COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 08.01.1997 
COM(96) 713 final 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION 
TO THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 
Establishment within the JRC of 
a section to take on the task of 
Alps Observation and Information System Coordination Unit 

The Commission wishes to inform the Council and Parliament that it has undertaken to set 
up a section within the Environmental Monitoring Unit of the Joint Research Centre's 
Environment Institute at Ispra. The section's task will be to coordinate the activity of the 
Alps Observation and Information System (AOIS) for and within the framework of the 
Convention on the protection of the Alps. 
1. Background 
The Convention on the protection of the Alps ('Alpine Convention') was signed by the seven 
countries of the Alpine Arc (Austria, Germany, France, Italy, former Yugoslavia, Switzerland 
and Liechtenstein) and the European Community on 7 November 1991 in Salzburg, Austria. 
An additional Protocol allows the future accession of the Principality of Monaco. Former 
Yugoslavia has been replaced by Slovenia. 
The Convention entered into force on 9 March 1995. The Contracting Parties are Austria, 
Germany, France, Slovenia, Liechtenstein and the European Community.1 
It is a framework Convention aiming to ensure the protection and sustainable development 
of the Alpine range and the consistency of the Contracting Parties' policies in this area. Aside 
from the adoption of specific Protocols, the instruments for its implementation include a joint 
effort in research and systematic monitoring (Article 3) and collaboration and exchange of 
information in the legal, economic, scientific and technical fields (Article 4). 
With a view to implementing these two Articles, the Ministerial Conference of the 
Convention, held in Chambéry on 20 December 1994, decided, on the basis of an expert 
report, that an Alps Observation and Information System should be set up, to be known as 
the 'Alps Observatory'. The Conference entrusted the details of its tasks and configuration 
to an Alps Observation Working Party, the scientific and technical running of which was left 
to the JRC. 
On the basis of a report from the Working Party, the Ministerial Conference of the Alpine 
Convention, meeting in Brdo (Slovenia) on 27 February 1996, adopted the general 
organizational structure, based on a network of national Communication Centres and a 
Coordination Unit, and invited the Commission to accept the task of running the 
Coordination Unit through the JRC. 
The logic behind this request to the Commission was that the JRC is particularly, if not 
uniquely, suited to the task: it is centrally located in the Alpine Arc, enjoys an international 
status guaranteeing its neutrality, and has the requisite scientific competence thanks to its 
long experience in research and the collection of environmental data, etc. 
Decision 96/191/EC, OJ L 61, 12.3.1996, p. 31. 
3-
The Commission felt this task accorded fully, both scientifically and institutionally, with the 
JRCs mission and current programme, and so agreed to the request. This contribution to the 
work of the Alpine Convention is in line with the European Community's participation in the 
Convention, and enjoys surety in the obligation upon the other Contracting Parties to set up 
national Communication Centres and cover their costs. 
11. Implementation 
Under the terms of the 1997-98 programme now being drawn up, the AOIS's activity will 
include: 
The production of environmental indicators (state, pressure, responses) and socio­
economic indicators. These will form the basis of reports on the state of the 
environment and the socio-economic situation of the Alpine region and/or meet the 
specific requirements of the specialized Protocols. 
The creation of an Alpine Research Information System, to facilitate the transfer of 
research findings to potential users. 
The creation of a data telecommunication network for the collection, organization (in 
the form of decentralized database systems) and dissemination of information. 
Under the current terms of the AOIS operating rules now being discussed by the Contracting 
Parties within the Alps Observation Working Party, the AOIS will be based on decentralized 
organization and the Coordination Unit will, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, 
be confined to essential tasks at central level, including: 
production of preliminary drafts for the multiannual activity programmes and for the 
plans implementing the approved programmes; 
coordination of the national Communication Centres' execution of the approved 
programmes; 
collation of findings in forms suitable for dissemination; coordination of 
dissemination; 
performance of essential common tasks, such as liaison with the European 
Environment Agency, implementation and management of the data communication 
network, management of studies or services commissioned from third parties, etc. 
The JRC will set up and run the AOIS Coordination Unit through existing budgetary 
provisions, using the resources allocated to the institutional scientific and technical support 
activities of the specific RTD programme the JRC has to carry out for the European 
Community (1995-98). 
FINANCIAL STATEMENT 
TITLE OF OPERATION 
Creation of a department to take on the task of Alps Observation and Information 
System Coordination Unit 
BUDGET HEADINGS INVOLVED 
Joint Research Centre: 
Article B6-111 Persons associated with the institution 
Article B6-121 Resources 
Article B6-2131 Environment and climate 
LEGAL BASES 
Council Decision of 15 December 1994 adopting a specific programme for 
research and technological development, including demonstration, to be 
carried out for the European Community, on the one hand, by the JRC and, 
on the other, by means of activities within the framework of a competitive 
approach and intended for scientific and technical support to Community 
policies (1995-98) (OJ L 361, 31.12.1994, p. 114). 
Council Decision 96/191 /EC of 26 February 1996 concerning the conclusion 
of the Convention on the protection of the Alps (Alpine Convention) 
(OJL61, 12.3.1996, p. 31). 
DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION 
4.1 General objective 
The Convention on the protection of the Alps ('Alpine Convention') entered 
into force on 9 March 1995. The Contracting Parties are Austria, Germany, 
France, Slovenia, Liechtenstein and the European Community.1 
It is a framework Convention aiming to ensure the protection and sustainable 
development of the Alpine range and the consistency of the Contracting 
Parties' policies in this area. Aside from the adoption of specific Protocols, 
the instruments for its implementation include a joint effort in research and 
Decision 96/191/EC, OJ L 61, 12.3.1996, p. 31. 
3 
systematic monitoring (Article 3) and collaboration and exchange of 
information in the legal, economic, scientific and technical fields (Article 4). 
With a view to implementing these two Articles, the Ministerial Conference 
of the Convention decided in December 1994 that an Alps Observation and 
Information System should be set up, and entrusted the details of its tasks and 
configuration to a Working Party, the scientific and technical running of 
which was left to the JRC. 
On 27 February 1996, on the basis of the Working Party's report, the 
Ministerial Conference of the Alpine Convention adopted the general 
organizational structure, based on a network of national Communication 
Centres and a Coordination Unit, and invited the Commission to accept the 
task of running the Coordination Unit through the JRC. 
The logic behind this request was that the JRC is particularly suited to the 
task, thanks to its location in the Alpine Arc, an international status 
guaranteeing its neutrality, and its scientific competence in research and the 
collection of environmental data, etc. 
4.2 Period covered and arrangements for renewal or extension 
This proposal only covers the financial years 1997 and 1998. If future 
framework programmes provide for the JRC to continue its work in the same 
technical area a proposal could be put forward to extend the coordination 
functions. 
CLASSIFICATION OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE 
NCE/DA 
TYPE OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE 
Direct JRC expenditure from the abovementioned budget headings. 
These appropriations are intended to cover expenditure on staff and resources for the 
department concerned, as well as appropriations intended specifically for the task, 
such as: 
. sundry equipment 
. operating appropriations 
. maintenance of installations and equipment. 
V 
FINANCIAL IMPACT 
The JRC already performs the majority of the tasks in question through its 
participation in the "Alps Observatory" Working Party (ending on 1 January 1997). 
The department is to be set up and the necessary personnel assigned to it both to raise 
their profile (see point 9.2 below) and to formalize a task which is taking on a more 
permanent character (97-98). However, as this work will continue to come under the 
same budget heading as before, the creation of the department will in itself have no 
additional financial repercussions for the JRC. 
7.1 Method of calculating total cost 
The method is the same as for the JRC's other activities: the costs (in staff 
appropriations and specific appropriations) of material, administrative and 
technical support are divided according to the number of persons assigned to 
the activities in question. 
In accordance with the methodology selected by the JRC during the 
preparation of the 1997 PDB, allowance has been made for an annual increase 
of 3% in personnel and general service costs. 
7.2 Itemised breakdown of cost 
values in ECU 1 000 
Breakdown 
Personnel appropriations 
Appropriations - direct 
Appropriations - general 
costs 
TOTAL 1997 
636 
366 
118 
1 120 1998 
645 
370 
120 
1 135 1999 and 
beyond 
p.m. 
p.m. 
p.m. 
p.m. TOTAL 
1 281 
736 
238 
2 255 
J 
7.3 Indicative schedule of appropriations 
values in ECU 1 000 
Commitment 
appropriations 
Payment appropriations 
1997 
1998 
1999 and beyond 
TOTAL 1997 
1 120 
907 
213 
1 120 1998 
1 135 
920 
215 
1 135 1999 and 
beyond 
p.m. 
p.m. 
p.m. TOTAL 
2 255 
907 
1 133 
215 
2 255 
FRAUD PREVENTION MEASURES 
The JRC's usual internal audit and control procedures will apply, along with those of 
the Commissions Directorate-General for Financial Control with their system of prior 
authorization for all expenditure. The Commission's usual procedures (invitations to 
tender, examination and comparison of tenders and, where necessary, consultation of 
the CCAM) will apply to any service contracts with outside companies. 
ELEMENTS OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS 
9.1 Specific and quantified objectives; target population 
Coordination of national activities relating to the Alps Observation 
and Information System; 
Coordination with activities relating to the Alps carried out by the 
European Environment Agency and other international bodies; 
Dissemination of information. 
9.2 Grounds for the operation 
The task accords fully, both scientifically and institutionally, with the JRC's 
mission and current programme. The contribution to the work of the Alpine 
Convention is in line with the European Community's participation in the 
Convention, and enjoys surety in the obligation upon the other Contracting 
Parties to set up national Communication Centres and cover their costs. In 
addition, this activity will provide the JRC with information useful to it in its 
other research into environmental impact. 
9.3 Monitoring and evaluation of the operation 
These activities will be analysed and evaluated like the JRC's other tasks. 
They will be submitted annually for approval by the JRC's Board of 
Governors in the form of work sheets. They will also undergo special annual 
evaluation as an S/T support activity for the Commission. 
10 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE (PART A, SECTION III OF THE BUDGET) 
Since all the planned activities come under chapter B6 of the budget there will be no 
impact on administrative expenditure. 
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ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(96) 713 final 
DOCUMENTS 
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Catalogue number : CB-CO-96-723-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-13948-3 
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