NoC49/16 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 24.2.92
forsnowchains,forwhichtherearestandardsinusersfindingitimpossibletofitthesesafety
somecountries.Thiswouldhelppreventuninformed devices.
DoneatBrussels,18December1991.
TheChairman
oftheEconomicandSocialCommittee
FrancoisSTAEDELIN
OpinionontheproposalsforCouncilDecisionswithregardtotheProgrammeofActivities
oftheJointResearchCentre(JRC)(1992-1994)(')
(92/C49/07)
On2September1991theCouncil,actinginaccordancewithArticle130Q(2)oftheTreaty
establishingtheEuropeanEconomicCommunityandArticle170oftheTreatyestablishing
theEuropeanAtomicEnergyCommunity (EAEC),askedtheEconomicandSocialCommittee
foranOpinionontheproposalforaCouncilDecisionadoptingspecificresearchprogrammes
tobeimplementedbytheJointResearchCentrefortheEuropeanEconomicCommunity
(1992-1994),theproposalforaCouncilDecisionadoptingspecificresearchprogrammesto
beimplementedbytheJointResearchCentrefortheEuropeanAtomicEnergyCommunity
(1992-1994)andtheproposalforaCouncilDecisionadoptingasupplementary research
programmetobeimplementedbytheJointResearchCentrefortheEuropeanAtomicEnergy
Community .
TheSectionforEnergy,NuclearQuestionsandResearch,whichwasinstructedtoprepare
theCommittee'sworkonthematter,drewupitsOpinionon6December1991(Rapporteur :
MrvonderDecken).
TheEconomicandSocialCommitteeadoptedthefollowingOpinionatits292ndplenary
session(meetingof18December1991)byaunanimousvote.
PARTONE:ANEWOUTLOOKFORTHEJOINT
RESEARCHCENTER(JRC)(2)—ROLE—
ACTIVITIES —ORGANIZATION
1.Introduction
1.1.Afteralmosttwoyearsofanimateddiscussion
onthefutureoftheJRC,alongwithitsroleand
functionsinthelightofthenewCommunityresearch
strategy,guidelinesandpriorities—asembodiedintheFrameworkProgrammeofCommunityActivitiesin
thefieldofResearchandTechnological Development
(1987-1991)—theCommissionsubmittedinOctober
1987itsCommunication onANewOutlookforthe
JointResearchCentre[doc.COM(87)491final].
1.2.ThisCommunication comprisedthreeproposals
forDecisionsrelatingtospecificresearchprogrammes
tobecarriedoutbytheJRCundertheEECand
EuratomTreatiesintheperiod1988-1991,aswellasa
supplementary programmeontheoperationofthe
High-Flux-Reactor (HFR)undertheEuratomTreaty.
1.3.TheproposalsforDecisionsformedpartofa
broadblueprintforreformoftheJRC,promptedpri­
marilybytheimplementation sinceJuly1987ofthe
SingleEuropeanActandtheadoptionoftheFrame­HOJNoC234,7.9.1991,p.9,15,19.
(2)TheJRCisbasedatfoursites:Ispra(Italy),Karlsruhe(Ger­
many),Petten(Netherlands )andGeel(Belgium)—Cf.Appen­
dixtothisOpinion.

24.2.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC49/17
workProgramme1987-1991.TheCommission'saim
wastobringtheJRCintostepwiththedevelopment
oftheCommunityandtogiveitanewimpetustoassure
itofanuncontestedplaceintheEuropeanresearchand
developmentsystem.
1.4.ThechangesproposedbytheCommission ,
whichweretocoveraperiodoffrom8to10years,
involvedthreeareas:
—theroleoftheJRC,itsfutureactivitiesandthe
financingofthoseactivities,
—theoperationandmanagementoftheJRC,
—staffpolicy.
1.5.Themainaspectsofthereformaresummarized
below.
2.Mainaspectsofthereforms
2.1.ThefunctionsoftheJRCandthewaysinwhich
itacts
2.1.1.Inadditiontotheimplementation ofthe
specificresearchprogrammes ,theCommissionpro­
posedthatthefollowingthreetypesofJRCactivities
beexpanded :—scientificandtechnicalworkinsupportofother
Commissiondepartments ,
—researchandservicesundercontractforthirdpar­
ties,
—non-specificpreparatoryresearchintendedtoopen
upnewavenuesfortheJRCandtoenableitto
maintainahighlevelofscientificexcellence .
2.1.2.Withoutwishingtocallintoquestiontheinsti­
tutionalroleoftheJRC,theCommissionwaspursuing
atwo-foldobjective :thestrengtheningoftheroleofthe
JRCasavehicleforprovidingscientificandtechnical
assistancefortheachievementofotherECpoliciesand
theopening-upoftheJRCtooutsidecustomersinthe
areascomingwithinitstermsofreference.
2.1.3.Thoughtheimplementation ofspecificpro­
grammesundertheFrameworkProgrammewouldcon­
tinuetorepresentasubstantialpercentageoftheJRC's
work,thatpercentagewastobereducedtothebenefit
ofotherworktothepointwhereitaccountedforonly
approximately 50%oftheJRC'stotalcapacitybythe
endofaten-yearperiod.
2.1.4.Theobjectivesasregardsthefourtypesof
workwereasfollows:
TypeofworkAverage%
1984-1987Average%
1988-19911991target
%Target%
after10
years
1.Specificresearchprogrammes 87,2 69 61 50
2.Workforthirdparties:
2.1.ScientificandtechnicalassistancetotheCom­
mission
2.2.Workcarriedoutforexternalprivateorpublic
bodies3
9,812
1214
14
Total 12,8 24 2830-50
3.Preparatoryresearch 0 7 11 15
Total 100 100 100 100
2.2.InternalstructureandmanagementoftheJRC
2.2.1.TheCommission proposedfar-reaching
changesinthestructureoftheJRCbasedontheestab­
lishmentofacleardistinctionbetweenthemanagement
ofprogrammes (overallstrategicmanagement )and
resourcemangement (implementation ofresearch
activities).
2.2.2.Withthataiminview,theCommissionpro­
posedthattheJRCbereorganizedintoninescientific
institutes(sixofwhichwouldbeatIspra).Theinstitutes
wouldhavefulloperationalresponsibilityforallscien­
tific,administrative andfinancialaspectsoftheirpar­
ticularsphereofactivity,whilstthemanagementofthe
programmeswouldbetheresponsibilityoftheJRC
Directorate-General .2.2.3.Theseinternalstructuralchangesweretobe
accompaniedbyareformoftheadvisorymachinery .
Themainfeaturesoftheproposedreformwereas
followed :
—greaterofthepowersfortheJRCBoardofGover­
nors,
—theabolitionoftheScientificCouncilfortheJRC
asawhole,
—advisorycommitteestobeattachedtoeachofthe
scientificinstitutes.
2.3.Personnelpolicy
2.3.1.TheCommissionconsideredthat,inthelight
oftherequirementsattendantuponthenewscientific

NoC49/18 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 24.2.92
missionwhilststressingtheCommunityroleofthe
JRC.Anestimateoftheoverallfinancialturnoverof
theJRCfortheperiod1988-1991wasappendedtothe
Resolution .Theestimateissetoutbelow:
(inmillionECU)
A.Implementation oftheFrameworkPro­
grammebymeansofspecificresearch
programmesandpreparatoryresearch:
—EECresearchprogrammes , 251,7
—EAECresearchprogrammes 448,3
SubtotalA700
B.Workforthirdparties:
—Scientificandtechnologicalsupport
fortheCommission 120
—Workforexternalprivateandpublic
bodies 130(3)
SubtotalB250objectives,therewasaneedtoredefinethepersonnel
policywithintheframeworkoftheexistingStaffRegu­
lations.TheCommissionproposedthefollowing
measures :
—increasedflexibilityintheassigningofstafftoscien­
tifictasks,subjecttoclearlydefinedceilings,
—managementoftemporarycontractsinsuchaway
astoensureasignificantnon-renewalrate,
—atwo-waysystemoffixed-termsecondments
betweentheJRCandindustryandnationalestab­
lishments,
—anincreaseinthenumberoffellowsandvisiting
scientists,
—specialarrangementsforterminationofservicein
respectofofficialswhosequalifications didnot
matchthenewscientificobjectives,
—newmethodsofcontrollingcostsdesignedtoreduce
generalexpenditure .
2.3.2.Theaimoftheabovereformofpersonnel
policywasthereforetomeetthreeessentialrequire­
ments:
—qualificationshadtoberelevanttotheprogrammes
tobelaunched,
—flexibilityofqualificationsandresourcesinthelight
ofchangingrequirements ,
—linkagebetweenECandnationalpersonnelpolicies.
2.4.Theaboveproposalswerebroadlyinlinewith
therecommendations setoutinareportdrawnupfor
theCommission byapanelofleadingindustrialists
('AnindustrialviewoftheJRC',November1986).The
proposalswerebroadlywelcomedbytheCommitteein
itsOpiniondated27January1988(1).InitsOpinion
theCommitteeexpressedtheviewthat:
'(...)theprojectedchangesaimtoupgradetheJRC's
workthroughdiversification ,therebyboostingthe
effectivenessofCommunityresearch.'(Point2.3.2.)Total 950
3.2.On14October1988theCounciladoptedthree
Decisionswithregardtospecificresearchprogrammes
tobeimplementedbytheJRCduringtheperiod1988
to1991andasupplementary programmeconcerning
theoperationoftheHFR(4).
3.3.UnderthefirsttwoDecisionsuptoECU
35millionorsome5%ofthetotalallocationsfor
thespecificprogrammes (ECU700million)couldbe
earmarkedforpreparatoryresearch.
3.4.Thesespecificprogrammes ,whichrununtil
31December1991,weredesignedtohelpimplement
thefollowingactionprojectssetoutintheSecond
FrameworkProgramme :
—qualityoflife(environment ,protectionagainstradi­
ation),
—modernization ofindustrialsectors(scienceand
technologyofadvancedmaterials,standards,
methodsofmeasurement andreferencematerialsin
thenuclearandnon-nuclearfields),
—energy(safetyofnuclearfissionandcontrolledther­
monuclearfusion).
3.5.Whilstendorsingtheadoptionofthethreedraft
DecisionssubmittedbytheCommission ,theCom­
mitteedrewattention,intheabovementioned Opinion,
tothefactthatitwasopposedtoareductioninspecific
activitiesinthefieldsofrenewableenergyandenergy
savingsandithighlightedthemodestnatureofthe
activitiesproposedintheenvironmental field,having
regardtoactualrequirementsandpossibilities .3.TheprogrammeofactivitiesoftheJRCforthe
period1988-1991andtheimplementation ofthe
reforms
3.1.On29June1988,theCounciladoptedaResol­
ution(2)concerningtheactivitiestobeundertakenby
theJRC.ThisResolutiondemonstratedtheCouncil's
supportforthereformstrategyproposedbytheCom­
HIncludingECU78millionfortheimplementation ofthe
supplementary HFRprogramme . (1)OJNoC80,28.3.1988,p.23.
(2)OJNoC197,27.7.1988,p.4. (4)OJNoL286,20.12.1988,p.29.

