02008D0376 — GA — 25.07.2021 — 002.002

Is áis doiciméadúcháin amháin an téacs seo agus níl aon éifeacht dhlíthiúil aige. Ní ghabhann institiúidí an Aontais aon dliteanas orthu féin i leith inneachar an téacs. Is iad na leaganacha de na gníomhartha a foilsíodh in Iris Oifigiúil an Aontais Eorpaigh agus atá ar fáil ar an suíomh gréasáin EUR-Lex na leaganacha barántúla de na gníomhartha ábhartha, brollach an téacs san áireamh. Is féidir teacht ar na téacsanna oifigiúla sin ach na naisc atá leabaithe sa doiciméad seo a bhrú

►B COUNCIL DECISION of 29 April 2008 on the adoption of the Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel and on the multiannual technical guidelines for this programme (2008/376/EC) (IO L 130 20.5.2008, lch. 7)

Arna leasú le:







(*) Níor foilsíodh an gníomh seo i nGaeilge









▼B

COUNCIL DECISION

of 29 April 2008

on the adoption of the Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel and on the multiannual technical guidelines for this programme

(2008/376/EC)







CHAPTER I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

Subject matter

This Decision provides for the adoption of the Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel and lays down the multiannual technical guidelines for the implementation of that programme.







CHAPTER II

RESEARCH PROGRAMME OF THE RESEARCH FUND FOR COAL AND STEEL







SECTION 1

Adoption of the Research Programme

Article 2

Adoption

The Research Programme for the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Research Programme’) is hereby adopted.

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Soláthrófar leis an gClár Taighde tacaíocht do thaighde comhoibríoch sna hearnálacha guail agus cruach. Soláthrófar tacaíocht do theicneolaíochtaí ceannródaíocha maidir le cruach ghlan leis an gClár Taighde freisin, teicneolaíochtaí a mbeidh tionscadail déanta cruach beagnach saor ó charbón mar thoradh orthu, agus tionscadail taighde le haghaidh bainistiú a dhéanamh ar aistriú cóir mianach guail a bhíodh ag feidhmiú roimhe seo nó mianaigh ghuail atá i bpróiseas a ndúnta agus bonneagar gaolmhar i gcomhlíonadh an tSásra um Aistriú Cóir agus i gcomhréir le hAirteagal 4(2) de Chinneadh 2003/76/CE. Beidh an Clár Taighde comhsheasmhach le cuspóirí polaitiúla, eolaíocha agus teicneolaíocha an Aontais, agus comhlánófar leis na gníomhaíochtaí arna ndéanamh sna Ballstáit agus laistigh de Chlár Réime an Aontais um thaighde, um fhorbairt theicneolaíoch agus um ghníomhaíochtaí taisealbhaidh (‘an Clár Réime um Thaighde’).

▼B

Coordination, complementarity and synergy between these programmes shall be encouraged, as shall the exchange of information between projects financed under the Research Programme and those that are financed under the Research Framework Programme.

The Research Programme shall support research activities aimed at the objectives defined for coal in Section 3 and for steel in Section 4.







SECTION 2

Definitions of coal and steel

Article 3

Definitions

For the purposes of this Decision, the following definitions shall apply:

1. coal shall mean any of the following: (a) hard coal, including the high and medium-ranking ‘A’ coals (sub-bituminous coals) as defined in the international codification system of coal of the UN Economic Commission for Europe; (b) hard coal briquette; (c) coke and semi-coke derived from hard coal; (d) lignite, including the low-ranking ‘C’ coals (or ortho-lignites) and the low-ranking ‘B’ coals (or meta-lignites) as defined in the above codification; (e) lignite briquettes; (f) coke and semi-coke derived from lignite; (g) oil shales;

2. steel shall mean any of the following: (a) raw materials for iron and steel production, such as iron-ore, sponge iron and ferrous scrap; (b) pig iron (including hot metal) and ferro-alloys; (c) crude and semi-finished products of iron, ordinary steel or special steel (including products for reuse and re-rolling), such as liquid steel cast by continuous casting or otherwise, and semi-finished products such as blooms, billets, bars, slabs and strips; (d) hot-finished products of iron, ordinary steel or special steel (coated or uncoated products, excluding steel castings, forgings and powder metallurgy products), such as rails, sheet piling, structural shapes, bars, wire rods, plates and universal plates, strips and sheets, and tube rounds and squares; (e) end products of iron, ordinary steel or special steel (coated or uncoated), such as cold-rolled strips and sheets and electrical sheets; (f) products of the first-stage processing of steel that can enhance the competitive position of the above iron and steel products, such as tubular products, drawn and polished products, cold-rolled and cold-formed products.







