NoC 14/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 1.91 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
COMMISSION 
Amended proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific research and technological devel­
opment programme in the field of industrial and materials technologies (1990 to 1994) (') 
COM(90) 673 final — SYN 261 
(Submitted by the Commission pursuant to Article 149 (3) of the EEC Treaty on 14 December 
1990) 
(91/C 14/04) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 130q (2) 
thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
In cooperation with the European Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee, 
Whereas, by Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC (2), the 
Council adopted a third framework programme for 
Community activities in the field of research and techno­
logical development (1990 to 1994), specifying inter alia 
the activities to be pursued for contributing to the 
rejuvenation of European manufacturing industry by 
strengthening its scientific and technological basis 
through research and development work, and thereby 
allowing, on the one hand, the harmonious, general 
development of the 12 countries towards the objective of 
economic and social cohesion and, on the other hand, a 
reduction in the environmental impact of the manufac­
turing of material goods; whereas this Decision should 
be taken in the light of the grounds set out in the 
preamble to that Decision; 
Whereas Article 130k of the Treaty stipulates that the 
framework programme is to be implemented through 
specific programmes developed within each activity; Whereas the Joint Research Centre shall contribute 
through its own programme to the implementation of the 
aforesaid activities; 
Whereas the EEC, and Europe as a whole, must provide 
an adequate response to the challenges issued in the field 
of innovative industrial technologies and materials, at 
international level; 
Whereas an estimate should be made of the amount of 
Community financial resources needed to carry out this 
specific programme; whereas the definitive amounts will 
be fixed by the budgetary authority in line with the 
financial perspectives covering the period 1988 to 1992 
included in the interinstitutional Agreement of 29 June 
1988 (J) and with any future financial perspectives 
covering the period 1993 to 1994; 
Whereas fundamental research must be specifically 
encouraged Community-wide in each of the strategic 
research sectors of the framework programme; 
Whereas, in addition to the specific programme on 
human capital and mobility, training of researchers in 
each of the strategic research sectors of the framework 
programme must be ensured; 
Whereas the social, human and ecological impact of the 
programme must be assessed by an independent panel 
and a technological and risks assessment must be made; 
Whereas, pursuant to Article 4 of and Annex I to 
Decision 90/221 /Euratom, EEC, the amount deemed 
necessary for the whole framework programme includes 
(') OJ No C 174, 16. 7. 1990, p. 28. 
(2) OJ No L 117, 8. 5. 1990, p. 28. O OJ No L 185, 15, 7. 1988, p. 33. 
22. 1.91 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 14/13 
an amount of ECU 57 million for the centralized 
dissemination and exploitation of results, to be divided 
up in proportion to the amount envisaged for each 
activity; whereas in view of the importance of this 
specific programme within the 'industrial and materials 
technologies' action the estimate of the financial 
resources needed by this programme is to be reduced by 
ECU 6,7 million, which amount is to be allocated to the 
centralized activities, in order to comply with the second 
sentence of Article 130p (2) of the Treaty; 
Whereas the international challenge, in both science and 
technology and trade, cannot be met if the EEC relies on 
the current processes of the merging of major under­
takings, and requires, above all, the promotion of the 
balanced development of a new and more extensive 
network of innovative small- and medium-sized 
industries and a harmonious set of R&TD structures 
capable of cooperating with each other; 
Whereas this programme must be implemented by the 
Commission; whereas to help accomplish this, the 
Member States are bound, pursuant to Article 5 of the 
Treaty, to facilitate the achievement of its tasks where 
necessary, notably within a committee; 
Whereas this programme must be implemented essen­
tially by the selection of research and development 
projects to enable them to benefit from Community 
participation; whereas the Commission should encourage 
the submission of such projects by the usual means of 
publishing calls for proposals in the Official Journal of the 
European Communities; whereas an exceptional 
procedure should also be devised to come into effect 
between calls for proposals so as to maintain a degree of 
flexibility enabling the Commission, in the face of the 
continuous evolution and gradual acceleration of techno­
