COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0M(91) 94 final - SYN 334 
Brussels,30 May 1991 
a|J§ Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
||||concerning the conclusion of bilateral Cooperation Agreements on Science and 
SjjfeBITechno Iogy for Environmental Protection (STEP) between the European Economic 
ij&ycommunlty and the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of 
IfiE Norway 
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(presented by the Commission) 
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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
Subject: Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the conclusion of 
three bilateral Cooperation Agreements on Science and Technology 
for Environmental Protection (STEP) between the European Economic 
Community and the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland 
and the Kingdom of Norway. 
1. By Its Decision of 20 November 1989, the Council adopted two specific 
R&D programmes In the field of the environment (1989-1993), one of 
them called Science and Technology for Environmental Protection 
(STEP). 
2. Article 8 of this Decision authorises the Commission to negotiate 
agreements with European non-member States participating In European 
Cooperation In the field of scientific and technical research (COST), 
and with those having concluded framework agreements for scientific 
and technical cooperation with the Community, with a view to 
associating them wholly or partly with the programme. 
3. In the context of the Implementation of the three Framework 
Agreements for scientific and technical cooperation between the 
European Communities and Austria, Finland and Norway, the conclusion 
of which, on behalf of the EEC, was approved by the Council Decision 
of 9 February 1987, these countries have asked to participate In 
Community programmes In the field of the environment. 
4. The Importance of European cooperation in environmental research is 
steadily growing because of the cross-border nature of the problems, 
the interdisciplinary character of the work required and the need to 
bring together the skills of scientists from various disciplines: 
engineers, economists and sociologists. Such cooperation is 
particularly useful both for the Member States of the European 
Community and for those of EFTA which share common environmental, 
problems. 
5. Considering that the association of all EFTA countries with the 
Implementation of the Community programme can be of mutual advantage, 
the Commission started to negotiate with these countries an identical 
text to be used In the bilateral draft agreements. 
6. Two formal meetings with the six EFTA countries were held on 13 March 
and 17 July 1990. During these meetings the Commission proposed a 
new bilateral agreement pattern Introducing a new element - the 
"Cooperation Committee" - which did not exist In the S & T 
cooperation agreements previously concluded between the EC and these 
countries. 
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7. The new pattern allows the EFTA countries to participate in the 
Community R&D programmes which are managed by committees laid down 
in the Council Decision 87/373/EEC of 13 July 1987 and takes into 
account the three-phase procedure described in the statements minuted 
at the Council meeting of 20 and 21 November 1989 during which the 
STEP and EPOCH programmes were adopted, and detailed in paragraph 7 
of the Commission Communication to the Council of 19 June 1990<1). 
8. The Commission will endeavour to achieve consistency between the 
functions of the Cooperation Committees offered to individual EFTA 
countries and the coordination requirement provided for in Article 
3.4 of each of the proposed draft Agreements. 
9. The EFTA countries having accepted as a fundamental criterion of 
reference the principle that STEP was and has to remain a Community 
Programme in which the Community interests have to be safeguarded, 
three bilateral, but identical, draft Agreements have been agreed. 
10. Each of the draft Agreements, which are annexed to the attached 
proposal for a Council Decision, provides for: 
the association of * with the implementation of the 
Community programme; 
a financial contribution from * for the funding 
of the work to be carried out in the framework of research 
contracts and of the management and administrative operating 
expenditure for the Community programme-, this financial 
contribution is proportional to the gross domestic product (GDP) 
of *; the funds paid will be credited to the 
Community budget (relevant budget heading 602) in conformity 
with the financial Annexes C and D; 
the entitlement of persons and research bodies from 
* to submit research proposals and to conclude the 
related research contracts with the Commission; 
the establishment of a Cooperation Committee with representatives 
of the Community and of *, to ensure a proper 
implementation of the Agreement and mutual coordination and 
information on the development of the STEP programme. The 
Committee shall adopt its own rules of procedure. 
11. In view of the nature of the cooperation, any additional expenditure 
paid from the Community budget (relevant budget heading B6-8004) 
resulting from the implementation of this draft Agreement will be 
covered by the financial contribution from * 
12. The Commission proposes that the Council adopt the attached proposal 
for a Decision. 