SECTION 3

Research objectives for coal

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Airteagal 4

Tacú le haistriú cóir earnáil an ghuail agus na réigiún guail

1. Tacóidh tionscadail taighde leis an aistriú i dtreo geilleagar aeráid-neodrach san Aontas faoi 2050, agus é mar chuspóir leo tacú le breoslaí iontaise a chéimniú amach, gníomhaíochtaí malartacha a fhorbairt ar iarshuíomhanna mianach agus damáiste don chomhshaol a thiocfaidh as mianaigh ghuail atá i bpróiseas a ndúnta, as mianaigh ghuail a bhíodh ag feidhmiú roimhe seo agus a limistéir máguaird a sheachaint nó dul i ngleic leis an damáiste sin. Is éard ar a ndíreoidh tionscadail go háirithe: (a) forbairt agus tástáil teicneolaíochtaí gabhála, úsáide agus stórála dé-ocsaíde carbóin; (b) úsáid fuinnimh geoiteirmigh ar iarshuíomhanna guail; (c) úsáidí neamh-fhuinneamhachais agus táirgeadh amhábhar ó dhramhaíl mhianadóireachta agus iarmhair ó mhianaigh ghuail a bhí á n-oibriú roimhe seo nó ó mhianaigh atá i mbun a ndúnta, agus é a chinntiú go cuí maidir leis an tionchar atá acu ar an aeráid agus ar an gcomhshaol, agus a dtionchar sláinte, go bhfuil sé íoslaghdaithe agus níos ísle ná réitigh mhalartacha; (d) athrú cuspóra a dhéanamh maidir le hiar-mhianaigh ghuail agus ligníte agus le bonneagar a bhaineann le gual, i gcomhréir le haistriú atá neodrach ó thaobh na haeráide de agus neamhdhíobhálach don chomhshaol; (e) forbairt clár éifeachtúil athscilithe agus uas-scilithe a chur chun cinn d’oibrithe a ndéanann an céimniú amach guail difear dóibh. Áirítear leis sin oiliúint agus athoiliúint oibrithe atá fostaithe nó a bhí fostaithe cheana in earnáil an ghuail.

2. Tabharfar aird ar leith ar cheannaireacht Eorpach a neartú maidir le bainistiú a dhéanamh ar aistriú na mianach guail a bhíodh ag feidhmiú roimhe seo agus ar aistriú bonneagair a bhaineann le gual trí réitigh theicneolaíocha agus neamhtheicneolaíocha, agus tacófar freisin le haistriú teicneolaíochta agus neamhtheicneolaíochta. Gníomhaíochtaí taighde a bhfuil na cuspóirí sin acu, cuirfear ar fáil leo tairbhí nithiúla aeráide agus comhshaoil i gcomhréir le cuspóir na neodrachta aeráide faoi 2050.

Airteagal 5

Feabhas a chur ar shláinte agus sábháilteacht

1. Cuirfear san áireamh sna tionscadail lena gcumhdaítear na gníomhaíochtaí dá dtagraítear in Airteagail 4 agus 6 saincheisteanna a bhaineann le sábháilteacht i mianaigh ghuail atá i bpróiseas a ndúnta agus i mianaigh ghuail a bhíodh ag feidhmiú roimhe seo d’fhonn feabhas a chur ar dhálaí oibre, ar shábháilteacht agus sláinte ceirde, agus ar shaincheisteanna comhshaoil atá dochrach don tsláinte chomh maith.

2. Díreofar le tionscadail taighde ar ghalair a bhaineann le gníomhaíochtaí mianadóireachta agus is é is aidhm dó sin feabhas a chur ar shláinte na ndaoine a bhfuil cónaí orthu i réigiúin ghuail i mbun aistriú. Ina theannta sin áiritheofar le tionscadail taighde go mbíonn bearta cosanta ann agus mianaigh á ndúnadh agus i mianaigh a bhíodh ag feidhmiú roimhe seo.

Airteagal 6

Íoslaghdú a dhéanamh ar thionchair chomhshaoil na mianach guail i mbun aistriú

1. Le tionscadail taighde féachfar le híoslaghdú a dhéanamh ar thionchair na mianach guail atá i bpróiseas a ndúnta agus ar thionchair na mianach a bhíodh ag feidhmiú roimhe seo ar an atmaisféar, ar uisce agus ar ithreacha. Díreofar taighde ar acmhainní nádúrtha a chaomhnú agus a athbhunú do na glúine atá le teacht agus íoslaghdú a dhéanamh ar thionchar comhshaoil na mianach guail atá i bpróiseas a ndúnta agus na mianach a bhíodh ag feidhmiú roimhe seo.

