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DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM(78)309
Vol.1978/0110

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COMMISSION OFTHEEUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
COM(78)309 final
Brussels -5July 1978
Proposal for a
COUNCIL DECISION
adopting aresearch anddevelopment programme for
theEuropean Economic Community inthefield ofreference
materials andmethods (Community Bureau ofReference -
BCR )andapplied metrology (non-nuclear indirect action )
(1979-1982 )
(submitted totheCouncil bytheCommission )
fi-' /Vsvqp-– ' s •'■» t- .1
COM(78)309fVfnal J,3 J^ ^Vy> <-?X'>-\/ . i. \^\L^

-2-
CONTENTS
Introduction 3
Motivation and content ofthe proposal 5
Project 1-Reference materials andmethods (BCR ) 5
Programme 9
Project 2-Distribution and management of 13
reference materials
Programme
i
Project 3-Applied metrology
Programme
Annex I Advisory Committee onProgramme
Management13
15
16
Proposal for aCouncil Decisión adopting a 18
multiannual research and development programme
for the European Economic Community inthe field
ofreference materials andmethods (BCR )and applied
metrology
24
Annex II Opinion oftheACPM 25

-3-
INTRODUCTION
The programme onreference materials andmethods (Community
Bureau ofReference -BCR )was initially launched in1973
for aperiod ofthree years (x);in1976 ,asecond phase
was adopted ,covering athree-year period and ending on
31December 1978 (xx).
Inbroad outline ,the objectives ofthe second programme
can bedefined asfollows :
-todevelop reference materials andmethods bydrawing
onthe knowledge and skill ofpublic and private
laboratories inthe member countries ;
-topromote collaboration between bodies specializing in
this type ofwork ,anactivity which amounts ineffect
tocoordination ;
-toback upthe national efforts inthe field ofreference
materials with projects ofinterest tothe Community .
The term "reference material "isunderstood tomean a
material orsubstance ,one ormore properties ofwhich are
sufficiently well established tobeused for the calibration
ofaninstrument orthe verification ofameasurement method .
Reference materials are used inevery branch ofcommercial ,
industrial ,medical and scientific activity toverify the
proper functioning and the accuracy ofinstruments and
measurement methods ,and toensure that valid comparisons
can bemade ofthe results obtained bydifferent
laboratories orindifferent countries .
The first period ofthe programme was aninitiation phase :
itconsisted indefining areas for which itwas desirable
todevelop reference materials ,laying down rules of
procedure and preparing anumber ofcontracts for
experimental work .
xCouncil Decisión of18June 1973 ,OJL189
XV 1Council Decision of15March 1976 ,OJL74

-4-
The second phase consisted inthedevelopment ofthe activities
under contract inimportant fields -e.g. those relevant to
industrial applications -which have resulted incertified
reference materials .New fields have been explored ,onebeing
clinical chemistry (medical analyses ),inwhich major projects
have been set intrain .
The implementation oftheprogramme was backed upbythe
collaboration oftheJRC ,which assists greatly inproviding
secretarial services forworking parties ,evaluating
measurements and drafting certification reports .
Inview ofthe very encouraging results ofthe indirect
action programme onreference materials andmethods ,itis
proposed tofollow upthis activity byallocating somewhat
ampler resources toit,notably inregard topersonnel .
The result ofthis activity istoproduce batches ofsamples
ofreference materials which represent considerable assets .
Itisnow necessary toensure those functions needed for
correct management ofthese assets (safe storage ,distribution
and sale ofreference materials ).
Finally ,itisproposed that for the first time research and
development projects beundertaken inthefield ofapplied
metrology .This will call for close collaboration between
specialized laboratories inthemember countries .The
objective oftheproject will essentially betoimprove the
accuracy and comparability ofmeasurements ,and todevelop
improved methods .Itwill bethe technical and scientific
extension ofthe Community activities inthe field oflegal
metrology .Without interfering with existing collaboration
projects under international agreements ,itwill supplement
them when their possibilities are limited bylack offunds .
Inafirst stage ,this action could beofanexperimental
nature with limited resources which should ,however ,be
sufficient toensure efficiency .