logical progress, also to take into consideration spon­
taneous proposals consistent with the objectives of the 
programme; 
Whereas support for the international competitiveness of 
European industry, through Community research and 
technological development programmes, is linked with 
the Community's external relations policy based on the 
principle of 'the global equilibrium of opportunities', and 
that it is also in the light of this policy that participation 
of European companies owned by citizens of 
non-Community countries must be considered; 
Whereas the projects to be carried out under the 
programme must be selected with special attention to the 
principle of respect for environmental compatibilities, 
economic and social cohesion in the Community, the transnational nature of the projects, projects with a 
reduced impact on the environment, and the support to 
be given to small- and medium-sized enterprises; 
Whereas it is only in the light of experience gathered in 
the course of this programme that the Commission will 
be able to propose and the Council to adopt 
supplementary programmes by having recourse to the 
means provided for in Articles 1301, 130m, 130o of the 
Treaty. If they contribute to the achievement of the 
programme's objectives. In accordance with the option 
made available by Article 2 (2) of Decision 
90/221/Euratom, EEC; 
Whereas, in accordance with Article 130g of the Treaty, 
the Community's activities aimed at strengthening the 
scientific and technological basis of European industry 
and encouraging it to become more competitive include 
promoting cooperation on research and technological 
development with third countries and international 
organizations; whereas such cooperation may prove 
particularly beneficial for the development of this 
programme; 
Whereas it is necessary, as Annex II to Decision 
90/221/Euratom, EEC, provides, to promote the basic 
technical research, the integration of the new techno­
logies for the user industries and the acquisition of the 
scientific and technical knowledge necessary for estab­
lishing standards and codes of good practice facilitating 
the transfer of these technologies; 
Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research 
Committee (Crest) has been consulted, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1 
A specific research and technological development 
programme in the field of industrial and materials tech­
nologies, as defined in Annex I, is hereby adopted for 
the period from the date of publication of this decision 
in the Official Journal of the European Communities to 31 
December 1994. 
Article 2 
1. The Community funds estimated as necessary for 
the execution of the programme under this Decision 
amount to ECU 748 million. This amount includes ECU 
670 million for the execution of the activities approved 
by the present decision, and ECU 78 million for the acti­
vities which the JRC will contribute to the programme 
and which will be subject to a separate decision of the 
Council. 
NoC 14/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 1.91 
2. From the above sum of ECU 670 million, an 
amount of ECU 6,7 million is drawn for the centralized 
action of dissemination and exploitation. The funds thus 
reduced to ECU 663,3 million include staff costs, which 
may amount to a maximum of 3 %. 
3. An indicative allocation of funds is set out in Annex 
II. 
4. If the Council takes a decision in implantation of 
Article 1 (4) of Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC, this 
decision shall be adapted to take into account the 
aforementioned decision. 
5. The budgetary authority shall lay down the 
available appropriations for each financial year. 
Article 3 
Rules for the implementation of the programme are set 
out in Annex III. 
Article 4 
The rate of the Community financial contribution shall 
be laid down in accordance with Annex IV to Decision 
90/221/Euratom, EEC. 
Article 5 
1. During 1992 the Commission shall review the 
programme and address a report on the results of the 
review to the Council and the European Parliament, 
together with proposals for any necessary changes. 
2. At the end of the programme the Commission shall 
assess the results obtained. It shall address a report 
thereon to the Council and the European Parliament. 
3. The reports shall be drawn up having regard to the 
objectives set out in Annex I to this Decision and in 
accordance with Article 2 (4) of Decision 
90/221/Euratom, EEC. These reports shall assess the 
coherence of the programme's measurable implemen­
tation with the six major concerns set out in Annex II to 
Council Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC. 
Article 6 
1. The Commission shall be responsible for the 
execution of the programme. It shall be assisted by a 
committee, hereinafter referred to as 'the committee', 
composed of representatives of the Member States and 
chaired by a representative of the Commission. 