(1) Communication to the Council "Cooperation in S & T with third 
countries" (COM (90) 256 final). 
* Respectively : Austria; Finland; Norway. 
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Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
concerning the conclusion of bilateral Cooperation Agreements on Science and 
Technology for Environmental Protection (STEP) between the European Economic 
Community and the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of 
Norway 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in 
particular Article 130 0 (2) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), 
In cooperation with the European Parliament (2), 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), 
WHEREAS by Decision 89/625/EEC (4), the Council adopted two specific research and 
development programmes in the field of the environment (1989-1993), one of them 
called Science and Technology for Environmental Protection (STEP); whereas 
Article 8 of this Decision authorises the Commission to negotiate agreements with 
third countries and In particular with those European countries having concluded 
framework agreements for scientific and technical cooperation with the Community 
with a view to associating them wholly or partly with the programmes; 
WHEREAS by Decision 87/177/EEC (5), the Council approved the conclusion, on 
behalf of the European Economic Community, of the Framework Agreements for 
scientific and technical cooperation between the European Communities and, among 
others, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of 
Norway; 
WHEREAS the Governments of Austria, Finland and Norway have asked to participate 
In the Community environmental research programmes; 
(1) O.J. N* C 
(2) O.J. N* C 
(3) O.J. N* C 
(4) O.J. N' L 359, 08.12.1989, p. 9. 
(5) O.J. N* L 71, 14.03.1987, p. 29. 
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WHEREAS the Community, Austria, Finland and Norway share common environmental 
problems and expect to obtain mutual benefit from cooperation, 
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS : 
Article 1 
The Cooperation Agreements between the European Economic Community and the 
Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Norway on 
research and development In the field of Science and Technology for Environmental 
Protection (STEP) are hereby approved on behalf of the Community. 
The texts of the Agreements are attached to this Decision. 
ArtIcle 2 
The President of the Council shall carry out the notification as provided for In 
Article 10 of the Agreements. 
Done at 
For the CounciI 
The President 
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COOPERATION AGREEMENT 
BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY 
AND THE (O 
ON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
IN THE FIELD OF THE ENVIRONMENT : 
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR 
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (STEP) 
(I) Respectively : REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA; REPUBLIC OF FINLAND; KINGDOU OF 
NORWAY 
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THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY, hereinafter called "the Community" 
and 
THE (I), hereinafter called " (If)" 
both hereinafter called the "Contracting Parties" 
WHEREAS the Community and (ll) concluded a Framework Agreement for 
scientific and technical cooperation which entered Into force on 
(HI); 
WHEREAS, by Decision of 20 November 1989, the Council of the European 
Communities, hereinafter called "the Council", adopted mult I annual R T D 
programmes In the field of the environment (1989 to 1993), covering a 
specific research and development programme on Science and Technology for 
Environmental Protect Ion (STEP), hereinafter called "the Community 
programme"; 
WHEREAS the association of (II) with the Community programme can 
help to Improve the efficacy of the research carried out by the Contract I ng 
Parties In the field of the protection of the environment and can avoid the 
useless duplI cat I on of efforts; 
WHEREAS the ongoing talks relating to a European Economic Area between the 
Community and the EFTA countries are likely to lead to a result In the area 
of R & D, the Contracting Parties should endeavour to find solutions for the 
continued cooperation In the field of R & D In the environmental sector which 
take this development Into consideration-, 
WHEREAS the Community and (II) expect to obtain mutual benefit from 
's (II) association with the Community programme, 
HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS : 
(I) Respectively: REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA; REPUBLIC OF FINLAND; 
KINGDOM OF NORWAY 
(II) Respectively : Austria; Finland; Norway 
(III) Respectively : 30 July 1987; 17 July 1987; 17 July 1987 
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ARTICLE 1 
(II) Is hereby associated as from 20 November 1989 with the 
Implementation of the Community programme as set out In Annex A. The 
Implementation of the programme and the Community's rate of financial 
participation are set out In Annex B. 