MOTIVATION AND CONTENT OFTHE PROPOSAL
PROJECT 1
REFERENCE MATERIALS AND METHODS (BCR )
Review ofthe results ofthe past programme
The BCR programme onreference materials and methods has not
only succeeded indeveloping ,byjoint action ,reference
materials ofCommunity-wide interest and ofrecognized
quality ,but has forged many links ofcollaboration inthe
course ofthe work ,resulting inadegree ofharmonization
ofnational activities .
The preparation ofaBCR reference material isessentially
based onbroad collaboration between the most expert public
and private laboratories inthe member countries .
Since the operations involved are highly specialized ,only
avery small part ofthe programme can beimplemented on
the basis ofproposals received inresponse topublic
invitations totender .Public calls for proposals have
not proved tobevery effective .
The projects are drawn upgradually asneeds become known
indiscussions with experts andmembers ofthe Advisory
Committee .
When aproject hasbeen defined inbroad outline with thehelp
ofexperts andpotential participants ,itissubmitted tothe
ACPM (x)foranopinion .Next ,theparticipants meet anumber
oftimes todecide onthe details ofimplementation (method
ofpreparation ,stability tests ,methods ofanalysis ,
organization ofthe programme and procedure for processing
the results ).This isthe basis onwhich the Commission
concludes contracts with each ofthe participants inthe
measurement oranalytical programme .When the experimental
work iscompleted and evaluated the Commission discusses
the results with the contractors and experts toexamine
whether these results warrant certification ofthe property
orproperties ofthematerial .Adraft report issubmitted
toacommittee ofexperts ,then ,where appropriate ,tothe
Certification Group ,and then totheACPM .
(*)ACPM =Advisory Committe onProgramme Management

-6-
Thedecision tocertify areference material istaken bythe
Commission onthe advice ofthe ACPM ,
Each reference material isthe subject ofareport summarizing
the results andconclusions ofthework that ledupto
certification .The reference materials are offered for sale
inthe form ofsamples accompanied byacertificate and a
copy ofthe report .
Table 1gives some information onthe reference materials
already certified asat30April 1978 and those in
preparation orplanned .
TABLE 1
BCR reference materialsNumber ofmaterials
In
Certified preparation Planned
Chemical properties
Coke
Coal
Non-ferrous metals
Non-ferrous ores
Lead glass
Silicates for pétrographie
analyses
Fertilizers
Organic compounds for
analyses ofelements
Liquid fuels
(flash point )
Liquid fuels
(sulphur content )
Polymers
Carcinogenic compounds
Trace metals insynthetic
proteins
Trace metals inplants
Fly ash
Biological substances9
7
1
52
4
9
1
4
2
7
5
4
3
10
1
4
1
21
30
3
10

BCR reference materialsNumber ofmaterials
In
Certified preparation Planned
Physical and technological
properties
Thermal conductivity - 2
Dielectric - 3
Magnetic susceptibility - 2
Coloured glass - 1
Reflectivity - 1
Powders
-particle size - 6
-specific surface area ~ 6
Porosity - 5
Raman spectroscopy ~ 1
Vacuum measurement (gauges ) - 1
Impact Toughness - 1
Total 26 86 57

-8-
The total number ofprojects relating toreference materials
andmeasurements is52.They were the subject of134contracts
during the first phase (1973-75 )and 228contracts during the
period from 1January 1976 uptothe date ofthis document .
Asarule -and this isalso true for similar activities of
national organizations -the total duration ofaproject for
the preparation ofareference material from the definition
ofthe project tothe certification ofthe product isabout
three tofour years .This explains why many reference materials
are inpreparation and only some are fully certified .Because
many laboratories participate ineach project ,several meetings
must beheld tocoordinate the work inwhich they have to
collaborate .The need toensure adequate coordination and to
evaluate the results puts high demands onCommission staff
responsible for themanagement ofthe programme and onJRC
staff who make asubstantial contribution tothe work .
Inaddition tothe batches ofhigh-quality certified reference
materials produced ,the benefits ofthese activities include
the excellent collaboration established between the member
countries ,the interest shown byspecialized institutes in
taking part intheCommunity programme and the repercussions
ofthis programme invarious international bodies .