2. The contracts concluded by the Commission shall 
govern the rights and obligations of each party, including the procedures for disseminating, protecting 
and exploiting the research results, in accordance with 
the arrangements adopted pursuant to the second 
paragraph of Article 130k of the Treaty and, where 
appropriate, procedures for training and evaluation. 
3. A work programme shall be drawn up at the start 
of the programme and shall be regularly revised. It shall 
set out the detailed objectives and types of project to be 
undertaken, and the financial arrangements to be made 
for them. 
The Commission shall make calls for proposals for 
projects on the basis of the work programmes. 
4. The information packs providing back-up material 
for the calls for proposals shall be distributed by the 
Commission in all the Community languages, in order to 
ensure conditions of equality for the participation of 
companies, universities and other research centres in the 
Member States. 
Article 7 
1. In the cases referred to in Article 8 (1), the 
representative of the Commission shall submit to the 
committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The 
committee shall deliver its opinion on this within a time 
limit which the chairman may set in accordance with the 
urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by 
the majority provided for in Article 148 (2) of the Treaty 
for the adoption of decisions which the Council is called 
upon to make on a proposal from the Commission. 
When voting takes place in the committee, the votes of 
the representatives of the Member States shall be 
weighted as specified in the abovementioned Article. The 
chairman shall not take part in the voting. 
2. The Commision shall adopt the measures envisaged 
when they conform to the opinion of the committee. 
3. When the measures envisaged do not conform to 
the opinion of the committee, or when no opinion has 
been delivered, the Commission shall without delay 
submit to the Council a proposal on the measures to be 
taken. The Council shall act by a qualified majority. 
4. If the Council has not acted within one month of 
submission of the proposal, the measures proposed shall 
be adopted by the Commission. 
Article 8 
1. The procedure laid down in Article 7 shall apply 
to: 
— the presentation and updating of the work 
programme referred to in Article 6 (3), 
22. 1.91 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 14/15 
— the presentation and updating of the work 
programme referred to in Article 6 (3), 
— evaluation of the projects referred to in point 2 of 
Annex III, as well as the estimated amount of the 
Community's financial contribution when these 
projects are submitted through the ordinary 
procedure referred to in point 4 of Annex III and the 
abovementioned amount is more than ECU 5 million, 
— evaluation of all projects submitted through the 
exceptional procedure referred to in point 4 of Annex 
III, as well as the estimated amount of the 
Community's financial contribution, 
— measures for evaluating the programme. 
2. The Commission may consult the committee on 
any matter falling within the scope of the programme. 
3. The Commission shall inform the committee with 
regard to: 
— the progress of the programme, 
— draft calls for proposals, referred to in Article 6 (3), 
— projects, referred to in point 2 of Annex III, 
submitted through the ordinary procedure, for which 
the participation of the Community will not exceed 
ECU 5 million as well as the estimated amount of the 
Community's financial contribution, 
— accompanying measures, referred to in point 2 of 
Annex III, 
— concerted actions, referred to in point 2 of Annex III. Article 9 
In implementing this programme, supplementary 
programmes within the meaning of Article 1301, partici­
pation within the meaning of Article 130m and joint 
undertakings or any other structures within the meaning 
of Article 130o of the Treaty may also be decided on as 
the need arises. 
Article 10 
Where cooperation with third countries and international 
organizations aiming at achieving the objectives of this 
programme requires legal undertakings between the 
Community and the third parties concerned, the 
Commission shall be authorized to negotiate, in 
accordance with Article 130n of the Treaty, international 
agreements laying down the terms of such cooperation. 
Priority will also be given to cooperation with EFTA 
countries groupings and other European countries not 
members of the European Community and in accordance 
with the guidelines agreed between the Council and the 
European Parliament during the conciliation procedure 
which had preceded the adoption of the third framework 
programme. 
The negotiations for such international agreements may 
only be initiated with third countries which are already 
signatories of a cooperation agreement with the 
Community which explicitly cites research and techno­
logical development or scientific progress as one of the 
objectives of cooperation. 
Decisions on the conclusion of such agreements shall be 
adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in 
Article 130q (2) of the Treaty. 
