opment (R&D) projects, under appropriate conditions, 
may contribute to the competitiveness of manufacturing 
industry as a whole; 
O OJ No L 302, 24. 10. 1987, p. 1. O OJ No L 83, 25. 3. 1985, p. 8. 
O OJ No L 159, 14. 6. 1986, p. 36. 
No C 228/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 9. 88 
Whereas it is in the Community's interest to consolidate 
the scientific and technical basis of European research by 
means of the involvement to a greater extent of the 
EFTA countries in certain Community programmes, 
particularly in programmes involving cooperation in 
research and development of basic industrial tech­
nologies including advanced materials; 
Whereas the implementation of concerted actions in the 
COST framework is an essential element to complement 
industrially-oriented R&D projects; 
Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research 
Committee (Crest) has been consulted on the following 
measures, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1 
A specific research and technological development 
programme for the European Economic Community in 
the fields of industrial manufacturing technologies and 
advanced materials applications, as defined in Annex I, 
is hereby adopted for a period of four years, from 
1 January 1989. 
Article 2 
The funds estimated as necessary for the execution of 
the programme amount to 439,5 million ECU, including 
expenditure on staff whose cost shall not exceed 4,5 °/o 
of the Community contribution. 
Article 3 
1. Detailed rules for the implementation of the 
programme and the rate of the Community's financial 
participation are set out in Annex II. 
Article 4 
1. In the third year of the programme implementation, 
the Commission shall undertake a review of the 
programme and report to the Council and to the 
European Parliament on the results of this review, 
together, if necessary, with any proposals for modifi­
cation or prolongation. 
2. An evaluation of the results achieved shall be 
conducted before the end of the programme by the 
Commission which shall report thereon to the Council 
and the European Parliament. 3. The abovementioned reports shall be established 
having regard to the objectives set out in Annex III to 
this Decision and in conformity with the provisions of 
Article 2 (2) of the framework programme. 
Article 5 
1. The Commission shall be responsible for the 
execution of the programme and shall be assisted in its 
implementation by the Management and Coordination 
Advisory Committee (CGC) on Industrial Technology, 
set up by Council Decision 84/338, Euratom, ECSC, 
EEC O.' 
2. The contracts entered into by the Commission shall 
regulate the rights and obligations of each party, 
including the methods of disseminating, protecting and 
exploiting the research results. 
Article 6 
1. Where framework agreements for scientific and 
technical cooperation between non-Community 
European countries and the European Communities have 
been concluded, organizations and enterprises estab­
lished in those countries may, under appropriate 
conditions to be defined by the Commission, become 
partners in a project undertaken within the programme. 
For each such project, the committee referred to in 
Article 5 shall assist the Commission in defining those 
conditions. 
2. No contractor established outside the Community 
who participates as a partner in a project undertaken 
within the programme shall be entitled to Community 
financing intended for the programme. The contractor 
will contribute to general administrative expenses. 
Article 7 
The Commission shall ensure that procedures are set up 
to allow for appropriate cooperation with COST ac­
tivities related to the areas of research covered by the 
programme, by ensuring regular exchanges of infor­
mation between the Committee referred to in Article 5 
and the relevant COST Management Committee. 
Article 8 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 
0) OJ No L 177, 4. 7. 1984, p. 25. 
3. 9. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 228/5 
ANNEX I 
TECHNICAL ANNEX 
1. ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES 
The work in this area will focus on the development. of improved or new materials and material 
processing for a wide range of possible applications except those directly related to IT covered in 
Esprit ('). 