PROGRAMME
Itisintended that the proposed programme will be
implemented inthe same spirit ofclose collaboration
between the laboratories ofthe member countries asin
the past .The JRC will continue tobeassociated with
the projects according toits available expertise .
The research does not include any standardization work .This ,
however ,does not rule outprojects relating toprecision
measurement ,the results ofwhich might prove useful later
onfor standardization bythe responsible bodies .
The activities envisaged inthe programme will include :
a)Production and certification ofreference materials
-definition ofrequirements for reference materials
through contacts with possible users and byexchanges
ofinformation onexisting reference materials
-characterization ofmaterials
-organization ofinter-laboratory comparisons *
-approval oflaboratories
-certification ofreference materials atCommunity level
b)Development ofassociated reference methods
Methods associated toreference materials ,having margins
oferror which canbedetermined andare inanycase small
forchemical analyses ,property measurements ortesting .
Areas ofactivity
The areas ofactivity are selected sothat BCR reference
materials andmethods meet one orseveral ofthe following
criteria :
-help towards the implementation ofsectoral policies
(e.g. environment ,energy );
-have recognized value inindustry orincommercial
transactions ;
-facilitate the implementation ofregulations anddirectives
for the removal oftechnical barriers totrade ;
-help toimprove living conditions (public health ,
environmental protection ,consumer protection ).

-10-
Ferrous metals (objectives :ECSC ,industry )
Asinthe past ,the research will berestricted tothose
requirements which are not covered bytheexisting
organizations already collaborating under the provisions
oftheECSC Treaty .Hence this sector will notbeamajor
area ofactivity .
Non-ferrous metals (objectives :industry ,commercial
transactions )
There isnoorganized collaboration asinthe case ofiron
and steel .The need for reference materials isanimportant
one ,notably inregard toores and refined metals (copper ,
lead ,zinc ,etc.).
Non-metallic materials (objective :industry )
Anumber ofproblems are already being dealt with inthe
current activities .They relate inparticular toglass and
ceramics .These donot seem tocall for anymajor effort .
Inorganic materials andproducts (objectives :industry ,
implementation ofdirectives ,environment )
Under this heading itisproposed toinclude inparticular
problems relating toenvironmental protection ,such as
reference samples formeasuring heavy and toxic metals
infumes ,water orindustrial and urban waste .
Organic materials and products (objectives :industry ,
implementation ofdirectives ,environment ,energy )
This isavery wide field which will probably bethe focus
ofagood deal ofactivity .Besides organic synthesis
products and the analytical problems they give rise to
(e.g. simultaneous presence ofsulphur and halogens ),
itisintended togive special attention toproblems
ofenvironmental and consumer protection (e.g. heavy
and toxic metals inproteins and plants ).
Foodstuffs (objective :implementation ofdirectives )
Nowork has asyet been done onhuman and animal foodstuffs
under the BCR programme .They are the subject ofnumerous
directives ,however ,the implementation ofwhich will call
for reference materials .

-11-
Biomedical analyses (objective :public health )
X)The Community laboratories for biomedical analyses carry
out anaverage of10analyses (results )per person per year .
These analyses relate toalarge number ofbiological
substances ordrugs present inbiological fluids (blood ,
urine ,etc .)orintissues (muscle ,etc.).
The results sometimes vary appreciably from one laboratory
toanother .This isdue toacertain extent tothe absence
ofadequate biological reference materials tocheck the
accuracy ofthe routine methods and tothe lack of
sufficiently accurate methods .
According tosome estimates ,the number ofrequired reference
materials could amount tosome hundred products for the most
common analyses .
For the most frequently used compounds ,there are existing
reference methods (gas chromatography combined with mass
spectrometry ).These techniques can beused toproduce
certified reference materials (carbohydrates ,lipids ,
amino acids ,vitamins and inorganic compounds ).Another
important requirement isfor reference materials todetermine
the presence inthe blood ofdrugs used inlong-term
treatment .For compounds ofhigher molecular weight (protein
group such asenzymes ,protein hormones and coagulants ),
the methods are not yet satisfactory .
Physical and technological properties ofmaterials
(Objectives :industry ,implementation ofdirectives ,
energy ,environment )
There are relatively few certified reference materials
for physical properties that are publicly available .They
are sometimes provided bythe manufacturers ofequipment
orbyprivate associations .Reference materials ofwider
availability would bevery useful .There are requirements
with respect tooptical properties ,thermal ,electrical
ormagnetic properties ,and the precise characterization
ofporous orfinely divided materials .Inseveral of
these fields ,work isalready inprogress and well
worth following up.
x)These analyses use chemical ,physical and biological
methods and are carried out inparticular inclinical
rhemistry ,haematology ,clinical immunology ,histology
end clinical microbiology .