Article 11 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 
No C 14/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 1. 91 
ANNEX I 
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL OBJECTIVES AND CONTENT 
This specific programme fully reflects the approach embodied in the third framework programme in terms 
of scientific and technical goals. 
Paragraph 1.2 of Annex II to Council Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC on the framework programme of 
Community activities in the field of research and technological development (1990 to 1994), with the 
exception of the conditions relating to measurement and testing (for which another specific programme 
exists), forms an integral part of the present specific programme. 
The environmental aspects of products and processes and the working environment will be included as 
strategic elements in all parts of the programme. This will require links with other programmes covering 
the environment, health, and measurement and testing to take account of advances in risk assessments and 
toxicology. 
Integrated activities or projects will be financed in particular areas where many different technologies need 
to be made to converge. A particular example is specific research in aeronautics — taking particular 
account of the logistical aspects of harmonization, standardization, safety and the environment. 
Other important integrated activities or projects, for example in the transport sector, construction 'clean' 
manufacturing processes, and textiles, should be preceded by a definition phase (as in aeronautics). 
Particular attention will be given to ensuring that maximum advantage of the integrated activities is derived 
for the other sectors with are not included. Links with Eureka projects will be encouraged in line with the 
Brite/Euram experience of integrating certain results with Eureka projects. 
The aeronautics research action, to be undertaken under the 'integrated project' instrument, will be 
allocated, on an annual basis, funds not exceeding, in real terms, the average amount used for aeronautic 
research activities undertaken in Brite/Euram. 
The following presents an indicative and not exhaustive description of the content of the programme, 
based on and taking account of the above elements. 
In the listed areas, the level of research will be commensurate with strategic and economic interest and the 
foreseeable development thereof. 
Area 1: Materials — Raw materials 
The objective is to contribute, having particular regard to the contents of the third paragraph of the intro­
duction (scientific and technical objectives and content) to improving the performance of materials at a cost 
which permits competitive industrial exploitation over a broad range of applications not restricted to a few 
high performance items. Research aimed at the use at more advantageous costs of advanced materials over 
a broad range of products and applications will be supported in accordance with the distribution of these 
materials beyond the original areas of application. The accent is on the innovative use of industrial 
minerals, and dimension stone (e.g. decorative stone, marble) metals and materials, including their 
exploration, exploitation, recovery, transformation, production. 
Raw materials 
Here the goal is improvement of existing processes and mastering of new and competitive technologies. 
Research will address the development of methods for process application and testing of technologies so 
improving yield and enabling new mines to open and others to become more economic. 
22. 1. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 14/17 
Special attention will be given to integrated techniques and modelling for the exploration of mineral 
deposits and for the exploitation and processing of minerals and rocks, and in particular, of those resources 
of complex nature containing basic and strategic metals. 
Research will be pursued to provide a better understanding of integrated systems to underpin advanced 
exploration methods for hidden deposits. Work on new and improved drilling technologies for cost-
effective exploration and exploitation will be undertaken as well as for automation of extracting processes 
and metallurgical/mineralogical treatment (pyro- and hydrometallurgical processing). Also research to 
improve mining and quarrying technologies should be done. Research is needed for the production of basic 
and strategic metals and of high purity metals, fired clay, industrial minerals and dimension stone. 
Research should be carried out in the areas of chemical-physical and biological separation technologies. 
Special attention will be directed to prenormative research concerned with occupational safety conditions 
and the environmental impact of the exploitation technologies to be developed. 
Recycling 
Research will be directed to a comprehensive analysis of the cycles from the raw material to recycling, 
including the finished product, and taking into account the economic and energy aspects as well as envi­
ronmental problems. It will relate to industrial waste. 
Here one of the goals is to reinforce the scope and effectiveness of recycling technologies. The economic 
and strategic consequences of the loss of many metals and materials, including those in short supply, will 
be minimized. The environmental damage arising from harmful effluents will be reduced. 