24.2.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC49/19
3.16.Theannualreportsshowthatbetween
1January1988and31December1990,411leftthe
serviceoftheJRCand279wererecruitedasmembers
ofthetemporarystaff.Noestablishedstaffhavebeen
recruitedsince1975.
3.17.Contractsaregenerallyforadurationof
5yearswiththepossibilityofrenewal.Inthecaseofa
numberofpoststheCommissiontriedtorecruitonthe
basisofthree-yearnon-renewable contracts.Thishas
provedafailure—only10scientistshavebeenrecruited
onthebasisofsuchcontractssince1988.
4.Mid-termevaluationoftheJRC
4.1.FindingsoftheEvaluationPanel3.6.TheCouncilResolutionofJune1988andthe
ensuingDecisionsopenedthewaytotherestructuring
oftheJRCand,inparticular,totheestablishment in
late1988oftheninescientificinstituteswhosecreation
hadbeenannouncedbytheCommission .Followingan
amalgamation thenumberwasreducedtoeightin1990
(seethetableappendedtothisdocument).
3.7.Atthesametime,anAdministration Directorate
fortheentireJRCwasestablishedatIspraanda
ProgrammesDirectorate ,withresponsibilityforstra­
tegicplanningandensuringscientificcoordination ,was
setupinBrussels.
3.8.WitheffectfromJune1988theCommission
vestedincreasedpowersintheJRCBoardofGovernors
withregardtopersonnelmanagement ,financialman­
agement,andtheimplementation oftheprogrammes .
3.9.WiththeabolitionoftheJRC'sScientific
Council,advisorycommitteesforeachofthescientific
institutesweregraduallysetupfrom1989.
3.10.Alsowitheffectfrom1988,theJRCembarked
uponthefourmaintypesofactivitysetoutinthe
CouncilResolution .Theseactivitiesaredescribedin
detailintheannualreportsdrawnupbytheJRCin
pursuanceoftheResolutionandtheCouncilDecisions
ofOctober1988.
3.11.Itshould,however,benotedthattheJRCwas
onlyformallyauthorizedtocarryoutworkforthird
partiesundertheCouncilDecisionof3May1989(1).
3.12.Finally,referenceshouldbemadetoanew
personnelpolicyintroducedinpursuanceoftheCouncil
Resolutionforthepurposeofimproving'thescientific
excellence,ageprofileandmobilityofstaffinandout
oftheJRC,withtheaimofenhancingthecompeti­
tivenessoftheJRCandreducingoverallstaffcosts'
(point4oftheCouncilResolutionof29June1988).
3.13.InthatcontexttheJRCBoardofGovernors
expressedtheviewin1988thattheannuallevelof
mobilityattheJRCshouldbebetween5and10%of
totalresearchpersonnel,withaviewtoguaranteeing
thedynamismofitsscientificpersonnel.
3.14.Intheperiod1988to1991thetotalauthorized
statutorystafffortheJRChadbeensetat2180.
On31December19901932membersofstaffwere
employed,ofwhom387belongedtotheadministrative
categoryand1545tothetechnicalandscientificcatego­
ry.In1987,thenumberofauthorizedstafftotalled
2260.
3.15.Ofthe1932employedon31December1991,
59%weretemporarystaffand41%wereestablished
staff.Therespectivepercentagesin1988were53%and
47%.4.1.1.Inaccordancewithpoint10oftheCouncil
ResolutionofJune1988,amid-termevaluationofthe
JRCwassubmittedinDecember1989.Thereport,
whichwasdrawnupbyapaneloffiverepresentatives
ofindustry,examined'progressachievedtowardsa
reorientationoftheJRCandtheworkitundertakes'.
Thereport,whichisavailableonlyinEnglish,was
publishedbytheCommissioninJanuary1990together
withtheOpinionoftheJRC'sBoardofGovernors
[doc.SEC(90)35final].Thereportsetoutthefollowing
findings.
4.1.2.Considerable progresshadbeenmadein
implementingtheearlierrecommendations onincreas­
ingtheefficiencyoftheJRC.Thepanelpointedout
thatboththequalityoftheJRC'sworkandthequality
ofitsreportinghadbeenhighlypraisedbycustomers.
4.1.3.TheJRC'smediumandlong-termstrategic
planningrequiredconsolidation .Theplanningshould
betheresponsibilityoftheBoardofGovernorsandit
shouldbetailoredasappropriatetotheneedsand
circumstances oftheJRC'scustomers.
4.1.4.Thesumsallocatedforexploratoryresearch
shouldbeincreasedfrom5%toatleast10%.The
currentlevelwasregardedastotallyinadequateto
enabletheresearchcarriedouttohaveanimpacton
thelongtermdevelopmentoftheJRCandonthe
developmentoftheskillswhichitrequired.The
increasedlevelofexploratoryresearchshouldbe
accompaniedbytheissuingofstrategicguidelinesat
regularintervalsbytheBoardofGovernors .
4.1.5.Thecustomer/contractorprincipleshouldbe
appliedinmorecases,e.g.withregardtoworkcarried
outbytheJRCforotherCommissionDGsandinthe
relationsbetweentheinfrastructural servicesandthe
variousInstitutesoftheJRC,whichshouldbegenuinely
responsiblefortheirownresourcemanagement . (»)OJNoL142,25.5.1989,p.10.

