Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION adopting a specific research and technological development programme to be implemented by the Joint Research Centre for the European Atomic Energy Community (1995-98)
Date: 1994-03-30
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EAEC, EU programme, Joint Research Centre, action programme, research and development, technological change

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

C0M(94)  70 

f i n al 

Brussels,  3 0 . 0 3 . 1 9 94 

94/0072CCNS) 

<94/Ô073(CNS) 

94/0074(CNS) 

PROPOSALS FOR COUNCIL DECISIONS 

CONCERNING THE SPECIFIC PROGRAMMES IMPLEMENTING THE 

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY FRAMEWORK 

PROGRAMME FOR 

m 
Hi 

m 

COMMUNITY RESEARCH AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES FOR THE 

EUROPEAN ATOMIC ENERGY  (1994-1998) 

(submitted by the Commission) 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

This document  is being submitted  in order to present the proposals  for  Council  Decisions 
concerning the specific  programmes  implementing the  1994-98 framework  programme. 
The proposals are based on the scientific  and technical content of  the specific  programmes 
set out in the Commission working document COM(93)459 final of 6 October 1993. 
They also take account of the constructive comments made concerning  the working 
document and  new factors emerging during the decision-making  process  in relation to the 
framework  programme. 

In drawing up the specific  programmes, account was also taken of the guidelines set out 
in the White Paper on growth, competitiveness and employment (COM(93)700 final of 
5 December  1993). 

For reasons of consistency  and transparency,  the proposals are being submitted  in a single 
document containing all the proposed  specific programmes under the  framework 
programme as set out in the table of contents.  However,  this does not rule out the 
possibility of each proposal being discussed separately. 

Another document  is also being submitted concerning the proposals  for  Council Decisions 
concerning the specific  programmes  implementing the fourth  European Community 
framework  programme for  Community research,  technological development and 
demonstration activities (1994-98). 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PROPOSALS FOR COUNCIL DECISIONS CONCERNING THE SPECIFIC 
PROGRAMMES IMPLEMENTING THE FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME FOR 
COMMUNITY  RESEARCH AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES FOR THE EUROPEAN 
ATOMIC ENERGY COMMUNITY  (1994-98) 

Nuclear  safety  and safeguards 

94/0072(CNS) 

Controlled thermonuclear  fusion 

94/0073(CNS) 

Activities to be carried out by the JRC (1995-98) 

94/0074CCNS) 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

adopting a specific  research and 

training programme in 

the field of nuclear safety and safeguards 

(1994-1998) 

PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION 

of 

adopting a specific programme of research and training 
in the field of nuclear safety and safeguards 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard  to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and  in particular 
Article 7 thereof, 

Having  regard  to  the  proposal  from  the  Commission/  presented  following  consultation  with  the 
Scientific and Technical  Committee, 

Having regard  to the opinion  of the European  Parliament,2 

Having regard  to the opinion  of the  Economic and  Social  Committee/ 

Whereas, by  Decision  ../../Euratom',  the  Council  adopted  a  framework  programme  of  Community 
actions  in the field of research and  training for  the period  1994-98 specifying  inter alia  the activities 
to be carried out in the field  of nuclear safety and safeguards;  whereas the present  Decision  must  be 
taken, where appropriate,  in the  light of the grounds set out  in the preamble  to that  Decision; 

Whereas  Article 2  of  Decision  ../../Euratom  specifies  that  in  the  case  of  activities  covered  by  the 
Euratom  Treaty  the  framework  programme  is  to  be  implemented  through  specific  programmes 
adopted in accordance with Article 7 of the Treaty and that each specific programme is to define  the 
detailed  rules  for  implementing  it, fix its duration  and  provide for  the resources deemed  necessary; 

Whereas this programme will be carried out mainly through shared-cost actions and concerted actions; 

Whereas the content of the framework  programme of Community actions in the field of research and 
training  was  established  in  accordance  with  the  principle  of  subsidiarity;  whereas  this  specific 
programme sets out  the content  of the activities to be carried  out  in accordance with  this  principle 
in the field  of nuclear  safety  and  safeguards; 

Whereas, as  is  laid  down  in  Annex  HI  to  Decision  ../../Euratom,  the  Community  needs  a  "nuclear 
safety and safeguards" programme with the objective of arriving at a better  understanding of  nuclear 
safety and safeguards and of stimulating broad collaboration between the Member States in this field; 

Whereas  basic  research  in  the field of  nuclear  safety  and  safeguards  must  be  encouraged  so  as  to 
enable  innovative concepts  to be developed; 

Whereas  this  programme  and  its  implementation  will  help  to  strengthen  synergies  between  the 
Community's  research and  training activities and  those carried  out  in  the field of  nuclear safety  and 
safeguards  by  research  centres,  universities  and  businesses,  including  small  and  medium-sized 
enterprises,  in the Member States; 

; 
2 
J 

P-

OJ  No 
OJ  No ..., ..., p. 
OJNo 
P-
OJ  No ..., ..., p. 

Whereas  the  abovementioned  Decision  provides  that  the  primary  objectives  of  the  Community's 
research actions must be to strengthen the scientific and technological base of European  Community 
industry and to make it more competitive at international level, while maintaining the highest  safety 
standards  possible; 

Whereas,  in  the  implementation  of  this  programme  (for  1994-98),  international  cooperation  with 
other third  countries and international organizations, in accordance with Article  101 of the Euratom 
Treaty, might also prove  useful; 

Whereas  the  implementation  of  this  programme  also  comprises  activities  developed  within  the 
programme  for  the  dissemination  and  valorization  of  research  results  as  well  as  activities  for 
promoting the mobility and training of researchers, to the extent necessary  for  its proper  execution; 

Whereas on  the one hand, progress with  this programme should  be permanently and  systematically 
monitored with a view to adapting it, where appropriate, to scientific and technological developments 
in this area; whereas on the other  hand, there should in due course be an independent  evaluation of 
progress  with  the  programme so  as  to  provide all  the background  information  needed  in  order  to 
determine the objectives of the fifth  framework  programme of research and training for the European 
Atomic Energy Community; whereas at the end of this programme there should be a final evaluation 
of the  results obtained  compared with  the objectives set out  in this Decision; 

Whereas  the JRC may participate  in the indirect actions covered  by this programme; 

Whereas the JRC will also contribute, through its own programme of direct actions, to the attainment 
of the Community research and  training objectives  in the areas covered by this  programme, 

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 

Article 1 

A specific  programme of research and  training for  the European  Atomic Energy Community  in  the 
field of  nuclear  safety  and safeguards,  as set  out  in Annex I, is hereby adopted  for  the  period  from 
(date of adoption of this programmed to 31 December 1998. 

Article 2 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

The amount deemed necessary for carrying out the programme is ECU  160 million, including 
17.2 % for staff  and administrative expenditure. 

An  indicative breakdown  of this amount  is given in Annex II. 

The  above-mentioned  amount  deemed  necessary  for  carrying  out  the  programme  may  be 
increased  in  consequence  and  in  accordance  with  the  decision  mentioned  in  Article  1, 
paragraph  3 of Decision  ../.. Euratom  (Framework  programme  1994-1998) 

The budgetary authority shall determine  the appropriations available for each financial year 
in accordance with the scientific and technological priorities set in the framework  programme 
of Community actions in the field of research and training for  the European Atomic Energy 
Community (1994-1998). 

Detailed rules for implementing this programme, in addition to those referred  to in Article 5, are set 
out  in Annex I, Chapter 3 and  in Annex III. 

Article 3 

1. 

2. 

1. 

2. 

Article 4 

The Commission  shall permanently and systematically monitor, with appropriate  assistance 
from  independent,  external  experts,  the  progress within  this  programme  in  relation  to  the 
objectives  set  out  in Annex  I.  It shall  in particular assess whether  the objectives,  priorities 
and  financial  resources  are  still  in  keeping  with  the  evolution  of  the  situation.  Where 
appropriate, it shall submit proposals to adapt or supplement  this programme depending on 
the results of this monitoring process. 

At the end of this programme, the Commission shall instruct independent experts to conduct 
a  final  evaluation  of the results achieved compared with  the objectives  set out  in Annex  III 
to  the  framework  programme  of  research  and  training  (1994-98)  and  Annex  I  to  this 
Decision.  The  final  evaluation  report  shall  be  forwarded  to  thé  Council,  the  European 
Parliament  and  the Economic and Social Committee. 

Article 5 

The  Commission shall be responsible  for  the implementation  of  the  programme. 

The  Commission  shall  be  assisted  in  the  implementation  of  the  programme  by  the 
Consultative  Committee  for  the  Nuclear  Safety  and  Safeguards  Programme  set  up  by  the 
Council  Decision  of 

Article 6 

The Commission is authorized  to negotiate, in accordance with the second  paragraph of Article  101 
of the Euratom Treaty, international agreements with European third countries and with international 
organizations  established  in Europe with a view to involving them  in all or  part  of  the  programme. 

This  Decision  is addressed  to the Member States. 

Article 7 

Done at  Brussels, 

For  the  Council 
The  President 

(2) 

OBJECTIVES  AND  SCIENTIFIC  AND  TECHNOLOGICAL  CONTENT 

ANNEX  I 

specific  programme 

The  present 
programme 
criteria  and  defines  its  scientific  and  technological  objectives. 

framework 
for  the  European  Atomic  Energy  Community,  applies  its  selection 

the  orientations  of  the 

reflects 

The  first  paragraph  of  Annex  III  of  the  framework  programme  is an  integral  part  of 
the  present  specific  programme. 

1. 

THE  CONTEXT 

Although  nuclear  energy  has  reached  considerable  maturity  in  the  Community  and 
elsewhere  in  the  western  world  - the  safety  record  of  its nuclear  plants  is excellent  -
it  is not  universally  accepted  by our  society.  The  Community  action  therefore  aims 
at  stimulating  collaboration  with  the  objective  to  improve  the  knowledge  in  specific 
areas  and  to  develop  a  new  global  and  dynamic  approach 
to  nuclear  safety  in  the 
broadest  sense. The joint  setting  of priorities  should  bring all interested  parties  closer 
in  a  better  understanding 
that  nuclear  energy,  like  other  mature  technologies,  can 
benefit  from  further  development.  New technological  solutions  may be found  to  solve 
problems  which today  make  nuclear  energy  unacceptable  to  some.  Of course,  it must 
be  understood  that  new  technology  will not  necessarily  be  applied  simply because  it 
exists, just  as  we cannot  afford  to  make  a  definite  judgement  about  its use  by  future 
generations  on  the  basis  of  today's  knowledge. 

In  that  sense,  a global  dynamic  approach  means  that  there  must  be  an  improvement 
of the  understanding  and  quantification  of the  overall  risk  associated  with the  use  of 
nuclear  energy:  considering  the  whole  cycle,  considering  all  exposure  to  ionizing 
radiation,  not  only from  nuclear  but  also from  medical  and  other  applications  as  well 
radioactivity;  considering  normal  and  accidental  conditions; 
as  from  natural 
considering 
the  historical  liabilities  associated  with  its  use  elsewhere  -  e.g.  the 
Commonwealth  of  Independent  States  (CIS)-;  and  considering  the  possibility  of 
technological  evolution  just  as  in  other  high-technology  areas. 

To  support  that  approach,  the  various  activities  are  set out  and  managed  accordingly 
in  one  single  programme.  Consequently,  they  are  deliberately  not  grouped  as  a  set 
of  individual  actions  (as  in the  previous  Framework  Programme),  although  they  are 
assembled  according  to  the  main  emphasis  of the  respective  activity as related  to  the 
use  of  nuclear  energy  in  the  global  sense.  The  technical  maturity  reached  in  some 
areas  of  the  nuclear  cycle  implies  a  re-orientation  of  priorities,  concentrating  on 
impacts.  A  number  of 
aspects  dealing  with  exposure  of  man  and  environmental 
concerted  actions  will be  launched  to  safeguard  adequate  exchange  of  information 
and  data  collection. 
As  indicated  in  the  defferent  activities  proposed,  the  JRC  is closely  associated  with 
them1. 

A more detailed description of the JRC's  research activities, which are defined  in a proposal 
for a separate Council decision, is given in Annex IV for  information  in order  to ensure ihe 
transparency  in  relation  to their  complementarity  with corresponding  indirect  actions. 

2. 

PROPOSED  ACTIVITIES 

Exploring  new concepts 

The  proposed  activities  will illustrate  a new approach  which aims at  exploring  ways 
to  improve  the  acceptance  of  nuclear  energy  through  an  integrated 
initiative 
addressing  the  three  main  issues  of common  concern: 

reactor  safety,  especially  with regard  to  severe  accidents 
the  management  of long-lived radionuclides (including  plutonium) 
the risk of  fissile material  diversion. 

These  activities will be carried  out  in close cooperation  with authorities,  industry and 
the  scientific  community. 

It  is proposed  to  pursue  two  main  lines of  approach:  on  the  one  hand,  alternative 
approaches  to the  safety  design  of reactors  and  to fuel  cycles will be considered  with 
a view to identifying  and investigating promising design-related  solutions; on the other 
hand,  the  potential  of  alternative  waste  management  options  based  inter  alia  on 
partitioning  and  transmutation  (P&T)  will be  explored. 

2.1.  Conceptual  safety  features 

Besides  a  continuous  improvement  of the  safety  of reactors  which  takes  account  of 
the  experience  from  operating  plants  and  new  results  from  research,  industry  is 
examining  new  safety  concepts,  in  particular  so-called  passive  or  inherently  safe 
systems which could  be implemented  in future  reactors.  Prospective  theoretical  and 
some  experimental  investigations  are  foreseen  to assess  these  concepts  with regard 
to their  feasibility  and  their  benefit  to overall  safety.  These  investigations  will be of 
generic  nature  and  not refer  to specific  reactor  concepts.  The  results  should  provide 
supporting  data  for the choice of those  features  that  reply best to future  development 
trends  in the  Community  and  worldwide. 

Approaches  to reduce  the amount  of long-lived radioactivity  in spent  fuel by changing 
the composition  of the fissile material  could  be included  in an  overall  analysis of the 
fuel  cycle which could  also  cover  the  aspect  of  safeguards. 

The  investigation  of  advanced  fuel  cycle strategies  will require  some  experimental 
research  which  will be performed  in concertation  with the  JRC. 

2.2. Partitioning  and  transmutation 

Methods  to reduce  the  long-lived  (half-life  >  30 years)  nuclide  inventory  of nuclear 
waste  should  be  investigated,  although  the  final  disposal  of  nuclear  waste  in  deep 
repositories  cannot  be  avoided.  On  the  basis  of  present  technology,  this  objective 
might  be achieved  by highly separative  reprocessing  of irradiated  fuel  (partitioning) 
and  repeated  irradiation  of waste isotopes  in specially adapted  fast  reactors  or other 
irradiation  facilities  (transmutation).  The  feasibility  and  potential  benefit  in  terms 
of cost, health,  safety  and  environmental  impact  of P&T schemes  should  continue  to 
be  assessed,  while the  first  technical  developments  are  launched. 

Some  work in this area  will be  pursued  in concertation  with  the  JRC. 

Reactor  Safety 

Since  it  is of  vital importance  to  improve  the  understanding  of  severe  accidents  in 
order  to  prevent  possible  radioactivity  release  under  severe  accident  conditions, 
severe  accident  phenomena  and  mechanisms  will be the  main  items  of  research. 

Furthermore,  different  measures  to  mitigate  the  consequences  of a  severe  accident 
will be  studied. 

2.3.  Severe  accidents 

Investigations  of  the  various  phenomena 
involved  e.g.  core  degradation  and  the 
release  and  behaviour  of  fission  products  will be  carried  out.  The  results  of  the 
experimental  PHEBUS  Fission Product  project,  previously organized  jointly by CEA-
Cadarache  and  JRC  Ispra,  will provide  essential  data  in this  respect.  Molten  fuel-
coolant  interaction  and  molten  core-concrete 
interaction  as  well  as  hydrogen 
generation  and  combustion  are  the  main  concerns  with regard  to the primary  system 
and  containment  integrity. 

In  connection  with  interactions  between  the  molten  fuel  and  its  environment,  the 
JRC  Ispra  FARO  facility  will continue  to  provide  experimental  results. 

Besides  the  study  of  accident  progression  mechanisms,  major  attention  will  be 
devoted  to the  integrity  of the containment  system and  the  material  characterization 
of the  various  safety-relevant  components  under  severe  accident  conditions  in order 
to evaluate  the  safety  margins. 

The  proposed  activities  include  theoretical  and  experimental  investigations,  code 
developments  and  validation  as well as benchmark  exercises. The joint use of existing 
and,  possibly, new  large  test  facilities  is  foreseen. 

Closing the  nuclear  fuel cycle 

One  of the  main  objectives  of this activity is to contribute  to a  further  integration  of 
the  efforts  undertaken  by the  Community  and  the  Member  States  to  develop  the 
technical  basis for a common  understanding  of the  scientific  issues of the  disposal  of 
long-lived  radioactive  waste,  specifically  spent  fuel  and  vitrified  High  Level  Waste 
(HLW).  The  strategic  issues involved  are  the  time  horizon  to be considered  for  the 
analysis  of  disposal  concepts,  the  possibility  of  retrievability  of  waste  and  the 
safeguarding  of  spent  fuel. 