2. Tabharfar tús áite do thionscadail lena mbeartaítear ceann amháin nó níos mó díobh seo a leanas: (a) teicneolaíochtaí nua agus feabhsaithe chun truailliú an chomhshaoil a sheachaint, lena n-áirítear sceitheadh meatáin, i mianaigh ghuail atá i bpróiseas a ndúnta, i mianaigh a bhíodh ag feidhmiú roimhe seo, agus sna limistéir máguaird (lena n-áirítear an t-atmaisféar, an talamh, ithreacha agus uisce); (b) astaíochtaí gás ceaptha teasa ó fhosuithe guail atá i bpróiseas a ndúnta, go háirithe meatán, a ghabháil, a sheachaint agus a íoslaghdú; (c) dramhaíl mhianadóireachta, luaith cháithníneach agus táirgí díshulfaraithe ó mhianaigh ghuail i bpróiseas a ndúnta agus ó mhianaigh a bhíodh ag feidhmiú roimhe seo a bhainistiú agus a athúsáid, agus foirmeacha eile dramhaíola ina dteannta sin nuair is iomchuí; (d) cairn dramhaíola a athchóiriú agus iarmhair thionsclaíocha ó tháirgeadh agus tomhaltas guail i réigiúin ghuail i mbun aistriú; (e) maoschláir a chosaint agus uisce draenála mianaigh a íonú; (f) timpeallacht iarshuiteálacha nó suiteálacha i bpróiseas a ndúnta a bhain úsáid as gual a athbhunú, na limistéir máguaird san áireamh, go háirithe uisce, talamh, ithreacha agus an bhithéagsúlacht; (g) bonneagar dromchla a chosaint ar éifeachtaí turnaimh agus gluaiseachtaí talún sa ghearrthéarma agus san fhadtéarma.

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▼B







SECTION 4

Research objectives for steel

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Airteagal 8

Próisis nua, inbhuanaithe agus ísealcharbóin maidir le déanamh agus bailchríochnú cruach

Díreofar le taighde agus forbairt theicneolaíoch ar phróisis táirgthe cruach beagnach saor ó charbón a fhorbairt, a léiriú agus a fheabhsú d’fhonn cáilíocht táirgí a ardú agus táirgiúlacht a mhéadú. Cuid dhílis de na gníomhaíochtaí atá ag teastáil is ea astaíochtaí, ídiú fuinnimh, an lorg carbóin agus tionchair chomhshaoil eile a laghdú go suntasach, chomh maith le hacmhainní a chaomhnú. Tabharfar aghaidh le tionscadail taighde ar cheann amháin nó níos mó de na réimsí seo a leanas:

(a) próisis agus oibríochtaí nua agus feabhsaithe beagnach saor ó charbón maidir le déanamh iarainn agus cruach, agus aird ar leith á tabhairt ar sheachaint dhíreach carbóin nó ar úsáid chliste carbóin; nó iad araon;

(b) próisis chruach agus slabhraí próiseas a optamú (lena n-áirítear laghdú agus réamhlaghdú amhiarainn, déanamh iarainn agus cruach, próisis atá bunaithe ar leá fuíll athchúrsáilte, miotaleolaíocht thánaisteach, teilgean, rolladh, bailchríochnú agus oibríochtaí brataithe) trí ionstraimíocht, brath airíonna táirgí idirmheánacha agus deiridh, samhaltú, rialú agus uathoibriú, lena n-áirítear digitiú, cur i bhfeidhm mórshonraí, intleacht shaorga agus aon ardteicneolaíocht eile;

(c) comhtháthú próiseas cruach agus éifeachtúlacht próiseas maidir le táirgeadh cruach beagnach saor ó charbón;

(d) cothabháil agus iontaofacht uirlisí táirgthe cruach;

(e) teicnící chun in-athchúrsáilteacht, athchúrsáil agus athúsáid cruach a mhéadú agus geilleagar ciorclach a fhorbairt;

(f) teicnící chun éifeachtúlacht fuinnimh táirgthe cruach a mhéadú trí theas diomailte a athghabháil, caillteanas fuinnimh a chosc, teicnící téimh hibrideacha agus réitigh bainistíochta fuinnimh;

(g) teicneolaíochtaí agus réitigh nuálacha le haghaidh na bpróiseas déanta iarainn agus cruach lena gcuirfear chun cinn gníomhaíochtaí trasearnála, tionscadail taispeána ina gcomhtháthaítear táirgeadh fuinnimh saor ó charbón nó a rannchuidíonn le geilleagar hidrigine glaine.

Airteagal 9

Ardghráid chruach agus cineálacha cur i bhfeidhm

Díreofar taighde agus forbairt theicneolaíoch ar na riachtanais atá ag úsáideoirí cruach a shásamh chun táirgí nua beagnach saor ó charbón a fhorbairt agus ar dheiseanna nua margaidh a chruthú agus astaíochtaí agus tionchair chomhshaoil a laghdú ag an am céanna. I gcomhthéacs na dteicneolaíochtaí dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 8, tabharfar aghaidh le tionscadail taighde ar cheann amháin nó níos mó de na réimsí seo a leanas, agus é mar chuspóir próisis táirgthe cruach atá beagnach saor ó charbón agus inbhuanaithe a chur ar fáil san Aontas:

(a) ardghráid nua chruach;

(b) feabhsú airíonna cruach amhail airíonna meicniúla agus fisiceacha, oiriúnacht le haghaidh tuilleadh próiseála, oiriúnacht le haghaidh feidhmeanna éagsúla agus dálaí oibre éagsúla;

(c) an saol seirbhíse a fhadú, go háirithe trí chur le friotaíocht cruach agus struchtúir chruach maidir le teas agus creimeadh, tuirse mheicniúil agus theirmeach agus éifeachtaí meathlaithe eile;

(d) samhlacha ionsamhlúcháin tuarthacha maidir le micreastruchtúir, airíonna meicniúla agus próisis táirgthe;

(e) teicneolaíochtaí a bhaineann le cruach agus ábhair eile a fhoirmiú, a tháthú agus a cheangal le chéile;

(f) caighdeánú modhanna tástála agus meastóireachta;

(g) cruacha ardfheidhmíochta le haghaidh feidhmeanna ar nós na soghluaisteachta, lena n-áirítear inbhuanaitheacht, modhanna éicidhearthóireachta, aisfheistiú, dearadh éadrom agus réitigh sábháilteachta éadroma.