NoC49/20 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 24.2.92
4.1.15.Onamoregeneralpoint,thepanelwarned
againsttherisksofspreadingtheJRC'seffortstoo
thinlyoveralargenumberofresearchfieldsandunder­
linedtheneedforittoconcentrateontheseareas
whereithadthegreatestskills,takingintoaccountthe
subsidiarityprinciple.
4.1.16.TheJRC'sBoardofGovernorsbasically
endorsedthefindingsofthemid-termevaluation .
4.2.FindingsoftheCourtofAuditors4.1.6.Asubstantialproportionoftheincomefrom
workcarriedoutforthirdpartiesshouldbeallocated
totheInstituteswhichcarriedoutthework.
4.1.7.Marketingoffindingsshouldbeundertaken
ascloseaspossibletothelevelatwhichresearchwork
wastakingplaceanditshouldbeentrustedtospecialist
staff.AsmallgroupreportingtotheDirector-General
shouldbesetuptoanalyze,inparticular,possible
marketopportunities .
4.1.8.TheJRCshouldfocusitsthirdpartywork
forindustryonenablingtechnologies .Inthisfieldthe
formationofcooperatingclubshad,accordingtothe
panel,provedtobeaverygoodmethodfororganiza­
tionsliketheJRCtohelpbothlargecompaniesand
smallandmedium-sizedenterprises .
4.1.9.Incomefromworkforthirdpartiesshould
comeessentiallyfromtheexecutionofresearchorfrom
theprovisionofspecializedfacilitiesratherthanfrom
licencesorpatents,whichwere,inthepanel'sview,not
apromisingsourceofincome.
4.1.10.ThecompositionoftheBoardofGovernors
shouldberevisedinordertoincludeadditionalrep­
resentativesfromindustry.TheBoardofGovernors
shouldalsodedicatemoreattentiontostrategicaspects.
4.1.11.TheBoardofGovernorsshouldbegiven
morefreedomandflexibilityforreallocating
resources—humanaswellasfinancial—inthelightof
thetasksperformedforcustomerswithintheCom­
mission,andforthird-partycustomers.
4.1.12.ThenumberofInstitutesshouldbereduced
fromninetosixorseven.Thepanelrecommended the
amalgamation oftheCentreforInformationTech­
nologiesandElectronicswiththeInstituteforSystems
Engineering (1).
4.1.13.TheJRC'sstaffmanagementprocedures
were,inthepanel'sview,inappropriatefortheeffective
organizationandmanagementofresearchactivity.The
recruitmentprocedurescurrentlyinforcewereunac­
ceptable,fromthepointofviewofbothdelaysand
selection.Thepolicyofhavingfixedfiveorthreeyear
contracts,whethertheywererenewableornon-renew­
able,wasadisincentivetotherecruitmentofhighgrade
staff.
4.1.14.Thescopeforsecondmentfromindustry
shouldnotbeoverestimated .Secondmentfromnational
laboratoriesanduniversitieswasofcoursemucheasier
toachieve.4.2.1.Whilstrecognizingthevalueofanumberof
recommendations madebythepanel,theCourtof
Auditors,notedinitsannualreportforthefinancial
year1989(2)thatitdidnotfullysharethepanel's
findingsasregardstheprogressachievedbytheJRC.
4.2.2.TheCourtofAuditors'reportconcentrated
ontheresearchworkcarriedoutinsupportofEC
policiesandthird-partywork.IntheCourt'sview,the
achievementofthetargetssetforthesetwotypesof
activities'willdependontheJRC'ssuccessinpersuad­
ingothersofthevalueofhavingworkdoneinthe
centre'(point9.13).
4.2.3.TheCourtofAuditorsmadeanumberof
observationsonthemid-termsituationinrespectofthe
1988-1991programme .TheCourtpointedout,inter
alia,that:
4.2.4.Giventhelimitedfreedomwhichtheinstitutes
hadtomanagetheirownaffairswith,therestructuring
oftheJRCcouldnotbeconsideredtobefullyoper­
ational(point9.16).
4.2.5.Expenditureonthespecificprogrammeshad
exceededtheoriginaltargetfigure(point9.14).
4.2.6.AsregardsworkfortheCommission ,demand
hadbeensuchthattheJRChadbeenunabletosatisfy
alltherequests.TheexpendituretargetofECU120
millionfortheperiod1988to1991hadbeenexceeded
andasaresulttheappropriations hadbeenincreased
byECU10million(point9.22).
4.2.7.Thecurrentbudgetstructuredidnotfavour
thestrictapplicationofthecustomer-contractor
relationshiptoworkfortheCommission .Thattypeof
workwasnotsubjecttoadequatecontrolandspecifi­
cationsonthepartoftheDGs(point9.23and9.24).
4.2.8.Half-wayintothe1988-1991programmethe
financialtargetsinrespectofthird-partyworkwerea
longwayfromhavingbeingachieved(point9.14).
(')Asindicatedinpoint2.1above,thesetwoinstituteswere
amalgamated in1990toformtheInstituteforSystemsEngin­
eeringandInformatics . (2)OJNoC313 ,12.12.1990.

24.2.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC49/21
Courtrecommended settingupaspecialunitcharged
withthatresponsibility (point9.79).
4.2.13.9.Recruitmentproceduresandtheconditions
ofserviceofnewrecruitsshouldbereviewedtoenable
procedurestobeintroducedwhichwouldencourage
theinflowofnewbloodtotheJRC(point9.84).
4.3.RepliesbytheCommissiontotheCourtofAudi­
tors'Report4.2.9.Undertheaccountancysysteminoperationin
theperiod1988to1991itwasnotpossibleforthe
CourtofAuditorstoassesswhethercontractsforthird­
partyworkhadalwaysrecoveredthecosts(point9.47).
4.2.10.Thenewpersonnelpolicyhadnotachieved
theobjectiveswhichhadbeenset,namelyanimprove­
mentinthescientificexcellenceofthecentre,theage
profileofitsstaffandstaffmobility.Afurtherproblem
whichhadnotbeenresolvedwasthemis-match
betweenstaffqualificationsandtheJRCrequirements
(point9.67).
4.2.11.Thearrangements fortheemploymentof
visitingscientistsandfellowshadalsofailedtobring
aboutaninfusionofnewscientificblood(point9.65).
4.2.12.OneparticularproblemfacingtheJRCwas
theabsenceofspecialiststaffinitsadministration
(9.66).
4.2.13.Themainrecommendations putforwardby
theCourtofAuditorswereasfollows.
4.2.13.1.Theautonomyandaccountability ofthe
institutesneededtobeincreased,particularlyasregards
recruitmentandthechoiceofservicesprovidedbythe
JRCadministration andthedifferentinstitutes(point
9.17).
4.2.13.2.Theinstitutesneededtobemademore
accountablefortheirperformance .Budgetsandtargets
shouldbesetforeachinstituteandtheirdirectors
shouldbeheldresponsiblefordeliveringtheresults
(point9.17).
4.2.13.3.Astrictcustomer/contractorrelationship
hadtobeestablishedinrespectofworkinsupportof
theCommission (point9.25).
4.2.13.4.Anaccountingsystemshouldbesetupto
provideaprofit-and-loss accountforeachthird-party
contract(point9.47).
4.2.13.5.IftheJRCwastoexpanditsworkforthird
parties,itwouldbenecessarytoestablishaprofessional
marketingdepartment (point9.48).
4.2.13.6.TheJRC'sadministrative staffshouldbe
reducedtothebareminimumnecessaryfortheefficient
runningofthecentre(point9.67).
4.2.13.7.TheJRCneededprofessionalstaffin
finance,administration andmarketing,ifitwasto
successfullyimplementthenewpolicy(point9.66).
4.2.13.8.TheJRChadtomakeamajor,sustained
efforttoreducecosts,inparticularservicecosts.The4.3.1.Initsreplies,whichareappendedtothe
ReportoftheCourtofAuditors,theCommissionmade
anumberofpointsincludingthefollowing.
4.3.2.Bothfinanciallyandscientificallythemain
taskoftheJRCremainedtheexecutionofspecific
researchprogrammesundertheFrameworkPro­
gramme(seepreambletotheCommission'sreplies).
4.3.3.Inthefieldofthird-partyworktheJRChad
torespondtoacompletelynewsituationquitedifferent
fromitsoriginalrole.Furthermore ,theJRC'sability
toadaptandthespeedofreactionofthemarketinthe
running-inperiodhadnodoubtbeenoverestimated
(point9.14).
4.3.4.Astherunning-inperiodhadlastedlonger
thanhadbeenplanned,noassessmentcouldbemade
ofthethird-partyworkuntiltheendoftheperiod1988­
1991.
4.3.5.Measureswerebeingimplementedtosecurea
greaterfinancialautonomyfortheinstitutesbytheend
of1990(point9.17).
4.3.6.Whilethemulti-yearagreementsconcluded
withtheDirectorates-General inrespectofworkin
supportoftheCommissionsetoutoutlinesforthe
work,theimplementation oftheworkwasdescribed
ingreaterdetailbytherelevantDGsinannualwork
schedulesandfollow-upmeetings.Detailedannual
reportsweresenttocustomerDGs(point9.24).
4.3.7.TheJRC'smarketingstrategywouldbe
reinforcedwithaviewtoexpandingworkforthird
parties(point9.48).
4.3.8.Theenhancement ofthescientificexcellence
oftheJRCdidnotdependonlyonthestatutorystaff
butalsotoanincreasingdegreeontheinflux,ona
strictlytemporarybasis,ofvisitingscientists,research
fellowsandstaffsecondedfromtheMemberStates
(point9.57,thirdpar.).
4.3.9.TheCommissionhadnotauthorizedanyfur­
therrecruitmentofestablishedstaffattheJRCsince
1974(point9.58).