Even  Member  States  not  having  a  nuclear  programme  may  need  to  dispose  of 
radioactive waste  e.g from  research  reactors. 

2.4.  Safety  aspects  of geological  disposal 

The  Community's analysis of the  long-term  safety  of disposing  of HLW,  the  PAGIS 
(Performance  Assessment  of  Geological  Isolation  Systems)  study,  concluded  that  -
assuming  predictable  natural  evolution  -  geological  disposal  can  assure  adequate 
protection  even  tens  of  thousands  of  years  after  the  emplacement  of  the  waste  if 
appropriate  sites  are  selected.  There  are  basic  questions,  however,  on  which  a 
consensus  should  be  reached  at  European  level at  least,  e.g.: 

Predictions  about  the  evolution  of  the  environment  and  the  activities  of 
mankind  in the  vicinity of  a  repository  become  less  accurate,  the  more  they 
are projected  into the future.  This should  be reflected  in an agreed long-term 
time horizon up  to  which  the  safety  analysis  of  disposal  concepts  has  to  be 
elaborated. 

The possibility  of retrieval  of  the  disposed  material  and  its consequences  on 
safety  should  be evaluated  together  with its costs and  limitations  to determine 
whether  its  benefits  outweigh  those  of  the  present  concept  of  permanently 
sealed,  inaccessible  repositories,  from  which recovery  of  waste  is  difficult. 

Accidental  intrusion which  implies  a  wide  field  of  scenarios.  A  common 
approach 
to  this  problem  would  be  desirable  with  a  view  to  providing 
safeguards  and  ways to  assure  their  effectiveness  for  longer  periods. 

A  common  position  on  these  issues  would  present  an  essential  element  for  a 
European  safety  philosophy  on  disposal  of  radioactive  waste. 

The  Community's  Plan  of Action  in the  Field  of Radioactive  Waste  should  play an 
important  role in reaching  agreement  on these  questions  between  the Member  States 
and  stimulate  their  participation  in the  relevant  investigations. 

2.5.  Underground  laboratories  for waste disposal 

Underground  laboratories  are  a  necessary  prerequisite  for  meaningful  research  on 
crucial  phenomena  related  to  geological  disposal.  As  in  the  previous  programmes 
tests and investigations  on geological disposal  in the underground  laboratories  in Asse 
(Germany)  and  Mol (Belgium)  should  be continued.  Possible new laboratories  could 
also  become  part  of  the  Community  programme.  These  facilities  should  offer 
important  opportunities  for  participation 
from  all  EC  countries  for  performing 
research  projects  under  representative  conditions.  The  projects  shall  provide 
qualitative  and  quantitative  elements  for  characterizing  possible  disposal  sites,  for 
designing  optimized  repository  concepts  and  for evaluating  the  long-term  protective 
performance  of disposal  strategies. 

Research  on  geological  and  engineered  barriers,  development  of special  mining and 
waste emplacement  techniques  and radiological investigations  should  be carried  out 
in the underground  laboratories  and  in associated  research  facilities, thus contributing 
also  to  demonstrate  the  feasibility  and  safety- of  underground  repositories. 

2.6.  Supporting  research 

The  assessments  of  waste  disposal  schemes  will 
require  further  analysis  and 
modelling  of  the  performance  of  natural  and  engineered  barriers,  transfer  of 
radioactivity  from  the  waste  packages  in the  repository  through  the  geosphere  into 
the  biosphere  as  well  as  the  verification  and  validation  of  long-term  predictive 
assessment  models of the geological environment  of repositories.  Useful  information 
on  the  evolution  of  disposal  systems  is  also  gained  from  natural  analogue  and 
geoprospective  studies. 

Development  of  effectively  controlled  advanced  waste  volume  minimization 
envisaged  with a view to  introducing  safe  and  effective  standard  practices. 

is 

Another  object  of R&D  is the  provision  of scientific  data  to  support  EC  policies  in 
the  field  of  nuclear  safety  standards,  and  of  reliable  methods  to  implement  such 
policies. 

Actions  to  enhance  the  safety  culture  of  nuclear  energy  and  confidence  in  safety 
should  include  the  technical  application  of radiological optimization  principles  and 
the  further  development  of Quality  Assurance  methodology  in conjunction  with the 
EC  "Network of Testing  Facilities". 

Radiological  impact  on man and  the environment 

The  Euratom  Treaty  defines  the  Community  responsibility  for  "establishing  uniform 
safety  standards  to protect  the  health  of workers  and  the  general  public  and  ensure 
that  they  are  applied"  and  for  "studying the  harmful  effects  of  radiation  on  living 

organisms".  Although  the present  radiation  protection  standards  and  the  underlying 
scientific  information  are  of  high  quality,  it  remains  imperative  to  reduce  the 
remaining  uncertainties  in the  quantification  of radiation risks arising  from  the  use 
of  ionising  radiation  in  energy  production,  industry  and  medicine,  as  well as  from 
exposure  to  natural  radiation.  This  concerns  all phases  of  the  nuclear  cycle where 
(potential)  exposure  situations  may  exist  and  also  considers  the  consequences  of 
nuclear  accidents, the limitation  of the extent  of possible  health  effects,  the mitigation 
of environmental  consequences  and the development  of methods  for the management 
of  nuclear  emergencies.  The  range  of  issues  concerned  and  the  many  underlying 
scientific disciplines require  a truly inter-disciplinary  approach  to radiation  protection 
research  and  the  intensive  involvement  of  university  based  research. 

The  priorities  set  forward  here  are  closely linked  with the  validation  work proposed 
in the area  of historic liabilities which mainly deals with the health  and  environmental 
consequences  of  the  Chernobyl  and  other  radiation  accidents  and  of  past 
uncontrolled  releases  of radioactive  materials  in the Commonwealth  of Independent 
States. 

2.7.  Understanding  the  mechanisms  of radiation  action 

the  radiation  effects  determined  experimentally 

The  mechanisms  of  radiation  action  need  to  be  known  in  order  to  be  able  to 
extrapolate 
to  predict,  with 
confidence,  the effects  at low doses.  Continuation  of the studies  of radiation  induced 
hereditary  effects  and  effects  after  in-utero  irradiations  will contribute  to  a  deeper 
understanding  of the  mechanisms  at the cell level. This understanding  will  be gained 
by mobilizing the most up-to-date  techniques  from  molecular  and  cellular biology, by 
studying  mutation  and  chromosomal  aberration  formation  and  the  role  of  DNA 
repair  and  by  combining  this  work  with  recent  developments  in  radiation  energy 
deposition  modelling  to  elucidate  a  comprehensive  biophysical  model  of  cellular 
radiation action.  The extension  of this understanding  to the radiation  induced  cancer 
process  will take  advantage  of  new  knowledge  of  oncogenesis,  in general,  coupled 
with continuing  studies of the early molecular  and cellular events  in radiation induced 
cancer.  The development  of models of the radiation  induced  cancer  process  founded 
on  sound  biological  principles  will  further  contribute  to more  accurate  assessments 
of radiation risk. 

2.8.  Evaluation  of radiation  risks 

Risk  evaluation  depends  on  reliable  assessment  of  the  level  of  exposure,  which  in 
turn  depends  on  an  accurate  determination  of  internal  and  external  doses.  This 
necessitates  research  on  environmental  pathways  of radioactive substances  to  man 
and on the age dependent  metabolism  and biokinetics  of incorporated  radionuclides. 

research  will  include  work  to  develop  more  sensitive  and  delicate 
Targeted 
for  measurement  of  external  and  internal  irradiation  and  the 
instrumentation 
further  extension  and  application  of  risk  assessment  models  for  the  health  and 
environmental  impact  of discharges  of radioactive  materials  to  the environment  and 
of nuclear  accidents.  Risk  estimates  converting  radiation  dose  to  the  probability  of 
induction  of  health  effects  will be  derived  from  epidemiological  studies  of  exposed 
populations,  taking  into  account  the  knowledge  on  radiobiological  mechanisms. 

2.9.  Reduction  of exposure  levels 

techniques 

for  environmental 

Criteria,  methods  and  strategies  for  reducing  exposure  to ionising radiation  from  all 
sources  (natural,  medical  and  industrial)  have  to  be  developed  further  with  a  view 
to  reducing  or  preventing  the  induction  of  health  effects.  These  include  aspects  of 
exposure  monitoring, 
including  site 
restoration,  treatment  of health  consequences  including acute  radiation  damage,  risk 
management  for  normal  and  emergency  situations  and  the  implementation  of  the 
optimization  philosophy  (ALARA  -  As  Low  As  Reasonably  Achievable) 
into 
radiological  protection,  giving due  account  to  social  and  economical  considerations. 
These  principles  will be  applied  to  problems  of  practical  relevance,  such  as  the 
development  of criteria  for  the  recycling of  material  from  decommissioned  nuclear 
facilities;  occupational  exposure  arising from  waste  management,  decommissioning 
and  environmental  mitigation;  and  optimisation  strategies  and  techniques  in medical 
radiological diagnostic  procedures. 

restoration 

Historic  liabilities 

in  Eastern  and  Central  Europe  and  in  the  Commonwealth  of 
The  situation 
Independent  States  (CIS) presents  liabilities in nuclear  safety, which the  international 
community  must  share  not  only  for  altruistic  reasons.  In  addition  to  humanitarian 
considerations,  the European  Union  has an interest  in, and  must continue  to assume 
responsibility  for the establishment  of safe conditions  in neighbouring  countries.  The 
accident  of  Chernobyl  was  a  reminder  that  radioactive  material  released 
in  an 
accident  is no  respecter  of international  borders. 

The  consequences  of  the  Chernobyl  accident,  of  other  radiation  accidents  and  of 
uncontrolled  releases  of radioactive  materials  in the  CIS have  led  to  environmental 
contamination  and  health  hazards  which represent  unique  opportunities  for initiating 
collaborative  projects,  including  extensive  training  and  secondment  schemes. 

The  objective  of  this  part  of  the  specific  programme  is to  establish  an  operational 
force  to  work  out  long  term  mitigation  strategies,  to  monitor  the  continuously 
changing  circumstances  and  to  initiate  targeted  research  projects  and  to  provide 
catalytic  links and  appropriate  coordination  between  the  R&D  programme  and  the 
technical  assistance  programmes.  The  collaboration  with the  CIS, initiated  in 1991, 
has  found  broad  acceptance  in  the  CIS  and  must  be  continued.  Some  support  for 
EU-partners  will  come  from  the  Framework  Programme  but  CIS partners  will have 
to  be  supported  by other  technical  assistance  programmes  of  the  EU. 

10 

2.10.  Consequences  of Chernobyl  and other  radiation  accidents 

terrestrial  and  aquatic 
Environmental  research  in  the  more  heavily  contaminated 
areas  will 
include  the  analysis  of  exposure  pathways  and  the  evaluation  and 
validation  of existing radioecological data  bases.  A special  aim  of the  work  will be 
to use the  results  from  the  radioecological  studies  for predictive  assessments  and  to 
develop  improved  emergency  management  systems not only to provide  guidance  on 
the  mitigation  of  the  consequences  of  the  accident  but  to  provide  an  effective 
framework  for  response  to  future  accidents.  They  will deal  especially  with  the 
in  highly 
environmental  consequences  and  applicability  of  countermeasures 
contaminated  zones,  the  development  of  intervention  criteria,  waste  management 
procedures  and  environmental  restoration. 

Health  effects  studies  will concentrate  on the development  of methods  of biological 
and  retrospective  dosimetry  in  close  cooperation  with  epidemiological  studies  of 
cancer  induction  in  the  more  exposed  groups  of  the  population.  A  study  of  the 
treatment  strategies  used  for  the  over-exposed  accident  victims  aims  at  deriving 
improved 
The 
occurrence  of  increased  rates  of  childhood  thyroid  cancer  reported  in  Belarus  and 
the  Ukraine  demands  systematic  research  to  provide  important 
information  on 
radiation-induced  thyroid cancer  and  an estimate  of the extent  of this health  problem 
in the  future.  At the  same  time  the  treatment  of the thyroid  cancer  patients  will be 
optimised  by the  development  of therapy  protocols. 

treatment  protocols  using  newly  developing  methodologies. 

2.11.  Cooperative  networks 

In  the  field  of  radiation  protection,  a  collaboration  with  institutes  of  Belarus,  the 
Russian  Federation  and  the  Ukraine  was initiated  in late  1991 which involves some 
100 EC  institutions  and  100 CIS  institutions  and  has  led  to  the  establishment  of  a 
central  laboratory  in the Ukraine.  The establishment  of such a network  will reinforce 
the  collaborative  research  programme  between  the European  Union  and  the  CIS in 
the whole area  of nuclear  fission  safety.  In addition  it can  be  used  as a platform  for 
coordination  of the  many  international  and  bilateral  initiatives  in these  areas. 

In  the  area  of  waste  management  and  site  restoration,  similar  networks  with  the 
Central  and Eastern  European  countries  will assist these countries  in developing  safe 
In  addition,  networks  of  information 
solutions  for  their  particular  problems. 
exchange  would  be  useful 
the  Russian  experience  of  waste 
management.  Cooperation  in the  field of reactor  safety  will  address  some  problems 
typical of existing Russian  reactor  designs as well as research  in areas  of  interest  for 
future  plants.  The  progressive  inclusion  of  these  Eastern  countries  in  Community 
nuclear  safety  programmes  is  to  be  seen  as  an  efficient  way  to  develop  a  wide 
ranging  safety  culture. 

to  learn  from 

13) 

il 

3. 

IMPLEMENTATION  OF  THE  PROGRAMME 

3.1.  Cost-sharing  and  conceited  actions 

The  programme  will carry out  R&D  as shared-cost  actions  and  as concerted  actions. 
Shared-cost  activities  will  be  co-funded  by  the  Community  at  levels  reflecting  the 
economic  and  technical  risk  as  well as  according  to  the  respective  area  of  research. 
Particular  attention  will be  paid  to  large  integrated  projects  which  will be  defined  in 
consultation  with  the  main  partners.  Other  partners  selected  from  a  call  for 
proposals  will be  associated. 
The  shared-cost  activities  will  be  complemented  by  concerted  actions  in  matters 
where  mere  coordination  of  the  efforts  of  Member  States  and  their  industries  could 
render  the  Community  programme  more  efficient. 

3.2.  Dissemination  and  valorization  of  results 

The  rapid  and  effective  dissemination  of  results  will  be  assured  by  direct 
communication  of progress  reports  among  network  participants,  specialist  meetings 
and  multi-disciplinary  conferences,  as  well  as  by  systematic  publication  of  annual 
programme  reports,  final  reports  and  proceedings  of  scientific  meetings. 
In addition,  the  collection  and processing  of R&D  results  in computerized  data  bases 
managed  under  the  respective  networks  will provide  readily  accessible  scientific  and 
technical  information. 
Public  communication  and  information  on  the  programme  activities  and  results 
should  constitute  an  important  element. 

3.3.  Training  and  mobility 

Opportunities  for training  and  mobility of scientific and  technical  staff  will be assured 
by  activities  such  as  the  "European  Radiation  Protection  Education  and Training" 
scheme  (ERPET)  and  the Eurocourses  organised  together  with JRC  Ispra.  Mobility 
of  researchers  will be  promoted  by  staff  secondment  schemes  at  the  major  R&D 
projects  and  research  grants  to  bursaries. 

3.4. 

International  cooperation 

Close  cooperation  with  national  and  international  organisations  competent 
in  the 
fields  of  nuclear  safety,  waste  management  and  radiation  protection  will enable  the 
Community  to  contribute  worldwide  to  an  improvement  of  nuclear  safety  and  the 

12 

protection  of  man  and  his environment  against  the  effects  of ionizing  irradiation.  It 
will enhance  the  integration  of  national  efforts  to  improve  the  competitivity  of  the 
to  the  regulatory 
European  nuclear 
responsibilities  of  the  Community. 

industry  and  will  give  essential 

input 

Cooperation  and  integration  of research  on  Nuclear  Safety  and  Safeguards  has been 
well established  with third countries  such as the  USA,  Canada,  Japan  and  with some 
EFTA  countries.  Together  with  the  collaboration  with  Central  and  Eastern 
European  countries  (PECO),  including  the  Commonwealth  of  Independent  States 
which  is  of  particular  importance,  this  will  lead  to  the  further  harmonisation  of 
national  approaches  for developing  safety  standards.  Close interaction  has also been 
achieved  and  will  continue  with  the  International  Atomic  Energy  Agency  (IAEA), 
the  Nuclear  Energy  Agency  of  the  Organisation  for  Economic  Co-operation  and 
Development  (OECD/NEA)  and  the  World  Health  Organisation  (WHO),  as well as 
with  non-governmental 
international  organisations  involved  in  standardisation  and 
recommendations,  such as the  International  Commission  on  Radiological  Protection 
(ICRP),  the  International  Commission  on  Radiation  Units  and  Measurements 
(ICRU)  and  the  International  Standards  Organisation  (ISO).  This  international 
is  the  main  instrument  for  achieving  worldwide  consensus  on  the 
cooperation 
issues  of  nuclear  safety  and  radiation  protection. 
fundamental 

Close  and  extensive  cooperation  with research  institutes  and  universities  of  the  CIS 
on  the  consequences  of  the  Chernobyl  accident  will  help  to  validate  the  basic 
research  results  obtained  from  the  other  actions.  The  information  to  be  gained  on 
environmental  contamination  and  population  exposure  is enormously  important  for 
bridging  between  theoretical  approaches  and  real  contamination  situations. 

