Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Austria on research and development in the field of the environment: Science and Technology for Environmental Protection (STEP)
Date: 1992-02-03
Institutions: Austria, European Economic Community
Subjects: Finland, Norway, cooperation agreement, environmental protection, scientific cooperation













EUR-Lex - 21992A0228(01) - EN






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21992A0228(01)

Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Austria on research and development in the field of the environment: Science and Technology for Environmental Protection (STEP)  


Official Journal L 054 , 28/02/1992 P. 0022 





COOPERATION AGREEMENT between the European Economic Community  and the Republic of Austria on research and development in the field of the environment: Science  and Technology for Environmental Protection (STEP)THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC  COMMUNITY, hereinafter called 'the Community`, andTHE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA, hereinafter called 'Austria`, both hereinafter called the 'Contracting Parties`, Whereas the Community and Austria concluded a framework agreement for scientific and technical  cooperation which entered into force on 30 July 1987; Whereas, by Decision 89/625/EEC, the Council of the European Communities, hereinafter called 'the  Council`, adopted two multiannual R& TD programmes in the field of the environment (1989 to 1993),  covering a specific research and development programme on Science and Technology for Environmental  Protection (STEP), hereinafter called 'the Community programmes`; Whereas the association of Austria with the Community programme can help to improve the efficacy of  the research carried out by the Contracting Parties in the field of the protection of the  environment and can avoid the useless duplication of efforts; Whereas the ongoing talks relating to a European Economic Area between the Community and the EFTA  countries are likely to lead to a result in the area of R& D in the environmental sector which take  this development into consideration; Whereas the Community and Austria expect to obtain mutual benefit from Austria's association with  the Community programme, HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1Austria is hereby associated as from 20 November 1989 with the  implementation of the Community programme as set out in Annex A. The implementation of the  programme and the Community's rate of financial participation are set out in Annex B. Article 2The financial contribution of Austria, deriving from its association with the  implementation of the Community programme, shall be established in proportion to the amount  available each year in the general budget of the European Communities for appropriations covering  commitments to meet financial obligations of the Commission of the European Communities,  hereinafter referred to as 'the Commission` resulting from work to be carried out in the framework  of shared-cost research contracts necessary for the implementation of the Community programme and  from management and administrative operating expenditure for the said programme. The proportionality factor governing Austria's contribution shall be obtained by establishing the  ratio between Austria's gross domestic product (GDP), at market prices, and the sum of gross  domestic products, at market prices, of the Member States of the Community and of Austria. This  ratio shall be calculated on the basis of the latest available statistical data of the Organization  for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The funds estimated as necessary to carry out the Community programme, the amount of Austria's  contribution and the timetable of the commitment estimates are set out in Annex C. The rules governing Austria's financial contribution are set out in Annex D. Article 31.  For the purposes of this Agreement, a cooperation committee to assist the  Commission in the implementation of the specific research and development programme in the field of  the environment (STEP), adopted by Council Decision 89/625/EEC, hereinafter referred to as 'the  Committee`, is hereby established. 2.  The Committee shall consist of representatives of the Community and Austria. 3.  The Committee shall be consulted on all the matters concerning the implementation of this  Agreement. For this purpose, it shall make recommendations. 4.  The representative of the Community shall take the appropriate steps to ensure coordination  between the implementation of this Agreement and the decisions taken by the Community in respect of  the implementation of the Community programme. 5.  For the purpose of the proper implementation of this Agreement, the Contracting Parties shall  exchange information and, at the request of either Party, shall hold consultations within the  Committee. 6.  The Committee shall adopt its own rules of procedure and it shall meet, at the request of  either Contracting Party, in accordance with the conditions to be laid down in its rules of  procedure. Article 4For Austrian research and development bodies and persons, the terms and conditions for  the submission and evaluation of proposals and the terms and conditions for the granting and  conclusion of contracts under the Community programme shall be limited to those arising from  contracts under the same programme. In particular, the general provisions applicable to research  contracts within the Community shall apply subject to this Article, mutatis mutandis, to research  contracts with Austrian research and development bodies and persons as far as questions relating to  taxation and customs duties and the utilization of research results are concerned. Article 5The Commission shall send to Austria a copy of the reports established in accordance  with Article 4 of Council Decision 89/625/EEC. Article 6Each Contracting Party undertakes, in accordance with their own rules and regulations,  to facilitate the movement and residence of research workers participating in Austria and in the  Community in the activities covered by this Agreement. Article 7The Commission and the OEsterreichisches Forschungszentrum Selbersdorf of Austria shall  ensure the implementation of this Agreement. Article 8Annexes A, B, C and D to this Agreement shall be an integral part thereof. Article 91.  This Agreement shall be concluded for the duration of the Community programme. Should the Community revise the Community programme, this Agreement may be denounced under mutually  agreed conditions. Austria shall be notified of the exact content of the revised programme within  one week of its adoption by the Community. The Contracting Parties shall notify each other within  three months after the Community decision has been adopted if a termination of this Agreement is  envisaged. 2.  Where the Community adopts a new R& D programme in the field of the environment, this Agreement  may be renegotiated or renewed under mutually agreed conditions. 3.  