-12
Staff and appropriations
The programme Reference Materials and Methods (BCR )had astaff
of7members (4A+1B +2C )for theperiod 1976-78 .The
total appropriation amounted to2,7million EUA for three
years .
The staff allocated tothis action was insufficient and this
fact was deplored onseveral occasions bytheACPM .Inorder
toensure adequately the role ofcoordination which isessen­
tial and toundertake projects inthe new fields offoodstuffs
and biomedical analysis asindicated inthe programme ,a
minimum increase ofstaff byoneperson ofcategory Ais
proposed .
The appropriations for contracts were kept atthe same level
asfor the years 1977 and 1978 ,with anannual increase of
10% including inflation .
Cost ofstaff (8staff members ) 1.760.000 EUA
Administration and contracts 4.840.000 EUA
Total for 4years 6.600.000 EUA

-13-
PROJECT 2
DISTRIBUTION AND MANAGEMENT OFREFERENCE MATERIALS
PROGRAMME
Reference materials certified bythe Community are
offered for sale bythe Commission .This service ,which
will have tobeplaced onanestablished basis ,involves
the following tasks :
1.The setting upofastorage system for reference
materials .They will have tobestored inone or
more establishments with special expertise inthe
field ofreference materials ,such asthe JRC and
specialized national laboratories .Itwill benecessary
for the depository establishments tohave attheir
disposal the qualified personnel necessary for the
supervision and where necessary periodic inspection
ofthe reference mater ials .
Inthe event ofstorage inaJRC establishment the
BCR programme could profit from the expertise and
infrastructure existing byvirtue ofthe METRE
programme .Provision should nevertheless bemade
for the services strictly specific tothe storage
and handling ofreference materials for sale tobe
chargeable tothe BCR programme .
Ifthe materials were stored inother establishments ,
the service provided bythe body inquestion (super­
vision ofthe preservation ofproducts and the packing
and despatch ofsamples )would have tobethe subject
ofcontracts concluded with the Commission .
2.The development ofanefficient system for receiving
orders ,forwarding them tothe storage location (s),
preparing invoices ,despatching samples ,and drawing
upaperiodic inventory .

-14-
Although the Commission intends touse automated
management techniques asfar aspossible ,the need
for aminimum staff cannot beruled out .
3.Theediting anddissemination ofdocuments (catalogues ,
advertisements andannual reports onactivities )tobring
the existence ofreference materials tothe notice of
those concerned .
Staff and appropriations
Toensure anappropriate management ofthis action itis
proposed toallocate toitastaff oflA+lB+lC .
The estimated expenditure include rather high costs in
the starting phase for storage contracts and for setting
appropriate means ofcomputarized management .
Cost ofstaff (3staff members ) 527.400 EUA
Administration and contracts 962.600 EUA
Total for 4years 1.490.000 EUA
Inthe long run the income from sales ofreference materials
could compensate partly themanagement expenditures for
storage and selling .