13 

ANNEX  II 

INDICATIVE BREAKDOWN  OF THE AMOUNT  DEEMED  NECESSARY 
(ECU  million) 

Field 

Exploring  new  concepts 

Reactor  safety 

Fuel  cycle 

Radiological  impact  on  man  and  the  environment 

Historic  liabilities* 

TOTAL5*7*9 

7 

50 

40 

50 

13 

160 

The  funding  for  this  activity  covers  the  establishment  of  an  operational  team  to  act  as 
a  catalyst  and  ensure  coordination  between  the  research  and  training  programme  and 
the  EU's  technical  assistance  programmes.  Some  support  for  EU  partners  in  the  joint 
projects  will come  from  the  resources  available  for  the  framework  programme,  but  the 
partners  from  the  CIS  and  Central  and  Eastern  Europe  will  have  to  be  supported  by 
the  technical  assistance  programmes. 

The breakdown  between  the different  headings  does  not exclude the  possibility that  projects 
could  come  under  several  headings. 

5 

Including  10.7 %  for staff  expenditure  and 6.5 % for  administrative  expenditure. 
Including  1.25%  for  the dissemination  and  utilization  of results. 
Including at  least  15% for  fundamental  research activities. 
Of  which  an  estimated  2%  is  earmarked  for  funding  schemes  to  promote  training  for 
researchers  in the fields covered  by this specific  programme. 
An amount of ECU 254 million, representing the difference  between the amount deemed necessary for the 
present programme and the amount provided for in the framework  programme for research and training 
activities in  the nuclear  field  (1994-98) for  "nuclear safety  and safeguards",  is allocated  to the "specific 
research and technological development programme to be carried out by the Joint Research Centre, for the 
European Atomic Energy Community". 

14 

ANNEX  in 

MODALITIES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAMME 

1.  The  modalities for  the Community's  financial  contribution  are laid down in Annex IV 
to  the  Decision  on  the framework programme  of  Community  actions  in  the field of 
research  and training for  the European  Atomic Energy Community  (1994-1998). 

The modalities for  the participation  of  undertakings, research  centres  and  universities 
and  for  the  dissemination  of  results  are  laid  down  in  the  measures  provided  for  by 
Article 4 of the Euratom  Treaty. 

However,  for 
precisions/exceptions shall apply: 

the  purpose  of 

implementing 

this  programme, 

the 

following 

in  addition  to  the  official  organisations  specified  in  article  2.2  of  the  council 
decision  arising  from  article  7  concerning  conditions  for  participation,  national 
organisations  situated  in  other  countries  and  which  are  concerned  with 
normalisation  or  harmonisation  of measurement  methods  have  the possibility  to 
participate in the programme on the same conditions as those indicated for  other 
organisations in this article. 
the participation of European  international organisations may be financed  on  the 
same basis as that  for community organisations  in duly specified  cases. 

2.  This programme will be carried out  in the form  of: 

2.1  Financial participation by the Community in research and training activities carried out 

by third  parties or by JRC Institutes  in association with third  parties; 

(a)  Shared-cost activities covering the following modalities: 

research  and  training  projects  carried  out  by undertakings,  research  centres 
and  universities,  including  consortia  for  integrated  projects  with  a  common 
theme; 
support  for  financing  the  infrastructure  or  installations  necessary  for 
coordinated  action  (reinforced  coordinated  activity). 

(b)  Concerted  action,  which  consists  of  coordinating,  particularly  with  the  aid  of 
concertation  networks,  research  and  training  projects  already  funded  by  public 
authorities  or  private  bodies.  Concerted  action  can  also  include  the  requisite 
coordination  of  thematic  networks  bringing  together  manufacturers,  users, 
universities and research centres to work on the same technological or  industrial 
objective under shared-cost research and  training activities (cf. first paragraph of 
2.1(a)). 

(c)  Specific  measures  such  as  action  to  promote  standardization  and  measures  to 
provide  general  tools  to  research  centres,  universities  and  undertakings.  The 
Community's contribution  covers up to  100% of the cost of  these measures. 

2.2  Preparatory, accompanying and support measures covering the  following  modalities: 

studies  in  support  of  this  programme  and  in  preparation  for  possible  future 
activities; 
conferences,  seminars,  workshops  or  other  scientific  or  technical  meetings, 
including intersectoral  or  multidisciplinary coordination  meetings; 
use of external expertise, including access to scientific  databases; 
scientific  publications, including the dissemination, promotion  and valorization of 
the results; 

15 

studies to assess the socio-economic consequences and any possible technological 
risks  associated with all the projects under this programme; 
training activities related to research covered by this programme; 
independent evaluation (including studies) of programme management and of the 
implementation of the activities. 

16 

ANNEX IV 

DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  JOINT  RESEARCH  CENTRE'S 

(JRC)  RESEARCH 

ACTIVITIES  CORRESPONDING  TO  THE  AREAS  COVERED  BY  THIS  SPECIFIC 

PROGRAMME AND THE SUBJECT OF THE PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION 

FOR THE JRC PROGRAMME (COM(94)70 FINAL - 94/0074 (CNS)). 

The JRC contribution will be in the following  fields: 

reactor  safety, 

fuel  cycle  safety, 

safeguards  and fissile  materials  management. 

Reactor safety 

JRC research  will be focused  mainly on the following areas: 

a contribution  to accident  prevention:  the development  of  non-destructive  analytical 
techniques  (NDA) for  the improvement  and  refinement  of  inspection  procedures  and 
the development of qualification  methodologies to facilitate  their  harmonization; 

probabilistic  safety  studies:  the  JRC  will  contribute  to  the  improvement  of 
methodologies and to the emergence of a consensus on their implementation  in safety 
studies; 

studies  conducted  through  European  networks  into  the  mechanisms  of  component 
ageing, a method of attenuation, evaluation of the integrity of structures and inspection 
possibilities; 

studies of serious accidents:  these studies will be conducted, on the one hand, through 
studies of the internal and external phenomena in the containment in experiments with 
degradation of the reactor core using real materials and operating at a real temperature; 
these operations will be carried out on a small and a large scale at the JRC and, on the 
other  hand,  through a contribution  to the study of  the release of  fission  products and 
the  transfer  phenomena  by  participation  in  the  interpretation  of  the  results  of 
experiments simulating accidental releases conducted in other laboratories, in particular 
the CEA  (study of  the source-term)  and by carrying  out aerosol  resuspension  tests at 
the  JRC.  They  will  be carried  out  in  conjunction  with  the  activities 
in  this  field 
foreseen  under indirect actions. 

17 

This research will continue to be the subject of a major cooperation effort  within the framework 
of the networks involving European and non-European partners.  It is aimed in particular at the 
development  of  common design tools  intended  for industry  and  the authorities  responsible  for 
safeguards. 

It  will  make  extensive  use  of  the  JRC*s  ability  to  set  up  cooperation  networks  between  the 
European  partners concerned  and thus  to participate  in  the  implementation  of  the  Community 
policy  provided  for in the Treaty. 

Fuel cycle safety 

The main objective of  the studies conducted by the JRC is to reduce the environmental  impact 
of  using  nuclear  energy  by  means  of  research  into  the  fuel  cycle  permitting  optimized 
management  of  the end of  the cycle.  They  will  be conducted  in  close  co-operation  with  the 
activities in this field foreseen  under indirect actions. 

This research will be aimed at improving the understanding of actinides and the plutonium cycle 
and drawing  up the best possible  waste  management  strategy,  in  particular  by  minimizing  the 
production  of  high-level  waste.  It will  take account of changes  in  reactor design. 

It  will  also  be  aimed  at  supporting  the  Member  States'  current  strategy  of  deep  burial  of 
radioactive waste and exploring  management strategies which would  make it possible to reduce 
the amount of waste produced by future fuel-cycle installations.  This research will be conducted 
in close cooperation  with national laboratories. 

The subjects covered  will  include: 

studies of  the safety  of  the behaviour of  nuclear  fuels  (UO2 and  mixed oxide), 

study of  fundamental and solid-state physico-chemical  analyses  of  actinides, 

study of  nuclear aerosols, 

minimization of secondary actinides and other radionucleides with long half-lives in the 
nuclear  fuel  cycle, 

plutonium  fuel  technology, 

characterisation  of  spent fuel  with a view  to its elimination, 

radionucleides  for  medical applications. 

Safeguards and fissile  materials management 

The  research  conducted  at  the  JRC  is  aimed  at  obtaining,  in  good  time,  results  or  new 
techniques  implementation of  which  is  necessary  for compliance  with  obligations  arising  from 
safeguards  provided  for  in the Treaty  and the Non-Proliferation Treaty. 

18 

It is necessary  in particular to develop new techniques to meet the new challenges related to the 
development  of  the fuel  cycle and the strengthening  of  the control  systems. 

These activities  are aimed at the development  and improvement  of  techniques  including: 

non-destructive  test techniques  using  gamma and neutron  radiation  for  the analysis  of 
waste,  production  waste and irradiated  fuel; 

measurements  relating  to  volume  and  weight  in  large  tanks  in  fuel  production  and 
reprocessing  plants; 

sealing  techniques  and  new  marking  systems  for  objects  containing  nuclear  materials 
and  for containers; 

surveillance  systems  using  the storage and processing  of  digital  images  for  automatic 
surveillance  and  examination  and  for  improvement  of  recordings  in  the  long  term 
without inspectors. 

A particular effort  will be devoted to research on the design of multisensoral integrated systems 
able to function in the absence of inspectors by using mobile robotic technology. These systems 
will  use intelligent software  for the production of  data and the compatibility  of  materials. 

These  activities  will  be  conducted  in  particular  using  the  experimental  installations  Perla 
("Performance and training laboratory"), Tame ("Tank measurement") and Lasco  ("Surveillance 
and containment") of  the JRC which  offer  experimental  conditions  which  are  representative  of 
reality  in an installation. 

Lastly,  the JRC  research  in  the  field  of  safeguards  also  forms  part of  a process  of  European 
cooperation  as  illustrated  by  the  ES ARDA  network  ("European  Safeguards  Research  and 
Development  Association")  and  international  cooperation  with  the  USA,  Canada,  Japan  and 
Russia. 

141 

19 

SPECIFIC PROGRAMME OF RESEARCH AND TRAINING IN THE FIELD OF 
NUCLEAR  SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS 

FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

20 

FINANCIAL  STATEMENT 

1.  TITLE OF ACTION 

Specific  programme of research  and  training in the field of  nuclear safety  and  safeguards. 

2.  BUDGET HEADING 

B6-8111. 

3.  LEGAL BASIS 

Article 7 of the Euratom Treaty. 
Council Decision concerning a framework  programme of Community activities in the field of 

research and training for  the European  Atomic Energy Community  (1994 to 1998). 

4.  DESCRIPTION OF ACTION 

4.1  General objectives of the action: 

To promote European cooperation and technological development  in the field of 
nuclear safety  and safeguards. 
To develop a global, dynamic approach  to allow an improved  understanding and 
quantification  of  the  overall  risk  associated  with  the  whole  nuclear  fuel  cycle, 
considering  exposure  to  ionizing  radiation  from  all  sources,  including  other 
industrial applications, medical applications and natural  radioactivity. 
To create opportunities  for  training and  mobility for scientists. 

4.2  Fields covered by the programme: 

The projects selected will cover research, development  and demonstration  activities in 
the following fields: 

Exploring new concepts for safety  and waste  management; 
Reactor safety in the event of severe accidents; 
Closing  the  nuclear  fuel  cycle  by  means  of  projects  to  evaluate  the  safety  of 
geological disposal of long-lived  radioactive waste plus supporting studies; 
Understanding, -evaluation  and  mitigation  of  the  effects  of  exposure  to  ionizing 
radiation,  reduction  of  the  remaining  uncertainties  and  quantification  of  the 
radiation  risk; 
historic liabilities stemming from the Chernobyl and other accidents in Central and 
Eastern  Europe and in the Commonwealth  of  Independent  States. 

21 

4.3  Duration  of  the  action 

1994  -  199S. 

5. 

CLASSIFICATION  OF  EXPENDITURE  OK  REVENUE 

Non-compulsory  expenditure/differentiated  appropriations. 

6 

TYPE  OF  EXPENDITURE  OR  REVENUE 

Studies/subsidies 

In  principle,  the  direct  actions  will  be  100%  funded. 
'Die concerted  actions may qualify  for a contribution  of  up  to  100% of  the  coordination 
costs. 

Subsidy  for  joint 

financing  with  other  sources  in  the  public  and/or  private 

sector 

The shared-cost  activities comprising  RTD  projects will qualify  for  a contribution  of  not 
more  than  50%. 
Universities  and  other  research  centres  participating  in  RTD  projects  and  unable  to 
substantiate  their  total  costs  in  sufficient  detail  for  the  Commission,  based  on  an 
analytical  accounting  system, will qualify  for  100%  funding  of  the  additional  costs. 
Other  shared-cost  activities  (for  example,  networks,  training,  fcasibilty  awards  or 
accompanying  measures)  will qualify  for  up  to  100%  of  the  additional  costs  or  of  the 
costs  of  the  measure. 

Staff,  administrative  and  operating  costs 

These  also  cover  the-costs  of  personnel  covered  by  the  Staff  Regulations  and  other  staff, 
studies,  meetings  of  experts,  conferences  and  congresses,  information  and  publications, 
administrative,  technical  and  operating  costs,  and" certain  other  internal  infrastructure  and 
operating  costs  for  attainment  of  the  objective  of  the  activity  of  which  they  arc  an  integral 
part. 

7. 

FINANCIAL  IMPACT 

7.1  Method  of  calculating  total  cast  of  action: 

* Staff  costs:  ECU  17.12 million  (10.70% of  the  ECU  160  million  deemed  necessary). 

The  1994  staff  levels  will  be  maintained,  i.e.  51  JMKSIS.  These  posts  break  down  as  follows: 
30A  +  10  1*  -i-  HC. 

•>•» 

It  is important  to  note  that  the  staff  working on  this specific  programme  will also  be  responsible  for  the 
scientific  monitoring  and  for  monitoring  the  contracts  for  the  activities  carried  out  under  the  third 
framework  programme  and  other  earlier  actions. 

*  Administrative  costs,  including  personnel  not  covered  by  the  Staff  Regulations:  l£CU  10.40 million 
(6.50%  of  the  ECU  160 million  deemed  necessary). 

* Operating  costs:  ECU  132.48 million  (82.80% of the  ECU  160  million  deemed  necessary),  including 
the  cost  of  accompanying  measures,  evaluations  and  concertation  activities. 

7.2 

Itemized  breakdown  of cost  (in  million  ECU): 

Exploring  new  concepts 
Reactor  safety 
Fuel  cycle 
Radiological  impact  on  man  and 
the  environment 
Historic  liabilities 

7 
50 
40 

50 
13 

4.3% 
31.3% 
25.0% 

31.3% 
8.1% 

TOTAL 

160 (l) (2) 

100% 

(1) 

Including  ECU  17.12  million  (10.70%)  for  staff  costs  and  ECU  10.40  million  (6.50%)  for 
administrative  costs. 

(2)  ECU  254  million  is added  to  this  amount  for  the  EAEC  programme  of  the  JRC. 

7.3 

Indicative  schedule  of appropriations  (in  million  ECU): 

The  schedule  will  be  established  on  the  basis  of  the  overall  amounts  for  the  fourth  framework 
programme  adopted 
indicatively  for  the  periods  1995-96 and  1997-98  at  the  conciliation  meeting  on 
21  March  1994. The  RTD  appropriations  for  each  financial  year  will be  proposed  and  adopted  each 
year  on  the  basis  of  the  resources  available  in  the  context  of  the  financial  perspective. 

Commitment 
appropriations 

Payment 

Appropriations 

1995 

1996 

1997 

20,84 

18,98 

27,15 

12,08 

19,37 

7,79 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

67,00 

71,00 

11,00 

11,00 

TOTAL 

160,00 

20,84 

46,13 

39,24 

1998 et 
seq 

TOTAL 

15,10 

24,48 

3,21 

11,00 

53,79 

67,00 

71,00 

11,00 

11,00 

160,00 

23 

8.  ANTI-FRAUD MEASURES 

Numerous  administrative and  financial  controls have been  introduced  at  every stage of  the 
procedure  for  awarding and implementing research contracts.  These include: 

Prior to  conclusion  of the contract: 

shortlisting  of  the  proposals  on  the  basis  of  their  scientific  merit  and  of  how 
realistic  the  research  costs  are,  considering  the  nature,  duration  and  potential 
impact of the  project; 
analysis of the financial  data submitted  by the proposers  in the  negotiation  form. 