A particular goal is the development of new process technologies for facing the challenge of exploiting the 
residues, particularly waste and scrap, containing conventional as well as precious and strategic metals, 
arising from the major branches of the manufacturing industry such as electronics, electromechanics, auto­
mobile, aeronautical, metallurgy, petrochemical, construction, etc. Attention will also be directed to the 
complex challenge of recycling composite and advanced materials. 
Research on technologies for physical and/or chemical treatment of residues containing metals will be 
encouraged in order to increase the scale and efficiency of recycling and increase the applicability of 
recycled materials. Research will also cover pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy and refining applied to 
processing of complex residues, composites and other new materials, alloys and multi-element scraps. 
New and improved materials and their processing 
Here the goals are developments in materials and processes including conventional mass commodity 
materials with enhanced properties and performance at a reasonable cost; advanced structural materials for 
high performance systems, advanced functional materials, surface engineering and joining technology. 
Encouragement will also be given to research directed to: 
— the development or improvement of the performance of materials, by improving the properties for 
application and use, providing a more accurate description and specifying a more appropriate use, with 
the aid, in particular, of a reliable data base, 
— the development of combinations of advanced materials; the research themes will be based on combi­
nations with probable strategic industrial applications. 
In the field of conventional mass commodity materials, including materials for the construction industry, 
attention will be applied to production and quality control technologies, to new applications and materials 
improvements and to the rules for long-term behaviour prediction including reliability. Methods will be 
developed to enable the designer to take into account, from the outset, environmental and consumer accep­
tability. 
NoC 14/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 1.91 
Research will be directed to new developments or radical innovations in advanced materials for key 
applications which may also have important spin-off effects in other industrial areas. 
It will regard also the use of advanced materials in a broad range of products and applications. 
A particular emphasis will be placed on developing materials with specified properties, exploiting advances 
in understanding of the effects of structure. Techniques for tailoring materials towards precise requirements 
will be addressed and should result in an improvement of R&D effectiveness in this field. 
The following presents an indicative and not exhaustive set of topics to be included in the programme 
based on and taking account of the above elements. 
For metallic materials efforts will be directed to open new markets for high value materials (e.g. speciality 
ferrous and non-ferrous alloys, superalloys, intermetallic compounds, refractory metals) customized for 
complex design specifications and severe service conditions. 
With regard to technical ceramics, attention will be directed to the improved control of microstructure and 
processing technologies and to the fundamental problems associated with reliability and brittleness. 
For polymer materials, research will aim at a better understanding of the relationships between structure, 
morphology and properties. The development of new and improved processing technologies for producing 
reliable component will also be addressed in order to extend the application of this class of materials. In 
particular, research will aim at developing technical thermoplastics which retain their mechanical properties 
at higher temperature and which can be produced through the lower cost thermal processing routes. 
In research into composite engineering the technologies needed to address the problems associated with 
series production will be tackled. 
In the case of superconductors, the challenge is to increase the maximum critical current density and 
capacity together with advances in application technologies including production, formation and reliability 
of cables. 
These activities will be complementary to the CIM aspect of the specific programme on information tech­
nology (IT) foreseen in Decision 90/. . ./EEC, Euratom on materials for specific IT applications. 
Research will also be directed to the study and development of new bioactive and biomedical materials. 
Prenormative work needed to accelerate the applicability of new materials will include research relating to 
their classification together with their characterization to establish performance and minimize their impact 
on health and the environment. 
Area 2: Design and manufacturing 
All forms of industrial production are part of a system, in which the needs of users, design, materials, 
production equipment and the manufacturing process interact. For any given application, the system must 
be optimized so that the required quality and reliability of a product may be obtained at a minimum cost. 
The objective is to improve the capability of industry to design and manufacture products which are, at the 
same time, of high quality, easy to maintain, highly competitive and environmentally and socially 
acceptable. 
This work will be in coordination with the computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) element of the 
specific programme on information technology (IT) foreseen in Decision 90/. . ./EEC Euratom on 
materials for specific IT applications. 