Including in particular: 
1.1. Metallic materials and metallic matrix composites 
Goals 
— extended working life of components 
— higher operating temperatures for increased thermal efficiency 
— better and more effective material processing techniques 
1.2. Materials for magnetic, optical, electrical and superconducting applications 
Goal 
— improved materials and material processing for optical, magnetic, electrical and supercon­
ducting applications 
1.3. High temperature non-metallic materials 
Goals 
— design methodologies for products based on ceramics, glasses and amorphous materials 
— improved monolithic and ceramic composites and metal/ceramic interfaces for industrial appli­
cations 
— better processing techniques and quality control strategies 
1.4. Polymers and organic matrix composites 
Goals 
— development of polymers for specific applications 
— more cost-effective process techniques for parts made from polymer and polymer matrix 
composites 
— design rules for the specification and manufacture of engineering polymers and composites 
— new polymers with improved recycling attributes 
— improved product assurance techniques 
(') Developments of materials already covered by Esprit are, for instance, dealing with magnetic, magneto-optical, optical 
thin films for sensors recording media and heads, optical layers and specific materials for opto-electronics, ceramics 
and polymers for IC packaging and specific substrates, superconducting thin films for low current applications and 
devices. 
No C 228/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 9. 88 
1.5. Materials for specialized applications 
Goal 
— improved materials and their processing for specialized applications 
2, DESIGN METHODOLOGY AND ASSURANCE FOR PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES 
The development of techniques to improve product quality and the reliability and maintainability of 
structures and manufacturing systems by clarification of the design aims for both product and process, 
and by refinement of the criteria against which the attributes are measured. The exploitation of 
materials for application in sensors, and the reduction in the whole life costs of sensors are also included 
in this section. This will complement work in Community IT programmes, where on-line control is 
treated, including monitoring and diagnostics, predictive maintenance and quality assurance. 
Including in particular: 
2.1. Quality and reliability and maintainability in industry 
Goals 
— improved performance measurement for manufacturing operations in a wide variety of 
industries 
— improved and more predictable physical and environmental behaviour of products 
— improved quality control strategies 
— design rules for reliability and maintainability of components, structures and systems including 
machinery operating under varying conditions 
2.2. Process and product assurance 
Goals 
— reduction of whole life costs of sensor systems for process control * 
— exploitation of materials properties for applications in sensors 
— use of advanced measurement techniques for more cost effective examination of topology 
— improved energy control for industrial applications 
— improved non-destructive testing methods for product assurance 
3. APPLICATION OF MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES 
Here the task is to identify and address the needs of manufacturing industry and particularly the less 
advanced sectors, many of which have a major part made up of SMEs. It is to be expected that 
modelling of physical processes will be a valuable instrument for progress. Also addressed is the 
challenge to the industries based on the use of flexible materials. The work will mainly focus on product 
and process development, transferring and adapting technology already used in other sectors. This 
should complement work in Esprit where IT systems for advanced manufacturing and CIM are being 
developed. 
Including in particular: 
3.1. Advancing manufacturing practices 
Goals 
— identifying means for improving manufacturing practices in specific sectors 
— transfer and adaptation of technology already used in other sectors 
3.2. Manufacturing processes for flexible materials 
Goals 
3. 9. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 228/7 
— increased process flexibility 
— reduced waste of material 
— improved process and product quality 
4. TECHNOLOGIES FOR MANUFACTURING PROCESSES 
Improved techniques for shaping, joining and assembly, surface treatment, chemical processes and 
particle technology are fundamental needs for industry. Advancement of these processes is essential for 
securing manufacturing competitiveness. 
Including in particular: 
4.1. Surface techniques 
Goals 
— cost-effective surface treatments for industrial applications 
— techniques for quality assurance and control of the treatment process 
4.2. Shaping, assembly and joining 
Goals 
— improved methodologies for shaping processes and assembly 
— improved joining techniques to improve reliability and reduce defect levels 
— methods for testing welded and bonded joints to improve reliability of results and service 
predictability 
— design methodology for joining 
— better understanding of beam/workpiece interactions for industrial power beam processes 
4.3. Chemical processes 
Goals 
— improved predictability and yield in chemical processes 
— membrane materials with improved characteristics 
— improved performance of membrane processes 
— new systems for separation in hostile environments 
4.4. Particle and powder processes 
Goals 
— improved techniques for particle production to optimise product shape, structure and stability 
— cost-effective techniques for particle categorization and process performance 
— better approaches to handling and separation 
— cost-effective routes for small lots of high quality powder 
No C 228/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 9. 88 
ANNEX II 
RULES FOR IMPLEMENTATION 
Participants may be industrial organizations, research institutes and universities, established in the 
Community. The Community contribution shall not normally exceed 50 % of total expenditure, the 
remainder in principle to be provided by the industrial participants. Industrial participants shall include any 
research institute which is funded entirely or mainly by industrial organizations. 