After  signature of the contract: 

examination  of  the statements  of  expenditure  before  payment  at  various  levels 
(financial  administrator  and scientific  project manager); 
on-the-spot inspections of the supporting documents to detect any errors or other 
irregularities.  To tighten up these controls, the Commission  has set  up a central 
audit unit which is responsible for all the inspections.  The inspections are carried 
out  either  by members of  the  audit  unit  or,  under  their  supervision,  by firms of 
auditors with which the Commission  has concluded  framework  contracts. 

9.  ELEMENTS OF COST-EFFECITVENESS ANALYSIS 

9.1  Specific and quantifiable objectives:  target population: 

Activity 1:  Exploring new concepts 

To consider  alternative  approaches to reactor design and the  fuel  cycle in order  to  identify 
promising design-related  solutions. 

Activity 2:  Reactor safety 

To validate reactor safety,  based on the experience gained  from  the  nuclear  power  stations 
in service and on  the latest  research  results. 

Activity 3:  Fuel cycle 

To integrate the efforts  undertaken  by the Member States to develop the technical basis for 
a common understanding of the disposal of long-lived radioactive waste, spent fuel and high-
level waste. 

24 

Activity 4:  Radiological impact on man and the environment 

To  reduce  the  remaining  uncertainties  in the  quantification  of  radiation  risks  arising  from 
ionizing  radiation  generated  in  energy  production,  industry  and  medicine,  as well  as  from 
exposure to natural  radiation. 

Activity 5:  Historic liabilities 

To establish  an operational  force  to work out strategies for  mitigating the consequences of 
accidents such as the Chernobyl disaster and to act as a catalyst between and coordinate  the 
RTD programmes and the technical assistance and humanitarian  aid programmes. 

9.2  Grounds for the operation: 

Although nuclear energy has reached considerable maturity and excellent safety standards in 
the European  Union, it is far from  universally accepted.  The programme therefore  aims at 
stimulating wide collaboration  to develop a global and dynamic approach  to  nuclear  safety 
and produce a world-wide "safety culture". 
Trans-frontier  cooperation  will make it possible to bring up to date  the  basic standards  on 
the safety  of the nuclear cycle and radiation  protection. 
The  programme  will  ensure  that  Europe  maintains  its  expertise  in  the  various  fields 
concerned  and will encourage pan-European collaboration  to the benefit  of all the partners 
involved. 

93  Monitoring and evaluation of the action (modalities and  frequencies  planned): 

In  order  to  contribute  to  the  overall  assessment  of  Community  activities  provided  for  in 
Article 4(2) of  the  Decision  adopting the framework  programme, the  Commission  shall, in 
due course, have an assessment made by independent experts of the activities carried out in 
the field directly covered by this programme, and of their management during the five years 
preceding the assessment. 

At the end of this programme, the Commission shall instruct independent experts to conduct 
a final evaluation of the results achieved compared with the objectives set out  in Annex HI 
to  the framework  programme and Annex I to  the Decision  adopting  this programme.  The 
final  evaluation  report shall be forwarded  to the Council, the European  Parliament  and  the 
Economic and Social Committee. 

25 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

adopting a specific  programme of research and training 

in the field  of controlled thermonuclear  fusion 

(1994-98) 

PROPOSAL  FOR  A COUNCIL  DECISION 

of 

adopting  a specific  programme  of  research  and training  (1994-98) 
in the  field  of  controlled  thermonuclear  fusion 

THE COUNCIL OF  THE  EUROPEAN  UNION, 

Having  regard  to the Treaty  establishing  the European  Atomic  Energy  Community,  and in 
particular Article 7  thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,1 which has consulted the Scientific and 
Technical  Committee, 

Having regard  to the opinion  of  the European  Parliament,2 

Having regard to the opinion  of  the Economic and Social  Committee,3 

Whereas,  by  Decision  ../../Euratom,4  the  Council  adopted  a  framework  programme  of 
Community activities in the field  of  research and training for the period  1994-98  specifying 
inter  alia  the  activities  to  be  carried  out  in  the  field  of  controlled  thermonuclear  fusion; 
whereas this Decision takes account of the grounds set out in the preamble to that Decision; 

Whereas Article 2 of Decision  ../../Euratom4 specifies that the framework programme is to 
be implemented  through  specific  programmes adopted  in accordance  with  Article 7  of  the 
Treaty;  whereas each  specific  programme is to specify  its precise objectives  in  accordance 
with the scientific and technical objectives referred to in Annex  III to the Decision, define the 
detailed  rules  for  implementation,  fix  its  duration  and  provide  for  the  resources  deemed 
necessary; 

Whereas this programme will be carried out mainly through shared-cost activities, concerted 
actions and preparatory,  accompanying  and support measures; 

Whereas Decision  ../../Euratom (framework programme 1994-98) lays down that the overall 
maximum amount of  the framework  programme  (1994-98)  will  be  reexamined  by  30 June 
1996  at  the  latest  with  a  view  to  its  being  increased;  whereas,  as  a  consequence  of  this 
reexamination,  the amount deemed  necessary  to carry out this programme could  increase; 

Whereas the content of  the  framework  programme of  Community  activities  in  the  field  of 

*  OJNo 

p. 

2  O J N o . . .,  ....  p. 

3  OJNo 

p. 

4  O J N o . . .,  ....  p. 

15Ï 

research and training was established in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity; whereas 
this specific programme specifies  the content of the activities to be carried out in accordance 
with this principle in  the field  of  controlled  thermonuclear  fusion; 

Whereas,  as is laid down  in  Annex  III to Decision  ../../Euratom,4  the Community  needs a 
"Community Fusion" programme whose long-term objective would be the joint creation  of 
prototype reactors which are safe and which respect the environment; whereas the programme 
incorporates  all  the  activities  undertaken  in  the  Member  States  in  the  field  of  controlled 
thermonuclear  fusion  by  magnetic  confinement; 

Whereas Decision../. ./Euratom (framework programme 1994-98) lays down that Community 
action  is justified  if,  inter  alia,  the  research  helps  to  reinforce  the  economic  and  social 
cohesion of the Community and to encourage its harmonious development while at the same 
time  meeting  the  objective  of  scientific  and  technical  quality;  whereas  this  programme  is 
intended to help meet these objectives; 

Whereas this programme will  help to strengthen  synergy between  the research and training 
activities  carried  out  in  the  field  of  controlled  thermonuclear  fusion  by  research  centres, 
universities  and  undertakings  established  in  the Member  States  and  between  these  and the 
corresponding  Community  research and training activities; 

Whereas the implementation of  the JET (Joint European Torus) project was entrusted to the 
JET Joint Undertaking,  set  up by  Decision  78/471 /Euratom  and last amended by  Decision 
91/677/Euratom; 

Whereas  the  network  of  Associations  is  a  major  player  in  the  implementation  of  the 
Community's controlled  thermonuclear  fusion  activities; 

Whereas, by virtue of  Article  101 of the Treaty,  the Community has concluded cooperation 
agreements  in  the  field  of  controlled  thermonuclear  fusion  and  plasma  physics  with  the 
Kingdom of Sweden and the Swiss Confederation; whereas the Community has concluded an 
agreement  on  cooperation  in  the  Engineering  Design  Activities  for  the  International 
Thermonuclear Experimental  Reactor  (ITER-EDA) with Japan, the Russian Federation and 
the United  States of  America; 

Whereas  this  programme  also  comprises  activities  for  the dissemination  and utilization  of 
research  results,  in  particular  vis-à-vis  small  and  medium-sized  enterprises,  as  well  as 
activities promoting  the mobility  and training  of  researchers  within  this programme to the 
extent necessary  for  the proper  implementation  of  the programme; 

Whereas basic research  in the field  of controlled  thermonuclear  fusion  must be encouraged 
so as to enable innovative concepts  to be developed; 

Whereas  an  assessment  should  be  made  of  the  economic  and  social  impact  and  any 
technological  risks associated  with  the activities carried out under this programme; 

Whereas progress with this programme should be continuously and systematically  monitored 
with a view  to adapting  it,  where appropriate,  to scientific  and technological  developments 

in this area; whereas in due course there should be an independent evaluation of progress with 
the programme so as to provide all the background  information  needed in order to determine 
the objectives  of  the  next  framework  programme  of  research  and  training  for  the  European 
Atomic  Energy  Community;  whereas  at  the end  of  this programme  there  should  be  a  final 
evaluation  of  the results  obtained  compared  with  the objectives  set  out  in  this  Decision; 

Whereas  the JRC  may  participate  in  the indirect  activities  covered  by  this  programme; 

Whereas the JRC will also contribute,  through  its own programme of direct activities,  to the 
attainment  of  the  Community  research  and  training  objectives  in  the  areas  covered  by  this 
programme, 

HAS  ADOPTED  THIS  DECISION: 

Article  1 

A specific programme of research and training  for the European Atomic Energy Community 
in the field  of controlled  thermonuclear  fusion,  as set out in  Annex  I,  is hereby adopted  for 
the period from  (date of  adoption  of  this programme)  to 31  December  1998. 

Article  2 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

The amount  deemed  necessary  for  carrying  out the programme is ECU  794  million, 
including  around  17  % for  staff  and  administrative  expenditure. 

An  indicative breakdown  of  this amount  is given  in  Annex  II. 

The amount deemed  necessary  for  carrying  out the programme,  as indicated  above, 
could  increase  as  a  result  of  and  in  accordance  with  the  Decision  referred  to  in 
Article  1(3) of  Decision  ../../Euratom  (framework  programme  1994-98). 

The budgetary authority shall determine the appropriations available for each  financial 
year in accordance with the scientific and technological priorities set in the  framework 
programme  of  Community  activities  in  the  field  of  research  and  training  for  the 
European  Atomic  Energy  Community  (1994-98). 

Article  3 

Detailed rules for implementing this programme, in addition to those referred  to in Article  5, 
are  set out  in  Annex  III. 

Article 4 

1. 

2. 

1. 

2. 

The  Commission  shall  continuously  and  systematically  monitor  progress  with  this 
programme in relation to the objectives set out in Annex  I.  It shall in particular assess 
whether the objectives, priorities and financial resources are still appropriate.  Where 
necessary, it shall submit proposals to adapt or supplement this programme depending 
on the results of  this  monitoring process. 

At the end of this programme,  the Commission  shall instruct independent experts to 
conduct a final evaluation of the results achieved compared with the objectives set out 
in  Annex  III to  the  framework  programme  of  research  and  training  (1994-98)  and 
Annex  I  to  this  Decision.  The  final  evaluation  report  shall  be  forwarded  to  the 
Council,  the European  Parliament and the Economic and Social  Committee. 

Article  5 

The Commission  shall be responsible  for  the implementation  of  the programme. 

The  Commission  shall  be  assisted  in  the implementation  of  the programme  by  the 
Consultative Committee for the Fusion Programme set up by the Council Decision of 
16 December  1980. 

This Decision  is addressed  to the Member States. 

Article  6 

Done at Brussels, 

For the Council 
The  President 

ANNEX  I 

SCIENTIFIC  AND TECHNICAL  OBJECTIVES  AND  CONTENT 

Introduction 

This programme fully  reflects  the approach embodied in the Framework Programme of 
Community  activities  in  the  field  of  research  and  training  for  the  European  Atomic 
Energy  Community  (1994-98). 
Its  content  takes  account  of  the  conclusions  of  the 
Seminar  on  European  Strategy  for  Energy  Research  and  Technological  Development 
(Venice,  November  1993). 

The long-term objective of the Community  Fusion Programme,  embracing all activities 
undertaken in the Member States (plus Sweden and Switzerland) in the field of controlled 
thermonuclear  fusion  by  magnetic  confinement, 
is  the  joint  creation  of  safe, 
environmentally  sound  prototype  reactors,  which  should  result  in  the  construction  of 
economically  viable power stations which will  meet the needs of  potential  users; in this 
context particular attention will be paid to the constraints imposed by the requirements of 
power utilities (Decision ../../Euratom concerning the Framework Programme 1994-98). 

Progress  towards  this  objective,  which  is  shared  by  the  world's  four  major  fusion 
programmes  (Euratom,  Japan,  Russia  and  the  USA),  which  are  of  similar  size,  has  a 
time-horizon  measured  in  decades.  Within  Europe,  integration  of  all  magnetic  fusion 
research  into  one  Community  programme  has  been  essential  for  optimum  use  of  the 
available  human  and  financial  resources;  this  integration  is  fully  in  line  with  the 
coordination  of research  activities recommended  by the Commission  in its White Paper 
(COM(93) 700), which was adopted by the European Council on  10-11 December  1993. 
Individually,  none of the Member States could have undertaken a project the size of JET 
or  been  recognized  as  an  equal  partner  in  the  world-wide  collaboration  on  the  ITER 
experimental  reactor.  Indeed,  the  quality  of  the  research  and  the  experience  gained 
through intra-Community collaboration have placed the Community in a strong position 
in the ITER cooperation. 

The long timespan and the large human and financial effort needed to attain this objective 
call  for  a  concentration  of  Community  action  on  the  objective  in  hand,  the  complete 
cohesion of the network of organizations associated in the Community action and the full 
exploitation  of  cooperation  with the  major fusion  programmes  outside the Community. 
Safety and environmental issues will be central to the construction of the following large 
devices,  which,  after  JET,  are  included  in  the  strategy  leading  towards  the  prototype 
commercial  reactor: 

-  an experimental reactor (Next Step),  the overall objective of  which is to demonstrate 
the scientific  and technological  feasibility  of  fusion  energy  for  peaceful  purposes; 

-  a  demonstration  reactor  (DEMO)  capable  of  producing  significant  quantities  of 

electricity. 

For the period  1994-98, the priority objective is to establish the engineering design of the 
Next Step within the framework of the quadripartite cooperation between Euratom, Japan, 
Russia  and  the  USA  on  the  Engineering  Design  Activities  for  the  International 
Thermonuclear  Experimental  Reactor  (ITER-EDA). 

Specialized  studies will  also  be needed  to look at possible improvements  to concepts in 
plasma physics and plasma engineering,  as well as to carry out the long term technology 
developments  required  for  progressing  towards  the exploitation  of  fusion  as an  energy 
source.  The results of  such studies will be of benefit both in the operation of  ITER and, 
in the longer  term,  in the conceptual  definition  of DEMO. 

In  the  period  1994-98,  therefore,  the  proposed  strategy  calls  for  the  simultaneous 
development  of  three areas of  activity,  as represented below,  on  which  efforts  will  be 
concentrated  mainly by  means of  shared-cost actions. 

-  Next  Step Activities: 

on  the  one  hand  the  design  proper,  and  on  the  other 
hand the R&D supporting  the design,  construction  and 
operation  of  the Next Step; 

-  Concept Improvements: 

DEMO-oriented  R&D  on  plasma  physics  and 
engineering; 

Long Term Technology: 

DEMO- and reactor-oriented R&D on  technology. 

Research  will  continue  to  focus  on  controlled  thermonuclear  fusion  by  magnetic 
confinement  in  toroidal  geometry.  The  present  keep-in-touch  activity  with  other 
approaches to controlled thermonuclear fusion, and in particular inertial confinement,  will 
be continued and if possible expanded to an international framework,  as recommended at 
the Venice Seminar. 

Environmental and safety criteria will play an essential role in the progress of the whole 
Fusion  Programme. 

During this process care will  be taken to : 

-  strengthen  further  the cooperation  between  Associations,  as  well  as  the  mobility  of 

research workers; 

-  encourage the involvement  of  industry; 
-  extend the scope of  international  collaboration; 
-  step up the synergy  between research and advanced  training. 

Areas of scientific  and  technical  activity 

Next  Step  Activities 

The ITER-EDA  include the design proper by the Joint Central Team  and by the Home 
Teams of  the four  Parties,  plus  the  supporting  R&D in physics  and  technology  by  the 
Home Teams.  For the Euratom Party, activities other than the participation in the Joint 
Central  Team  will  be  coordinated  by  the  NET  Team  and  carried  out  mainly  by  the 
Associations, industry (with increasing involvement), JET and the Joint Research Centre 
(JRC)  . 

Plasma  physics  and  plasma  engineering  R&D  in  support  of  the  ITER-EDA  will  be 
pursued  on  the JET and  on  specialized  devices  in  the  Associations,  with  the  focus  on 
particle and energy exhaust, the heating, confinement andxhsniption of plasma, and long 
plasma pulses.  JET's main task is to establish reliable methods of plasma purity control 
under conditions relevant for the Next Step and to conduct high-performance  operations 
in deuterium-tritium plasmas. 

The  ITER-EDA  technology  and  design  tasks  allocated  to  the  Community  will  be 
performed  primarily  in the Associations,  in the JRC, and in industry.  In order both to 
make the Community more competitive for the construction of ITER and to maintain the 
option of proceeding  towards a European  Next Step should cooperation  on ITER prove 
too  difficult  to  continue,  the  necessary  competence  will  be  developed  in  all  key 
technologies  for  the Next  Step,  in particular  in the fields  of  superconducting  magnets, 
plasma facing components, operational and environmental safety, the fuel cycle and highly 
reliable  remote  handling  for  maintenance  and  decommissioning  of  the  device  in  its 
particular  environment.  The  present  generation  of  technology  test  facilities  will  be 
intensively exploited.  Specialised laboratories in the JRC, JET, and the Associations will 
help demonstrate the safe  handling of  tritium. 