NoC49/22 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 24.2.92
4.3.10.Whilstthemeasurestakento-datemightnot
havesolvedalltheproblems,theyhadallowedthe
recruitmentofyoungerstaffwiththedesiredprofileand
therebyimprovedtheagestructureandthespectrumof
competence (point9.67).
4.3.11.Ontheadministration sidetheJRCwasto
setupa'managementefficiency'unit(point9.67).
PARTTWO:THEPROGRAMME OFACTIVITIES
OFTHEJRCFORTHEPERIOD1992-1994 :
PROPOSALS PUTFORWARD
BYTHECOMMISSION2.1.2.UndertheCouncilDecisionof23April1990
ontheFrameworkProgrammefortheperiod1990­
1994(*),thesumofECU550millionhasbeenallocated
toworktobecarriedoutbytheJRCasitscontribution
totheimplementation ofsixofthefifteenspecific
researchprogrammesalreadyadoptedortobeadopted
undertheFrameworkProgramme (2).Thesixspecific
researchprogrammesinquestionandthesumsallo­
catedtothem(inmillionECU)areasfollows:
—industrialandmaterialstechnologies :78
—measurementandtesting:90
—environment :150
—nuclearfissionsafety:166
—controllednuclearfusion:41
—humancapitalandmobility:25
2.1.3.Theabovementioned sumcompareswiththe
sumofECU700millionallocatedtotheJRCinrespect
ofitscontributiontotheimplementation ofthepreced­
ingframeworkprogramme (1987-1991).Thedifference
has,however,tobequalified,inasmuchastheproposed
specificresearchprogrammeswillbecarriedoutover
athree-yearperiod,ratherthanafour-yearperiodas
wasthecasewiththeearlierprogrammes .
2.1.4.Itshould,however,benotedthatresearch
activitiesinthenuclearfieldwillbecutbackconsider­
ably,atleastinfinancialterms.
2.1.5.Asregardstheproposednewresearchactivi­
tiesandtheresearchactivitieswhicharetobeex­
panded,particularattentionshouldbedrawntothe
workinthefollowingfields.
2.1.5.1.Workingenvironment
2.1.5.1.1.Inthefieldsofindustrialandmaterials
technologiesattentionisdrawntothecontribution
tobemadebytheJRCinthefieldoftheworking
environment .TheJRC'scontributionwillfocuson
threeareas,namely:toxicologyandoccupational
health,occupationalaccidentresearchandriskpreven­
tion.
2.1.5.2.Environment
2.1.5.2.1.Generallyspeaking,theCommissionfore­
seesaveryconsiderableincreaseintheJRC'scontri­
butiontoenvironmental research,withparticularrefer­
encetothreesectorswhichareidentifiedinthedraft
Decision .
2.1.5.2.2.Intheresearchsector'technologiesand
engineeringfortheenvironment'specialattentionisto
bepaidto'environmental monitoringthroughremote1.Introduction
1.1.TheproposalsmadebytheCommissionrep­
resent,ontheonehand,acontinuationofthereforms
whichhavebeenundertakensince1988and,onthe
otherhand,theyformpartofalongerterm(uptothe
year2000)conceptoftheroleoftheJRC.
1.2.Intheinitialchapterofitscommunication the
CommissionsetsoutwhatistobetheroleoftheJRC
forthenext10years,theobjectiveswhichitistohelp
toachieveandthecriteriawhicharetounderliethe
guidelinesforitsactivities.
1.3.Inthelightoftheaboveconsiderations ,the
CommissionandthemanagementbodiesoftheJRC
agreeduponascenarioforthedevelopmentofthe
JRCtotheyear2000.Theplanforesawprincipallya
continuationofthevarioustypesofactivitiescurrently
carriedoutbytheJRCbutwithanincreaseinscientific
andtechnicalsupportworkfortheCommission .
1.4.Inlinewiththeobjectiveslaiddownin1988,
theCommission'sproposalscallfortheJRC'scontri­
butiontotheimplementation ofthesuccessiveframe­
workprogrammestobegraduallyreduced,whilst
maintainingitscontributioninthoseareasinwhich,as
theCommissionstates'theCommunitytrulybenefits
fromtheimpartialandindependentpositionofthe
JRC'.
1.5.TheCommission'sproposedprogrammeofJRC
activitiesfortheperiod1992to1994alreadyembodies
thedevelopmentsoutlinedabove.
2.Scientificandtechnologicalactivities
2.1.ContributionbytheJRCtotheimplementation
ofthespecificresearchandtechnologicaldevelop­
ment(RScTD)programmes
2.1.1.ThepredominantroleoftheJRCwillremain
thatofmakingacontributiontowardstheimplemen­
tationofthe1990-1994FrameworkProgramme ,aswas
thacaseintheprecedingperiod.(!)OJNoL117,8.5.1990,p.28.
(2)ECU5,5millionoftheoverallallocationofECU550million
istobesetasidefortheimplementation ofthecentralized
actionofexploitationanddissemination ofknowledge
resultingfromthespecificprogrammesofR&TDprovided
forinArticle4oftheCouncilDecisionontheFramework
Programme1990-1994—OJNoC53,28.2.1991,p.39(not
yetadoptedbytheCouncil).

24.2.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC49/23
sensing,focusingonadvancedtechniques'whichwill
involve,interalia,theestablishment attheJRC,in
cooperationwiththeEuropeanSpaceAgency(ESA),of
aCentreforEarthObservation (CEO),theroleof
whichisdescribedintheCommissiondocument .
2.1.5.2.3.Undertheheading'researchoneconomic
andsocialaspects'itisproposedthattheexistingwork
on'reliability,riskassessmentandaccidentmanage­
ment'bestrengthened .
2.1.5.2.4.Giventheinderdisciplinary characterof
researchinthisfield,itisproposedthataEuropean
OfficeforSafetybeestablishedintheJRC.Thepro­
posedOfficewouldhavetherole,interalia,ofpromot­
ingsynergybetweentheabovementioned research
activitiesandrelatedwork.Theothertaskswhichcould
beentrustedtotheproposedOfficearedescribedinthe
Commission'sdocument .2.3.Workforthirdparties
2.3.1.ThefinancialtargetssetoutintheCouncil
Resolutionhavenotbeenachieved.Thevalueofthe
contractssignedduringtheperiod1988-1991isesti­
matedatECU40million,comparedwithatargetfigure
ofECU52million(theECU78millionallocatedtothe
implementation ofthesupplementary HFRprogramme
isnottakenintoaccounthere).
2.3.2.TheCommissionhassetatargetofECU137
millionfortheperiod1992-1994,ECU69millionof
whichwillbegivenovertothesupplementary HFR
programme .Inordertoachievethistargetmorepro­
motionalworkwillbecarriedoutbytheJRCinstitutes
andcentralbodies.
2.4.Exploratoryresearch
2.4.1.Thistypeofresearchwillalsobeincreased,
theCommissionproposestoallocatemorethanECU
40millionfortheperiod1992-1994.
2.4.2.Itshouldbenoted,however,thatthetarget
setisstillwellbelowthelevelrecommended bythe
EvaluationPanel(whichcalledforaminimumof10%).
Itrepresentsonly4,5%ofthetotalfinancialresources
oftheJRCoverthewholeoftheperiodunderconsider­
ation.
2.4.3.Thistypeofresearchwillbefinancedby
meansofalevyonthefundingallocatedtotheother
threemaintypesofresearchactivities.2.1.5.3.Nuclearfissionsafety
2.1.5.3.1.Oneofthenewprogrammeswhichitis
proposedtosetupinthisfieldisentitled'Actinidesin
nuclearfuelcyclesafety'.Underthisprogrammethe
workcarriedoutthusfarbytheJRCinthisareaof
researchwillbecontinued .
2.1.5.4.Humancapitalandmobility
2.1.5.4.1.TheJRC'scontributiontotheimplemen­
tationofthisnewspecificprogrammewillinvolve
theintroductionoftrainingopportunitiesand'new
perspectives (mobility)forpromisingyoung
researchers,notablyatthepost-doctoral level'.
2.1.5.4.2.Alongsidethiscontribution tothe
implementation ofthespecificprogrammestheCom­
missionproposes,aspointedoutabove,thatothertypes
ofactivitiescarriedoutbytheJRCsince1988be
continuedandextended,namelv:3.TheJRC'sfinancialandhumanresources
3.1.Ashasbeenpointedoutabove,theCom­
mission'sproposalsconfirmthetrendtowardsasharp
reductioninthepercentageoffinancialresourcesallo­
catedtotheimplementation ofthespecificresearch
programmes,tothebenefitoftheothertypesofactivi­
tiespursuedbytheJRC.Thepercentageoffinancial
resourcesallocatedtospecificresearchprogrammesis
scheduledtobe59%overtheperiode1992-1994 (see
chapterIIoftheCommissiondocument).
3.2.Thepercentageoffinancialresourcesallocated
toworkinsupportoftheCommission isexpectedto
increaseto21%,whilstthecorresponding percentage
forthird-partyworkisscheduledtobe15,5%(which
includesthesupplementary HFRprogramme).
3.3.Althoughtheoverallfinancialresourcesofthe
JRCfortheperiod1992-1994arelessinabsoluteterms
thantheestimatesfortheperiod1988-1991,inviewof
theone-yearreductioninthedurationofthepro­
gramme(threeyearsinsteadoffour)thesuminquestion
represents,relativelyandinrealterms,anequivalent
amounttothatprovidedfortheprecedingperiod.
3.4.Withregardtohumanresources,themainpro­
posalsputforwardbytheCommissionareasfollows:
—theemploymentof200youngvisitingresearchers ,2.2.ScientificandtechnologicalsupportfortheCom­
mission
2.2.1.Thesuccessofthistypeofactivity—whichis
describedindetailinthevariousannualreportsofthe
JRC—ledtoanovershootingofthebudgetaryestimates
setoutinthe1988CouncilResolution .Expenditure
reachedECU131million,asagainstthe1988estimate
ofECU120million.
2.2.2.Anumberofnewactivitieswhicharelisted
intheCommission documentaretobeintroduced .
Increasedfunding,totallingECU190million,istobe
allocatedtothistypeofactivity.
2.2.3.Inlinewithanumberofrecommendations
referredtoabove,theCommissionintendstostrengthen
thecustomer/contractorprincipleinrelationsbetween
theJRCandtherelevantCommissiondepartments .

