No C 41/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 18. 2. 91 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision concerning a specific programme of research 
and technological development (R&TD) in the field of information technology (1990-1994) (x) 
(91/C 41/05) 
On 6 June 1990 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, 
under Article 130Q of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, on the 
abovementioned proposal. 
The Section for Industry, Commerce, Crafts and Services, which was responsible for preparing 
the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 9 November 1990. The 
Rapporteur was Mr Nierhaus. 
At its 281st plenary session (meeting of 20 November 1990) the Economic and Social 
Committee adopted the following Opinion unanimously. 
1. Preliminary comments 
The purpose of the Commission's proposal is to put 
into effect certain plans in the information technology 
field approved by the Council in the third framework 
programme for research and technological development 
(1990-1994). A budget of 1 338,48 million ECU has been 
provided, spread over the 1991-1994 financial years. 
Varying amounts have been allocated to the five areas: 
1. microelectronics; 
2. information processing systems and software; 
3. advanced business and home systems, peripherals; 
4. computer integrated manufacturing and engin­
eering; 
5. basic research. 
This is in line with the Community's policy of promot­
ing the development of information technology in the 
Member States through the synergistic effects of trans-
border cooperation. 
Since the beginning of the first major European strategic 
programme for research and development (R&D) in 
the field of information technology (ESPRIT) in 1983, 
this sector has maintained and in some respects even 
increased its worldwide importance. As yet, however, 
the Community has not been able to close the gap with 
Japan and the USA in all areas and in some this gap 
has even widened. Sustained progress will be possible 
(!) OJ No C 174, 16. 7. 1990, p. 1. only if the Europeans too succeed in exploiting the 
advantages of a large, integrated economic area. 
There are two outstanding reasons for promoting infor­
mation technology: 
Firstly, it is highly dynamic, i.e. new R&D results are 
being translated into marketable products ever more 
rapidly. Just as quickly these products become techno­
logically outdated if they are not further developed 
through new research. If this research is not carried out 
or is inadequate, the development deficit grows ever 
larger and becomes even more difficult to make up, 
with the consequent economic repercussions. 
Secondly, information technology occupies a key pos­
ition in that it affects virtually all sectors of the economy 
and society and therefore has considerable reper­
cussions for employment policy in particular. 
Generally speaking the increasing introduction of infor­
mation technology into factories and offices leads to 
rationalization, including the loss of jobs. On the other 
hand, this can be offset by the creation of new jobs in 
this sector, and the greater the ability to keep pace with 
worldwide competition, the greater the number of jobs. 
2. General comments 
In view of the preceding comments the Committee 
supports the proposed R&D programme, as it did the 
comparable programmes already carried out, especially 
ESPRIT, the most important so far in this field. 
Logically, however, the proposed funds should be used 
for those projects which are expected to be particularly 
effective in boosting transborder R&D cooperation in 
18. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 41/11 
the Community. Under no circumstances must the pro­
posed aid lead to a slackening of effort on the part of 
the national authorities. On the contrary, the latter 
must maintain and wherever possible step up their 
efforts, quite apart from the R&D expenditure of the 
industry itself. 
3. Specific comments 
3.1. The aims and content of the present specific 
programme are largely identical with those of ESPRIT. 
The second phase of ESPRIT and the new specific 
programme of research and technological development 
(R&TD) also overlap for the 1991 and 1992 financial 
years, but just how the two programmes are coordi­
nated in terms of organization and projects is not made 
sufficiently clear. The Commission must explain this. 
The reports referred to in Article 5 should also supply 
information on which — possibly ESPRIT-assisted — 
projects are being continued and which specific results 
of ESPRIT projects have provided a base for the new 
programme to build on. 
3.2. In Annex I the Commission refers repeatedly and 
expressly to the connection between technological devel­
opment and the improvement of working conditions. 
This applies above all to area 3 (advanced business and 
home systems). This question is closely linked to that of 
the qualifications of those who, in the final analysis, have 
to use the results of technological R&D. Hence in vir­
tually all areas the problem arises of training qualified 
personnel for both research and the application of 
results. The Commission should therefore examine the 
feasibility of gearing this programme to the relevant 
Community programmes for training and further train­
ing (e.g. EUROTECNET, COMETTII, ERASMUS II). 
Done at Brussels, 20 November 1990. 3.3. The Committee particularly welcomes the spe­
cial attention which is to be given to supporting small 
and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in the choice of 
projects to be carried out. It would further urge that 
priority be given to supporting projects where at least 
one partner is located in a disadvantaged region. 
3.4. To make the programme more effective it is 
essential to publicize the eligibility criteria as widely as 
possible in order to further encourage SME in particular 
to participate. 
3.5. The Committee urges the Commission to 
include representatives of the social groups as well as 
government representatives in the committee referred 
to in Article 6. At the very least those social groups 
represented at Community level should be brought in 
for consultation so that, inter alia, user needs and 
experiences can be taken into account. 
3.6. The Committee endorses the opening-up of the 
programme to partners from third countries. Wherever 
possible Eastern European States should be involved in 
the programme. 
3.7. The Committee expects the reports provided for 
in Article 5 to be addressed to the Economic and Social 
Committee as well. 
In this connection the Committee would point out that 
under Article 130Q(2) the Commission must in any case 
consult the ESC if the report contains proposals for any 
necessary changes. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Francois STAEDELIN