Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council - Projects of the Public health programme committed in 2003-2004
Date: 2005-10-24
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, health care system, health policy, public health, report

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 24.10.2005 
COM(2005) 511 final 

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND 
THE COUNCIL  

Projects of the Public health programme committed in 2003-2004 

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REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND 
THE COUNCIL  

Projects of the Public health programme committed in 2003-2004 

(Text with EEA relevance) 

1. 

INTRODUCTION  

1.1. 

Public health policy and its contribution to Community health strategy  

Article 12.1 of the Public Health programme Decision1 lays down that the programme shall 
report  annually  to  the  European  Parliament  and  the  Council  on  its  activities.  The  following 
Report has been drafted for this purpose. 

The  programme  became  operational  on  1  January  2003,  constituting  a  key  instrument  for 
financial  execution  of  actions  resulting  from  a  broader  policy  context  in  the  form  of  health 
strategy2.  

Building on the experience of eight separate health programmes3, the programme’s principal 
aim  consisted  of  establishing  a  comprehensive  and  coherent  approach  to  Public  health,  by 
concentrating  on  three  key  priorities:  health  information,  health  threats,  and  health 
determinants. Together, the three strands endeavoured to contribute to a high level of physical 
and  mental  health  and  well-being  throughout  the  EU.  Actions  were  designed  to  create  self-
sustainable  mechanisms  which  enable  the  Member  States  to  coordinate  their  health-related 
activities.  

The strands were echoed in successive annual work plans for public health. One of the most 
important means of implementing the 2003 and 2004 Public Health work plans was through 
annual calls for proposals. Other important activities consisted of health analyses and reports, 
pilot  projects,  contributing  to  legislation,  establishing  data  bases,  common  indicators  and 
information systems.  

The programme’s initial budget allocation of € 312 million was increased to € 354 million in 
the context of the 2004 enlargement to accommodate the 10 new Member States. 

1.2. 

Enlargement  

Since the beginning of the Public Health programme, accession countries have been involved 
in various aspects of the programme. Memoranda of understanding were concluded with all 

1 

2 
3 

OJ  L  271  of  9.10.2002,  p.1,  Decision  1786/2002/EC  by  the  Council  and  European  Parliament  of  23 
September. 
See also http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/index_en.htm  
Decision 645/96/EC, OJ L 95, 16.4.1996, p1; Decision 646/96/EC, OJ L 95, 16.4.1999, p.9; Decision 
647/96/EC,  OJ  L  95,  16.4.1996,  p.  16;  Decision  102/97/EC,  OJ  L  19,  22.1.1997  p.25;  Decision 
1400/97/EC,  OJ  L  193,  22.7.1997  p.  1;  Decision  372/1999/EC,  OJ  L  46,  20.2.1999,  p.1;  Decision 
1295/1999/EC, OJ L 155, 22.6.1999, p.1; Decision 1296/1999/EC, OJ L 155, 22.6.1999, p.7, amended 
by Decision 521/2001/EC. 

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accession  countries  and  candidate  countries.  They  participated  as  observers  in  programme 
committee  meetings  and  submitted  proposals  in  the  2003  call  for  proposals.  Considerable 
efforts were undertaken to inform these countries of funding possibilities and to involve them 
in  various  aspects  of  the  Public  health  programme.  Since  accession  in  May  2004,  the  new 
Member States have participated fully in the programme.  

The programme is also open to EFTA/EEA countries4, and Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey5, 
who  contribute  financially  to  the  programme.  In  2003  the  EEA  countries  contributed  with 
€1.1  million  and  the  Candidate  Countries  (including  the  10  Accession  Countries)  with  €3.6 
million  to  the  operational  credits.  In  2004,  these  figures  amounted  to  €1.1  million  for  EEA 
and €1.3 million for the three Candidate Countries. 

1.3. 

Impact from previous and current programme(s) – legacy of past projects and 
policies 

A  final  evaluation6  on  the  eight  action  programmes  on  public  health  1996-2002  has  been 
carried  out.  The  effectiveness,  efficiency,  utility  and  sustainability  of  each  programme  was 
considered in view of the public health framework adopted in 1993 and as expressed in the 
programme Decisions. On this basis, it made recommendations that could be used to manage, 
implement and develop the Public health programme. 