NoC49/24 24.2.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities
—thecontinuedemploymentofseniorvisiting
researchersandstaffsecondedfromnationalorgan­
izationsintheMemberStates,
—areductionof100inthenumberofstatutorystaff.
4.Otheractivities
4.1.ThreeotherissuesareconsideredintheCom­
missiondocument,namely:
—theexploitationanddisseminationofresearchfind­
ings,
—theuseofJRCfacilities,
—collaboration withnationalresearch.1.6.TheCommitteesupportstheCommission's
desiretopursuethereformswhichhavebeenunderway
since1988.TheCommitteealsobroadlyapprovesthe
conclusionsoftheappraisalcarriedoutbytheCom­
missionwithregardtothelonger-termdevelopment
oftheJRC.TheCommitteeneverthelessconsidersit
helpfulandtimelytoputforwardanumberofobser­
vationstowhichitwouldparticularlydrawtheatten­
tion,oftheECinstitutionsandtheJRC'sboardof
Governors .
1.7.TheCommitteehasbeenformallyconsultedby
theCouncilonlyinrespectofthethreeproposalsfor
decisionsadoptingspecificprogrammesandasup­
plementaryresearchprogrammetobeimplemented
bytheJRCintheperiod1992-1994.TheCommittee
thereforeconsidersthatitshouldputforwardobser­
vationsfirstlyinrespectoftheseproposals.
2.TheprogrammeofactivitiesoftheJRCforthe
period1992-1994
2.1.Generalassessment
2.1.1.TheCommitteegenerallyendorsestheCom­
mission'sproposals,whichbroadlyimplementthe
abovementioned Councildecisionof23April1990on
theFrameworkProgrammefortheperiod1992-1994.
2.1.2.InitsOpinionof15November1989onthe
1990-1994FrameworkProgramme(*),theCommittee
broadlyapprovedthecontributionwhichtheJRC
wouldbecalledupontomaketotheimplementation
oftheFrameworkProgramme .
2.1.3.TheCommitteenotesthattheproposalsunder
reviewmeetitsrepeatedrecommendations thattheJRC
concentrateonanumberoflimitedareasinwhichwork
shouldpreferablybecarriedoutatEClevel,either
becauseoftheneedforobjectiveandindependent
expertisetobackuptheimplementation ofECpolicies
and/orbecauseoftheinternational dimensionofthe
problemstoberesolved.TheCommitteewoulddraw
attentioninthiscontextparticularlytoitsOpinionson
theabovementioned programmeofresearchactivities
oftheJRC(1988-1991)andtheFrameworkProgramme
(1990-1994).TheseOpinionssetouttheimportance
whichtheCommitteeattachestotheprincipleofsubsi­
diarityasaselectioncriterionfortheresearchactivities
tobecarriedoutbytheJRC.
2.1.4.TheCommitteeparticularlywelcomesthe
veryconsiderableincreaseintheJRC'scontributionto
researchworkontheenvironment ,especiallyinview
ofthefactthattheproposedprogrammeistobe
implementedoverthreeyears,ratherthanfouryears
aswasthecasewiththepreviousprogramme .The
concernexpressedbytheCommitteeinits1988Opinion
withregardtothemodestnatureoftheenvironment
programmeproposedatthattimehasthusbeenacted
upon.PARTTHREE :ASSESSMENT AND
RECOMMENDATIONS MADEBYTHE
ECONOMIC ANDSOCIALCOMMITTEE
1.Overallassessment
1.1.Althoughthereformprocesswhichstartedin
1988hasyettobecompleted,anddespitethefactthat
impactofthereformcanonlybefullyassessedover
thelongterm,theCommitteewelcomestheimportant
changeswhichhavetakenplacesofar,particularly
withregardtotherestructuringoftheJRCandthe
reorientation ofitstasks.IntheCommittee'sviewthese
changeshavehadabeneficialeffectontheJRC.
1.2.Whilstitrecognizesthatnotalltheproblems
havebeensolved,theCommitteehasbeenpleasedto
notethatthesereformshavedonemuchtoprovidethe
JRCwithanewdynamism,increaseitsefficiencyand
motivatestaff.TheCommitteehasreachedthesecon­
clusions,inparticular,asaresultofavisitmadetothe
JRCestablishment atIsprainItalyinOctober1991.
TheCommitteealsotakesthisopportunitytodraw
attentiontotheverystrongcommitmentdisplayedby
theJRC'sstaff.
1.3.TheCommitteeconsidersthattheJRChasthus
reestablisheditsroleintheECframework,arolewhich
intheCommittee'sview,cannotbechallenged .
1.4.TheCommitteeregretsthatwhiledrawingup
thisOpinionitdidnothaveatitsdisposaltheassess­
mentreportdealing,inparticular,withthescientific,
technicalandeconomicfindingsoftheresearchwork
carriedoutbytheJRCthroughouttheperiod1988­
1991.TheCouncilDecisionsof1988providedforthe
drawing-upofthisreportbyagroupofindependent
externalexperts.
1.5.TheCommitteeis,however,awareofthebroad
outlinesoftheconclusionssetoutinthereportin
question.IntheCommittee'sviewtheseconclusionsdo
notcallintoquestionthevalidityofeithertheabove
overallassessmentortheobservations andrecommen­
dationslistedbelow. HOJNoC56,7.3.1990,p.34.

24.2.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC49/25
2.1.5.TheCommitteedoes,however,notethat
undertheCommission'sproposalsthereistobea
furtherreductionindirectresearchonnon-nuclear
energyandareductioninnuclear-safetyresearch.The
Committeewillgiveitsviewsonthesetwoissuessepar­
atelybelow.
2.1.6.Finally,theCommitteewouldemphasisethe
importancewhichitattachestotheparticipationofthe
JRCintheimplementation ofthehumancapitaland
mobilityprogrammewhichwasproposedbytheCom­
missioninMay1990andisstillpendingbeforebythe
Councilf1).2.2.6.Secondly,theCommittee,bearinginmindthe
principleofsubsidiarity,considersthatpriorityshould
begiventoensuringthatR&TDandotheractivities
designedtoexploittheindigenousenergypotentialof
thevariousregionsoftheECareimplementedat
regionalorlocallevel.Itisalsoatregionalorlocal
levelthatthepotentialofnewandrenewableenergy
sourcescanbestbeassessedandexploited.
2.2.7.TheroleoftheJRCinthecoordinationof
researchactivityinthisfieldshouldperhapsbeassessed,
withaviewtoavoidingduplicationandachievingthe
essentialsynergybetweentheworkofthevarious
bodies.
2.2.8.TheCommission shouldalsoconsiderthe
possibilityofenablingtheJRCtoincreaseitsscientific
andtechnologicalsupportforECpolicyintheenergy
field,e.g.inconnectionwiththeThermiepro­
gramme(2),withaviewtoimplementingpilotand
demonstration projectstodeveloptechniques,processes
andinnovativeproducts,andalsoinconnectionwith
thecooperationestablishedbetweentheECandalarge
numberofnon-ECcountriesinthisfield.2.2.Non-nuclearenergyandenergysavings
2.2.1.UndertheCouncildecisionontheJRCpro­
gramme(1988-1991)thesumofECU10,6millionwas
allocatedtopre-normative researchintoreference
methodsfornon-nuclearenergy(solarenergysystems,
photovoltaicconversionsystemsandenergysavingsys­
tems).
2.2.2.InitsOpinionof1988,theCommittee
expresseditsdisagreement overthisreductionin
researchactivitiesinthefieldofnon-nuclearenergy
andenergysavings.TheCommitteeregretsthatits
standpointwasnottakenintoconsideration .Giventhe
needtopromoteexpandonanddevelopnon-nuclear
energy,thiscut-backwasintheCommittee'sOpinion,
bothdamagingandunjustifiable .TheCommitteecalls
upontheCommissionandtheCouncilofMinistersto
intensifyresearchinthefieldofnon-nuclearenergyand
energysavings.
2.2.3.TheCommitteenoteswithconsiderable con­
cernthat,undertheproposedprogrammeofactivities
oftheJRCfortheperiod1992-1994,researchactivities
inthisfieldwillbefurtherreduced.Theonlyactivity
tobecontinuedwillbeprenormative researchon
methodsofmeasurement inphotovoltaicconversion
systems.Theseactivitiesaretobecarriedoutbythe
experimentalEuropeanSolarTestInstallation (ESTI).
2.2.4.TheCommitteefullyrecognizesthedamaging
consequences ofafurtherreductioninthelevelof
activitiesinthisarea,asregardstheimpactonfuture
energypolicyandanumberofresearchpersonnel,and
therisksoflosingtheexpertisewhichtheJRChasin
thisfield.
2.2.5.ItshouldbenotedfirstofallthattheCouncil
decisionontheFrameworkProgramme (1990-1994)
makesnoprovisionforanycontributionbytheJRCto
theimplementation ofthespecificR&TDprogramme
inthefieldofnon-nuclearenergy(1990-1994).Thiswas
alsothecasewithregardtothepreviousprogramme .2.3.NuclearSafety
2.3.1.NuclearsafetyisanareainwhichtheJRC
couldnotfailtobecomeinvolved.Despitethis,how­
ever,undertheCommission'sproposalstheappropri­
ationforthisareaofresearchistobesignificantly
reducedasaresultofthedecisionstakeninconnection
withtheadoptionoftheThirdFrameworkProgramme
(1990-1994).
2.3.2.TheCommitteehasalreadydrawnattention
totheinadequacyofthefundingfornuclearsafety,in
itsOpiniononthespecificprogrammeofresearchand
technologicaldevelopmentwithregardtothesafetyof
nuclearfission(1990-1994)(3).
2.3.3.Intheabovementioned OpiniontheCom­
mitteestatedthatitsconviction'thatresearchand
development (R&D)workonnuclearfissionsafety
(is)ofsupremeimportanceforthefutureandthatthe
EC(has)amajorroletoplayhere'(4.1).
2.3.4.InthatsameOpiniontheCommitteewenton
tostatethat:'constantimprovementandstandardiz­
ationofsafetyisanimportantpreconditionforthe
futureuseofnuclearenergy.Itisalsonecessaryif
nuclearenergyistohelpensuresecurityofsupplyand,
sinceitdoesnotproduceC02,totacklethegreenhouse
effect'(point4.3).
2.3.5.TheessentialroletobeplayedbytheEuropean
Communityinthisfieldisbecomingallthemore
importantinviewofthefactthatvirtuallyallMember
(')OJNoC174,16.7.1990,p.85—proposalamendedinJune
1991—OJNoC188,19.7.1991,p.11.(2)CouncilRegulationof29June1990onthepromotionof
energytechnologyforEurope;OJNoL185,17.7.1990,p.1.
(3)OJNoC69,18.3.1991,p.35.