Airteagal 10

Acmhainní a chaomhnú, an comhshaol a chosaint agus an geilleagar ciorclach

Maidir le táirgeadh cruach agus úsáid chruach, cuid dhílis den obair taighde agus forbartha teicneolaíche a bheidh in acmhainní a chaomhnú, éiceachórais a chosaint, an t-aistriú chuig geilleagar ciorclach agus saincheisteanna sábháilteachta. Tabharfar aghaidh le tionscadail taighde ar cheann amháin nó níos mó de na réimsí seo a leanas:

(a) teicnící chun cruach atá imithe i léig agus fotháirge ó fhoinsí éagsúla a athchúrsáil agus chun cur le caighdeán fuíll cruach;

(b) cóireáil dramhaíola agus aisghabháil amhábhar tánaisteach luachmhar, lena n-áirítear slaigeanna, taobh istigh agus taobh amuigh den ghléasra cruach;

(c) rialú ar thruailliú agus an comhshaol a chosaint san áit oibre agus sa ghléasra cruach agus thart orthu (astaíochtaí gásacha, soladacha nó leachtacha, bainistiú uisce, torann, bolaithe, deannach, etc.);

(d) gráid chruach agus struchtúir chóimeáilte a dhearadh chun aisghabháil fhurasta cruach le haghaidh athchúrsála nó athúsáide a éascú;

(e) úsáid gás próisis agus díothú astaíochtaí dramhghás ó tháirgeadh cruach;

(f) measúnú saolré agus smaointeoireacht saolré maidir le táirgeadh agus úsáid cruach.

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Airteagal 10a

Bainistiú luchta saothair agus dálaí oibre

Tabharfar aghaidh le tionscadail taighde ar cheann amháin nó níos mó de na réimsí seo a leanas:

(a) inniúlachtaí a fhorbairt agus a scaipeadh chun coinneáil bord ar bhord le próisis nua táirgthe cruach atá beagnach saor ó charbón, amhail an digitiú, agus chun prionsabal na foghlama ar feadh an tsaoil a léiriú;

(b) dálaí oibre a fheabhsú, lena n-áirítear sláinte, sábháilteacht agus eirgeanamaíocht san áit oibre agus timpeall uirthi.

▼B







CHAPTER III

MULTIANNUAL TECHNICAL GUIDELINES







SECTION 1

Participation

Article 11

Member States

Any undertaking, public body, research organisation or higher or secondary education establishment, or other legal entity, including natural persons, established within the territory of a Member State may participate in the Research Programme and apply for financial assistance, provided that they intend to carry out an RTD activity or can substantially contribute to such an activity.

Article 12

Candidate countries

Any undertaking, public body, research organisation or higher or secondary education establishment, or other legal entity, including natural persons, in candidate countries shall be entitled to participate without receiving any financial contribution under the Research Programme, unless otherwise provided under the relevant European Agreements and their additional Protocols, and in the decisions of the various Association Councils.

Article 13

Third countries

Any undertaking, public body, research organisation or higher or secondary education establishment, or other legal entity, including natural persons, from third countries shall be entitled to participate on the basis of individual projects without receiving any financial contribution under the Research Programme, provided that such participation is in the Community’s interest.







SECTION 2

Eligible activities

Article 14

Research projects

A research project shall be intended to cover investigative or experimental work with the aim of acquiring further knowledge to facilitate the attainment of specific practical objectives such as the creation or development of products, production processes or services.

Article 15

Pilot projects

A pilot project shall be characterised by the construction, operation and development of an installation or a significant part of an installation on an appropriate scale and using suitably large components with a view to examining the potential for putting theoretical or laboratory results into practice and/or increasing the reliability of the technical and economic data needed to progress to the demonstration stage, and in certain cases to the industrial and/or commercial stage.

Article 16

Demonstration projects

A demonstration project shall be characterised by the construction and/or operation of an industrial-scale installation or a significant part of an industrial-scale installation with the aim of bringing together all the technical and economic data in order to proceed with the industrial and/or commercial exploitation of the technology at minimum risk.

Article 17

Accompanying measures

Accompanying measures shall relate to the promotion of the use of knowledge gained or to the organisation of dedicated workshops or conferences in connection with projects or priorities of the Research Programme.