-15-
PROJECT 3
APPLIED METROLOGY
Asyet there isnoCommunity scientific and technical
programme inthe field ofapplied metrology except for
nuclear measurements (Central Bureau for Nuclear
Measurements -CBNM ).
Commercial transactions ,however ,frequently require that
products bemeasured ,weighed oranalysed with sufficient
accuracy .Most industrial activities rely onstill more
sophisticated measurements .
The importance of measurement explains why one ofthe
tasks the European Economic Community has set itself is
that ofharmonizing the rules and practices inthe member
countries relating tomeasuring instruments and methods
relevant tolegal metrology .Inthis field ,which covers
those measurements whose accuracy isruled by .legal texts ,
twenty-six directives have been adopted bythe Council .
They relate toinstruments for measuring length ,volume
(gas meters ,water meters ,etc.),weight ,electrical
energy and alcoholic strength .
The basic units are the subject ofinternational agreements
and international collaboration ,and there isnoquestion
ofinterfering with them .
This apart ,applied metrology offers afairly wide field
inwhich itisimportant for the Community not just to
improve measurement techniques and their accuracy ,but
even more tostimulate collaboration with aview to
improving the comparability ofexisting methods and
encouraging the joint development ofnew methods required
bytechnical progress .Avariety ofcollaboration arrangements
already exist but itappears important now tobring them to­
gether ,specially forthose fields ofapplied metrology which
correspond toCommunity objectives .Inthose fields where new
metrology needs arise ,aclose collaboration atCommunity
level would enable tomake better use ofexisting means and
facilities (specially forexpensive projects )and toensure
homogeneous development ofmeasurement techniques sothat the
establishment offuture Community directives would be
considerably easier .

-16-
PROGRAMME
Objectives
Topromote metrology projects based essentially on
collaboration between laboratories inthe rmember countries
with aview to :
-ensuring theequivalence andcomparability ofsecondary
standards and transfer standards ;
-improving the accuracy ofmeasurements ;
-developing metrology inareas ofimportance totheCommunity
andwhere projects arecostly .
Projects
The programme istobeput under way progressively inthe
following areas .
1.Intercomparison ofsecondary and transfer standards
for derived units ofmeasurement
This work would essentially concern units derived from the
base units such asforce and pressure .Such intercomparison
would result inimproving mutual confidence inthe level of
accuracy ofmeasurements made inthe various member countries .
Itcould also lead toanimprovement inthe overall level
ofaccuracy .
2.Improvement ofmeasurement techniques and their accuracy
This will mainly consist ofjoint research inareas of
Community interest inwhich the improvement ofmeasurement
accuracy isamatter ofmajor economic importance .
For instance ,although there isadirective inforce ongas
meters ,the accuracy that itrequires isnot sufficient for
very large gas flows under high pressure (x).
Anuncertainty ofonly 1% (current value )inthemetering
ofmillions ofcubic metres ofgas can have serious
financial consequences .

-17-
Difficult problems ofthis kind require large test facilities
which arevery expensive and could not befully used ifthey
were reproduced inallmember countries .Itwould therefore be
most useful for the Community tostimulate collaboration bya
financial support .
3.Development ofnew measurement techniques
With technological progress and changing conditions oflife ,
new needs formethods ofmeasurements are emerging infields
ofimportance for the Community .This applies toavariety of
topics (e.g. industrial metrology ,safety regulations for
equipment and regulations for environmental protection )for
which there isagrowing need formethods ofmeasurement and
reference materials .Development costs inthese new fields
ofmetrology may bevery high and cost-sharing bymeans of
efficient collaboration could beextremely advantageous .In
this and other similar fields ,the Community should beinvolved
atanearly stage ,for this would result inamore efficient
use ofthe skills and resources ofthe member countries .Further­
more ,animportant consequence ofsuch collaboration atanearly
stage istoavoid the development ofrules and standards that
differ from one country toanother and are afterwards difficult
toharmonize .
4.Exchange ofpersonnel
Since collaboration depends not only onequipment but also on
individuals ,itappears important togive special attention to
and toencourage exchanges ofpersonnel -perhaps specialists -
inthe context ofthe programme itself .They would continue to
receive their salary from their own employer ,but would benefit
from Community allowances tocover expatriation costs .
Staff and appropriations
Because metrology problems often involve difficult commercial
and regulation aspects ,they should betreated with great care .
Inaddition the projects should beset upsoastoinclude a
close collaboration between the partners .
Theminimum personnel tostart this action is2A+1Cofficials .
The appropriations for contracts are evaluated atamodest level .
Infact the unit cost ofmetrology projects could bevery high
due tothe fact that they will always involve several laboratories
and require high accuracy measurements .
Cost ofstaff (2A+1C) 665.000 EUA
Administration and contracts 2.545.000 EUA
Total for 4years 3.210.000 EUA

-18-
PROPOSAL FOR ACOUNCIL DECISION
ADOPTING AMULT IANNUAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
FOR THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
INTHE FIELD OFREFERENCE MATERIALS AND METHODS (BCR )
AND
APPLIED METROLOGY
(indirect action )
(1979-1982 )