NoC49/26 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 24.2.92
Statesarecuttingbackconsiderablyonresearchand
trainingintheareaofnuclearsafety.Thereisadanger
thatoverallresearchcapacityinthisfieldinEurope
willbeinadequatetocopewiththeimportanttasksto
becarriedoutinthefuture.
2.3.6.Thereisthereforeariskthattherewillnotbe
enoughpeoplewiththerelevantknow-howtoensure
thatexistingnuclearinstallationsintheECareoperated
safely.
2.3.7.Thepoliticaldevelopments incentralandeast­
ernEuropehavegivenrisetoaspecialsituation.The
nuclearinstallationsinthispartofEuropeposecon­
siderablesafetyproblems.Forenergysupplyreasons,
however,theycannotallbeshutdown.Theonlyoption
intheshorttermistoimprovetheirconditionand
improvesafetytoanacceptablelevel.thattheJRCintendstohelptoimplementthispro­
grammeintwomainways:
—byestablishingscientificandtechnicalcooperation
networkslinkingtheJRCandlaboratoriesand
researchteamsintheMemberStatesforthepurpose
ofthejointimplementation ofresearchprojects,
and
—throughtrainingforyoungscientists.
2.4.3.TheCommitteealsounderstandsthatspecial
attentionwillbepaidinthecontextofthesenetworks
tothemobilityofresearchworkersbetweentheJRC
andnationalresearchlaboratories .
2.4.4.TheCommitteeisfullyawarethatanumber
ofexistingresearchnetworksalreadylinktheJRCto
alargenumberofnationalresearchlaboratoriesin
severaloftheJRC'sareasofactivity.TheCommittee
nonethelessconsidersthattheparticipationoftheJRC
inthehumancapitalandmobilityprogrammewill
furtherstrengthencollaborationbetweentheJRCand
nationalresearchcentresandlaboratories ,therebypro­
vidingtheJRCwithincreasedresourcestoenableitto
carryoutitsroleofintegratingEuropeanscientificand
technologicalresearch(seepoint3below).
2.4.5.TheCommitteewoulddrawattentiontothe
importancewhichitattachestothecontributionwhich
thehumancapitalandmobilityprogrammecanmake
tostrengthening economicandsocialcohesionwithin
theCommunity .IntheCommittee'sviewitisessential
thattheJRCplayitspartherebyensuringthatthe
networkswhichitistohelpestablish,andthetraining
activitieswhichitistoimplement,takeaccountofthe
specificrequirementsoftheCommunity'speripheral
anddisadvantaged areasinrespectofscientificand
technicalpersonnelandofresearchinfrastructure .
2.4.6.TheCommitteealsounderlinestheneedfor
activecollaboration withindustry.Withthisaimin
view,obstacleswhichimpede,interalia,exchangeof
personnelbetweentheJRCandindustryshouldbe
removed.2.3.8.ThecontributionwhichtheECcanmakehere,
ifonlyinitsowninterest,isofmajorimportance .We
arenotdealingherewithlong-termsafetyresearchbut
withtherepairandmaintenanceofplantalreadyin
operation,thefittingofsafetyequipment,improvement
ofplantmanagementandthetrainingofoperatingand
maintenance staff.
2.3.9.ItisclearlynottheroleoftheJRCtoorganize
alarge-scaleprogrammeofassistancefornuclearplants
incentralandeasternEurope.TheJRCshould,how­
ever,makeamajorcontributionbyprovidingknow­
howandexperiencedstaff.Itshouldatalleventsbe
involvedinatrainingprogrammeforoperationaland
maintenancestafffromthecountriesinvolved.
2.3.10.IntheCommittee'sviewtheJRCshouldalso
beinvolvedintheradiationmeasurementprogramme,
e.g.inconnectionwiththeChernobyldisaster.In
additiontotheneedtoprovidethehelpwhichis
urgentlyrequiredinthisfield,itisalsoimportantto
acquiretheappropriateknow-how .
2.4.ParticipationoftheJRCinthehumancapitaland
mobilityprogramme3.IntegrationroleoftheJRC
3.1.OneofthemostimportantrolesofECresearch
andinparticularoftheJRC,istopromotetheinte­
grationofR&DintheCommunityandtohelpto
achieveharmoniousgrowthinalltheregionsofthe
Community .
3.2.TheCommitteethereforewelcomestheendeav­
oursoftheJRCtocooperateintensivelywithnational
researchlaboratories—overandaboveitsparticipation
inthehumancapitalandmobilityprogramme—despite
thefactthattheexchangeofpersonnelhasuptonow
beenhamperedbyawidevarietyofproblems.Itis
essentialthatthesedifficultiesbeprogressively
removed.
3.3.Giventhatoneoftheimportantrolesofthe
JRCistohelptobringaboutasmoothpatternof2.4.1.Thecentralobjectiveofthisprogrammeisto
helptoincreasethepoolofR&TDresearcherssoas
tomeettheneedsoftheMemberStatesintheyears
ahead,therebyhelpingtoestablishaEuropeanscientific
andtechnicalcommunity .
2.4.2.AlthoughitisnotapparentfromtheCom­
missiondocumenttheCommitteeunderstands ,onthe
basisofinformationforwardedtoitatalaterstage,