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Airteagal 17a

Comhpháirtíochtaí Eorpacha

1. 2 a laghdú in earnáil thionsclaíoch na cruach, a chur chun feidhme trí Chomhpháirtíochtaí Eorpacha comhchláraithe arna mbunú i gcomhréir leis na rialacha a leagtar amach in Airteagal 10 agus Iarscríbhinn III a ghabhann le Rialachán (AE) 2021/695 ó Pharlaimint na hEorpa agus ón gComhairle ( Féadfar cuid den Chlár Taighde, eadhon teicneolaíochtaí ceannródaíocha le haghaidh astaíochtaí COa laghdú in earnáil thionsclaíoch na cruach, a chur chun feidhme trí Chomhpháirtíochtaí Eorpacha comhchláraithe arna mbunú i gcomhréir leis na rialacha a leagtar amach in Airteagal 10 agus Iarscríbhinn III a ghabhann le Rialachán (AE) 2021/695 ó Pharlaimint na hEorpa agus ón gComhairle ( 1 ).

2. Chun críocha an Airteagail seo, ciallaíonn Comhpháirtíocht Eorpach comhchláraithe tionscnamh arna ullmhú le rannpháirtíocht luath ó na Ballstáit, ina ngeallann an tAontas, mar aon le comhpháirtithe príobháideacha nó poiblí, nó iad araon, (amhail: lucht tionscail; ollscoileanna; eagraíochtaí taighde; comhlachtaí a bhfuil misean seirbhíse poiblí acu ar an leibhéal áitiúil, réigiúnach, náisiúnta nó idirnáisiúnta agus eagraíochtaí sochaí sibhialta lena n-áirítear fondúireachtaí agus ENRanna), go dtacóidh siad go comhpháirteach le clár gníomhaíochtaí taighde a fhorbairt agus a chur chun feidhme. Cuirtear Comhpháirtíochtaí Eorpacha comhchláraithe ar bun ar bhonn Meabhrán Tuisceana nó socruithe conarthacha idir an Coimisiún agus na comhpháirtithe príobháideacha nó poiblí den chineál sin, nó iad araon, lena sonraítear cuspóirí na comhpháirtíochta, gealltanais ghaolmhara maidir le ranníocaíochtaí airgeadais nó ranníocaíochtaí comhchineáil, nó iad araon, na gcomhpháirtithe, táscairí feidhmíochta agus tionchair, agus na haschuir a sholáthrófar. Áirítear leo gníomhaíochtaí taighde comhlántacha a shainaithint a chuirfidh na comhpháirtithe agus an Clár Taighde chun feidhme.

3. Faoi chuimsiú Comhpháirtíochtaí Eorpacha comhchláraithe, féadfar cistiú a sholáthar leis an gClár Taighde do ghníomhaíochtaí atá incháilithe faoin Roinn seo, san fhoirm dá bhforáiltear faoi Airteagal 30. Ina theannta sin, féadfar cistiú a sholáthar leis i bhfoirm duaiseanna.

4. Déanfar maoiniú do ghníomhaíochtaí faoin Roinn seo de réir na nglaonna tiomnaithe ar thograí dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 25(2) agus (3).

▼B

Article 18

Support and preparatory actions

Support and preparatory actions shall be those appropriate to the sound and effective management of the Research Programme, such as the evaluation and selection of proposals as referred to in Articles 27 and 28, the periodic monitoring and assessment referred to in Article 38, studies, the clustering or the networking of related projects funded under the Research Programme.

The Commission may, where it deems appropriate, appoint independent and highly qualified experts to assist with support and preparatory actions.







SECTION 3

Management of the research programme

Article 19

Management

The Research Programme shall be managed by the Commission. It shall be assisted by the Coal and Steel Committee, the Coal and Steel Advisory Groups and the Coal and Steel Technical Groups.

Article 20

Establishment of the Coal and Steel Advisory Groups

The Coal and Steel Advisory Groups (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Advisory Groups’) shall be independent technical advisory groups.

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Article 21

Tasks of the Advisory Groups

For the coal- and steel-related RTD aspects respectively, each Advisory Group shall advise the Commission on the following:

(a) the overall development of the Research Programme, the information package, as referred to in Article 25(3), and future guidelines;

(b) the consistency and the possible duplication with other RTD programmes at Union and national level;

(c) the setting-out of the guiding principles for monitoring RTD projects;

(d) the relevance of the work being undertaken on specific projects;

(e) the research objectives of the Research Programme listed in Sections 3 and 4 of Chapter II;

(f) the annual priority objectives listed in the information package and, where appropriate, the priority objectives for dedicated calls for proposals, as referred to in Article 25(2);

(g) the preparation of a manual for evaluating and selecting RTD actions, as referred to in Articles 27 and 28;

(h) the rules, procedures and effectiveness concerning the evaluation of proposals for RTD actions;

(i) the number, competence and organisation of the Technical Groups, as referred to in Article 24;

(j) the drawing-up of dedicated calls for proposals, as referred to in Article 25(2);

(k) other measures when requested to do so by the Commission.

Article 22

Composition of the Advisory Groups

1. Each Advisory Group shall be composed in accordance with the tables set out in the Annex. Members of the Advisory Groups shall be individuals appointed by the Commission to represent a common interest shared by stakeholders. They shall not represent an individual stakeholder, but shall express an opinion common to the different stakeholder organisations.