Industrial applied research 
The principal form of support for industrial applied research of a pre-competitive character will be through 
cost shared action. The conditions for participation will be that in each project there will be 50 % 
financing from industrial partners and at least two legally independent industrial enterprises from different 
Member States per project. To be classified as an independent enterprise, research organizations should 
normally receive the industrial 50 % in direct payments from nominated companies involved in steering the 
project. 
Recognizing the important role of SMEs in developing the manufacturing base of the Community and the 
merits of their participation in the programme, the Commission is considering, in conjunction with Irdac, 
how best research organizations can act within the programme as a focus for meeting the R&D needs of 
SMEs. Projects should include at least 10 man years of activity, the realistic minimum for an effective 
collaborative project, and the total project costs should fall in the range 1 to 3 million ECU. Subsidiaries of 
multinational companies based outside the Community may participate if the R&D and exploitation takes 
place within the Community. 
Focussed fundamental research 
Focussed fundamental research projects shall involve at least two partners established in different Member 
States. When the partners are universities or research institutes, the project should be endorsed by at least 
two legally independent industrial enterprises and the Community could bear up to 100 % of the marginal 
costs of such partners. Projects should include at least 10 man years of activity and fall in the range of 0,4 
to 1 million ECU total project costs. 
Feasibility awards for SMEs 
The Commission will introduce a pilot scheme of feasibility awards aimed at assisting SMEs establish the 
feasibility of a device, process or concept as a means of enhancing their stature in finding a partner in a 
subsequent call for proposals under the shared cost action. The Commission will support up to 75 % 
(maximum 25 000 ECU) of the cost of research lasting up to six months. High standards of evaluation will 
ensure that the awards are highly competitive and recognized as prestigous. This scheme will be 
co-financed by the task force SME. 
Coordinated activities 
In cases where work, supported by national funds or entirely privately funded is already going on, the 
Commission's role may be limited to simply organizing the coordination of the work and the Community 
funding confined to covering the cost of such coordination activities. However, in certain cases where it is 
clear that strategically important work requires more than simple coordination, the Commission could, in 
consulation with CGC, consider a higher Community funding. 
3. 9. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 228/9 
ANNEX III 
PROGRAMME EVALUATION CRITERIA 
The results against which the programme should be evaluated must reflect its objectives and the wider 
objectives of the framework programme. 
1. As the principal objective is to enhance the competitive position of the Community's manufacturing 
industries, the evaluation should determine: 
— the extent to which the projects were selected against credible and measurable industrial criteria, 
— the extent to which substantial product or process development has resulted from the work 
supported. 
2. A further objective is to encourage transfrontier collaboration in strategic industrial research. The 
evaluation should determine: 
— to what extent, before and after project completion, there were continuing links between partners 
for research, development, manufacturing, marketing or staff formation. 
3. A further programme objective is to encourage transfer of technology across Community frontiers and 
between sectors, particularly those with a high predominance of SMEs. The evaluation should 
determine: 
— the extent to which SMEs have exploited technologies and new materials arising from successfully 
completed projects, 
— the extent to which accomplishments are protected by patent action or are disseminated to raise 
awareness in the European research and technology community. 
4. In the wider context of the framework programme, the evaluation should determine: 
— the extent to which the projects have contributed to the harmonization of the Community by 
reducing the technical barriers to trade. 
The evaluation will be undertaken by independent evaluators.