22. 1.91 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 14/19 
Research will be directed to the application of advanced enabling disciplines such as physics and chemistry, 
mechanics, optics, acoustics, fluid dynamics, mathematical modelling and process engineering, and their 
integration into new technological developments such as optomatronics (optics, materials and electronics), 
mechatronics (mechanical engineering, computing and electronics) microtechnology and micro- and nano-
structural engineering, including molecular engineering. 
Special consideration will be given to active involvement of SMEs with their particular know-how and as 
experimental shop-floors and to the modernization of traditional industry. 
Design 
Research on design will address the impact on product performance, the length of time needed for design, 
manufacturing and life-cycle costs. This approach will link the information requirements inherent in the 
engineering design process (material products form, fabrication and function) with the organizational 
procedures and the human factors that underlie the process. 
Research will address failure modes and defect analysis, by modelling techniques based on fracture 
mechanics, tribology, fluid dynamics, corrosion analysis, etc. Implementation of these design approaches 
may require the adaptation of software tools for specific applications. 
Design research will be directed towards design for ease of manufacturing, quality control, maintenance, 
recycling or reuse with a view to reducing whole life costs. Research on improved modelling/simulation 
and rapid prototyping techniques, with a broad application field, will support the engineering design 
process addressing product validation, optimization and prediction of service behaviour. In acknowledging 
the advantages of the spread of best practice, projects will wherever possible, contribute to the generation 
and development of standards and good design practice. 
Manufacturing 
Research on the quality of manufacturing will address the use of efficient and cost-effective manufacturing 
processes and integrate other aspects including the design interface, quality control, maintenance of 
facilities and the working environment. 
Attention will be directed to flexible small-batch production technologies and also to mass production 
technology in order to meet an emerging need for identical technical products in large quantities. In 
particular, appropriate materials application and related technologies, such as those for precision engin­
eering or incorporation of speciality materials into a mass production environment, will be addressed as 
well as technologies for shaping, machining and assembly of miniaturized and/or complex components. 
Research will be directed to the adaptation of established CIM systems to meet the special needs of 
industry and particularly those of small- and medium-sized undertakings. Research on net or near net 
shaping and forming processes will be supported in order to reduce costly and environmentally damaging 
wastes. 
Research in chemical engineering will develop integrated approaches. Subjects of study could include 
process modelling, separation technology, molecular engineering, catalysis and surface science and tech­
nology and chemical sensors. Fundamental research into mixing and stirring, and particle and powder 
technology will be supported in order to develop a better understanding than is provided by current 
empirical approaches. Research will also be directed to providing the understanding of particular processes 
as a basis for software tailored to particular needs. 
No C 14/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 1. 91 
ANNEX II 
INDICATIVE BREAKDOWN OF EXPENDITURES 
In % for the period 1990 to 1994: 
Area 1: Materials — Raw materials 
— Raw materials and recycling 12 
— Materials 44 
Area 2: Design and manufacturing 44 
The breakdown between different areas does not exclude the possibility that projects could cover several 
areas. 
1. An amount equivalent to 10% of the total, is earmarked for clearly defined projects, designed to 
promote fundamental research. 
2. An amount equivalent to 2 % of the total, is earmarked for projects designed to promote the training of 
researchers in sectors included in the present specific programme. 
3. An amount equivalent to 2 % of the total amount deemed necessary, is earmarked for technological 
options and risk assessment, the results of which shall be communicated to Parliament in assessment 
reports. 
4. An amount equivalent to 2 % of the total amount, is earmarked for support for the feasibility premiums 
for SMUs. 
ANNEX III 
RULES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAMME AND ACTIVITIES FOR DISSEMINATION 
AND EXPLOITATION OF THE RESULTS 
1. The Commission shall implement the programme on the basis of the scientific and technical content 
described in Annex I. 
2. The rules for implementing the programme, referred to in Article 3, comprise research and techno­
logical development projects, accompanying measures and concerted actions. 
The direct research activities carried out by the JRC will be the subject of a separate Council Decision. 
The projects shall be the subject of shared-cost research and technological development contracts. 
