Amended proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific programme 2002-2006 for research and training to be carried out by the Joint Research Centre by means of direct actions for the European Atomic Energy Community (presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 250 (2) of the EC Treaty)
Date: 2002-01-30
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EAEC, EU programme, EU research policy, European industrial area, research and development, research programme, technological change

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Amended proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific programme 2002-2006 for research
and training to be carried out by the Joint Research Centre by means of direct actions for the
European Atomic Energy Community (1)

(2002/C 181 E/05)

(Text with EEA relevance)

COM(2002) 43 final — 2001/0126(CNS)

(Submitted by the Commission pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty on 31 January 2002)

(1) OJ C 240 E, 28.8.2001, p. 259.

INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Unchanged

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

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,

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

Whereas:

framework programme 2002-2006 of

(1) By Decision No . . ./. ./Euratom, the Council adopted the
the
multiannual
European Atomic Energy Community for research and
training activities aimed at contributing towards
the
creation of
the European Research Area (hereinafter
referred to as ‘the framework programme’) to be imple-
mented by means of research and training programme(s)
drawn up in accordance with Article 7 of the Treaty,
which define the detailed rules for their implementation,
fix their duration and provide for the means deemed
necessary.

(2) The rules for the participation of undertakings, research
centres and universities and for the dissemination of
research results, for the framework programme, adopted
by the Council
in Decision No . . ./. ./Euratom should
apply to this programme.

(3) In implementing this programme, emphasis should be
given to promoting the mobility and training of
researchers, and innovation, in the Community.

(4) For

implementing

the purpose of

framework
it may be appropriate to engage in inter-
programme,
national co-operation activities,
in particular on the
basis of Chapter X of the Treaty, with third countries
and international organisations. Special attention should
be paid to Accession Countries.

the

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

(5) Research activities carried out within this programme
should
ethical principles,
notably those which appear in the Charter of Funda-
mental Rights of the European Union.

fundamental

respect

the

(6) Following the Commission Communication ‘Women and
Science’ (1) and the Resolution of the Council (2) and the
European Parliament (3) on this theme, an action plan is
being implemented in order to reinforce and increase the
place and role of women in science and research.

(7) This programme should be implemented in a flexible,
efficient and transparent manner,
taking account of
relevant needs of JRC's users and Community policies,
as well as respecting the objective of protecting the
communities financial
interests. The research activities
carried out under it should be adapted where appropriate
to these needs and to scientific and technological devel-
opments.

(8) The JRC should implement

the research and training
activities carried out by means of direct action,
in
particular the tasks entrusted to the Commission by the
Treaty. The Commission should undertake the tasks
incumbent upon it
fission,
in the area of nuclear
making use of the technical expertise of the JRC.

(9) The JRC should actively pursue activities in innovation

and technology transfer.

(10) In the implementation of this programme, the Board of
Governors of
the JRC should be consulted by the
Commission in accordance with the relevant provisions
of Commission Decision 96/282/Euratom of 10 April
1996 on the reorganisation of the JRC (4).

(11) The Commission should in due course arrange for an
independent assessment to be conducted concerning the
activities carried out
in the fields covered by this
programme.

(12) The Scientific

and Technical Committee has been
consulted on the scientific and technological content of
this specific programme.

(13) The Board of Governors of the JRC has been consulted on
the scientific and technological content of this specific
programme,

___________
(1) COM(1999) 76.
(2) Resolution of 20 May 1999 (OJ C 201, 16.7.1999).
(3) Resolution of 3 February 2000, PE 284.656.
(4) OJ L 107, 30.4.1996, p. 12.

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

In accordance with Decision [. . .] on the framework
1.
programme 2002-2006 (hereinafter
‘the
framework programme’), a specific programme related to
direct action of research and training activities to be carried
out by the Joint Research Centre (hereinafter referred to as ‘the
specific programme’)
is hereby adopted for the period from
[. . .] to 31 December 2006.

referred to as

The objectives and scientific and technological priorities

2.
for the specific programme are set out in Annex I.

Article 2

to [Decision [. . ./. . .]/the
In accordance with Annex II
framework programme, the amount deemed necessary for the
execution of the specific programme is EUR 330 million. An
indicative breakdown of this amount is given in Annex II to
this Decision.

to [Decision [. . ./. . .]/the
In accordance with Annex II
framework programme, the amount deemed necessary for the
execution of the specific programme is EUR 290 million. An
indicative breakdown of this amount is given in Annex II to
this Decision.

Article 3

Unchanged

The Commission shall be responsible for the implemen-

1.
tation of the specific programme.