Appointments are made for a period of 42 months. Members who are no longer capable of contributing effectively to the group's deliberations, who resign or who, even after their duties have ceased, disclose information of the kind covered by the obligation of professional secrecy, in particular information about undertakings, their business relations or their cost components, shall no longer be invited to participate in any meetings of the Advisory Groups and may be replaced for the remainder of their term of office.

2. Members of the Advisory Groups shall be selected from experts with competence in the areas referred to in Sections 3 and 4 of Chapter II and who have responded to public calls for applications. Those experts may also be appointed on the basis of proposals put forward by the entities referred to in the tables of the Annex or by Member States.

They shall be active in the field concerned and be aware of the industrial priorities.

3. Within each Advisory Group, the Commission shall aim at ensuring a high level of expertise, as well as a balanced representation of relevant areas of expertise and areas of interest and, as far as possible, a balanced representation of gender and geographical origin, taking into account the specific tasks of the Advisory Groups, the type of expertise required and the outcome of the experts' selection procedure.

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Article 23

Meetings of the Advisory Groups

The meetings of the Advisory Groups shall be organised and chaired by the Commission, which shall also provide the secretariat.

If necessary, the Chairman may request members to vote. Every member shall have the right to one vote. The Chairman may invite visiting experts or observers to take part in meetings where appropriate. The visiting experts and the observers shall have no voting rights.

If necessary, such as to provide advice on matters of relevance for both the coal and steel sectors, the Advisory Groups shall convene in joint meetings.

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Article 24

Establishment and tasks of the Coal and Steel Technical Groups

1. The Coal and Steel Technical Groups (‘the Technical Groups’) shall support the Commission on the monitoring of research and pilot or demonstration projects.

Members of the Technical Groups shall be appointed in their personal capacity by the Commission.

Members who are no longer capable of contributing effectively to the group's deliberations, who resign or who, even after their duties have ceased, disclose information of the kind covered by the obligation of professional secrecy, in particular information about undertakings, their business relations or their cost components, shall no longer be invited to participate in any meetings of the Technical Groups.

2. Members of the Technical Groups shall be selected from experts with competence in research strategy, management or production in the areas referred to in Sections 3 and 4 of Chapter II and who have responded to public call for applications.

They shall be active in the field concerned and have responsibility for research strategy, management or production in the related sectors.

3. Within each Technical Group, the Commission shall aim at ensuring a high level of professional expertise, a balanced representation of relevant areas of expertise and, as far as possible, a balanced representation of gender and geographical origin, taking into account the specific tasks of the Technical Groups, the type of expertise required and the outcome of the experts' selection procedure. Membership of a Technical Group shall not exclude eligibility as an evaluation expert.

The Commission shall ensure that rules and procedures are in place in order to properly avoid and manage conflicts of interests of members of the Technical Groups entrusted with the assessment of a specific project. Those procedures shall also ensure equal treatment and fairness throughout the whole monitoring process of projects.

Meetings of the Technical Groups shall, whenever possible, be held at venues chosen in such a way that project monitoring and results assessment are best ensured.

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SECTION 4

Implementation of the research programme

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Article 25

Call for proposals

1. An annual call for proposals shall be published every year. The opening date for submission of proposals shall be published in the information package referred to in paragraph 3. Unless otherwise specified, 15 September of each year shall be the deadline for the submission of proposals for evaluation. Where the 15 September falls on a weekend or on a Friday or a Monday, the deadline shall be automatically shifted to the first working day following 15 September. The deadline shall be published in the information package referred to in paragraph 3.

2. Where the Commission, in accordance with points (d) and (e) of Article 41, decides to modify the deadline referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article for the submission of proposals, or to launch dedicated calls for proposals, it shall publish that information in the Official Journal of the European Union .

Dedicated calls for proposals shall indicate the dates and modalities for the submission, including whether it shall take place in one or two steps, and for the evaluation of the proposals, the priorities, the type of eligible projects as referred to in Articles 14 to 18, where necessary, and the envisaged funding.

3. The Commission shall ensure that sufficient guidance and information is made available to all potential participants at the time of publication of the call for proposals, in particular through an information package accessible on the Commission's website. A paper copy of that information package can also be obtained from the Commission on request.

The information package shall provide information on the detailed rules for participation, the methods of managing proposals and projects, application forms, rules for the submission of proposals, model grant agreements, eligible costs, the maximum financial contribution allowable, methods of payment and the annual priority objectives of the Research Programme.

Applications shall be submitted to the Commission in accordance with the rules laid down in the information package.

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Article 26

Content of proposals

The proposals shall relate to the research objectives laid down in Sections 3 and 4 of Chapter II and, where applicable, to the priority objectives listed in the information package in accordance with Article 25(3) or to the priority objectives defined for the dedicated calls for proposals referred to in Article 25(2).