The accompanying measures consist of applying the means to ensure proper technical execution, 
management and evaluation of the programme, as well as adequate dissemination and accessibility of 
the results, and coordination, training and consciousness-raising of the participants in the programme. 
The concerted actions are those defined in Article 92 of the Financial Regulations. 
22. 1.91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 14/21 
3. The participants in the projects must be natural or legal persons established in the Community ('), such 
as universities, research organizations and industrial firms, including small and medium-sized enter­
prises, or associations thereof, in particular European Economic Interest Groupings (EEIGs). 
Natural or legal persons established in countries which have concluded agreements with the Community 
foreseeing scientific and technical research, may, based on the criterion of mutual advantage, take part 
in the projects undertaken in the context of this programme. The contracting parties under such 
arrangements shall not benefit from Community financing under the framework programme. They shall 
contribute to the general administrative costs. 
4. The choice of projects shall be carried out according to the following order of priority, the first method 
being the rule, the second the exception. 
The participants in the projects shall be selected on the basis of the ordinary procedure of calls for 
proposals referred to in Article 6 (4) and published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. 
Where other criteria of scientific excellence are satisfied, and in accordance with the guidelines agreed 
between Council and the European Parliament, in the case of a number of project proposals of equal 
scientific value, preference shall be given: 
(i) to project proposals whose implementation involves project participants in less-developed regions 
and/or regions in industrial decline as defined by Articles 8 and 9 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 
2052/88; 
(ii) to project proposals involving small- and medium-sized enterprises or an association of such enter­
prises. 
The Commission shall determine in each case whether the management of the programme, or parts 
thereof, can be undertaken by organizations or institutions outside the Commission, without delegating 
its decision-making powers. 
The Commission may also accept proposals, according to an exceptional procedure and under the 
conditions mentioned below, when they make a particularly promising and significant contribution as 
regards the originality of the theme proposed, the novelty of the scientific and technical approach and 
the methodology of execution, also taking into account the particular nature of the proposers. 
A favourable technical evaluation of such proposals shall not by itself be a sufficient justification for 
accepting a project; this exceptional procedure may only apply after verification that the nature of the 
project, as defined above, does not justify the use of the normal procedure for calls for proposals. 
The exceptional procedure shall come into effect after the first call for proposals and must be completed 
before the ordinary procedure in such a way that the available amount for the Community's financial 
participation in projects retained by the ordinary procedure can be determined precisely. The closing 
date for the exceptional procedure shall be published each year in the Offical Journal. 
When it submits the preliminary draft budget the Commission shall inform the budgetary authority 
whether the appropriations approved in the budget of the previous year have also financed projects 
retained by the exceptional procedure and the amounts allocated. Should these projects cover several 
programmes, it shall state the type of committee which assisted it. 
The amount of the financial participation of the Community for all the projects retained by the excep­
tional procedure will be decided each year, in relation to the projects selected according to particularly 
strict criteria of excellence. In any case this amount may not exceed 10 % of the annual budget appro­
priation it may be revised each year in the light of experience. 
(') In the context of the present programme, the European Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN), based in Geneva, most 
of whose installations are located in the Community, may participate in contracts. 
No C 14/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 1. 91 
A new two-stage selection procedure for projects shall be introduced, on an exceptional and partial 
basis. The results of this new selection procedure shall be assessed in the evaluation report half-way 
through the programme. 
The Commission shall draw up a vade-mecum setting out all the rules applicable to this exceptional 
procedure in order to guarantee full transparency. 
5. The projects must involve for participation at least two mutually independent partners established in 
different Member States. 
6. The Commission may encourage the participants to form a European Economic Interest Grouping 
(EEIG) or make other arrangements for carrying out projects, such as those on a large scale, permitting 
decentralized management adapted to the specific requirements of the project. 
7. The knowledge acquired during the course of the projects shall be disseminated on the one hand, by the 
specific programme and on the other hand by means of a centralized activity, pursuant to the decision 
referred to in the third paragraph of Article 4 of Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC.