I A. * ^ | *" "* 
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! * * COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY CO 
Brussels,08.05 1996 
COM(%)2l9 final 
95/ 0098 (CNS) 
Amended proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
establishing 
a Community action programme in the field of civil protection 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a (2) 
of the EC-Treaty) 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
Pursuant to Article 189 (a) paragraph 2 of the EC Treaty, the Commission submits an 
amended proposal for a Council Decision establishing a Community action programme 
in the field of civil protection. The amended proposal takes account of a number' of 
amendments from the European Parliament, adopted at its April 1996 Plenary Session. 
Several amendments aim at clarifying the nature and the objectives of the proposed action 
programme. Most of them are incorporated in the amended proposal (recitals 2a; 4; 6; 8; 
art. 3, 2(b); annex: points A.l and 2; annex: point B), namely amendments 2 (second 
part), 3, 4 (second part), 6, 7, 11, 20 (second and third parts), 21 (first part) and 23 (first 
part). 
Because the original Commission's proposal takes into account the progressive setting up 
of the Community cooperation in the field of civil protection, the amendments 2 (first 
part) and 4 (first pari) arc not accepted. 
Amendment 1, referring to the Fifth Action programme, in fact duplicates with recital 3 
of the original proposal and is therefore not accepted. 
Some other amendments enlarge the scope of the programme by bringing positive 
additional elements to the objectives as well as the criteria for actions to be developed. 
These amendments - namely amendments 8, 9, 10 (with the exception of the reference 
to cessation or closure of the activity or installation which are not part of the 
programme), 12, 13, 15 (first part), 22 (second part), 23 (fourth and fifth parts) - are 
integrated in the amended proposal (art. 1; art. 3, 2(a), (c) and (d); art. 3, 4; Annex: point 
A.3 and point B). However, amendment 8 (third part) which adds the coordination of 
regional and subregional potential when combating major disaster cannot be accepted. 
Indeed, the Community action programme does not aim at coordinating but at supporting 
efforts which are developed within the Member States. In the same spirit, amendment 22 
(first part) cannot be accepted because the objective of the Community simulation 
exercises is not to evaluate but to back up progress in national civil protection systems. 
Several amendments aim at introducing a reference to the specificity of the Union's 
isolated and ultraperipheral regions and to the role to be played by organizations or 
bodies specializing in the civil protection domain. These amendments (amendments 5, 14 
(part 1 and 2), 15 (part 2), 21 (part 4) and 23 (part 2) - are partly incorporated in the 
amended proposal (recitals 4a and 5; art. 3, 3; Annex: point A.2 and point B) because 
they bring a new and important dimension to the action programme. However, 
amendment 14 part 3 cannot be accepted: this amendment requests the Commission to 
investigate the possibility of presenting a scheme of specific measures for these regions 
in conjunction with third countries. Such specific measures are not envisaged in the frame 
of the proposed action programme, except when this is requested in the context of the 
opening of Community programmes on the basis of Europe Agreements or relevant 
Additional Protocols thereto. 
As far as amendment 25 is concerned, the possibility for a Non Governmental 
Organization (NGO) to request the Commission's support for the mechanisms set up by 
a NGO in case of a disaster inside or outside of the Union cannot be accepted because 
such organizations have not been notified as competent authorities (Resolution of the 
Council and of the representatives of the governments of the Member States, meeting 
within the Council of 8 July 1991 on improving mutual aid between Member States in 
the event of natural or technological disaster - OJ n° C 198 of 27.7.1991, p 1-3). 
Amendments referring to comitology and changing in this respect the original proposal 
of the Commission (amendments 16, 17, 18, 27 and 28) are not acceptable because they 
are not in accordance with the Council Decision of 13 July 1987 laying down the 
procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (OJ -
L 197 of 18.7.1987, p. 33-35) or because they intend to limit these powers. 
As far as the evaluation of the implementation of the action programme is concerned, 
amendment 19 (second part) and amendment 31 (first part) can be accepted (art. 5) 
because it is considered that the transmission of this evaluation also to the European 
Parliament improves the process. The fact that this evaluation will be transmitted for 
information to the Committee mentioned in article 4 is considered as sufficient as far as 
transparency is concerned. Article 31 (part 2) is therefore not accepted. As far as the 
rhythm of evaluation is concerned (amendment 19 - part 1), the original proposal 
foreseeing a rhythm of three years is maintained. 
Finally, some amendments concern financial aspects of the action programme. 
Amendment 21 (part 5) is not accepted nor 23 (part 3) because they request 100% 
funding while it is considered that a shared cost approach contributes to increase the co-
responsibility of partners. Amendment 24 (part 2) can be accepted (Annex: point C). 
Amended proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
establishing a Community action programme in the field of civil protection 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a paragraph 2 of the EC Treaty) 
Commission proposal Amended proposal 
Recital 2 a (new) 
Whereas a better consideration for the 
environmental aspects can contribute to 
prevent many disasters, in particular 
natural disasters such as floods: 
Recital 4 
Whereas the establishment of a 
Community action programme will help to 
develop cooperation in the field even more 
effectively; whereas such a programme 
should be based to a large extent on 
experience already gained in this field; Whereas the establishment of a 
Community action programme will help to 
develop cooperation in this field even more 
effectively and further develop the 
resolutions adopted since 1987: whereas 
such a programme should be based to a 
large extent on and should further develop 
experience already gained in this field; 
Recital 4 a (new) 
Whereas the geography, landscape and 
social and economic characteristics of the 
Union's isolated and ultraperipheral regions 
affect and impede the bringing in of aid 
and means in cases of major risk: 
Recital 5 
Whereas action to prepare those 
responsible for and involved in civil 
protection and other environmental 
emergencies in the Member States is 
important, in order to increase their degree 
of preparedness; Whereas action to prepare those 
responsible for and involved in civil 
protection and other environmental 
emergencies in the Member States is 
important, in order to increase their degree 
of preparedness; whereas organizations or 
bodies other than public authorities play 
often a major role in civil protection and 
should therefore be given the possibility to 
take part in the programme: 
Recital 6 
Whereas it is also important to undertake 
action targeted at the general public so as 
to help European citi/ens to protect 
themselves more effectively; Whereas it is also important to undertake 
practical action targeted at the general 
public so as to help European citizens to 
protect themselves more effectively and 
with greater solidarity in the event of any 
disaster or emergency and increase their 
shared responsibility as regards 
environmental protection and awareness of 
health hazards which could arise from 
specific disasters, such as the accidental 
release of toxic materials: whereas such 
action should support corresponding 
activities in the Member States: 
Recital 8 
Whereas in accordance with the principle 
of subsidiarity, Community cooperation 
supplements national policies in the field 
of civil protection and environmental 
emergencies in order to make them more 
effective; whereas pooling of experience 
and mutual assistance will help to reduce 
the loss of human life and economic and 
environmental damage throughout the 
Community; Whereas, in accordance with the principle 
of subsidiarity, Community cooperation 
supplements national policies in the field 
of civil protection and environmental 
emergencies in order to make them more 
effective; whereas pooling of experience 
and mutual assistance will help to reduce 
the loss of human life and economic and 
environmental damage throughout the 
Community, thus making more tangible the 
goals of social cohesion, solidarity and 
European citizenship: 
Article 
A Community action programme in the 
field of civil protection, including 
environmental emergencies, is hereby 
established. The action making up the 
programme and the arrangements for 
granting Community financial support are 
set out in the Annex. A Community action programme in the 
field of civil protection, including 
environmental emergencies, is hereby 
established. The action making up the 
programme and the arrangements for 
granting Community financial support are 
set out in the Annex. 
This action seeks, inter alia, to enhance 
exchanges of experiences at all levels. 
Article 3, 2 a) b) c) 
This individual action shall be selected 
primarily on the basis of the following 
criteria: 
(a) contribution to increasing the 
degree of preparedness of those 
involved in civil protection in the 
Member States, in order to increase 
their ability to respond to an 
emergency; 
(b) contribution to improving 
techniques and methods of 
response: pilot projects; 
(ç) contribution to public information, 
education and awareness, so as to 
help citizens to protect themselves 
more effectively. 2. This individual action shall be selected 
primarily on the basis of the following 
criteria: 
(a) contribution to the prevention of 
natural and technological disasters: 
inter alia by introducing the risks 
of disaster in the environmental 
impact assessment and taking any 
preventive measures required and 
by studying the causes of disasters 
and publishing the results of these 
studies: 
(b) contribution to increasing the 
degree of preparedness of those 
primarily responsible for and most 
directly involved in civil protection 
in the Member States at all levels, 
in order to increase their ability to 
respond to an emergency; 
(c) contribution to improving means 
and methods of forecasting and 
techniques and procedures of 
response by means of 
demonstration and pilot projects; 
(d) contribution to public information, 
education and awareness, so as to 
help citizens to protect themselves 
more effectively and show a greater 
sense of shared responsibility. 
Article 3, 3 
3. Each individual action shall be 
implemented in close cooperation with 
the national, regional or local 
authorities concerned. Each individual action shall be 
implemented in close cooperation with 
the national, regional or local 
authorities concerned and particularly 
with the Union's isolated and 
ultraperipheral regions. 
Article 3, 4 
4. Each action shall take account of the 
results of the Community and national 
research in the relevant fields. 4. Each action shall take account of the 
results of the Community and national 
research in the relevant fields and of 
those techniques which best safeguard 
the environment. 
Article 5 
Every three years the Commission shall Every three years the Commission shall 
evaluate implementation of the action evaluate implementation of the action 
programme and shall inform the committee programme and shall inform the European 
referred to in Article 4 accordingly. Parliament and the committee referred to 
in Article 4 accordingly. 
Annex: point A (1) 
A. Action contributing to increasing the 
degree of preparedness of those involved 
in civil protection 
1. Training 
Organization of (mainly self-tuition) workshops 
bringing together high-level experts from the 
Member States permitting, within each 
discipline, the mutual sharing of experience by 
means of in-depth discussions of their methods, 
techniques and means with a view to: 
increasing their degree of preparedness; 
creating the conditions for the 
establishment of a human network 
permitting more effective operational 
cooperation between Member States in 
case of emergency. Maximum Community 
financial contribution: 
75% of the total cost 
of the action, with a 
ceiling of 62.500 ECU 
per action. A. Action contributing to increasing the 
degree of preparedness of those involved 
in civil protection 
1. Training 
Organization of (mainly self-tuition) workshops 
bringing together high-level experts, technical 
specialists and technicians from the Member 
States permitting, within each discipline, the 
mutual sharing of experience by means of 
discussions in specific terms of their methods, 
techniques and means with a view to: 
increasing their degree of preparedness; 
creating the conditions for the establishment 
of a human network permitting more 
effective operational cooperation between 
Member States in case of emergency. Maximum Community 
financial contribution: 
75% of the total cost 
of the action, with a 
ceiling of 62.500 ECU 
per action. 
Annex: point A (2) 
2. Exchange of experts 
Organization of exchanges of Member State 
experts enabling them to follow short training 
courses in another Member State run by a 
training body or another civil protection 
department. 
Organization of the secondment to another 
Member State of one or more trainers who are 
particularly qualified to present certain training 
courses or modules. 100% of the experts' 
travel and subsistence 
expenses and the costs 
of coordinating the 
system for an initial 
period of two years 
(1995-1996). 
Thereafter, the 
financing of experts' 
travel and subsistence 
expenses will be 
limited to 75%. 2. Exchange of experts and technicians 
Organization of exchanges of Member State 
experts, technicial specialists and technicians 
enabling them to follow short training courses in 
another Member State run by a training body or 
another civil protection department, with 
particular attention to the services responsible 
for dealing with disasters in the isolated and 
ultraperipheral regions. 
Organization of the secondment to another 
Member State of one or more trainers who are 
particularly qualified to present certain training 
courses or modules. 100% of the experts' 
travel and subsistence 
expenses and the costs 
of coordinating the 
system for an initial 
period of two years 
(1995-1996),. 
Thereafter, the 
financing of experts' 
travel and subsistence 
expenses will be 
limited to 75%. 
10 
Annex: point A (3) 
3. Community simulation exercises 
These exercises are intended to compare 
methods and to back up progress in national 
civil protection systems. Maximum Community 
financial contribution: 
5 0 % of the 
participation costs of 
observers from the 
other Member States 
invited by the 
organizing State, the 
cost of organizing the 
associated workshops, 
preparing the exercise, 
the final report, etc. 3. Community simulation exercises 
These exercises are intended to compare 
methods and to back up progress in national 
civil protection systems with a view to 
improving, inter alia, the effectiveness and 
speed of response in case of disasters. Maximum Community 
financial contribution: 
5 0 f the 
participation costs of 
observers from the 
other Member States 
invited by the 
organizing State, the 
cost of organizing the 
associated workshops, 
preparing the exercise, 
the final report, etc. 
Annex: point B 
B. Projects contributing to improving 
techniques and methods of response: 
Pilot projects 
Projects designed to increase the Member 
States' response capacity. These projects are 
aimed mainly at improving means, techniques 
and procedures. Their scope should be such as 
to interest all or several Member States. Maximum Community 
financial contribution: 
50% of the total cost 
of each project. B. Projects contributing to improving 
techniques and methods of response. 
Pilot projects 
Projects designed to increase the capacity for 
and speed of response of the officials most 
directly involved in the initial stages of crises in 
the different regions of Member States. These 
projects are aimed mainly at improving means, 
techniques and procedures also in the isolated 
and ultraperipheral regions.. Their scope should 
be such as to interest all or several Member 
States by giving them the maximum follow-up 
publicity and demonstration throughout the 
Union for their implementation. Maximum Community 
financial contribution: 
50% of the total cost 
of each project. 
The greatest possible 
encouragement should 
be given to 
multinational projects. 
11 
Annex: point C 
C. Action contributing to improving public 
information, education and awareness, 
so as to help citizens to protect 
themselves more effectively10 
Action encouraging exchanges of experience 
between Member States, regions and local 
authorities in the field of initiatives to improve 
public information, education and awareness, so 
as to help citizens to protect themselves more 
effectively. The idea is to build on the work 
done by the Member States and to enable the 
authorities and other organizations concerned to 
benefit from similar experience in other 
Member States. The target group is the general 
public, focusing in particular on schoolchildren 
and young people receiving initial vocational 
training. 
Distribution of information and travelling 
exhibitions. Maximum Community 
financial contribution: 
50% of the total cost of 
the action. 
100%) financing C. Action contributing to improving public 
information, education and awareness, so 
as to help citizens to protect themselves 
more effectively10 
Action encouraging exchanges of experience 
between Member States, regions and local 
authorities in the field of initiatives to improve 
public information, education and awareness, so 
as to help citizens to protect themselves more 
effectively. The idea is to build on the work 
done by the Member States and to enable the 
authorities and other organizations concerned to 
benefit from similar experience in other Member 
States. The target group is the general public, 
focusing in particular on schoolchildren and 
young people receiving initial vocational 
training. 
Distribution of information and travelling 
exhibitions. Maximum Community 
financial contribution: 
50% of the total cost 
of the action. 
Up to 100%) financing 
10 The Community action in the field of public health is excluded from this programme (cf. in particular the Commission communication and proposal 
for a European Parliament and Council Decision adopting a programme of Community action on health promotion, information, education and training 
within the framework of the action in the field of public health, OJ n° C 252, 9.9.1994, p. 3) (*) 
(*) This proposal has been adopted on 29 March 1996 fOJ n° L 95. 16.4.1996. p. 1) 
12 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(96) 219 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 14 05 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-96-230-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-04198-X 
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