ARTICLE 2 
The financial contribution of (II), deriving from Its association 
with the Implementation of the Community programme, shall be estabiIshed In 
proportion to the amount available each year In the general budget of the 
European Communities for appropriations covering commitments to meet 
financial obifgatIons of the Commission of the European Communities, 
hereinafter referred to as "the Commission", resulting from work to be 
carried out In the framework of shared-cost research contracts necessary for 
the Implement at Ion of the Community programme and from management and 
administrative operating expenditure for the said programme. 
The proportional Ity factor governing 's(ll) contribution shall be 
obtained by estabiIshlng the ratio between 's(ll) gross domestic 
product (GDP), at market prices, and the sum of gross domestic products, at 
market prices, of the Member States of the Community and of (II). 
This ratio shall be calculated on the basis of the latest available 
statistical data of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development 
(OECD). 
The funds estimated as necessary to carry out the Community programme, the 
amount of 's(ll) contribution and the timetable of the commitment 
estimates are set out In Annex C. 
The rules governing 's(lI) financial contribution are set out In 
Annex D. 
ARTICLE 3 
/. For the purposes of this Agreement, a Cooperation Committee to assist the 
Commission In the Implementation of the specific research and development 
programme In the field of the environment (STEP), adopted by Decision of 
the Council of the European Communities of 20 November 1989 (1), 
hereinafter referred to as "the Committee", Is hereby estabiIshed. 
2. The Committee shall consist of representatives of the Community and 
(ID 
(1) Council Decision 89/625/EEC 
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3. The Committee shall be consulted on all the matters concerning the 
Implementation of this Agreement. For this purpose. It shall make 
recommendat Ions. 
4. The representative of the Community shall take the appropriate steps to 
ensure coordination between the Implementation of th/s Agreement and the 
decisions taken by the Community In respect of the Implementation of the 
Community programme. 
5. For the purpose of the proper Implementation of th/s Agreement, the 
Contracting Parties shall exchange Information and, at the request of 
either Party, shall hold consultations within the Committee. 
6. The Committee shall adopt Its own rules of procedure and It shall meet, 
at the request of either Contracting Party, In accordance with the 
conditions to be laid down In Its rules of procedure. 
ARTICLE 4 
For (Iv) research and development bodies and persons, the terms and 
conditions for the submission and evaluation of proposals and the terms and 
conditions for the granting and conclusion of contracts under the Community 
programme shall be limited to those arising from contracts under the same 
programme. In particular, the general provisions applicable to research 
contracts within the Community shall apply subject to this article, mutatis 
mutandis, to research contracts with (Iv) research and development 
bodies and persons as far as questions relating to taxation and customs 
duties and the utilization of research results are concerned. 
(Iv) Respectively : Austrian; Finnish; Norwegian 
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ARTICLE S 
The Commission shal I send to (Il) a copy of the reports 
estabtlshed In accordance with Article 4 of the above mentioned Decision of 
the Council of the European Communities. 
ARTICLE g 
Each Contracting Party undertakes, In accordance with their respective rules 
and regulations, to facilitate the movement and residence of research workers 
participating In (II) and In the Community In the activities 
covered by this Agreement. 
ARTICLE 7 
The Commission and the 
this Agreement. (v) shall ensure the Implement at Ion of 
ARTICLE g 
Annexes A,B,C and D to this Agreement shall be an Integral part thereof 
ARTICLE 9 
1. This Agreement shall be concluded for the duration of the Community 
programme. 
Should the Community revise the Community programme, this Agreement may 
be denounced under mutually agreed conditions (II) shall be 
notified of the exact content of the revised programme within one week of 
Its adoption by the Community. The Contracting Parties shall notify each 
other within three months after the Community decision has been adopted 
„lf a termination of this Agreement Is envisaged. 
2. Where the Community adopts a new R&D programme In the field of the 
environment , this Agreement may be renegotiated or renewed under mutually 
agreed conditions. 
(v) Respectively "Osterrelchlsches Forschungszentrum Selbersdorf" of 
Austria; Ministry of the Environment of Finland; 
Ministry of the Environment of Norway. 