The

2.
accordance with the specific rules set out in Annex III.

specific programme

shall be

implemented in

Article 4

1.
The Commission shall draw up a work programme for
the implementation of the specific programme, which shall be
made available to all interested parties, setting out in greater
detail the objectives and priorities, the timetable for implemen-
tation and the implementation arrangements.

The work programme shall

2.
take account of relevant
research activities carried out by the Member States, Associated
States, European and international organisations.
It shall be
updated where appropriate.

Article 5

the

purposes

specific
1.
For
programme,
the JRC shall be
consulted by the Commission in accordance with Commission
Decision 96/284/Euratom.

the Board of Governors of

implementing

the

of

2.
The Commission shall regularly inform the Board of
Governors of the implementation of this specific programme.

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

Article 6

AMENDED PROPOSAL

The Commission shall regularly report on the overall
1.
progress of the implementation of the specific programme, in
accordance with Article 4 of the framework programme.

The Commission shall arrange for

2.
the independent
the framework
assessment provided for
programme to be conducted concerning the activities carried
out in the fields covered by the specific programme.

in Article 5 of

Article 7

The Commission may request the JRC to execute, on the basis
of the criterion of mutual benefit, projects with legal entities
established in third countries when this contributes effectively
to the execution of direct actions.

Article 8

This decision is addressed to the Member States.

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES AND BROAD OUTLINES OF THE ACTIVITIES

ANNEX I

1.

INTRODUCTION

Unchanged

The Joint Research Centre carries out its mission to provide
the
customer-driven scientific
conception, development,
implementation and monitoring of
European Union policies. It serves the common interest of the
Member States while being independent of special
interests,
private or national.

and technical

support

for

The JRC's contribution to the framework programme 2002-2006
the
incorporates
recent evaluations of
JRC (1) and requirements necessitated by the Reform of
the
Commission. In particular, it includes

recommendations of

— As strengthened user-orientation.

— Networking activities to create a broad knowledge base and,
in the spirit of the European Research Area (ERA), more
closely associate Member State laboratories,
industry and
regulators in the S&T support provided to the EU policies.

— The concentration of activities on selected themes, including
training of researchers to maintain nuclear expertise in the
EU and its associated Member States.

___________
(1) Davignon Report

(2000), 5-year assessment of

JRC (2000), 1999 JRC

Scientific Audit, Prioritisation Audit 2001.

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

Co-ordination will be assured with the indirect actions under the
Euratom specific programme.

It responds to clearly expressed needs and requirements, notably
from the Commission services, which have been identified, are
updated through systematic and regular contacts (1).

In its domains of competence, the JRC's contribution will aim at
establishing synergies with the relevant thematic priorities in the
other specific programmes, notably through participation in the
indirect action, with a view to add value, when appropriate, to
the work carried out therein (e.g. through the comparison and
validation of tests and methods or the integration of results for
policy-making purpose).

2.

PROGRAMME CONTENT

2.1. Motivation

related
JRC's activities in the nuclear area aim to support
Community policies and specific Treaty obligations entrusted to
the Commission. Nuclear energy supplies about a third of the
Community's electricity and vigilance is still required to ensure a
continuation of the Community's outstanding safety record, to
maintain efforts to avoid proliferation and to efficiently manage
the processing and long-term storage of waste. The Enlargement
of the Union together with the needs of safeguarding material
arising from the disarmament process or the emergence of new
technological developments introduce new challenges.

Focusing its activities in areas where Community involvement is
appropriate, the JRC operates where its pan-European identity
provides an added value and where its action is justified by the
cross-border aspects of nuclear safety and security or by public
concern about the issues: safeguards, non-proliferation, radio-
active waste management, reactor safety and radiation moni-
toring will be the key areas.

The principal objective will be to further develop collaboration
through networking, leading to broad consensus on a range of
these issues at European and world-level. The application of
Safeguards by the Euratom Safeguards Office (ESO) and the
IAEA requires R & D support and direct assistance. Special
attention will be given to co-operation with future EU Member
States. Training activities will be an important component for
JRC to help equip the EU with a future generation of scientists
with necessary nuclear skills and expertise. Main areas of research
activity will therefore be as follows:

___________
(1) Annual user workshops, interservice group of user DGs, bilateral agreement,

etc.

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

— Radioactive waste management and safeguarding nuclear

materials.

— Safety of present and innovative reactors, radiation moni-
toring and medical applications from nuclear research.

— Safety of the different types of reactors, radiation monitoring

and metrology.