24.2.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC49/27
growthintheregions,cooperationbetweentheJRC
andnationallaboratoriesinperipheralandless­
developedregionsoftheCommunityisparticularly
importantandshouldbepursuedasamatterof
urgency.Ontheotherhandcontactswithmajor
nationallaboratoriesarealsonecessaryinorderto
maintainandincreasetheJRC'slevelofscientificand
technicalexpertise.
3.4.TheintegratingroleoftheJRCcouldbe
strengthened byextendingtheactivitiesoftheJRC
beyondthefourexistinglocations.TheCommittee
does,however,sharetheCommission'sviewthatsuch
anextensionoftheJRC'sactivitiescancertainlynot
bebroughtaboutbytheestablishmentofnew,full­
scaleinstitutesatadditionallocations.Suchastep
wouldprobablyoverstrainstaffandfinancialresources.
3.5.IntheCommittee'sview,thereisaneedfora
practicaldefinitionoftheterm'JRCoutposts'setout
bytheCommissioninitsCommunication .Theseare
tobesetupinanumberofnationallaboratories ,with
whichtheywillworkinclosesynergy.4.TheInstituteforProspectiveTechnological Studies
4.1.ItisstatedinthetechnicalannextotheCom­
mission'sproposalsthatthemaintaskoftheInstitute
forProspectiveTechnological Studiesisthe'acqui­
sition,treatmentandanalysisofinformationconcern­
ingthestateandtrendsofscienceandtechnology
(S8cT)andtheexecutionofprospectivestudiesin
targetedareasofS&T\
4.2.TheInstitutewillthereforegenerallybecalled
upontokeepawatchingbriefonscienceandtechnology
andtoassessthepotentialeffectsofthetechnological
optionsfacingEuropeinordertoenablebusinessmen
andpolicy-makers ,intheirturn,toevaluatetheimpact
oftheirdecisions .
4.3.BearinginmindthefactthatthisInstitutehas
onlyrecentlybeencreatedandinviewofitsspecial
features,makingadetailedassessmentoftheInstitute's
activitiesandtheirimpactisaparticularlydifficulttask.
UnliketheotherinstitutestheInstituteforProspective
Studiesdoesnotimplementitsownresearchpro­
grammebutonlycarriesoutworkentrustedtoitby
customers .FuthermoretheresultsoftheInstitute's
work,inparticularitsreports,arenotpublishedbut
remainthepropertyoftheInstitute'scustomers .
4.4.Inviewofthissituationandbearinginmind
theadditionalinformationpassedontotheCommittee
whenitdraftedthisOpinion—notablyinformation
withregardtoanumberoftaskscarriedoutbythe
Institute—theCommitteebelievesthatthereisaneed
foraclarificationandareappraisaloftheremitof
theInstituteinordertoenableittomakeanactive
contributiontothedefinitionofthescienceandtech­
nologystrategyoftheECanditsMemberStates.
4.5.WiththisaiminviewtheCommitteeconsiders
thattheJRCshouldusetheperiod1992-1994tosetup
EuropeanScienceandTechnologyObservation (ESTO)
withinthisInstitute.ThesettingupofESTOhadbeen
foreseenatthetimewhentheInstitutewasestablished .
NoreferenceismadetoESTOinthetechnical
annexconcerningtheactivitiesoftheInstituteinthe
abovementioned period.
4.6.TheCommitteelikewiseconsidersthatitis
essentialtoclarifythelinksbetweentheworkofthis
InstituteandtheworkcarriedoutundertheMonitor(])
programmeandinparticularunderthetwoMonitor
sub-programmes :SAST(strategicanalysisandimpact
analysis)(2)andFAST(forecastingandassessment)(3).
4.7.IntheCommittee'sviewtheotherissuesrelating
tothefutureofthisInstitute,inparticularthequestion3.6.TheCommissionseesthese'outposts'asbeing
ofatemporarynature,theirdurationbeinglinkedto
thedurationoftheresearchorexperimentation project
forwhichtheyareestablished .Theinfrastructure costs
andoperatingcostsoftheseoutpostsaretobemetby
thehostlaboratories ,whilsttheresearchpersonnelis
tobeprovidedbytheJRC,whichwillalsomeetthe
purelyscientificexpenses.
3.7.Themainaimistoavoidduplicationandcreate
synergybetweentheresearchworkoftheJRCand
workcarriedoutatnationallevel,(suchasthePhebus
projectcurrentlybeingcarriedoutatCadarachein
Franceaspartoftheresearchprojectonnuclearreactor
safety).
3.8.TheCommitteeconsidersthattheestablishment
ofsuchoutpostsshouldalsobeconsideredwitha
viewtobringingaboutamorelastingintegrationofa
numberofJRCinstallationsandthehostlaboratories
inMemberStates,withapartoftheinfrastructureand
operatingcostsbeingmetbytheJRC.Theexperience
gainedbythelaboratoriesinPettenandKarlsruhecould
undoubtedlybeusefulinthisrespect.
3.9.Consideration shouldbegiven,inparticular,to
theperipheraland/orlessdevelopedregionsofthe
Communitywhensuchoutpostsarebeingestablished,
inordertostrengthenstillfurtherthecontribution
madebytheJRCtotheattainmentoftheobjectiveof
economicandsocialcohesion .(*)CouncilDecisionof27June1989adoptingaCommunity
programmeinthefieldofstrategicanalysis,forecastingand
evaluationinmattersofresearchandtechnology (Monitor
programme),OJNoL200,13.7.1989,p.38.
(2)StrategicAnalysisinScienceandTechnology .
(3)ForecastingandAssessmentintheFieldofScienceandTech­
nojogy.

NoC49/28 24.2.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities
needforasignificantincreaseinthelevelofsuchwork
tothepointwhereitwillinthelongterm,represent,
accordingtotheCommission ,between15and20%of
theworkloadoftheJRC.ofitslocation,canonlybetackledoncesuchareap­
praisalhasbeencarriedout.Bearinginmindtheobser­
vationsmade,interalia,underpoint3(seeabove),the
CommitteeconsidersthatiftheInstituteistocarryout
itsroleeffectivelyitshouldcontinuetobeintegrated
inanexistingECornationalresearchstructure.Inthe
Committee'sviewthisisnecessaryiftheresourcesof
theJRCaretobeutilizedtobesteffect.5.6.InitsOpinionof27January1988withregard
tospecificresearchprogrammestobeimplementedby
theJRCtheCommitteestatedthatworkforthird
partiescouldhelptoconsolidateandupgradetheJRC's
scientificexpertiseandenhanceitsinternationalpres­
tigebutsuchwork'shouldnotsiphonoffresources
earmarkedforCommission-sponsored research'(point
2.4.6).
5.7.IntheCommittee'sviewworkforthirdparties
makesitpossibleto:
—up-gradetheJRC'sexpertiseinanumberof
researchfieldsinwhichitnormallyhastocompete
withpublicorprivatenationalresearchcentres,and
—helpbringaboutoptimumutilizationoftheJRC's
infrastructureandexpertise.
5.8.Fromamoregeneralpointofview,thistypeof
workdoes,intheCommittee'sview,helptoenablethe
JRCtokeepintouchwiththerealitiesandrequirements
ofindustry.5.LongertermdevelopmentprospectsoftheJRC:its
roleandtasks
5.1.Theperiod1992-1994willseeaveryconsider­
ableincreaseinscientificandtechnologicalsupport
workfortheCommission .TheCommission estimates
thattherewillbea30%increaseinsuchwork,visa
vistheamountofworkcarriedoutin1991.Inthelonger
term,thissupportworkshouldbethepredominanttask
oftheJRC,adevelopmentwhichtheCommission
justifiesonthegroundsofthe'growingcomplexityand
scopeofscientificandtechnicalissuestobefacedby
theCommissionfortheimplementation ofCommunity
policyinthe1990s'(point30,p.16ofthecommuni­
cation).
5.2.Bearinginmindthatithasnotbeeninformed
indetailof(a)differentscenariosforthedevelopment
oftheJRCuptotheyear2000drawnupbythe
Commissionand(b)thestrategyunderliningtheselec­
tedoption,theCommitteeisreallynotinapositionto
assessthevalidityofthehypothesisadoptedbythe
Commission .TheCommitteeis,however,ableto
endorsethecriteriaonwhichthecontribution tobe
madebytheJRCtoECpoliciesistobebased.These
criteriaaresetoutinpoint11oftheCommission's
communication .
5.3.TheCommitteeinprinciplefavoursgreater
emphasisbeingplacedbytheJRConsupportworkfor
theCommission .Suchadevelopmentwouldaccommo­
datetheneedforfurtherexpansionoftheJRC'sinsti­
tutionalroleofprovidingobjectiveandindependent
scientificandtechnologicalsupportfortheimplemen­
tationofECpolicies.Sucharoleisinlinewiththe
vocationofajointresearchcentre.TheCommittee
would,however,stressthatarealincreaseinthistype
ofactivitycanonlybebroughtaboutbyincreased
demandfromtheDirectorates-General basedontheir
realneeds.
5.4.TheCommitteefullysharestheviewexpressed
bytheMid-TermEvaluationPanelandtheCourtof
Auditorsthatastrictcustomer-contractor relationship
hastobeestablishedinrespectofworkcarriedoutby
theJRCfortheCommission .Thismeans,interalia,
thatthepricesnegotiatedbytheJRCwiththeDirector­
ates-GeneralshouldcovertheJRC'scosts.Aprocedure
formonitoringtheimplementation ofworkstillmore
closelyshouldalsobeintroduced .Addedweightis
giventothisrecommendation bythefactthattherewill
beaveryconsiderableincreaseinthistypeofworkin
thefuture.
5.5.Inprinciple,theCommitteealsosupportsthird­
partyworkbytheJRC.Butitisnotconvincedofthe5.9.Havingsaidthis,theCommitteenonetheless
considersthatthird-partyworkmustnotbegiventhe
sameprioritystatusastheothertasksoftheJRCand
mustnotjeopardizeitsotherwork.
5.10.Furthertothismatter,theCommitteecallson
theCommissiontoconsiderwhethertheJRCcould
takepartinresearchprojectswithfirms—andespecially
smallandmedium-sized enterprises—whichdonot
haveresearchfacilitiesoftheirown.
5.11.Sincethequestionofwhetherapropermarket­
ingserviceintheusualsenseshouldbeestablishedat
theJRCiscloselylinkedtoagrowthinworkforoutside
parties,theCommitteeisbynomeansconvinced,in
viewofwhatithassaidabove,thatthereisacasefor
pressingaheadwiththisidea.
5.12.TheCommitteenotesthattheJRChasre­
cruitedamarketingofficertomonitorandcoordinate
themarketingworkofthescientificinstitutes.TheJRC
isanxioustomaintainabalancebetweencentralized
marketing (whichistobeperformedbytheJRC's
Directorate-General )anddecentralized marketing
(whichisataskforthescientificinstitutes).