A  European  candidate  site  for  the construction  of  the Next  Step  will  be identified  and 
qualified. 

Protocol  1  to the ITER-EDA Agreement covers the period up to March 1994.  A proposal 
to conclude Protocol 2 will be submitted to the Council  in time to allow the ITER-EDA 
to continue without interruption.  The completion of the ITER-EDA is scheduled for July 
1998.  A decision about where,  when and within what framework to build the Next Step 
should  therefore be taken during  the period  under consideration;  before a firm  decision 
is taken to commit  the funds needed  for  the construction  of  a Next Step device,  and in 
principle  not later  than  1996,  a rigorous,  independent  assessment  of  the  prospects  for 
fusion  should  be  undertaken,  and  its  conclusions  based  on  evidence  of  real  progress 
towards the programme's  ultimate goal. 

Concept  Improvements 

Research  on  concept  improvements  for  the Tokamak and configurations  akin  to  it are 
essential,  in the longer term, for the definition  of DEMO; this research should also help 
finalize  the design of  the Next Step and prepare its operation. 

Improvements will have to be made to the current techniques for tackling certain plasma 
physics and plasma engineering problems, most of them common to all toroidal magnetic 
confinement  devices.  These  improvements  could  require  not  only  the  extension  of 
running programmes,  but also the upgrading of existing devices and the construction  of 
new  ones.  More  specifically,  studies  on  improved  confinement  regimes,  magneto-
hydrodynamic stability, plasma-wall interaction, fuelling and exhaust, heating and current 
drive,  will  be carried  out on  existing  devices:  TORE-SUPRA,  ASDEX-U,  TEXTOR, 
FTU,  COMPASS,  START,  TCV,  RTP,  ISTTOK, TJ-I-U,  TJ-II,  WVII-AS,  RFX and 
EXTRAP T-2.  New plasma diagnostic methods will be developed in the Associations to 
support  these  studies.  In  synergy  with  experimental  activities,  activities  in  theoretical 
physics will be focused principally on interpretation of experimental results, modelling of 
thermonuclear plasmas and the development of innovative concepts.  The possibility will 
also be studied of using advanced  fuels such as the deuterium-helium3  mixture in future 
commercial reactors. 

Preparatory activities are under way to upgrade existing devices and construct new ones. 
The most advanced  relate,  in particular,  to: 

-  the  engineering  design  and  prototype  development  for  a  possible  large  stellarator 
(WVII-X) to demonstrate the advanced performance of that configuration;  conceptual 
studies on the reactor potential  of  stellarators will be developed; 

-  a possible compact Tokamak, aiming at ignition.  A revised proposal may be submitted 
to  the  Consultative  Committee  for  the  Fusion  Programme  (CCFP)  for  in-depth 
examination; 

-  the possible  upgrading of  some Tokamaks,  notably  TORE-SUPRA. 

Long-Term  Technology 

The long-term technology effort will be expanded with a view to providing technically and 
environmentally  acceptable solutions to the technical  problems of  using fusion  power as 
an  energy  source.  Environmental  acceptability,  safety  and  economic  viability  will 
ultimately  be  the keys to the widespread  introduction  of  fusion  power.  This  long-term 
technology effort  will be undertaken in the Associations,  in the JRC and in industry, and 
will  include  in particular: 

-  development  of  tritium  breeding  blankets,  with  a  view  to  building  DEMO-relevant 

blanket  modules to be tested  in  ITER; 

-  development of radiation resistant and low activation materials; testing these materials 
will require the availability of a high energy neutron source.  The engineering design 
of  such  a  facility  should  be started during  the period  1994-98,  preferably  within an 
international  framework; 

- 

further analysis of the safety  and social acceptability  of  fusion  power.  In particular, 
analysis and assessment of  possible  risks associated  with  fusion  power and its  future 
large  facilities,  and  the integration  of  all  possible  measures  to  prevent  or  minimize 
these risks will  be an important part of  the activities. 

Implementation 

According  to  Council  Decision  91/677/Euratom1,  the  period  1994-98  should  see  the 
ending  of  the  JET Joint  Undertaking,  presently  the  major  focus  of  fusion  research  in 
Europe.  The CCFP is currently assessing the expediency of a possible proposal to extend 
JET to perform specific tasks in support of ITER (in particular, testing a divertor similar 
to that designed  for  ITER).  This assessment  forms part of a more general  examination 
of  the possibility  of  upgrading existing  devices or constructing  new  ones,  as  mentioned 
in  the  section  "Concept  Improvements".  After  the end  of  the Joint  Undertaking,  the 
acquired  scientific  data will be fully  exploited.  The JET expertise will be transferred  to 
other  parts  of  the  Fusion  Programme,  in  particular  to  ITER  activities.  Where 
appropriate,  JET's  facilities  will  continue  to  be  operated,  within  organizational 
frameworks to be defined; in particular, research on JET decommissioning could be made 
part of  the Programme's activities. 

Even  before  the  ending  of  the  JET  Joint  Undertaking,  cooperation  between  the 
Associations  will  be  extended  further.  New  forms  of  cooperation  between  the 
Associations will be established  to take into account the European nature and the limited 
duration  of  research  projects.  Joint  projects  carried  out  by  formal  groupings  of 
Associations  as consortia  for  integrated  actions  will  be encouraged  by  the  Commission 

Council  Decision  91/677  EURATOM  of  December  1991 stipulates:  "The Joint  Undertaking shall  be 
established for  a period  until 31 December  1996. " 

through an adaptation of the existing arrangements.  The Associations and JRC2 will have 
to  provide  a  substantial  contribution  to  the physics  and technology  programmes  of  the 
ITER during  its design,  construction  and operation. 

Industry  will  be encouraged  to participate more fully,  with the twin aim of  introducing 
industrial  expertise  into  the  realization  of  the  Next  Step  and  ensuring  that  European 
industry will  master all the key technologies needed to build future fusion  reactors.  The 
measures introduced  under the  1990-94 programme to involve European industry in the 
Community's  contribution  to  the  ITER-EDA,  in  the  design  proper  as  well  as  in  the 
accompanying  R&D,  will  be  reviewed  and adapted  as  necessary.  In  particular,  joint 
"Fusion-Industry"  seminars  will  be  organized  to  help  develop  the  dissemination  and 
exploitation  of  the scientific  and technical  results of  the Fusion Programme. 

The  possibility  will  be  explored  of  extending  international  cooperation  beyond  ITER, 
notably through joint planning with the world's major fusion programmes.  Possible areas 
of cooperation are a material test facility with a powerful high energy neutron source, and 
specialized  devices  for concept  improvements. 

Considering  the  long-term  effort  required  for  the  exploitation  of  fusion  power,  great 
importance will  be attached  to maintaining  the excellence  and cohesion  of  the research 
teams  within  the  Community,  developing  the  mobility  of  scientists  and  engineers  and 
fostering the synergy between research and advanced training, by strengthening the links 
with  the  wider  European  scientific  community.  In  particular,  Associations  will  be 
encouraged  to collaborate with  universities  which are active in hot-plasma physics. 

The indicative amount of  funding  provided  for in this Decision  will  not be sufficient  to 
maintain,  as was recommended  by the Fusion  Programme Evaluation  Board3,  the same 
volume of activities during  1994-98 as in the previous Programmes.  Even if the Council, 
by no later than 30 June  1996,  increases the amount of  funding  allocated  to the present 
programme within  the limits laid down in the Decision  on the Framework  Programme, 
measures aiming at a greater selectivity of  the activities to be performed  and a stepwise 
implementation  of  new actions will  be necessary. 

The decentralized management structure of the Fusion Programme, inherent to its network 
structure,  has proved  to be efficient  and will  be maintained. 

A  more  detailed  description  of  the  JRC's  research  activities,  which  are  defined  in  a  proposal  for  a 
separate Council  decision,  is given  in Annex  IV  for  information  in order  to ensure the transparency  in 
relation  to  their  complementarity  with  corresponding  indirect  actions. 

EUR  1304/1990 

10 

ANNEX  II 

INDICATIVE  BREAKDOWN  OF  FUNDS 

Area  1:  Next  Step Activities 

Area 2:  JET Joint Undertaking 

% 

40  - 501 

22  - 322 

Area 3:  Concept Improvements 

22  -  32 

Area 4:  Long-term Technology 

5 -9 

100 (ECU 794  million) 

3  4  5 

The breakdown  between  different  areas does not exclude the possibility  that projects could 
cover several areas. In particular,  safety and environmental issues, which will determine the 
evolution  of the Fusion Programme,  will be addressed in all areas; in JET,  these issues are 
an integral part of the exploitation of the device; in Areas  1, 3 and 4 approximately  10 % of 
the total will be allocated  to these issues. 

Including design proper and the necessary  R &D  support in physics and technology  provided  in the 
Associations and by  industry. 

The activities  of  the Jet Joint  Undertaking,  which  has  its own  legal  personality,  are geared  mainly 
towards support for the Next Step. 

For areas  1, 3 and 4,  this includes staff costs (about  10%, including all community staff in the ITER 
Joint Central Team) and administrative costs (less than 2%). For area 2,  the budget of the JET Joint 
Undertaking  includes provisions  for a maximum of  181 temporary  agents assigned  to the JET Joint 
Undertaking within the  meaning of Article 2(a) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants 
of the European Community;  the Community  participation  in the JET budget  is about 75%. 

An amount of ECU 46  million,  representing the difference between the amount deemed necessary  for 
the present programme  and the amount  provided  for  in the framework  programme  for  research and 
training activities in the nuclear field (1994-98)  for "Controlled Thermonuclear Fusion",  is allocated 
to  the  "specific  research  and  technological  development  programme  to  be  carried  out  by  the Joint 
Research Centre,  for  the European Atomic  Energy  Community". 

Including about  10  %  for basic research. 

11 

ANNEX  III 

DETAILED  RULES  FOR  IMPLEMENTING  THE  PROGRAMME 

1.  The  detailed  rules  for  the  Community's  financial  participation  are those  laid  down  in 
Annex  IV to the Decision on the framework programme of Community activities in the 
field  of  research and training  for  the European Atomic Energy  Community  (1994-98). 

The detailed rules for implementing this programme, referred to in Article 3, encompass 
research  and  technological  development  projects,  the  JET  Joint  Undertaking, 
accompanying  measures and concerted  actions.  These must be selected  with  regard to 
the criteria listed  in  Annex II  to  Decision  ../../Euratom1  and the objectives  set out in 
Annex I to this programme. 

Participation  in  the  programme,  within  the  meaning  of  Article 2(2)  of  the  Council 
Decision  on  the  rules  for  participation  in  the  specific  programmes  of  the  European 
Atomic Energy Community,  is limited to international organizations located in Europe 
and to the entities referred to in Article 2(2)(c) of theabovementioned Council Decision. 

2.  This programme will  be carried out through: 

2.1  Financial participation by the Community  in research and training activities carried 
out  by  third  parties  or  by  the  institutes  of  the  JRC  with  third  parties  (Europe-based 
international  research organizations can be financed  exceptionally  on the same basis as 
Community  organizations). 

(a)  Shared-cost activities: 

Projects  will  be  covered  by  shared-cost  research  and  technological  development 
contracts within the framework  of the contracts of Association with Member States 
(plus Sweden and Switzerland) or organizations in the Member States, or within the 
framework of the Jet Joint Undertaking,  the Net agreement,  which takes account of 
the Community's participation in ITER-EDA, or other contracts of limited duration, 
in  particular  with  organizations  in  the  Member  States  which  do  not  possess 
Associations. 

The  Community's  financial  contribution  to  the  current  expenditure  of  the 
Associations  and  to  contracts  of  limited  duration  will,  as  a  rule,  be  fixed  at  the 
uniform  rate of around 25%.  Once it has consulted the CCFP the Commission can 
finance: 

OJ  L 

12 

- 

investment  costs  of  specifically  defined  projects,  at  a  uniform  rate  of  around 
45%; 

-  certain  tasks  which  can  only  be carried  out by  industry,  up to a ceiling  rate of 

100%. 

The detailed  rules  for  Community  contributions  to the JET Joint  Undertaking  are 
defined  in  the  Joint  Undertaking's  Statutes,  adopted  by  the  Council  in  Decision 
78/471/Euratom2 and last amended  by  Decision 91/677/Euratom3. 

Community participation in the ITER design activities (ITER-EDA) is defined in the 
EDA  Agreement,4  its Protocols  (and  the accompanying  documents)  and a bilateral 
Agreement  (being  drawn  up)  on  the participation  of  Canada  in  the  Community's 
contribution  to ITER-EDA.  As indicated  in Article 3 of  the Agreement,  the EDA 
is to be implemented by successive Protocols; Protocol  1, concluded at the same time 
as the Agreement on 21 July  1992, will expire at the moment Protocol  2 enters into 
force,  and  by  20  March  1994  at  the  latest.  Protocol  2  is  intended  to  cover  the 
remaining  period  of  the  EDA  (until  July  1998).  The  detailed  arrangements  for 
Community  participation  in  ITER-EDA  are  peculiar  to  the  specific  framework 
(Association contracts, JET Joint Undertaking, NET Agreement, mobility agreement, 
agreement  with  Canada)  within  which  these activities are conducted.  The 25% of 
the Joint Central Team which corresponds to the Community's participation is made 
up of  Commission  agents. 

Projects  will  be  selected  on  the  basis  of  the  ordinary  procedures  set  out  in  the 
contracts  of  Association,  the  JET  Statutes,  the  NET  Agreement,  the  ITER-EDA 
Agreement  and  any  other  Community-wide  agreements  that  may  be  concluded 
following  the  opinion  of  the  consultative  committee  referred  to  in  Article 5(2). 
Where  the  consultative  committee  grants  priority  status  to  a  project,  all  the 
Associations  have  the  right  to  take  part  in  the  experiments  carried  out  on  the 
equipment  thus constructed. 

(b)  Concerted actions,  which consist in coordinating, notably in the form of concertation 
networks,  the  research  and  training  projects  already  being  financed  by  the  public 
authorities or private bodies.  A concerted action may also provide the coordination 
necessary for the operation of thematic networks which, through shared-cost actions, 
unite  manufacturers,  users,  universities  and  research  centres  around  a  single 
technological  or  industrial  objective. 

*  OJL  151, 7.6.1978,  p.  10. 

3  OJL  375,  31.12.1991,  p.  9. 

4  OJL 244,  26.8.1992,  p.  14. 

13 

2.2  Preparatory,  accompanying  and  support  measures  as follows: 

studies to  support this programme and to prepare for any  future activities; 

conferences, seminars, workshops or other scientific or technical meetings, including 
meetings on  intersectoral  or multidisciplinary coordination; 

use of outside expertise,  including  access to scientific  data bases; 

scientific  publications,  including  the dissemination,  promotion  and exploitation  of 
results (in coordination  with the activities conducted  under Action 3); 

studies  evaluating  the  socio-economic  consequences  and  any  technological  risks 
attaching  to the programme projects as a whole; 

training activities linked  to the research covered by the programme; 

- 

independent evaluation (including studies) of the management and implementation of 
the programme's activities. 

14 

ANNEX  IV 

DESCRIPTION  OF  THE JOINT  RESEARCH  CENTRE'S  (JRC)  RESEARCH 

ACTIVITIES  CORRESPONDING  TO  THE  AREAS  COVERED  BY  THIS 

SPECIFIC  PROGRAMME  AND THE SUBJECT  OF  THE  PROPOSAL  FOR A 

COUNCIL  DECISION  FOR  THE JRC  PROGRAMME  (COM(94)70  FINAL  -

94/0074  (CNS)). 

This  activity  forms  part  of  the  Community  fusion  research  programme. 
It  is  aimed  at 
improving  the  pool  of  knowledge  and  the  technology  of  the  "safety  and  environment" 
dimension  of  future  machines intended  for  the European  programme.  The bulk of  the work 
will be dedicated to support for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) 
but  may  also  involve  any  other  fusion  reactor. 

For  this  purpose,  the  JRC  has  designed  and  constructed  the  European  Tritium  Handling 
Laboratory (ETHEL).  The aim of this installation  is the development of methods of handling 
tritium,  but  special  attention  will  be  paid  to  the  verification  and  validation  of  methods  of 
preventing  and  reducing  tritium  and  activation  product  waste  in  the  work  area  and  the 
environment  under  both  normal  and  accident  conditions. 

The  laboratory  is  also  able  to  offer  research  capability  to  any  other  European  organization 
which  is a  member  of  the Community  fusion  programme  or  is associated  with  it. 

Part of  the activities  will concern  the development  and  characterization  of  materials  to meet 
the following  requirements:  good compatibility  with  tritium,  behaviour as effective  barriers 
against  infiltration  of  tritium  with  low  induced  radioactivity.  The  JRC,  which  has  long 
experience  in  this  field,  will  make  a  significant  contribution  within  the  framework  of  the 
ITER  and  for  the  longer  term  requirements  of  the  Fusion  Programme. 