COUNCIL DECISION
adopting aresearch and development programme
for the European Economic Community inthe field of
reference materials and methods
(Community Bureau ofReference -BCR )
and applied metrology
(non-nuclear indirect action )
(1979-1982 )
THE COUNCIL OFTHE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
Having regard totheTreaty establishing the European
Economic Community ,and inparticular Article 235 thereof ,
Having regard tothe proposal from the Commission ,
Having regard totheopinion oftheEuropean Parliament ^,
Having regard tothe opinion ofthe Economic and Social
(2)Committee ,
Whereas according toArticle 3(a)and (h)ofthe Treaty ,
the activities ofthe Community shall include ,inter alia ,
the elimination ,asbetween Member States ,ofquantitative
restrictions onthe import and export ofgoods ,and ofall
other measures having equivalent effect ,together with the
approximation ofthe laws ofthe Member States tothe
extent required for the proper functioning ofthe common
market ;
(1)OJNo
(2)OJNo

-20-
WhereastheresearchprojectscoveredbythisDecisionareofsucha
natureastomakeaneffectivecontribution tothecarryingoutof
theseCommunitytasksandwhereas,therefore,theyarenecessaryfor
theachievement,withintheCommonMarket,ofthesaidobjectives;
WhereastheTreatydoesnotprovidethenecessary powersfor
thispurpose;
Whereas,initsResolution of14January1974onafirstaction
programmeoftheEuropeanCommunities inthefieldofscienceand
technology^,theCouncilstatedthatthewholerangeofavailable
waysandmeans,includingindirectaction,shouldbeusedas
appropriate ;
WhereastheScientific andTechnical ResearchCommittee (CREST)has
delivered anopinionontheCommission proposal,
HASDECIDED ASFOLLOWS :
Article 1
Aresearchanddevelopment programmefortheEuropeanEconomic
Communityinthefieldofreferencematerials andmethodsandof
appliedmetrology,asdefinedintheAnnex,isherebyadoptedfora
periodoffouryearswitheffectfrom1January1979.
Artiele2
Theupperlimitforcommitments forexpenditure andthemaximum
numberofstaffnecessaryfortheimplementation oftheprogramme
areestimatedat11.3millionEuropeanunitsofaccountand14staff
respectively ,theEuropeanunitofaccountbeingdefinedinthe
FinancialRegulations inforce.
(3)0JNoC7,29.1.1974,p.6

-21-
Article 3
The Conutiission shall beresponsible for the implementation
ofthe programme .Itshall beassisted inthis task bythe
Advisory Committee onProgramme Management set upbythe
Council Resolution of19November 1973 ,the terms of
reference of which are set out inthe Resolution of
M)18July 1977 .The Joint Research Centre CJRC )shall remain
associated withtheimplementation oftheprogramme ^.
Article 4
During the third year the programme shall bereviewed and
possibly revised inaccordance with the appropriate procedure
and after consultation ofthe Advisory Committee onProgramme
Management .
Article 5
The information resulting from the implementation ofthe
programme shall bedisseminated inaccordance with Council
Regulation (EEC )No2380 /74of17September 1974 adopting
provisions forthedissemination ofinformation relating toresearch
programmes fortheEuropean Economic Community
Done atBrussels , For the Council
The President
(4)OJNoC192 ,11.8.1977 ,p.1
(5)OJNoL200 ,8.8.1977 ,p.7
(6)OJNoL255 ,20.9.1974 ,p. 1

-22-
Annex
Reference materials and methods
(Community Bureau ofReference -BCR )
and applied metrology
(Non-nuclear indirect action )
The programme comprises three projects asdescribed below .
The first two are activities ofthe Community Bureau of
Reference .
The aim ofthe programme defined below istostrengthen ,
supplement and harmonize national efforts inthe field
ofreference materials ,analytical and measuring methods
and applied metrology .
1.Reference materials and methods
This project shall include the following activities :
-exchange ofinformation onreference materials and methods
and inparticular onnational activities inthese fields ;
-determination ofthe requirements for reference materials
and methods ;
-characterization ofmaterials ;
-organization ofinter-laboratory comparisons ;
-joint preparation ofreference materials ;
-certification ofthe properties ofreference materials
atCommunity level ;
-joint definition ofreference methods ;
-approval oflaboratories .