2.2. Radioactive waste management and safeguarding nuclear

Unchanged

materials

Spent fuel and high level waste treatment and storage

fundamental physical,

To address the issues of spent nuclear fuels and radio-active
waste treatment and management, the JRC will further develop
its understanding of
and
materials
science data on actinides and actinide-containing
products. The JRC will continue to provide basic nuclear data
in extreme
(such as
sections, behaviour
conditions) of
importance for waste management studies as
well as for material and medical sciences.

chemical

elements

cross

To address the issues of spent nuclear fuels and radio-active
waste treatment and management, the JRC will further develop
its understanding of
and
materials
science data on actinides and actinide-containing
products.

fundamental physical,

chemical

The basic processes governing the behaviour of irradiated fuel
under conditions of
interim storage or long-term geological
disposal will be further investigated.

Unchanged

fuel and the subsequent reprocessing of

The JRC will continue to test and evaluate processes to improve
the efficient separation (partitioning) of radio-toxic elements from
the resulting
spent
products. This will be carried out with European partners
under the transmutation and partitioning programme. Besides
this experimental and theoretical approach JRC will pursue and
extend its participation in networks with a possible co-ordinating
role like in the international working group on fuel design for
the accelerator driven systems.

Nuclear safeguards

The safeguards work will provide direct support to the inspec-
torates (ESO and IAEA) and to operators and will undertake
related underpinning research to prepare for future demands
including continuous improvements of safeguards activities to
adapt to political context,
in particular changes in verification
regimes, and technological evolution. The activity includes the
development and assessment of instrumentation in the areas of
destructive and non-destructive assays; provision of certified
reference materials, containment and surveillance,
training of
inspectors and the upgrading and operation of on-site labora-
tories. JRC will continue to be the focus point of the European
Safeguards Research and Development Association (ESARDA)
network.

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

The strengthening of the safeguard regime is increasingly reliant
on information technologies to improve efficiency and to carry
JRC will pursue its efforts in developing
out new measures.
environmental monitoring, satellite monitoring, and innovative
data and information management systems as well as improved
communications and remote surveillance techniques that enable
certain safeguards activities to be performed remotely from head-
quarters. Synergy with the work performed by JRC in the area of
anti-fraud will be further developed.

The JRC will continue to support the transfer of the technological
‘acquis communautaire’ in the safeguards area to the Applicant
Countries.

The JRC is closely involved in the international efforts to detect
clandestine activities and to combat
trafficking of
nuclear materials. Nuclear
forensic science will be further
developed.

the illicit

From nuclear safeguards
destruction

to non-proliferation of weapons of mass

support

JRC will

The
the non-proliferation by adapting
specialised know-how and techniques used for nuclear safeguards
that may also potentially support verification regimes of nuclear
and other weapons for mass destruction.

2.3. Safety of present and innovative reactors, radiation moni-
toring and medical applications from nuclear research

2.3. Safety of the different types of reactors, radiation monitoring

and metrology

Safety of present and innovative reactors

Safety of the different types of reactors

structural

inspection

The high safety level of plants within the EU must be maintained,
in particular for reactors to be operated for a further 10-50 years.
The JRC will continue supporting safety authorities and nuclear
plant operators by networking on ageing, damage detection,
and
in-service
production of fundamental neutron data. Accident analysis and
management, validation of codes, systems' analysis, and risk-
informed methods development are traditional JRC competencies,
which are important both for EU harmonisation and in view of
enlargement. Support to the PHEBUS programme will continue.
Retrieval of experimental data and their archiving for easy avail-
ability will be supported.

assessment

integrity

The high safety level of plants within the EU must be maintained,
in particular for reactors to be operated for a further 10-50 years.
The JRC will continue supporting safety authorities and nuclear
plant operators by networking on ageing, damage detection,
assessment.
in-service
Accident
codes,
systems' analysis, and risk-informed methods development are
traditional JRC competencies, which are important both for EU
harmonisation and in view of enlargement. Support
to the
PHEBUS programme will continue. Retrieval of experimental
data and their archiving for easy availability will be supported.

structural
and management,

integrity
validation of

inspection
analysis

and

Development of a common safety culture in central and eastern
European countries is a further area for JRC support; this includes
operational
structural
safety measures and plant upgrading,
integrity, accident prevention and management.

Unchanged

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

On the safety of nuclear fuel, JRC will concentrate on mechanical
and chemical
interactions at the fuel/cladding interface and on
fuel behaviour at high burn-up. The TRANSURANUS fuel
performance codes will continue to be extended with new data
and training of users, including scientists from eastern European
countries.

the JRC will
Together with industry and R & D institutions,
contribute to the analysis and evaluation of
safety
several
features of new energy production systems, currently under
investigation in several countries.