In  addition  to  these  activities,  more  general  studies,  including  operational  safety  during 
maintenance, will be conducted by the JRC in line with specific demands relating to the ITER 
project  or,  more  broadly,  the  Fusion  Programme,  in  particular  studies  on  low-activation 
materials  and  remote  handling. 

15 

FINANCIAL  STATEMENT 

1.  TITLE OF  OPERATION 

Scientific  programme  of  research  and  training  1994-98  in  the  field  of  controlled 
thermonuclear  fusion. 

2.  BUDGET  HEADING 

B6-8121 

3.  LEGAL  BASIS 

Article 7 of  the Euratom Treaty. 
Article 9 of  the Statutes of  the Joint European Torus (JET) Joint  Undertaking. 
Council  Decision  concerning a framework  programme of  Community  activities in the field 
of  research  and training  for the European  Atomic Energy  Community  (1994-98). 

4.  DESCRIPTION  OF  OPERATION 

4.1  General  objective 

The  long-term  objective  is  the  joint  creation  of  safe,  environmentally  sound  prototype 
reactors.  The programme  incorporates  all  the activities  undertaken  in  the  Member  States 
(plus Sweden  and Switzerland)  in the field of  controlled  thermonuclear  fusion  by  magnetic 
confinement. 

4.2  Duration 

1994-98 

5.  CLASSIFICATION  OF  EXPENDITURE  OR  REVENUE 

Non-compulsory  expenditure/differentiated  appropriations. 

6. TYPE OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE 

Studies/subsidies : 

In principle,  the direct activities  will  be  100% funded. 

The  concerted  activities  may  qualify  for  a  contribution  of  up  to  100%  of  the 
coordination  costs. 

16 

Subsidy for joint financing with other sources in the public and/or private sector. 

The Community's financial contribution  to the current expenditure of the Associations 
will, as a rule, be fixed at the uniform  rate of around 25%.  Once it has consulted the 
CCFP the Commission can  finance: 

investment  costs of  specifically  defined  projects,  at  a  uniform  rate  of  around 
45%; 
certain  tasks which can only be carried  out by industry,  up to a ceiling rate of 
100%. 

The financial  contribution  to the JET Joint Undertaking will be set at a rate of around 
75%. 

The  financial  contribution  to the  specific  Next  Step activities is defined  in  the NET 
Agreement. 

Universities and other research centres participating in shared-cost activities outside the 
framework  of  association  contracts  and  unable  to  substantiate  their  total  costs  in 
sufficient  detail  for  the Commission,  based  on an analytical  accounting  system,  will 
qualify  for  up to  100% funding  of the additional costs. 

Other  shared-cost  activities  (for  example,  networks,  training,  feasibility  awards  or 
accompanying  measures) will qualify  for  up to  100% of the additional costs or of the 
costs of the measure. 

Staff and administrative and operating costs 

These also cover  the costs of  personnel  covered  by the Staff  Regulations and  other  staff, 
studies,  meetings  of  experts,  conferences  and  congresses,  information  and  publications, 
administrative,  technical and operating  costs,  and certain  other  internal  infrastructure  and 
operating costs for  attainment of the objective of the activity of which they are an integral 
part. 

7.  FINANCIAL IMPACT 

7.1  Method of calculating total cost of  operation 

* Staff costs: ECU  119.10 million (around  15% of the ECU 794 million deemed necessary) 

The  1994 staff  levels are as follows: 

144 officials,  breaking down as follows:  117A +  24B +  3C. 

A maximum of  181 temporary staff  assigned  to the JET Joint  Undertaking within the 
meaning  of  Article 2(a)  of  the  conditions  of  employment  of  other  servants  of  the 
European Communities. 

17 

New  posts will be warranted by the configuration  of  the programme,  which includes a new 
and important field of activity not covered by the third framework programme, including the 
International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor - Experimental Design Activities (ITER-
EDA). 

N.B.  The  staff  of  this  specific  programme  will  also  be  responsible  for  the  scientific  and 
contractual  follow-up  to the activities begun under the third framework  programme. 

*  Administrative  costs,  including  staff  not  covered  by  the  Staff  Regulations:  ECU  15.88 
million  (2% of  the ECU 794  million  deemed  necessary). 

*  Operating  costs:  ECU  659.02  million  (83% of  the ECU 794  million deemed  necessary), 
including  the cost of  accompanying  measures,  evaluations and concertation activities. 

7.2  Itemized  breakdown  of  cost  (ECU  million) 

Next  Step activities 
JET Joint Undertaking 
Concept improvements 
Long-term  technology 

317.60-397.00 
174.68-254.08 
174.68-254.08 
39.70-71.46 

TOTAL 

794(0 (2) 

40-50% 
22-32% 
22-32% 
5-9% 

100% 

(1) 

Q) 

Including ECU 119.10 million (around  15%) for staff costs and ECU 15.88 million (2%) for 
administrative costs. 
In addition to this amount, ECU 46 million are for the EAEC programme of JRC. 

7.3  Indicative  schedule  of  appropriations; 

The schedule will be established on the basis of the overall amounts for the fourth framework 
programme  adopted  indicatively  for  the  periods  1995-96  and  1997-98  at  the  conciliation 
meeting on 21 March 1994. The RTD appropriations for each financial year will be proposed 
and adopted each year on the basis of the resources available in the context of the financial 
perspective. 

Commitment 
appropriations 

Payment appropriations 

1995 

1996 

1997 

130.37 

64.83 

140.54 

24.75 

26.23 

134.34 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

256.00 

183.00 

183.00 

172.00 

TOTAL 

794.00 

130.37 

205.37 

185.32 

1998 

et seq. 

36.05 

16.23 

48.66 

172.00 

272.94 

TOTAL 

256.00 

183.00 

183.00 

172.00 

794.00 

18 

8.  WHAT  ANTI-FRAUD  MEASURES  ARE  PLANNED? 

Numerous  administrative  and  financial  controls  have  been  introduced  at every  stage of  the 
procedure  for  awarding  and implementing  research  contracts.  These  include: 

Prior to the conclusion of the contract: 

Shortlisting of the proposals on the basis of their scientific  merit and of how realistic the 
research costs are, considering  the nature, duration and potential  impact of the project. 

Analysis of  the financial  data submitted  by  the proposers  in the negotiation  form. 

After signature of the contract: 

Examination of the statements of expenditure before payment at various levels (financial 
control  and scientific  manager). 

On-the-spot  inspections  of  the  supporting  documents  to  detect  any  errors  or  other 
irregularities.  To tighten up these controls, the Commission  has set up a central audit 
unit which is responsible for all the inspections.  The inspections are carried out either 
by  members  of  the audit  unit  or,  under  their  supervision,  by  firms  of  auditors  with 
which  the Commission  has concluded  framework  contracts. 

9.  ELEMENTS  OF  COST-EFFECTIVENESS  ANALYSIS 

9.1  Programme  objectives 

The  long-term  objective  of  the  Community  Fusion  Programme,  embracing  all  activities 
undertaken  in  the Member  States  (plus  Sweden  and Switzerland)  in  the field of  controlled 
thermonuclear fusion by magnetic confinement,  is the joint creation of safe,  environmentally 
sound  prototype  reactors,  which  should  result  in  the  construction  of  economically  viable 
power stations which will meet the needs of potential users; in this context particular attention 
will  be  paid  to  the  constraints  imposed  by  the  requirements  of  power  utilities  (Decision 
../../Euratom  concerning  the Framework  Programme  1994-98). 

For the period  1994-98,  the priority  objective  is  to establish  the engineering  design  of  the 
Next Step within  the  framework  of  the quadripartite cooperation  between  Euratom, Japan, 
Russia and the USA on the Engineering Design Activities for the International Thermonuclear 
Experimental  Reactor  (ITER-EDA). 

Specialized studies will also be needed to look at possible improvements to concepts in plasma 
physics  and  plasma  engineering,  as  well  as  to  carry  out  the  long  term  technology 
developments required for progressing towards the exploitation of fusion as an energy source. 
The results of such studies will be of benefit  both in the operation of  ITER and, in the longer 
term,  in the conceptual  definition  of  DEMO. 

19 

In the period  1994-98, therefore, the proposed strategy calls for the simultaneous development 
of  three areas of activity  on which  efforts  will  be concentrated  mainly  by  means of  shared-
cost actions; 

Next  Step  Activities: 

on  the  one  hand  the  design  proper,  and  on  the  other  hand  the  R&D  supporting  the 
design,  construction  and operation  of  the Next Step; 

Concept  Improvements: 

DEMO-oriented  R&D on plasma physics and engineering; 

Long Term  Technology: 

DEMO- and reactor-oriented  R&D on  technology. 

Plasma physics and plasma engineering  R&D in support of the ITER-EDA  will  be pursued 
on  the JET and on  specialized devices  in the Associations.  JET's main task  is to establish 
reliable methods of plasma purity control under conditions relevant for the Next Step and to 
conduct high-performance  operations in deuterium-tritium plasmas. 

In order both to make the Community more competitive for the construction of ITER and to 
maintain the option of proceeding towards a European Next Step should cooperation on ITER 
prove  too  difficult  to  continue,  the  Associations,  the  JRC  and  industry  will  develop  the 
necessary  competence  in all key  technologies  for the Next Step. 

A  European  candidate  site  for  the  construction  of  the  Next  Step  will  be  identified  and 
qualified.  A decision about where, when and within what framework  to build the Next Step 
should be taken during  the period covered by this programme. 

Research  on  concept  improvements  for  the  Tokamak  and  configurations  akin  to  it  are 
essential,  in  the  longer  term,  for  the  definition  of  DEMO;  this  research  should  also  help 
finalize  the design  of  the Next Step and prepare its operation. 

Preparatory activities are under way to upgrade existing devices and construct new ones.  The 
most advanced  relate,  in particular,  to: 

the  engineering  design  and  prototype  development  for  a  possible  large  stellarator 
(WVII-X)  to demonstrate the advanced  performance  of  that  configuration; 

a possible compact Tokamak, aiming at ignition.  A revised  proposal  may be submitted 
to  the  Consultative  Committee  for  the  Fusion  Programme  (CCFP)  for  in-depth 
examination; 

the  possible  upgrading  of  some Tokamaks,  notably  TORE-SUPRA. 

20 

The long-term  technology  effort  will  be expanded  with a view  to providing  technically and 
environmentally  acceptable solutions to the technical  problems of  using  fusion  power as an 
energy  source. 

Research will continue to focus on controlled thermonuclear fusion by magnetic confinement 
in toroidal geometry.  The present keep-in-touch activity with other approaches to controlled 
thermonuclear fusion, and in particular inertial confinement,  will be continued and if possible 
expanded  to an international  framework. 

Environmental  and  safety  criteria  will  play  an essential  role  in  the  progress  of  the  whole 
Fusion  Programme. 

During  this process care will  be taken to : 

strengthen  further  the  cooperation  between  Associations,  as  well  as  the  mobility  of 
research workers; 
encourage the involvement of industry; 
extend  the scope of  international collaboration; 
step up the synergy  between  research  and advanced training. 

9.2  Grounds  for  the  operation 

The  long  term  objective  of  the  Programme  is  shared  by  the  world's  four  major  fusion 
programmes  (Euratom,  Japan,  Russia and  the USA),  which^are of  similar  size,  and  has a 
time-horizon measured in decades.  Within Europe, integration of all magnetic fusion research 
into one Community  programme has been essential  for optimum use of the available human 
and  financial  resources.  This integration  is  fully  in  line with  the coordination  of  research 
activities  recommended  by the Commission  in its White Paper  (COM(93)  700),  which  was 
adopted  by  the  European  Council  on  10-11  December  1993.  Individually,  none  of  the 
Member  States  could  have  undertaken  a project  the  size  of  JET or  been  recognized  as an 
equal partner in the world-wide collaboration on the ITER experimental reactor.  Indeed, the 
quality of the research and the experience gained through intra-Community collaboration have 
placed  the Community  in a strong position  in the ITER cooperation. 

The long timespan and the large human and financial effort needed to attain this objective call 
for a concentration  of Community action on the objective in hand,  the complete cohesion  of 
the network of organizations associated  in the Community action and the full  exploitation  of 
cooperation  with  the  major  fusion  programmes  outside  the  Community.  Safety  and 
environmental issues will be central to the construction of the following  large devices, which, 
after  JET,  are included  in the strategy  leading  towards the prototype commercial  reactor: 

-  an experimental  reactor (Next Step), the overall objective of  which  is to demonstrate the 

scientific  and  technological  feasibility  of  fusion  energy  for  peaceful  purposes; 

-  a demonstration reactor (DEMO) capable of producing significant quantities of electricity. 

21 

9.3  Evaluation 

With the assistance of the Consultative Committee for the Fusion Programme (CCFP) set up 
by  the  Council  Decision  of  16 December  1980,  the  Commission  will  continuously  and 
systematically  monitor progress with this programme in relation  to its objectives.  It will in 
particular assess whether the objectives, priorities and financial resources are still appropriate. 
Where necessary,  it will  submit proposals to adapt or supplement the programme depending 
on the results of  this  monitoring  process. 

Before a firm decision  is taken to commit the appropriations  needed  for  the construction  of 
the Next Step device,  the Commission will institute a rigorous independent assessment of the 
prospects  for  fusion. 

At the end of this programme,  the Commission  will instruct independent experts to conduct 
a final evaluation  of  the results achieved  compared  with  the objectives  set out in Annex III 
to the framework programme (1994-98) and Annex  I to the Decision on the programme.  The 
final evaluation  report  will  be  forwarded  to  the Council,  the European  Parliament and  the 
Economic and Social  Committee. 

22 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

adopting a specific research and technological development programme 

to be implemented by the Joint Research Centre for the 

European Atomic Energy Community 

(1995-98) 

(presented by the Commission) 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

adopting a specific research and technological development programme 
to be implemented by the Joint Research Centre 
for the European Atomic Energy Community 
(1995-98) 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

(../.../Euratom) 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Atomic  Energy 
Community, and in particular Article 7 thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission submitted after  consulting 
the Scientific and Technical Committee**), 

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2), 

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee 13)> 

Whereas,  by  its  Decision  ../.../Euratom  '•*),  the  Council  adopted  a  framework 
programme  of  Community  activities  in  the  field  of  research  and  training 
(1994-98)  including  all  activities  relating  to  research,  technological 
development,  including demonstration  projects, international  cooperation,  the 
dissemination  and exploitation  of research  results and training in the fields of 
nuclear  fission  safety  and  controlled  thermonuclear  fusion;  whereas  this 
Decision  is  taken  in  the  light  of  the  grounds set  out  in  the  preamble  to  that 
Decision; 

Whereas  Article  2  of  Decision  ../.../Euratom  provides  that  the  framework 
programme  should  be implemented  by means of specific  programmes  adopted 
in accordance with Article 7 of the Treaty; 

DJONo 
2) JO No 
3) JO No 
4) JO No 

of. 
of. 
of. 
of. 

p. 
p. 
p. 
p. 