Each proposal shall include a detailed description of the proposed project and contain full information on objectives, partnerships, including the precise role of each partner, management structure, anticipated results, expected applications and an assessment of anticipated industrial, economic, social and environmental benefits.

The proposed total cost and its breakdown shall be realistic and effective, and the project shall be expected to produce a favourable cost/benefit ratio.

Article 27

Evaluation of proposals

The Commission shall ensure a confidential, fair and equitable evaluation of proposals.

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The Commission shall ensure that a manual for the evaluation and selection of RTD actions is made available to all potential participants.

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Article 28

Selection of proposals and monitoring of projects

1. The Commission shall register the proposals received and shall verify their eligibility.

2. The Commission shall evaluate the proposals with the assistance of independent experts.

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3. The Commission shall draw up a list of the proposals adopted in order of merit.

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4. The Commission shall decide on the choice of projects and the allocation of funds. Where the estimated amount of the Community contribution under the Research Programme is equal to or more than EUR 0,6 million Article 41(a) shall apply.

5. The Commission shall, with the assistance of the Technical Groups referred to in Article 24, monitor research projects and activities.

Article 29

Grant agreements

Projects based on selected proposals and measures and actions as specified under Articles 14 to 18 shall form the subject of a grant agreement. Grant agreements shall be based on relevant model grant agreements drawn up by the Commission, taking account, as appropriate, of the nature of the activities concerned.

Grant agreements shall define the financial contribution allocated under the Research Programme on the basis of the eligible costs, as well as the rules concerning cost reporting, the closure of accounts and certificates on financial statements. In addition, they shall provide for provisions on access rights and dissemination and use of knowledge.

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Article 29a

Implementation of actions

1. Participants shall implement actions in compliance with all the conditions and obligations set out in this Decision, Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 2 ) and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/2012 ( 3 ), as well as in the call for proposals and the grant agreement.

2. Participants shall make no commitments which are incompatible with this Decision or the grant agreement. Where a participant fails to comply with its obligations regarding the technical implementation of the action, the other participants shall comply with the obligations without any additional Union funding unless the Commission expressly relieves them of any of those obligations. Participants shall ensure that the Commission is informed in due time of any event which might significantly affect the implementation of the action or the interests of the Union.

3. Participants shall implement the action and shall take all necessary and reasonable measures to that end. They shall have the appropriate resources, as and when needed for carrying out the action. Where it is necessary for the implementation of the action, they may call upon third parties, including subcontractors, to carry out work under the action. Participants shall retain responsibility towards the Commission and towards the other participants for the work carried out.

4. The award of subcontracts for carrying out certain elements of the action shall be limited to the cases provided for in the grant agreement and to duly justified cases that could not be clearly foreseen at the time of entry into force of the grant agreement.

5. Third parties other than subcontractors may carry out work under the action under the conditions laid down in the grant agreement. The third party and the work to be carried out by it shall be identified in the grant agreement.

Costs incurred by those third parties may be deemed eligible if the third party meets all the following conditions:

(a) it would be eligible for funding if it were a participant;

(b) it is an affiliated entity or has a legal link to a participant implying a collaboration not limited to the action;

(c) it is identified in the grant agreement; and

(d) it abides by the rules applicable to the participant under the grant agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.

6. Participants shall comply with national legislation, regulations and ethical rules in the countries where the action is carried out. Where appropriate, participants shall seek the approval of the relevant national or local ethics committees prior to the start of the action.

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Article 30

Financial contribution

1. The Research Programme shall be based on cost-sharing RTD grant agreements. The total financial contribution including any other additional public funding shall conform to the applicable rules on State aid.

2. Public contracts shall be used for the supply of movable or immovable assets, the execution of works or the provision of services which are necessary for the implementation of the support and preparatory actions.

3. Without prejudice to paragraph 1 of this Article, the maximum total financial contribution, expressed as a percentage of the eligible costs defined in Articles 31 to 35, shall be: (a) for research projects up to 60 %; (b) for pilot and demonstration projects up to 50 %; (c) for accompanying measures, support and preparatory actions up to 100 %.

Article 31

Eligible costs

1. The eligible costs shall consist of the following: (a) equipment costs; (b) staff costs; (c) operating costs; (d) indirect costs.

2. The eligible costs shall cover only actual costs incurred for the execution of the project under the terms of the grant agreement. Beneficiaries, associated beneficiaries and sub-beneficiaries shall not be entitled to claim any budgeted or commercial rates.

Article 32

Equipment costs

The costs of purchasing or hiring equipment which are directly related to the execution of the project shall be chargeable as direct costs. The eligible costs for the leasing of equipment shall not exceed any eligible costs for its purchase.

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Article 33

Staff costs

Eligible staff costs shall cover only the actual hours worked by the persons directly carrying out the work under the action.

Staff costs of owners of small and medium-sized enterprises and other natural persons not receiving a salary may be reimbursed on the basis of unit costs.