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3. Subject to paragraph 1, either Contracting Party may at any time 
terminate this Agreement with six months notice. The projects and work 
In progress at the time of termination and/or expiry of th/s Agreement 
shall be continued until they are completed under the conditions laid 
down In this Agreement. 
ARTICLE 10 
This Agreement shall be approved by the ContractIng Parties In accordance 
with their existing procedures. 
It shall enter Into force on the date on which the Contracting Parties notify 
each other of the completion of the procedures necessary for this purpose. 
ARTICLE 11 
This Agreement shall apply, on the one hand, to the territories In which the 
Treaty estabiIshlng the European Economic Community Is applied and under the 
conditions laid down In that Treaty and, on the other hand, to the territory 
of (II). 
ARTICLE 12 
This Agreement shall be drawn up In duplicate In the Danish, Dutch, English. 
French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and (vl) 
languages, each of these texts being equally authentic. 
For the -European For the (I) 
Economic Community 
(vl) In the case of the Agreements with Finland and Norway, an additional 
reference Is made here to the Finnish and Norwegian language as the 
case may be. 
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ANNEX A 
COMMUNITY PROGRAMME IN THE FIELD 
OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR 
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (STEP) 
(1989 - Z993.) 
The Community programme shall cover the following research areas. 
Reference to the subtopics contained under the following 9 research topics Is 
of an Indicative nature: 
INDICATIVE 
ALLOCATION 
RESEARCH AREA 1 
Environment and human health 5 X 
1.1. Development of biological markers of exposure and preclInlcal effects 
1.2. Development of environmental epidemiology In the European Community 
1.3. Indoor air quality and Its Impact on man 
RESEARCH AREA 2 
Assessment of risks associated with chemicals 10 X 
2.1. Development and valIdation of protocols for the assessment of health 
risks 
2.2. Alternatives to the use of animals In chemical testing 
2.3. Assessment procedures for the abiotic degradation of chemicals 
2.4. Research on the assessment of ecological effects of chemicals 
2.5. Refinement and applIcatfon of quantitative structure/activity 
relationships (QSARs) 
RESEARCH AREA 3 
Atmospheric processes and air quality 20 X 
3.1. Tropospherlc chemistry, Including analysis, sources, transport and 
deposit Ion of pollutants and other airborne substances 
3.2. Stratospheric chemistry, ozone depletion and related Issues 
3.3. Air pollution effects on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems 
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RESEARCH AREA 4 
Water quality 5 % 
4.1. Analysis and conversion of pollutants 
4.2. Effects of pollutants 
RESEARCH AREA 5 
Soil and groundwater protection 8 X 
5.1. Protection against Inorganic pollutants 
5.2. Protect Ion against organic pollutants 
5.3. Effects of agricultural and forestry practice 
RESEARCH AREA 6 
Ecosystem research 12 X 
6.1. Terrestrial ecosystems 
6.2. Aquatic and coastal ecosystems (Including wetlands) 
RESEARCH AREA 7 
Protection and conservation of the European cultural heritage 8 X 
7.1. Assessment of the mechanisms of the deterioration 
7.2. Critical environmental factors 
7.2. Damage assessment 
7.3. Material characterization 
7.4. Conservation techniques 
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RESEARCH AREA 8 
Technologies for environmental protection 
8.1. Waste research 
8.2. Emission abatement 
8.3. Clean technologies 12 X 
RESEARCH AREA 9 
Major technological hazards and fire safety 
9.1. Physical and chemical phenomena 
9.2. Technologies of accident prevention 
9.3. Evaluât Ion and management of risk 20 X 
TOTAL 100% 
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ANNEX B 
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME AND 
THE COMMUNITY'S RATE OF FINANCIAL PARTICIPATION 
The programme shall be implemented by means of 
(I) shared-cost research contracts, 
(II) concerted actions, 
(III) coordination activities, 
(Iv) education and training activities and 
(v) studies and assessments. 