Together with industry and R & D institutions,
contribute to the analysis and evaluation of
features of
currently under investigation in several countries.

the JRC will
safety
several
types of energy production systems,

the different

Radiation monitoring

Radiation monitoring and metrology

the effects of

Research into understanding how to protect the citizen and the
environment against
ionising radiation requires
reliable dosimetry as a basis. The JRC's long-standing expertise
in radio-protection and its reference laboratory for radionuclide
metrology will be used to develop further skills and various
nuclear measurements.

Research into understanding how to protect the citizen and the
environment against
ionising radiation requires
reliable dosimetry as a basis. The JRC's long-standing expertise
in radio-protection and metrology will be further oriented
towards this subject.

the effects of

The radionuclide metrology activity includes new networks,
which will provide support
to nuclear safety together with
food, chemical and environmental safety (with the detection of
radioactivity traces and speciation). Efforts will focus on reference
radionuclide metrology and on monitoring of
low radiation
levels.

Radionuclide metrology will focus on reference measurements
international standards for reference
and the development of
radioactivity measurements. Additionally,
to nuclear
safety and safeguards, radiation monitoring according to the
Treaty, and the measurement of ultra low levels of radiation
will be carried out.

support

JRC expertise in radioactivity trace analysis and speciation will be
further developed in the context of environment protection.

Medical applications from nuclear research

Deleted

emerge

A number of nuclear technologies of importance for medical
facilities and
applications have resulted from JRC's nuclear
from research on new isotope
expertise. These
production, development of clinical
reference materials and
support
to diagnostic and therapeutic tools. The JRC will
improve the co-ordination of such activities throughout Europe
through networking with universities, nuclear research facilities,
research centres, European medical associations and the phar-
maceutical industry.

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

ANNEX II

INDICATIVE BREAKDOWN OF THE AMOUNT

Activity

Amount (Euro
million)

Activity

Amount (Euro
million)

Radioactive waste management and safeguarding
nuclear materials

Safety of present and innovative reactors, radiation
monitoring and medical applications from nuclear
research

Staff necessary for the monitoring of the decom-
missioning of JRC obsolete installations

213

102

15

Radioactive waste management and safeguarding
nuclear materials

Safety of the different types of reactors, radiation
monitoring and metrology

Staff necessary for the monitoring of the decom-
missioning of JRC obsolete installations

186

89

15

Total

330 (1) (2)

Total

290 (1) (2)

(1) Of which approximately 6 % may be allocated to exploratory research and up

to 2 % for exploitation of own JRC results and technology transfer.

(1) Of which approximately 6 % may be allocated to exploratory research and up

to 2 % for exploitation of own JRC results and technology transfer.

(2) This total

includes the JRC's budget contribution necessary for its partici-

(2) This total

includes the JRC's budget contribution necessary for its partici-

pation in indirect actions.

pation in indirect actions.

ANNEX III

SPECIFIC RULES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAMME

1. The Commission, after consulting the Board of Governors of the
JRC, shall implement the direct action on the basis of the scientific
objectives and contents described in Annex I. The activities relating
to this action shall be performed in the relevant institutes of the
Joint Research Centre (JRC).

Unchanged

2.

In the implementation of
the JRC will, whenever
its activities,
appropriate and feasible, participate in or organise networks of
public and private laboratories in the Member States or European
research consortia in the support of the European policy making
process. Particular attention shall be paid to co-operation with
industry, especially with small and medium-sized enterprises.
Research bodies established in third countries may also co-operate
on projects, in accordance with the relevant provisions of Article 6
and, where applicable, of agreements for scientific and technological
co-operation between the Community and the third countries
concerned. Particular attention will be paid to co-operation with
research laboratories and institutes in the Candidate countries and
countries of central and eastern Europe and the former Soviet
Union.

It will also use appropriate mechanisms to continuously identify the
requirements and needs of its customers and users and to involve
them in the related activities.

3. The knowledge gained through implementation of the projects will
(taking into account possible

be disseminated by the JRC itself
limitations due to confidentiality issues).

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

4. The accompanying measures shall include:

— the organisation of the visits of JRC staff to national labora-

tories, industrial laboratories and universities,

— the promotion of mobility of young scientists, particularly from

the Candidate countries,

— specialised training with the emphasis on the nuclear expertise

and the nuclear safety culture in the European Union,

— the organisation of visits to JRC institutes of visiting scientists
and seconded national experts, particularly from the Candidate
countries,

— systematic exchange of

the
information,
organisation of scientific seminars, workshops and colloquiums
and scientific publications,

inter alia,

through,

— the independent

scientific and strategic evaluation of

the

performance of the projects and programmes.