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Article 34

Operating costs

Operating costs directly related to the execution of the project shall be limited solely to the cost of:

(a) raw materials;

(b) consumables;

(c) energy;

(d) transportation of raw materials, consumables, equipment, products, feedstock or fuel;

(e) the maintenance, repair, alteration or transformation of existing equipment;

(f) IT and other specific services;

(g) the rental of equipment;

(h) analysis and tests;

(i) dedicated workshop organisation;

(j) certificate on financial statements and bank guarantee;

(k) protection of knowledge;

(l) assistance from third parties.

Article 35

Indirect costs

All other expenses, such as overhead costs or overheads, which may arise in connection with the project and which are not specifically identified in the preceding categories including travel and subsistence costs, shall be covered by a flat rate amounting to 35 % of the eligible staff costs as referred to in Article 33.







SECTION 5

Evaluation and monitoring of the research activities

Article 36

Technical reports

For research, pilot and demonstration projects referred to in Articles 14, 15 and 16 periodical reports shall be drawn up by the beneficiary or beneficiaries. Such reports shall be used to describe the technical progress made.

On completion of the work, a final report comprising an assessment of exploitation and impact shall be provided by the beneficiary or beneficiaries. That report shall be published by the Commission in full or in summarised form depending on the strategic relevance of the project and following consultation, if necessary, of the relevant Advisory Group.

The Commission may require the beneficiary or beneficiaries to provide final reports on the accompanying measures referred to in Article 17 as well as on the support and preparatory actions referred to in Article 18 and may decide to have them published.

Article 37

Annual review

The Commission shall conduct an annual review of activities under the Research Programme and the progress of the RTD work. The report containing the review shall be forwarded to the Coal and Steel Committee.

The Commission may appoint independent experts and highly qualified experts to assist with this annual review.

Article 38

Monitoring and assessment of the Research Programme

1. The Commission shall carry out a monitoring exercise of the Research Programme, including an assessment of the expected benefits. A report on that exercise shall be issued by the end of 2013, and thereafter every seven years. These reports shall be made public on the Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS) or corresponding website.

2. The Commission shall assess the Research Programme on completion of the projects financed during every period of seven years. The benefits of the RTD to society and to the relevant sectors shall also be assessed. The assessment report shall be published.

3. In carrying out the monitoring and assessment referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, the Commission shall be assisted by panels of highly qualified experts appointed by the Commission.

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Airteagal 39

Ceapadh saineolaithe neamhspleácha agus ardcháilithe

Maidir le ceapadh saineolaithe neamhspleácha agus ardcháilithe dá dtagraítear in Airteagal 18, Airteagal 28(2) agus Airteagal 38, beidh feidhm ag na forálacha a leagtar amach in Airteagal 237 de Rialachán (AE, Euratom) 2018/1046 ó Pharlaimint na hEorpa agus ón gComhairle ( 4 ).

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CHAPTER IV

FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 40

Review of the multiannual technical guidelines

The multiannual technical guidelines laid down in Chapter III shall be reviewed every seven years, first period ending on 31 December 2014. To this end, and at the latest in the first six months of the last year of each seven-year period, the Commission shall reassess the operation and the effectiveness of the multiannual technical guidelines and, where appropriate, propose any amendment.

If it sees fit, the Commission may carry out such reassessment and shall submit proposals for any appropriate amendments to the Council before the expiry of the seven-year period.

Article 41

Implementing measures

The Commission shall, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 42(2), adopt the following implementing measures:

(a) the approval of the funding actions where the estimated amount of the Community contribution under the Research Programme is equal to or more than EUR 0,6 million;

(b) the drawing-up of terms of reference for the monitoring and assessment of the Research Programme referred to in Article 38;

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(d) changes to the deadline referred to in Article 25;

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(e) the drawing-up of dedicated calls for proposals.

Article 42

Committee

1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Coal and Steel Committee.

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2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 5 ) shall apply.

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Article 43

Repeal and transitional measures

Decision 2003/78/EC shall be repealed. However, Decision 2003/78/EC shall continue to apply until 31 December 2008 to the financing of actions resulting from proposals submitted by 15 September 2007.

Article 44

Applicability

This Decision shall take effect on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 16 September 2007.

Article 45

Addressees

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.









ANNEX

The composition of the Coal Advisory Group referred to in Article 22:







Members Maximum total a) From coal producers/national federations or related research centres 8 b) From organisations representing coal producers at European level 2 c) From coal users or related research centres 8 d) From organisations representing coal users at European level 2 e) From organisations representing workers 2 f) From organisations representing equipment suppliers 2 24

Members must have a wide background knowledge and individual expertise in one or more of the following areas: coalmining and utilisation, environment and social issues, including safety aspects.

The composition of the Steel Advisory Group referred to in Article 22:







Members Maximum total a) From steel industries/national federations or related research centres 21 b) From ornganisation representing producers at European level 2 c) From ornganisations representing workers 2 d) From organisations representing downstream processing industries or steel users 5 30

Members must have a wide background knowledge and individual expertise in one or more of the following areas: raw materials; iron-making; steelmaking; continuous casting; hot- and/or cold-rolling; steel-finishing and/or surface treatment; development of steel grades and/or products; steel applications and properties; environmental and social issues, including safety aspects.