-23-
2.Management and distribution ofCommunity reference materials
-Storage and preservation ofBCR reference materials inJRC
laboratories and national laboratories ;
-Preparation ofinformation tobedisseminated topublicize
reference materials bysuitable means within and outside
the Community ;
-Distribution ofsamples .
3.Applied metrology
This project comprises the following activities :
-Inter-laboratory comparisons ofsecondary and transfer
standards for derived units ofmeasurement ;
-Improvement ofmeasuring techniques and their accuracy ;
-Development ofnew measuring techniques ;
-Exchange ofinformation and exchange ofscientific personnel .
Studies and research work will becarried out under contract .

-24-
ANNEX I
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ONPROGRAMME MANAGEMENT
The terms ofreference ofthe Committee are set out inthe
Council Resolution of18July 1977 .
Its powers extend tothe non-nuclear part ofthe programme
onmeasurements ,standards and reference techniques (METRE )
(direct action )and tothe programme onreference materials
and methods (BCR )and applied metrology .
Ifnecessary ,the Member States will review the composition
oftheir delegations tothis Committee sothat they can
accomplish their new tasks inthe field ofmetrology .

-25-
ANNEX II
OPINION OFTHE ACPM
The ACPM isofthe unanimous opinion that the results ofthe
current BCR programme are very satisfactory .The reference
materials prepared and certified uptonow appear tohave
aroused interest not only inthe Community but also in
non-member countries .The ACPM wishes tostress that the
implementation ofthe BCR programme has provided an
opportunity for very fruitful cooperation ,which should
becontinued and extended ,between experts and participating
laboratories ofthe member countries .
The work inthe field ofreference materials and associated
methods should therefore beactively continued .
The ACPM isunanimously infavour ofthe programme proposed
bythe Commission and approves the options outlined for
projects 1and 2onreference materials and associated
methods ,asregards both their technical content and the
staffing and budgetary implications .
The ACPM isalso infavour ofthe Commission proposal that
cooperation bepromoted byway ofindirect action inthose
fields ofapplied metrology which are regarded asappropriate ,
where aspecific need arises and where the planned activities
will not interfere with national efforts orexisting
international collaboration .

-IV-
FINANCIAL RECORD
1.RELEVANTBUDGETHEADINGCODE:3353.
2.TITLEOPBUDGETHEADING:Referencematerialsandmethods(BCR),
appliedmetrology,
3.LEGALBASIS:
-InapplicationofArticle235oftheTreatyestablishing theEEC
-CouncilDecisionof15March1976(lJanuary1976-31December1978)
-CouncilDecisionof
4.DESCRIPTION ,OBJECTIVE ANDJUSTIFICATION OPTHEPROJECT:
4.1.Description
Theprojectrelatesto
-thepreparation ,inclosecollaboration betweenthemember
countries,ofreferencematerialsofinteresttotheCommunity;
-thejointdefinitionofreferencemethods}
-characterization ofmaterials ?
-distribution ofcertifiedreferencespecimensresultingfrom
theprogramme;
-researchinthefieldofappliedmetrology.
4»2.Objective
-topromotethepreparation ofreferencematerialsandreference
methodsatCommunitylevel;
-todevelopcooperation andconsequently coordination between
nationalactivities inthefieldofreferencematerialsand
appliedmetrology;
-tobackupnationaleffortsbyprojectsofinteresttothe
Communityespeciallyinrespectofparticularly costlyprojects.
4.3»Justification
Tofacilitatecommercialtransactions andindustrialoperationsand
ensureefficientlymedicalcareandenvironmental protection,itis
necessarytohavereliablemethodsofanalysisandmeasurement.
lbensurethatresultsarecomparableindifferentpartsofthe
Community,themethodsandinstrumentsusedhavetobecalibrated
bymeansofreferencematerials.
TheCommunity'seffortsinthewayofharmonization directiveshave
tobebackedupbytechnicalandscientificworkdesignedtofacili­
tatecorrectimplementation ofthedirectivesandthedevelopment
ofadequatemethodsofmeasurement.