Subject to paragraph 1, either Contracting Party may at any time terminate this Agreement with  six months' notice. The projects and work in progress at the time of termination and/or expiry of  this Agreement shall be continued until they are completed under the conditions laid down in this  Agreement. Article 10This Agreement shall be approved by the Contracting Parties in accordance with their  existing procedures. It shall enter into force on the date on which the Contracting Parties notify each other of the  completion of the procedures necessary for this purpose. Article 11This Agreement shall apply, on the one hand, to the territories in which the Treaty  establishing the European Economic Community is applied and under the conditions laid down in that  Treaty and, on the other hand, to the territory of the Republic of Austria. Article 12This Agreement shall be drawn up in duplicate in the Danish, Dutch, English, French,  German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish languages, each of these texts being equally  authentic. ANNEX A COMMUNITY PROGRAMME IN THE FIELD OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL  PROTECTION (STEP) (1989 to 1993) The Community programme shall cover the following research  areas. Reference to the subtopics contained under the following nine research topics is of an indicative  nature.  IndicativeallocationRESEARCH AREA 1Environment and human health  5 %1.1. Development of  biological markers of exposure and preclinical effects1.2. Development of environmental epidemiology in the European Community1.3. Indoor air quality and its impact on manRESEARCH AREA 2Assessment of risks associated with  chemicals 10 %2.1. Development and validation of protocols for the assessment of health risks2.2. Alternatives to the use of animals in chemical testing2.3. Assessment procedures for the abiotic degradation of chemicals2.4. Research on the assessment of ecological effects of chemicals2.5. Refinement and application of quantitative structure/activity relationships (QSARs)RESEARCH AREA  3Atmospheric processes and air quality 20 %3.1. Tropospheric chemistry, including analysis, sources, transport and deposition of pollutants and  other airborne substances3.2. Stratospheric chemistry, ozone depletion and related issues3.3. Air pollution effects on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystemsRESEARCH AREA 4Water quality  5  %4.1. Analysis and conversions of pollutants4.2. Effects of pollutantsIndicativeallocationRESEARCH AREA 5Soil and groundwater protection  8  %5.1. Protection against inorganic pollutants5.2. Protection against organic pollutants5.3. Effects of agricultural and forestry practiceRESEARCH AREA 6Ecosystem research 12 %6.1. Terrestrial ecosystems6.2. Aquatic and coastal ecosystems (including wetlands)RESEARCH AREA 7Protection and conservation of  the European cultural heritage  8 %7.1. Assessment of the mechanisms of the deterioration7.2. Critical environmental factors7.3. Damage assessment7.4. Material characterization7.5. Conservation techniquesRESEARCH AREA 8Technologies for environmental protection 12 %8.1. Waste research8.2. Emission abatement8.3. Clean technologiesRESEARCH AREA 9Major technological hazards and fire safety 20 %9.1. Physical and chemical phenomena9.2. Technologies of accident prevention9.3. Evaluation and management of riskTotal100 %   ANNEX B IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME AND THE COMMUNITY'S RATE OF FINANCIAL  PARTICIPATION The programme shall be implemented by means of: ii(i)  shared-cost research contracts; i(ii)concerted actions; (iii)coordination activities; (iv)education and training activities; andi(v)studies and assessments. The programme is open to universities, research organizations and industrial companies, including  small and medium-sized enterprises, individuals, or any combination thereof established in the  Community and in Austria. As a rule, projects must be transnational and at least one partner in a  project must be established in the Community. For shared-cost contracts, the Community participation will generally be 50 % of the total  expenditure, but this percentage may be varied according to the nature and the stage of development  of the research. In respect of universities and research institutes carrying out projects under  this programme, the Community may bear up to 100 % of the additional expenditure involved. ANNEX C FINANCIAL PROVISIONS 1.  According to the Council Decision adopting the STEP  programme, the amount estimated as necessary to carry out this Community programme shall be ECU 75  000 000. 2. Austria's financial contribution for its association to the Community programme is estimated to be  ECU 1 799 520 and shall be added, along with other possible contributions from third countries, to  the abovementioned amount, as foreseen in Article 2 of this Agreement. 3. The indicative timetable for the commitment appropriations of the STEP programme and Austria's  contribution are as follows: >TABLE> ANNEX D FINANCING RULES 1.  This Annex lays down the detailed rules governing Austria's  financial contribution referred to in Article 2 of this Agreement. 2.  At the beginning of each year, or whenever the Community programme is revised so as to involve  an increase in the amount estimated as necessary for its implementation, the Commission shall send  to Austria a call for funds corresponding to its contribution tot the costs under this Agreement. This contribution shall be expressed both in ecus and in Austrian currency, the composition of the  ecu being defined in Council Regulation (EEC) N° 3180/78 (¹), as amended by Regulation (EEC) N°  1971/89 (²). The value in Austrian currency of the contribution in ecus shall be determined on the  date of the call for funds. Austria shall pay its contribution to the annual cost under this Agreement at the beginning of each  year and at the latest three months after the call for funds is sent. Any delay in the payment of  the contribution shall give rise to the payment of interest by Austria at a rate equal to the  highest discount rate obtained in the Member States of the Community on the due date. The rate  shall be increased by 0,25 of a percentage point for each month of delay. The increased rate shall be applied to the entire period of delay. However, this interest shall be  payable only if the contribution is paid more than three months after a call for funds has been  made by the Commission. Travel costs of Austrian representatives and experts arising from their participation in the work  of the Committee referred to in Article 3 of this Agreement shall be reimbursed by the Commission  in accordance with the procedures currently in force for the representatives and experts of the  Member States of the Community and, in particular, in accordance with Council Decision N°  84/338/Euratom, ECSC, EEC (³). 3.  The funds paid by Austria shall be credited to the Community programme as budget receipts  allocated to its appropriate heading in the statement of revenue of the general budget of the  European Communities. 4.  The Financial Regulation in force applicable to the general budget of the European Communities  shall apply to the management of the appropriations. 5.  At the end of each year, a statement of appropriations for the Community programme shall be  prepared and transmitted to Austria for information. (¹) OJ N° L 379, 30. 12. 1978, p. 1. (²) OJ N° L 189, 4. 7. 1989, p. 1. (³) OJ N° L 177, 4. 7. 1984, p. 25.