- 2-

Whereas it is necessary to estimate the funds required for the implementation 
of this programme on the basis of Article 1, paragraph 3 of Decision 
/ 
Euratom; 

/ 

Whereas Decision 
/.../Euratom provides that the maximum  overall  amount 
for the  framework  programme  is  to be  reviewed  no later  than  30 June  1996 
with  a  view  to  its  being  increased;  whereas,  as  a  result  of  that  review,  the 
amount  deemed  necessary  for  implementation  of  the  programme  might 
increase; 

Whereas  the  content  of  the  framework  programme  has  been  defined  in 
accordance with the principle of subsidiarity;  whereas this specific  programme 
lays down the content of the activities to be carried out in accordance with that 
principle; 

Whereas  the  JRC  is  called  upon  to  contribute  to  the  implementation  of  the 
framework programme through activities for which it has special, if not unique, 
capabilities  and  installations  and  by  providing  the  scientific  and  technical 
support needed for the formulation  and implementation of Community  policies 
and  the  tasks  assigned  to  the  Commission  under  the  Treaty  requiring  the 
impartial,  independent  assistance  of  the  Centre;  whereas  that  contribution 
should  be an  integral  part of a long-term  strategy  which  will  lead  to the JRC 
playing a significant role in the field of European scientific cooperation; 

Whereas  the  direct  action  carried  out  by  the  JRC  includes  institutional 
research and scientific and technical support activities; 

Whereas, as part of the direct action, the research activities must be carried out 
in  such  a  way  as  to  ensure  their  complementarity  with  the  corresponding 
indirect action; 

Whereas,  as  part of the direct action,  the  scientific  and technical  activities  to 
support  the  Community  policies  should  remain  consistent  with  policy 
requirements for the duration of the implementation of this programme; 

Whereas  the JRC may  also take  part in  the  indirect  action  carried  out  under 
other  specific  programmes  in  the  same  way  as  third  parties  situated  in  a 
Member State; 

Whereas  the  JKC  may  also  take  part,  on  a  competitive  basis,  in  any  other 
activity  implemented  by  the  Community  and  carry out  research  on  behalf  of 
third parties; 

Whereas exploratory research should be encouraged; 

Whereas  the JRC may  contribute  to the  alignment  of national, Community  and 
European  research  and  technological  development  activities;  whereas,  closely 
involved in  the formulation  and  implementation  of Community  policies, it  may, 
in  the  scientific  and  technical  sectors  in  which  it  has  expertise,  play  a  leading 
role,  be  a  focal  point  for  networks  involving  public  and  private  laboratories  in 
the  Member  States  and  serve  as  a  centre  of  gravity  for  European  research 
consortia  in specific  fields; 

Whereas  it  is  desirable,  under  this  programme,  to have  an  evaluation  carried 
out of the  economic and social  impact and  of any  technological  risks; 

Whereas  there  should  be  continual  and  systematic  monitoring  of  progress  on 
the  implementation  of this  programme  with  a view to adapting  it,  if  necessary, 
to scientific  and  technological  developments; 

Whereas  it  is  necessary  to  continue  widening  the  scientific  and  technological 
basis of European  industry  in  order  to foster  its  international  competitiveness; 
whereas  it  is  therefore  necessary  to  promote  the  p r e n o r m a t i ve  r e s e a r ch 
activities considered  to be necessary  under other Community  policies; 

Whereas  it  is  necessary  to  strengthen  the  economic  and  social  cohesion  of  the 
Community,  and  to  promote  its  harmonious  overall  development,  w h i le 
complying with  the objective of scientific  and  technical  excellence;  whereas  the 
activities of the JRC  should  help  to achieve these  objectives; 

Whereas  particular  attention  should  be  paid  to  the  safety  of  the  nuclear  fuel 
cycle and  its impact on the  environment; 

Whereas  it  is  necessary  for  the  JRC  to  be  better  involved  in  networks  a nd 
consortia  with  partners  in  all  of  the  Member  States,  in  both  its  institutional 
and  its  competitive  activities;  whereas  the  JRC  should,  in  particular,  play  a 
leading role  to  improve  links  between  research  laboratories  and  institutions  in 
all  regions of the  Community; 

Whereas,  in  the  field  of  safeguards,  the  JRC  should  c o n t r i b u te  to 
t he 
development  of the  new  technologies  needed  to ensure, in  this  area,  compliance 
with  the obligations arising from  the  Treaty; 

Whereas  the  Commission,  on  the  basis  in  particular  of the  expertise  of the  J RC 
in  the  field  of safeguards,  should  support  the  competent  authorities  of  the  new 
independent  States  in  order  to set  up  a  coherent,  reliable  system  of  safeguards 
throughout  their  territories,  in  particular  in  order  to  eliminate  any  potential 
source of unlawful  trade in  nuclear  materials; 

Whereas,  more  generally,  the  Commission  should,  by  making  use  of  the 
capabilities of the JRC, continue  to contribute  to the setting  up of a  coherent, 
reliable  international  system  of safeguards  through  its  cooperation  with  the 
competent  international  organizations,  in  particular the IAEA,  and  with  any 
third countries which also wish to take part in such a system; 

Whereas the  work  and experience  of the JRC should  be  usefully  exploited  by 
the  Commission  in  its  activities  to  help  the  Central  and  East  European 
countries  and  the  new  independent  States  in  the  field  of  nuclear  safety  and 
safeguards; 

Whereas, in the  implementation  of this programme, international  cooperation 
activities may, in accordance with Article 101(2) of the Treaty, also prove to be 
useful  with other third countries and international organizations; 

Whereas, with  this  in  mind,  the JRC should establish  preferential  links  with 
public  and  private  bodies and  undertakings  established  in  third  countries,  in 
particular European third countries; 

Whereas the JRC may contribute  to the dissemination  and exploitation  of the 
results of its activities; 

Whereas  there  should  be  an  independent  evaluation  of  progress  with  the 
institutional  research  activities  in  order  to  provide  all  of  the  background 
information  required for determination of the objectives of the next  framework 
programme;  whereas,  lastly,  it is  necessary,  under  that  programme,  to carry 
out a final evaluation of the results obtained in the light of the objectives set out 
in this Decision; 

Whereas  the  Board  of  Governors  of  the  JRC  plays  an  important  part  in  the 
operation of the Centre and in the implementation of its activities; 

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 

Article I 

A specific  programme concerning  the  research  and technological  development 
activities  to be conducted  by  the  Joint  Research  Centre  is  hereby  adopted  for 
the period from 1 January, 1995 to 31 December, 1998. 

Article 2 

The  Commission,  assisted  by  the  Board of Governors of  the  JRC  (hereinafter 
referred  to  as  the  "Board  of  Governors"),  shall  be  responsible  for  the 
implementation of this programme and, to this end, shall call upon the services 
of the JRC. 

Article 3 

1. 

2. 

3. 

The  activities  referred  to  in  Article  1  above  shall  include  the 
institutional  research  activities  and  the  institutional  scientific  and 
technical support activities. 
The institutional  research  activities  as defined  in  Annex  IA are  those 
for  which  the  JRC  has  special,  if  not  unique,  capabilities  and  which 
contribute to the RTD policy of the Union.  They snail  be  implemented 
in  such  a  way  as  to  ensure  their  complementarity  with  the 
corresponding  indirect  activities  contained  in  the  other  programmes 
under the framework  programme. 

The institutional  scientific  and technical  support activities  as  defined 
in  Annex  IB  are  the  activities  needed  for  the  formulation  and 
implementation of other Community policies and the tasks assigned to 
the  Commission  under  the  Treaty  requiring  the  impartial  and 
independent assistance of the JRC. 

Article 4 

1. 

2. 

3. 

The  JRC  shall  participate  in  the  implementation  of  activities 
concerning  research,  technological  development, 
international 
cooperation,  the  dissemination  and  utilization  of  knowledge  gained 
through research, training in the fields of nuclear safeguards and safety 
and controlled thermonuclear fusion by implementing the direct action 
and by means of its exploratory research activities. 

It  shall  also  contribute  to  the  implementation  of  the  Community 
research,  technological  development  and  demonstration  activity  by 
means of its participation in the indirect action implemented  under the 
other  specific  programmes  by cooperating  with  one  or  more  partners 
situated in a Member State. 

Lastly, the JRC shall  participate in the implementation  of Community 
research,  technological  development  and  demonstration  activity 
through its involvement in networks or consortia with partners in all of 
the Member States.  It shall  in particular make every effort to improve 
links  between  research  laboratories  and  institutions  in  all  regions  of 
the Community. 

Article 5 

1. 

2. 

3. 

The amount deemed necessary for carrying out the activities of the JRC 
is ECU 300 million. 

An indicative breakdown of this amount is given in Annex U. 

The amount deemed necessary, as indicated above, for carrying out the 
programme  may  increase  as  a consequence  of and  in  conformity  with 
the  Decision  referred  to  in  Article  1,  paragraph  3  of  Decision 

/.../Euratom. 

- 6-

4. 

The budgetary  authority  shall  determine  the appropriations  available 
for  each  financial  year  in  accordance  with  the  scientific  and 
technological priori ties se t in the framework programme. 

Article 6 

The  detailed  rules  for  the  implementation  of  this  programme  are  set  out  in 
Annex HI. 

Article 7 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

The  Commission,  assisted  by  the  Board  of  Governors,  shall 
continuously and systematically monitor progress with this programme 
in  relation  to the  objectives set out in  Annex I.  It shall  in  particular 
assess whether the objectives, priorities and financial resources are still 
appropriate to the changing situations.  It shall, if appropriate,  submit 
proposals to adapt or supplement these  programmes depending  on  the 
results of the monitoring  process and, with  regard to the  activities  for 
the  scientific  and  technical  support of Community  policies,  shall  take 
the  necessary  action  to  ensure  that  these  are  consistent  with  the 
requirements of these policies. 

The  Commission  shall  each  year  before  15  April  submit  to  the 
European  Parliament,  the  Council  and  the  Economic  and  Social 
Committee a report on the implementation of this Decision.  This report 
shall  be  accompanied  by  the  observations  of  the  Board  of Governors. 
The latter may also, through  the Commission, submit to the European 
Parliament,  the  Council  and  the  Economic  and  Social  Committee  a 
separate report on any aspect of the implementation of this Decision. 

In  order  to  contribute  to  the  overall  evaluation  of  the  Community 
activities  provided  for  in  Article  4.2  of  the  Decision  adopting  the 
framework  programme, the Commission, after consulting  the  Board of 
Governors,  shall  instruct  independent  experts  to  carry  out  an 
evaluation  of the research activities and their management covered by 
this programme. 

At  the  end  of  this  programme,  the  Commission,  after  consulting  the 
Board  of  Governors,  shall  instruct  independent  experts  to  conduct  a 
final evaluation of the results achieved compared with the objectives set 
out  in  Annex  ni  to  the  framework  programme  and  Annex  I  to  this 
Decision.  The final evaluation report shall be forwarded to the Council, 
the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee. 

- 7-

Article8 

The Commission shall ensure, in cooperation with the Board of Governors,  that 
there  is systematic  consultation  with  the  programme  committees concerned  in 
order  to  ensure  close  coordination  between  the  indirect  action, 
the 
corresponding national activities and the institutional research activities of the 
JRC in the same fields and to guarantee a coherent  approach. 

Article  9 

1. 

2. 

The Commission  is authorized, in accordance with Article  101 (2) of the 
Treaty,  to  negotiate  international  agreements,  in  particular  with 
European  third countries and with international organizations  situated 
in Europe, with a view to associating them with JRC activities. 

The Commission, assisted  by the Board of Governors, may, on the  basis 
of the  criterion  of mutual  benefit,  request  the JRC  to execute  projects 
with  bodies  and  undertakings  established  in  third  countries,  in 
particular  European  third  countries,  in  the  context  of  the  specific 
programmes carried out by the JRC. 

Article  10 

This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 

Done at 

on 

For the Council 

- 8-

Annex 1 

Scientific  and  technological  objectives and  contents 

This specific  programme  fully  reflects the broad lines of the fourth  framework 
programme,  applies  the  selection  criteria  and  spells  out  the  scientific  and 
technical objectives set out in that programme. 

Annex HI of the framework  programme constitutes the basis of the objectives of 
this programme. 

The Joint Research  Centre  (JRC) will  conduct strategic  and applied  research. 
It will be carried out as an integral part of the European science and technology 
system  and  should  also  contribute  to  the  scientific  foundation  of  the  various 
Community policies.  It will be based on: 

scientific and technical excellence, 

impartiality and independence, 

unique research facilities, 

openness to a 11 Member States. 

In line with the priorities defined  in the White Paper "Growth, Competitivity, 
Employment"  the  scientific  and  technical  activities  carried  out  by  the  JRC 
should  meet  the  needs  of  the  Community  as  a  whole,  its  institutions  and 
Member States with the objectives of: 

helping to strengthen the scientific and technological basis of European 
industry  and  to  encourage  the  development  of  its  international 
competitiveness; 

providing  the  independent  scientific  expertise  necessary  for  the 
implementation of Community policies and the tasks which the Treaty 
assigns to the Commission; 

providing  scientific  and  technical  services  to Community  institutions 
and making JRC capabilities and scientific  and technical  installations 
available to public and private bodies; 

contributing  to  the  improvement  of  public  safety  aspects  of  new 
technologies; 

contributing  to the  improvement  of environmental  impact  assessment 
and protection; 

contributing to the  reduction of scientific  and technological  disparities 
between Member States. 

-9 

The  European  dimension  of  its  work  must  remain  one  of  the  fundamental 
strengths  of  the  JRC. 
Its  activity  should  be  characterized  by  a 
multidisciplinary  approach  based  on  the  broad span  of  its  capabilities.  This 
multidisciplinarity will be reflected  in the subjects developed by its  institutes, 
thus ensuring its ability to meet new challenges as they arise. 

Thanks  to  its  capabilities  and  its  involvement  in  the  formulation  and 
implementation  of  Community  policies,  the  JRC  will  contribute  to  the 
integration  of  national,  Community  and  European  activities.  Thus  it  will 
participate in networks of public and private laboratories in the Member States 
or European research consortia, and may be the focal point of such networks in 
its areas of expertise. 

This large exposure should not, however, lead to an excessive dispersion  of the 
activities undertaken.  Without ignoring the expectations of its customers,  the 
Centre and its management must have clear views on the proper scientific  and 
technical  policy  for  the  JRC  and  be  able  to  maintain  a  balance  in  order  to 
ensure that the activities and contracts which are accepted can be executed  at 
all  times  with  the  requisite  level  of  competence,  both  qualitatively  and 
quantitatively. 

The research to be conducted by the JRC falls into two categories: 

institutional  research activities, 

institutional activities for the scientific and technical support of 
Community policies. 

* 

A.INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH ACTIVITIES 

These  research,  training  and  demonstration  activities  for  which  the  JRC  has 
capabilities  and  installations  which  are  special,  if  not  unique,  in  the 
Community contribute to the implementation of Community research policy. 

• 

Safety  of nuclear  fission 

The objective is to increase scientific and technical knowledge and to contribute 
to the development of technologies aimed at improving the safety  of the  whole 
of  the  nuclear  cycle  and  reducing  the  environmental  impact  of  the  use  of 
nuclear energy, and to respond to the need to assume the responsibilities of the 
Community arising from implementation of the Treaty. 

10-

The JRC contribution will be in the following fields: 

reactor safety, 

fuel cycle safety, 

safeguards and fissile materials management. 

Reactor safety 

JRC research will be focused mainly on the following areas: 

a  contribution  to  accident  prevention: 
the  development  of 
non-destructive  analytical  techniques (NDA) for the improvement and 
refinement  of  inspection  procedures  and  the  development  of 
qualification methodologies to facilitate their harmonization; 

probabilistic safety studies: the JRC will contribute to the improvement 
of  methodologies  and  to  the  emergence  of  a  consensus  on  their 
implementation in safety studies; 

studies conducted  through  European networks into the mechanisms of 
component ageing, a method of attenuation, evaluation of the integrity 
of structures and inspection possibilities; 

studies of serious accidents:  these studies will be conducted, on the one 
hand,  through  studies of the  internal  and external  phenomena  in  the 
containment in experiments with degradation of the reactor core using 
real  materials  and  operating  at  a real  temperature;  these  operations 
will  be carried out on a small  and a large scale at the JRC and, on  the 
other hand, through a contribution to the study of the release of fission 
products  and  the  transfer  phenomena  by  participation  in  the 
interpretation  of  the  results  of  experiments  simulating  accidental 
releases conducted  in other laboratories, in particular the  CE A (study 
of the source-term) and by carrying out aerosol resuspension tests at the 
JRC.  They will be carried out in conjunction with the activities  in  this 
field foreseen  under indirect actions. 

This research will continue to be the subject of a major cooperation effort within 
the  framework  of  the  networks  involving  European  and  non-European 
partners.  It is aimed  in  particular at the development of common design  tools 
intended for industry ana the authorities responsible for safeguards. 

It will  make  extensive  use of the JRC's ability  to set up cooperation  networks 
between  the  European  partners  concerned  and  thus  to  participate  in  the 
implementation of the Community policy provided for in the Treaty. 

11 

Fuel cycle safety 

The  main  objective  of  the  studies  conducted  by  the  JRC  is  to  reduce  the 
environmental  impact of  using  nuclear energy  by means  of research  into  the 
fuel cycle permitting optimized management of the end of the cycle.  They  will 
be  conducted  in  close  co-operation  with  the  activities  in  this  field  foreseen 
under indirect actions. 

This research  will  be aimed  at improving the  understanding  of actinides  and 
the  plutonium  cycle  and  drawing  up  the  best  possible  waste  management 
strategy, in particular by minimizing the production of high-level waste.  It will 
take account of changes in reactor design. 

It will also be aimed at supporting the Member States' current strategy  of deep 
burial of radioactive waste and exploring management strategies which  would 
make  it  possible  to reduce  the  amount of waste  produced by  future  fuel-cycle 
installations.  This  research  will  be  conducted  in  close  cooperation  with 
national laboratories. 

The subjects covered will include: 

studies of the safety  of the behaviour of nuclear fuels  (UO2 and  mixed 
oxide), 

study  of  fundamental  and  solid-state  physico-chemical  analyses  of 
actinides, 

study of nuclear aerosols, 

minimization of secondary actinides and other radionucleides with long 
half-lives in the nuclear fuel cycle, 

plutonium fuel  technology, 

characterisation of spent fuel with a view to its elimination, 

radionucleides for medical applications. 

Safeguards  and fissile  materials management 

The research conducted at the JRC is aimed at obtaining, in good time,  results 
or new  techniques  implementation  of which  is  necessary  for compliance  with 
obligations  arising  from  safeguards  provided  for  in  the  Treaty  and  the 
Non-Proliferation Treaty. 

It  is  necessary  in  particular  to  develop  new  techniques  to  meet  the  new 
challenges related to the development of the fuel cycle and the strengthening of 
the control systems. 

- 1 2-

These activities are aimed at the development and improvement of techniques 
including: 

non-destructive test techniques using gamma and neutron radiation for 
the analysis of waste, production waste and irradiated fuel; 

measurements  relating  to  volume  and  weight  in  large  tanks  in  fuel 
production and reprocessing plants; 

sealing  techniques  and  new  marking  systems  for  objects  containing 
nuclear materials and for containers; 

surveillance systems using the storage and processing of digital  images 
for  automatic  surveillance  and  examination  and  for  improvement  of 
recordings in the long term without inspectors. 