-V-
5.FINANCIALIMPLICATIONS OPTHEPROJECTIffEUA(atcurrentprices)
5.0.Implications inrespectofexpenditure
5,0.0.Totalcostoverthefullperiod
-totheCommunitytiudget: 11,300,000 EUA
-tonationaladministrations :
-toothersectorsatnationallevel
5.0.1.Multiannualtimetable
Appropriations forcommitment2,000,000 EUA
Totalcost:13,300,000 EUA
1979198019811982Tbtal
Personnel
Administrative
operations640,400
245,000727,600
262,000768,400
277,000816,000
294,0002,952,400
1,078,000
Technical
operations
Contracts55,000
1,876,50059,000
2,098,00062,000
2,287,00066,000
766,100242,000
7,027,600
Total 2,816,9003,146,6003,394,4001,942,10011,300,000
Appropriations forpayment
19791980198119821983Total
IPersonnel 640,400727,600768,400816,000 2,952,400 I
Administrative
operations245,000262,000277,000294,000 1,078,000
Technical
operations55,00059,00062,00066,000 242,000
Contracts 1,076,500h-,393,0001,887,0001,880,000 791,1007,027,600
ïbtal 2,016,9002,441,6002,994,4003,056,000 791,10011,300,000

-VI-
5.0.2 .Method ofcalculation
a)Personnel costs
The staff required forthis programme hasbeen estimated at :
8staff incategory .A
2staff incategory B
4staff incategory C
TheAstaff cpmprises five persons forproject 1,oneperson for
project 2andtwopersons forproject 3.
Project 1corresponds totheprevious programme 1976-1978 f°rwhich
the staff allocation was quite inadequate .Oneextra member ofstaff
isessential .Astaff ofoneAforproject 2andtwoAforproject 3
aretheabsolute minimum ifthese operations are tobesuccessful .
TheBandCstaff have been evaluated proportionately .
Incalculating therelevant expenditure ,account hasbeen taken ofthe
parameters laid down forthepreparation ofthepreliminary draft
budget for1979 *Noincrease inpurchasing power isforeseen .Only
avariation inweighting hasbeen taken into consideration toallow
forchanges inthegeneral price level intheCommunity .
b)Expenditure onadministrative andtechnical operations
These cover costs oftravel ,missions andtheorganization ofmeetings
and theuseofascientific andtechnical support when this is
essential for theproper execution oftheprogramme .
c)Contract expenditure
Asthetype ofsubject andqualifications ofthecontract holders vary
auniform method ofcalculation cannot beused .
Inanycase ,theAdvisory Committee onProgramme Management will be
consulted ontheallocation ofappropriations .
d)Multiannual forecasts
Therates adopted forthecalculation oftheforecasts areasfollows :
1979-1.07;1980-1.13;1981-1.20:1982-I.27.

-VII-
5.1.Implications inrespect ofrevenue
For information purposes ,itispointed outthat some revenue isto
beexpected (seepoint 8).
6.TYPE OPC0NTR0L 10BEAPPLIED
Scientific controls ;ACPM
responsible officials ofDGXII
Administrative controls s
Budgetary execution :General Directorate forFinancial Control
Regularity ofexpenditure :General Directorate forFinancial Control
7.FINANCING THE PROJECT
7.0 .
7.1 .
7.2 .
7.3 .Appropriations tobeentered mfuture budgets
8.REVENUE
8.1 .Legal basis
Articles 3(l),last paragraph of87and90(4 )oftheFinancial
Regulation of21December 1977 *
8.2 .Type ofrevenue
Therevenue under this programme will come from theservices supplied
upon request andagainst payment forpublic orprivate undertakings
orbodies .
This revenue will beused tocover theexpenditure entered inItem
3388 ofthestatement ofexpenditure .
Therevenue will beentered inChapter 92oftheBudget (Article 924).
8.3.Amount ofrevenue
1979 token entry
1980 token entry
1981 token entry
1982 token entry
8.4.Method ofcalculation
In1977 »therevenue amounted to1,271.35 EUA .Itisnotpossible to
prepare valid forecasts forrevenue in1979 andfuture years since
itwill depend essentially ontherequests made totheCommission
which inprinciple cannot beestimated atthepresent time .