24.2.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC49/29
—socialconditions,
—earlyretirementmeasures,
—recruitmentprocedures .
6.4.Natureanddurationofstaffcontracts
6.4.1.Thequestionofhowlongcontractsshould
lasthasalreadybeendiscussedatgreatlength.The
JRChasinthepastresortedtobothextremes—i.e.
permanentestablishedstatusforallstaffornon-renew­
ablecontractslastingonlythreeyears—butneitherhas
proveditsworth.Theformerresultsinatotallackof
flexibility,whilethelatterdeterspotentialapplicants.
6.4.2.Itwillbenecessaryinfuturetoadoptaflexible
andfinely-tunedresponsetothequestionofcontracts'
duration.Aboveall,however,itwillbenecessaryto
recognizethatthisquestioncannotbeconsideredin
isolationandthattheothertermsofthecontractsmust
alsobeborneinmind,viz.:
—theconditionsunderwhichthescientificworkis
conducted,
—thefundsandfacilitiesavailableforthework,
—theopportunitiesforoutsidecontacts,
—continuityofactivity.
Aroleisalsoplayedbycareerprospectsand,aboveall,
socialconditions .5.13.TheCommitteehasnotbeentoldhowtheJRC
intendstoachievethisbalance.However,itwould
pointoutthatthismarketingworkdoesnotcome
withintheprovinceofresearchersandthattheJRC
mustgiveprioritytotherecruitmentoftop-level
researchstaff.
5.14.TheCommitteewould,ontheotherhand,
underlinetheimportancewhichitattachestothe
implementation ofavigorouspublicrelationspolicyin
ordertoensurethatgreaterpublicityisgiventothe
roleoftheJRCintheCommunitycontextandtoits
termsofreference,activitiesandachievements .
5.15.TheCommitteeunderlinestheparticularly
activeroletobeplayedbytheJRCindisseminating
andexploitingtheresultsofitsresearch.Inparticular
theJRCshouldarrangeforthedisseminationandpro­
motionoftheseresultsamongsmallandmedium-sized
enterprisesandshouldhelptoassesstheirpotentialuse.
5.16.Theactivitiesshould,however,becloselycoor­
dinatedwiththeactivitiescarriedoutundertheValue
programme (1),adoptedbytheCouncilon20June
1989,andwithactivitiescomingunderthecentralized
actionofexploitationanddisseminationofknowledge
resultingfromthespecificprogrammesofR8cTD
referredtoinpoint2.1.2ofPartTwoabove.
6.Personnelpolicy
6.1.Theproceduresusedbythepersonneldepart­
mentinthefieldofpersonnelpolicyseemtobeas
unsuitableasever.BoththeCourtofAuditorsandthe
EvaluationPanelhavecriticizedtheseproceduresfora
varietyofreasons.TheCommittee,too,considersthat
attentionshouldbedrawntothefollowingpoints.
6.2.Itmustbeclearlyrecognizedthatpersonnel
policyfacesboththeJRCandtheCommissionwith
extremelydifficulttaskswhichinsomecasesarecontra­
dictory.Personnelpolicyoughttoensure:
—asubstantialchangeintheageprofile,
—animprovement inscientificquality,
—greaterflexibilityforaddressingnewtasks,
—theorderlyandeffectiveutilizationoflarge-scale
installations .
6.3.Themostimportantpersonnelpolicyinstru­
mentswhichmaybeusedtopromotetheseobjectives
are:
—thenatureanddurationofstaffcontracts,6.5.Socialconditions
6.5.1.Inordertoattractyoung,highly-qualified and
diligentscientistsitisnotonlytheworkingconditions
whichhavetobeacceptable .Socialconditionstoo,
havetobeacceptableor,failingthat,suitablecompen­
sationhastobeprovided.Ithastobeassumedthat
youngscientistshavefamilies.
6.5.2.InviewoftheisolatedlocationoftheIspra
establishment ,socialconditionsareamatterofparticu­
larimportanceandhavetoberegardedasamajor
personnelpolicyconsideration .
6.5.3.Thefollowingareespeciallyimportant,par­
ticularlyforyoungfamilies:
—decent,andreasonablypricedaccommodation ,
—issuesrelatingtoschoolingforchildren,
—jobopportunitiesforspousesand/orpossibilities
forsocialcontacts,
—culturallife,
—transportfacilities.(')Specificprogrammeforthedissemination andutilization
ofscientificandtechnologicalresearchresults(1989-1992),
OJNoL200,13.7.1989,p.23.

NoC49/30 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 24.2.92
6.5.4.TotheCommittee'sknowledge,nosolution,
oraleastnotasatisfactoryone,hasbeenfoundto
thesematters,especiallyatIspra.
6.5.5.Safeguardsinrespectofemploymentand
careerprospectsaftertheexpiryoftheirtemporary
contractsarealsoamatterofconcerntostaffand
especiallystafffromabroad.Anattemptoughttobe
madeheretoworkoutarrangementswiththecountries
oforigin.
6.5.6.Thetransferofpensionrightsafterstaffleave
theserviceoftheJRCplaysaroleinagoodmany
cases,too.Thisisoneoftheproblemswhichhasyet
toberesolved.
6.5.7.Thequestiontobeaskedhereistowhatextent
thesemanysocialproblems,towhichnosatisfactory
solutionhasbeenfound,canbeoffsetbythesalary
levels.
6.5.8.TheCommissionshouldattempttodrawon
theexperiencesofmultinationals insecondingstaff
worldwide .7.Organization
7.1.TheCommitteehasnotedthemarkedtrend
towardsdecentralizing theJRC.Thecorrectbalance
betweencentralcontrolandmanagementanddecentra­
lizationhasbeendiscussedtimeandagain.Itisa
questiontowhichthereiscertainlynogeneralanswer.
Thecorrectbalancewillhavetobedeterminedonan
individualresearchestablishmentororganizationbasis,
sinceitisheavilydependentonspecificstructuralcon­
ditions.
7.2.InthiscontexttheCommitteeisunabletojudge
whetherthedegreeofdecentralization currentlybeing
soughtwillhavetheexpectedeffectsandwhetherit
willreduceoveralladministrative costs.Itisnotyet
possibletosaywhatconcretemeasureswillbetaken
todecentralizeoperationsattheIspraestablishment .
Thequestionof,forexample,howmanyofthe
429administrative andback-upemployeeswillcome
directlyundertheinstitute'sdirectorsandhowmany
willcomeundertheheadofadministration hasstillnot
beensettled.
7.3.TheCommitteehasseriousreservationsover
thedecisionnottoappointadirectorofadministration
atIsprabuttorotatethepostamongthedirectorsof
theinstitute.Thissolutionmaybejustifiedinthelight
ofthepersonscurrentlyoccupyingthesepositions,but
itisdebatablewhetheritcanstaythiswayforever.
7.4.AtalleventstheCommitteeconsidersatwo­
yeartrialperiodtooshortforadefinitiveappraisal,
especiallyasthedetailsofthereorganization havestill
tobeworkedout.
8.Finalobservations
8.1.TheCommitteereiteratesitsendorsementofthe
changeswhichhavetakenplaceattheJRCsince1988
andtheprogresswhichhasbeenmadetowardsenhanc­
ingthequalityandincreasingtherelevanceoftheJRC's
researchwork.
8.2.TheCommitteeonceagainurgestheJRCto
continuethecourseofactiononwhichithasembarked,
takingintoaccount,interalia,theobservationsand
recommendations setoutinthisOpinion.
8.3.Inthiscontext,theCommitteebelievesthatit
isintheinterestsofboththeJRCandtheCommittee
toestablishstillcloserrelations.Withthisaiminview,
theCommitteeconsidersthatregularcontactsshould
beestablishedwith,inparticular,theJRC'sBoardof
Governors .6.6.Earlyretirement
6.6.1.Thepossibilityofbeingabletotakeearly
retirementisendorsedinprinciple.However,itshould
beusedonlytoimprovepersonnelstructures—includ­
ingtheagestructure—andnottoreducethenumber
ofposts.
6.7.Recruitmentprocedures
6.7.1.Recruitmentproceduresareextremelycum­
bersomeandtime-consuming .Thisisclearlyduetothe
legalisticnatureofCommunityrulesandregulations .
6.7.2.Thecumbersomeness oftheseprocedureshas
seriousdisadvantages andresultsinaverylargenumber
ofapplicantsandlongdelays.Thistendstohavea
negativeeffectbecausethegoodcandidatesacceptjobs
elsewherelongbeforeemployment isofferedbythe
JRC.TheJRC'spersonneldepartmentalsohasan
excessiveadditionalburdenofwork,asithastoprocess
hundredsofapplications .
6.7.3.TheCommittee askstheCommission to
endeavourtofindawayofspeedinguprecruitment
procedureswithintheframeworkoftheexisting
arrangements .
DoneatBrussels,18December1991.
TheChairman
oftheEconomicandSocialCommittee
FrancoisSTAEDELIN

APPENDIX
JRCInternalStructure
Brussels
Directorategeneral
Brussels
ProgrammesDirectorateIspra
Administration Directorate24.2.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC49/31Ispra Geel Karlsruhe Petten Ispra Ispra Ispra Ispra
Institutefor Institute Ispra
Prospective CentralBureau forTrans­ InstituteforInstituteforSystems Institute InstituteforRemote Institutefor
Technological forNuclear uranium Advanced Engineering forthe Sensing SafetyStudies Measurements Elements Materials andInformatics Environment Applications Technology