A particular  effort  will  be devoted  to research  on the  design  of  multisensoral 
integrated systems able to function in the absence of inspectors by using mobile 
robotic  technology.  These  systems  will  use  intelligent  software  for  the 
production of data and the compatibility of materials. 

These  activities  will  be  conducted  in  particular  using  the  experimental 
installations  Perla  ("Performance  and  training  laboratory"),  Tame  ("Tank 
measurement")  and Lasco ("Surveillance  and containment") of the JRC which 
offer  experimental  conditions  which  are  representative  of  reality  in  an 
installation. ' 

Lastly, the JRC research in the field of safeguards also forms part of a process of 
European  cooperation  as  illustrated  by  the  ESARDA  network  ("European 
Safeguards  Research  and  Development  Association")  and  international 
cooperation with the USA, Canada, Japan and Russia. 

• 

Controlled  nuclear  fusion 

This  activity  forms  part of  the  Community  fusion  research  programme.  It  is 
aimed at improving the pool of knowledge and the technology of the "safety and 
environment"  dimension  of  future  machines  intended  for  the  European 
programme.  The  bulk  of  the  work  will  be  dedicated  to  support  for  the 
International  Thermonuclear  Experimental  Reactor  (ITER)  but  may  also 
involve any other fusion reactor. 

For this purpose, the JRC has designed and constructed the  European Tritium 
Handling Laboratory (ETHEL).  The aim of this installation is the development 
of  methods  of  handling  tritium,  but  special  attention  will  be  paid  to  the 
verification  and validation of methods of preventing and reducing tritium  and 
activation  product  waste  in  the  work  area  and  the  environment  under  both 
normal and accident conditions. 

- 1 3-

The  laboratory  is also able to offer  research capability  to any  other  European 
organization  which  is  a  member  of  the  Community  fusion  programme  or  is 
associated with it. 

Part  of  the  activities  will  concern  the  development  and  characterization  of 
materials to meet the following requirements:  good compatibility with tritium, 
behaviour as effective  barriers against infiltration  of tritium with low induced 
radioactivity.  The JRC, which  has  long experience  in  this  field,  will  make  a 
significant  contribution  within  the  framework  of the ITER and for the  longer 
term requirements of the Fusion Programme. 

In  addition  to  these  activities,  more  general  studies,  including  operational 
safety during maintenance,  will  be conducted by the JRC in  line  with  specific 
demands relating to the ITER project or, more broadly, the Fusion Programme, 
in particular studies on low-activation materials and remote handling. 

B. 

INSTITUTIONAL  SCIENTIFIC  AND  TECHNICAL  SUPPORT 
ACTIVITIES 

These  activities  are  necessary  for  the  formulation  and  implementation  of 
Community policies and tasks assigned to the Commission under the Treaty. 

The  following  description,  which  is  based  on  current  Community  policy 
requirements, is given  by way of guidance  and may be modified  in  accordance 
with the relevant provisions of Article 7, paragraph 1. 

Nuclear fission safety - Reactor safety 

The  aim  of  this  activity  is  to  meet  specific  demands  with  regard  to  the 
promotion  and  harmonization  of reactor safety  criteria,  and demands  relating 
to  Community  activities  concerning  the  safety  of  nuclear  plants  in  the 
countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the republics of the former  USSR. 

These demands in particular concern: 

serious  accidents:  safety  requirements  and  evaluation,  management 
strategy; 

probabilistic studies for safety evaluation; 

component ageing mechanisms and the development of a  qualification 
methodology. 

-14 

Safeguards 

The  objective  is  to  provide  scientific  and  technical  support  for  the 
implementation  of  safeguards  in  accordance  with  the  Euratom  Treaty  and 
similar  support  to  the  IAEA  in  the  context  of  the  implementation  of  the 
safeguard  agreements  between  the  Agency,  the  Community  and  the  Member 
States and implementation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. 

The fields covered by support for the Community include: 

the  development  and  operation  of  on-site  laboratories  to  carry  out 
analyses  in  connection  with  checks  in  certain  major  fuel-cycle 
installations  in  the  Member  States  (communication  from  the 
Commission to the Council and to Parliament of 24 March 1992); 

analyses  of  safeguards  samples  (European  Commission's  Safeguards 
Analytical  Measurements - ECSAM) as part of a network  operated  by 
the JRC; 

non-destructive tests, inspection of tanks, development and calibration 
of instrumentation and measurement systems; 

development  of  sealing  technologies  for  fuels  and  containers  and 
identification  and surveillance techniques; 

development  of  integrated  surveillance  systems  not  needing  the 
presence  of  inspectors  and  of  computerized  systems  for  nuclear 
materials compatibility and the management of data bases; 

analysis  of  nuclear  materials  being  unlawfully  transported  in  the 
Community and seized by the national authorities; 

training  of  Euratom  inspectors  in  all  of  the  above  techniques  and 
support in terms of health protection. 

The support for the IAEA will in particular cover: 

analytical  measurement  and  surveillance  techniques  for  tanks, 
including  the  development  and  calibration  of  instrumentation  for 
inspectors and the operation of an international network for the quality 
assurance of control measures; 

non-destructive  techniques,  including  tests and calibration  of methods 
and instrumentation  and the development of the associated software  to 
meet the requirements of the Agency inspectors; 

15 

development of sealing techniques for the dry storage of irradiated fuel, 
its transportation and its storage in containers; 

development  of  surveillance  techniques  for  the  verification  of 
information on the design of nuclear installations; 

development of integrated systems of measurement; 

study  of  new  techniques  to  strengthen  the  international  controls 
carried out  by the Agency; 

training of inspectors and operators. 

These  support  activities  will  make  use  of  the  specialized  experimental 
installations  available  in  several  JRC  establishments  (Geel,  Ispra  and 
Karlsruhe). 

16 

Annex II 

Indicative  breakdown of the amount 

ENERGY 

ECU  million 

Nuclear fission safety 

Controlled thermonuclear  fusion 

254 

46 

Total 

300d K2) 

( 1 ) 

(2) 

This  total  includes an amount equivalent to 6% which may be allocated 
to exploratory  research 

This  total also includes the JRC's budget contribution 
necessary for  its participation in shared cost actions. 

- 1 7-

Annex  HI 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Detailed  rules for implementing the programme  and  activities 
for dissemination  and exploitation  of the  results 

The  Commission, assisted  by the  Board  of Governors of the  JRC,  shall 
implement  this programme on the  basis of the scientific  objectives  and 
contents  described  in  Annex  I.  The  activities  relating  to this  shall  be 
conducted  by  the  competent  institutes  of  the  Joint  Research  Centre 
(JRC). 

The  detailed  rules  for  implementing  this  programme,  as referred  to  in 
Article  6,  comprise  research  and  technological  development  projects, 
scientific  and  technological  support  needed  for  the  preparation  and 
implementation  of  Community  policies  and  the  tasks  assigned  to  the 
Commission  under the Treaty and requiring the impartial,  independent 
assistance of the JRC, and accompanying measures. 

The  institutes  of the JRC  shall  endeavour,  wherever  possible, to  carry 
out  research  in  cooperation,  preferably  on  the  basis  of networks,  with 
the  national  research  bodies  in  the  Member  States.  Particular 
attention  shall  be  paid  to  cooperation  with  industry,  especially  with 
small  and  medium-sized  enterprises.  Research  bodies  established  in 
third  countries  may  also  cooperate  on  projects  in  accordance  with  the 
relevant provisions. 

V 

Research  projects  as  part  of  international  cooperation  under  the 
conditions  set  out  in  the  previous  paragraph  include  cooperation  with 
research  laboratories  and  the  exchange  of  scientists.  Supplementary 
measures  should  allow  for  cooperation  with  research  laboratories  and 
institutes in the countries of Central and Eastern  Europe. 

4. 

The accompanying measures shall include: 

the  organization  of  visits  to  JRC  institutes  of  grantholders, 
visiting scientists and seconded experts, 

organization  of  the  detachment  of  JRC  scientists  to  national 
laboratories, industrial  laboratories and  universities, 

the  organization  of  scientific  seminars,  workshops  and 
colloquiums, 

specialized 
multidisciplinarity, 

t r a i n i ng  activities,  with 

the  emphasis  on 

- 1 8-

training in the field of safeguards and the management of  fissile 
materials, in particular for nationals of the former USSR, subject 
to the allocation of short-term grants, 

an information exchange system, 

promotion of the exploitation of the research results, 

the  independent  scientific  and  strategic  evaluation  of  the 
performance of the projects and programmes. 

-19 

FINANCIAL  STATEMENT 

1. 

TITLE  OF  OPERATION 

Specific  research and technological  development programme  to be  implemented 
by  the  Joint  Research  Centre  for  the  European  Atomic  Energy  Agency  (1995-
1998). 

2. 

BUDGET  LINES  CONCERNED 

Articles 

B6-111: 
B6-121 
B6-3 

StafTUn part), 

Resources (in part), 
Direct operating  appropriations. 

3. 

• 

• 

4. 

4.1 

LEGAL  BASIS 

Treaty  establishing  the  European  Atomic  Energy  Community,  and  in 
particular Articles 7 and 8  thereof; 

/EURATOM  concerning  a  framework 
Council  Decision 
programme  of  Community  activities  in  the  field  of  research  and 
training for the European  Atomic Energy Community  (1994-98). 

/ 

DESCRIPTION  OF  OPERATION 

General  objectives  of  the  operation 

In  the  framework  of  the  broad  lines  set  out  in  the  fourth  framework 
programme, as referred  to in  point 3 above, the  activities to be conducted by  the 
JRC will  meet the  following objectives: 

• 

• 

to provide  a specific  contribution  to the  implementation  of  Community 
research  and technological  development policy, and 

to provide  support  for the  implementation  of other  Community  policies 
through  research  activities. 

It  is  planned  that  the  JRC  will  contribute  to  the  implementation  of  the  first 
area  of  activity  under  the  fourth  framework  programme.  The  scientific  and 
technical  content  of  the  proposed  activities,  as  far  as  the  subject  matter  is 
concerned, can be summarised  as  follows: 

Nuclear  fission  safety:  research  on  safeguards,  the  safety  of  the  fuel 
cycle and reactor safety.  Scientific  and technical  support for  safeguards 
within  the framework  of Euratom and the IAEA. 

Controlled  thermonuclear  fusion:  research  focussing  on  the  aspects  of 
safety  and  the  environment  (use  of  the  tritium  laboratory)  and  on 
activities  within  the  framework  of  the  quadripartite  ITER 
international  agreement (materials and remote  handling). 

It is also planned  for the JRC to participate  in indirect activities: 
Appropriations  covering  the  proportion  which  is  the  responsibility  of  the  JRC 
in its participation  in  the indirect  activities. 

- 2 0-

4.2 

Duration 

1995-1998 

4.3 

Target  population 

The  international  scientific  community. 

CLASSIFICATION  OF  EXPENDITURE  AND  REVENUE 

Non-compulsory  expenditure 

Differentiated  appropriations 

5. 

5.1 

5.2 

6. 

TYPE OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE 

Appropriations  intended  to cover  the various resources, set out in  point 
2 above,  used  to carry  out  the  research  activities  as referred  to in  point 
4. 
In  principle,  the  research  activities  carried  out  by  the  Joint  Research 
Centre will  be  100% funded  from Community own  resources. 

7. 

7.1 

FINANCIAL  IMPACT 

Method  of calculating  total  cost of  operation 

The  total  cost of the  proposed  programme  is  as  provided  for  the  JRC  in 
the  proposal  for  a  framework  programme  for  1994-1998  referred  to  in 
point  3  above.  This  amount  covers  all  scientific,  technical  and 
exploitation  activities  and  expenditure  in  respect  of  the  various  sites 
and  infrastructure  of the JRC institutes.  The  breakdown  of the  overall 
amount  between  the various activities, as set out in point 7.2 below,  has 
been made  taking account of the  following: 

• 

a  forecast  of  staff  expenditure  based  on  the  medium-term  economic 
development  in  the  Member  States  which  host  the  various  sites  of  the 
Joint  Research  Centre; 

• 

• 

• 

a  forecast  ut  general  and  scientific  and  technical  support  expenditure 
under the same  conditions; 

an  evaluation  of the operating  appropriations  required  to carry  out  the 
research  programmes  (direct expenditure  for operation, equipment  and 
contracts); 

consideration  of  an  amount  of  ECU  16  million,  corresponding  to  JRC 
participation  in  indirect  activities  carried  out  under  other  specific 
programmes,  in  association  with  partners  in  the  Member  States.  (The 
use of these  appropriations 
is  dependent  on  the participation  of the  JRC 
in  the  indirect  activities  carried  out  under  other  specific  programmes  on 
the same  terms  as  third  parties  situated  in an  associated  State.) 

2 1-

7.2 

Itemised  breakdown  of cost 

The breakdown between subjects of the framework  programme is given, 
for guidance, in the table below: 

In million  ECU at current  prices 

B r e a k d o wn 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

T O T AL 

Fission 

Controlled 
thermonuclear  fusion 

64.53 

10.85 

61.00 

11.00 

57.00 

12.00 

55.47 

238.00 

12.15 

46.00 

Sub-total 

75.38 

72.00 

69.00 

67.62 

284.00 

Participation  in  indirect 
activities 

1.00 

3.00 

6.00 

6.00 

16.00 

T O T AL 

76.38 

75.00 

75.00 

73.62 

300.00 

7.3 

Indicative  schedule of  appropriations 

The  schedule  will  be established  on  the  basis of the  overall  amounts  for  the 
fourth framework  programme  adopted  indicatively  for the periods  1995-1996 
and  1997-1998  at  the  conciliation  meeting  on  21  March  1994.  The  RTD 
appropriations for each financial year will be proposed and adopted each year 
on  the  basis  of  the  resources  available  in  the  context  of  the  financial 
perspective. 

Period of application:  1995-1998 

In million  ECU at current  prices 

C o m m i t m e nt 
a p p r o p r i a t i o ns 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

T O T AL 

76.38 

75.00 

75.00 

73.62 

300.00 

P a y m e nt  a p p r o p r i a t i o ns 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 on  T O T AL 

65.52 

9.00 

66.00 

1.56 

7.44 

66.00 

0.30 

76.38 

1.56 

9.00 

73.62 

75.00 

75.00 

73.62 

65.52 

75.00 

75.00 

84.48 

300.00 

-22 

8. WHAT ANTI-FRAUD  MEASURES  ARE  PLANNED? 

Internal  audit and control programme  in respect of the scientific  and  budgetary 
aspects to be carried  out by the JRC staff  responsible  and  periodic  verifications 
to oe carried out by the JRC Board of Governors and its evaluation  committees. 

9.  ELEMENTS OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS AND  ANALYSIS 

9.1  Specific,  quantifiable  objectives  and  target  population 

The  JRC  programme  forms  part  of  the  framework  programme  which 
corresponds  to the  objectives  set out in  Articles  7 ana  8 of the  Euratom 
Treaty. 

The  participation  of  the  JRC  in  the  fields  of  action  covered  by  this 
proposal  is  in  keeping  with  the  capabilities  and  attributes  of  the  JRC 
and complies with  the principle of subsidiarity. 

The  target  population  is  the  European  scientific  and  industrial 
population  and those concerned  with  the various sectoral  policies of  the 
Commission  in which  the JRC is required to participate. 

9.2  Grounds  for  the  operation 

The operation  is justified  by  the  need  for the  Community  to  strengthen 
the  scientific  and  technological  bases  of  European  industry  and  to 
encourage  it  to  become  competitive  at  international  level,  while 
contributing  to the implementation  of Community  policies and  meeting 
the  needs  ofsociety. 

The  consequences  for research  of the central  role which  the  principle  of 
subsidiarity  plays  in  Community  action  pursuant  to decisions  relating 
to  the  Euratom  Treaty  have  been  analysed.  This  has  revealed  a 
number  of  specimen  cases  to  which  the  principle  of  subsidiarity 
inherently  applies:  advanced  scientific  activities,  projects  with 
technological  priority,  RTD  activities  relating  to  the  single  market, 
prenormative  research  and  support  activities  for  the  sectoral  policies 
with  which  the Commission  considers it would be useful  to associate  the 
JRC in view of its capabilities. 

9.3  Monitoring  and  evaluation  of  the  operation 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The nature of the  internal  evaluation  and the  intervals at which  it is to 
be carried  out should  enable  the  Commission  to meet  the  requirements 
incumbent  upon  it. 

Application  of  the  supplier/customer  principle  to  the  JRC's  R&D 
activities  will  guarantee  optimum  utilisation  of the  resources  allocated 
to them. 

All  JRC  activities  are  the  subject  of annual  work  schedules  which  are 
submitted  to  the  Board  of  Governors  of  the  JRC  for  approval.  These 
indicate  the  progress of the various R&D projects. 

The  quantitative  and  qualitative  indicators  and  criteria  for  evaluation 
of the  results  of  the  programme  will  be  determined  for  each  subject  of 
activity. 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(94) 70 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

12 15 

Catalogue number : CB-CO-94-073-EN-C 

ISBN 92-77-65813-4 

Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 

1^2985 Luxembourg