The programme Is open to unlversltles, research organisât Ions and industrial 
companies. Including small and medium-sized enterprises, Individuals, or any 
combination thereof estabiIshed In the Community and In (ID- As a 
rule, projects must be transnational and at least one partner In a project 
must be estabiIshed In the Community. 
For shared-cost contracts, the Community participation will generally be 50% 
of the total expenditure, but this percentage may be varied according to the 
nature and the stage of development of the research. In respect of 
universities and research Institutes carrying out projects under this 
programme, the Community may bear up to 100% of the additional expenditure 
involved. 
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AHHEX C 
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS 
1. According to the Council Decision adopting the STEP programme, the amount 
estimated as necessary to carry out this Community programme shall be 
75,000,000 ecus. 
2. Austria's financial contribution for Its association to the Community 
programme Is estimated to be 1,799,520 ecus and shall be added, along 
with other possible contributions from third countries, to the above 
mentioned amount, as foreseen In Article 2 of this Agreement. 
3. The Indicative timetable for the committment appropriations of the STEP 
programme and Austria's contribution are as follows: 
(ECU) 
Community Committments 
Management and 
Administration 
Operations 
Contracts 
TOTAL 
Austria's contribution 
Management and 
Administration 
Operations 
Contracts 
TOTAL 1989 
365,000 
5,635,000 
6,000,000 
0 
0 
0 1990 
1,060,000 
38,940,000 
40,000,000 
27,645 
1,015,555 
1,043,200 1991 
2,547,000 
9,453,000 
12,000,000 
66,426 
246,534 
312,960 1992 
2,649,000 
14,351,000 
17,000,000 
69,086 
374,274 
443,360 TOTAL 
6,621,000 
68,379,000 
75,000,000 
163,156 
1,636,364 
1,799,520 
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AHNEX P 
FINANCING RULES 
1. This Annex lays down the detailed rules governing 's(ll) 
financial contribution referred to In Article 2 of th/s Agreement. 
2. At the beginning of each year, or whenever the Community programme Is 
revised so as to Involve an Increase In the amount estimated as necessary 
for Its Implementation, the Commission shall send to (Il) a 
call for funds corresponding to Its contribution to the costs under this 
Agreement. 
Th/s contribution shall be expressed both In ecus and In the (Iv) 
currency, the composition of the ecu being defined In Council 
Regulation (EEC) No. 3180/78 (l),as amended by Regulation (EEC) N' 
1971/89 (2). The value In (Iv) currency of the contribution 
In ecu shall be determined on the date of the call for funds. 
(II) shall pay Its contribution to the annual cost under th/s 
Agreement at the beginning of each year and at the latest three months 
after the call for funds Is sent. Any delay In the payment of the 
contribution shall give rise to the payment of Interest by (II) 
at a rate equal to the highest discount rate obtained In the Member States 
of the Community on the due date. The rate shall be Increased by 0.25 of 
a percentage point for each month of delay. 
The Increased rate shaiI be applied to the entire period of delay. 
However, this Interest shall be payable only If the contribution Is paid 
more than three months after a call for funds has been made by the 
Commission. 
Travel costs of (Iv) representatives and experts arising from 
their participation In the work of the Committee referred to In Article 3 
of this Agreement shall be reimbursed by the Commission In accordance with 
the procedures currently In force for the representatives and experts of 
the Member States of the Community and. In particular, In accordance with 
Council Decision no. 84/338/Eur atom, ECSC, EEC. (3) 
(1) OJ No L 379, 30.12.1978, P. 1. 
(2) OJ No L 189, 04.07.1989, P. 1. 
(3) OJ No L 177, 04.07.1984, P. 25, 
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3. The funds paid by (II) shall be credited to the Community 
programme as budget receipts allocated to Its appropriate heading In the 
statement of revenue of the general budget of the European Communities. 
4. The Financial Regulation In force appiIcable to the general budget of the 
European Communities shall apply to the management of the appropriations. 
5. At the end of each year, a statement of appropriations for the Community 
programme shall be prepared and transmitted to (II) for 
Information. 
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ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(91) 94 final 
DOCUMENTS 
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