2. 

OVERVIEW OF 2003 ACTIVITIES  

2.1. 

Adoption of the 2003 work plan 

The  2003  work  plan7;  the  rules,  criteria  and  procedures  for  the  selection  and  funding  of 
actions  for  the  new  programme8;  and  the  2003  call  for  proposals9  were  published  in  the 
Official Journal on 15 March 2003. 

The  call  for  proposals  implementing  the  2003  work  plan  was  open  for  two  months  with  a 
deadline of 16 May 2003.  

2.2. 

Information about the call for proposals 

An information campaign for potential applicants was held on the implementation of the 2003 
work  plan.  This  included  an  official  launching  event  on  18.3.2003  in  Brussels  by 
Commissioner  Byrne  and  MEP  Trakatellis,  EP  rapporteur  on  the  programme  decision.  A 
large-scale  information  day  was  organised  in  Luxembourg  on  13.3.2003  in  which  ca.  300 
persons  representing  potential  programme  participants  were  present.  Assistance  was 
specifically  given  to  encourage  accession  and  applicant  country  participation.  A  new  public 
health website was developed. 

4 
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8 
9 

Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein 
Croatia was not eligible to participate in 2003 and 2004. 
Further information: http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_programme/evaluation_en.htm 
OJ C 62 of 15.3.2003, p. 21 
OJ C 62 of 15.3.2003, p. 14 
OJ C 62 of 15.3.2003, p. 7 

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2.3. 

Evaluation procedure  

A total of 427 projects were received requesting a total funding of over €500 million, or ten 
times the sum available. Proposals were evaluated by officials with knowledge in the field of 
the proposal. Where appropriate, proposals were also evaluated by officials from other DGs to 
ensure that no duplication or overlap occurred with ongoing projects. A total of 58 projects 
were  considered  suitable  for  funding,  12  projects  were  placed  on  reserve  list  A  and  55  on 
reserve list B. The remaining 302 projects were considered unsuitable for funding and were 
rejected. 

Evaluators endeavoured to use a consistent approach and  common evaluation standards.  An 
Evaluation  Committee  was  set  up  in  conformity  with  the  financial  rules.  Grants  were 
allocated  a  maximum  total  funding  of  60%  of  total  eligible  costs.  Innovative  projects  with 
significant  involvement  from  candidate  countries  could  receive  up  to  80%  funding  of  total 
eligible costs. 

At its meeting of 16-17 July 2003, the Programme Committee gave a unanimous favourable 
opinion to finance the proposals selected by the evaluation procedure. It reversed the ranking 
order of two proposals on the reserve list. 

2.4. 

Adoption of the list of selected projects 

The  initial  work  plan  was  modified  on  17.12.200310  to  take  into  account  the  increased 
programme budget following the conclusion of memoranda of understanding with accession 
and candidate countries. This further delayed the negotiation procedure for concluding grant 
agreements  with  projects  selected  for  funding.  The  revised  work  plan  was  submitted  to  the 
Programme Committee for opinion at its meeting of 9 October 2003. On 19 December 2003, 
following the adoption of the new work plan, the Authorising Officer decided to finance 70 
projects  and  accepted  another  55  projects  on  the  reserve  lists,  as  established  by  the 
Programme  Committee.  The  global  commitment  for  these  proposals  amounted  to  €  50.4 
million. The remaining 302 projects were rejected.  

A total of 72 projects were funded under the 2003 budget. 10 projects were cancelled: 4 from 
the list of accepted proposals and 6 from the reserve lists. The reserve list was used until the 
12th project in the ranking order. 

2.5.  Methods of dissemination and exploitation of results  

list  of  project  summaries  on 

is  available  on 
A  complete 
http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_projects/project_en.htm.  The 
contain 
administrative  information  of  the  main  beneficiary,  financial  information,  a  list  of  the 
associated beneficiaries, and a project description with the outcomes and methods used.  

the  financed  projects 

summaries 

10 

Commission Decision C/2003/4701 

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3. 

OVERVIEW OF 2004 ACTIVITIES  

3.1. 

Adoption of the 2004 work plan 

The 2004 work plan for the Public health programme was published on 27 February 200411. A 
call  for  proposals12,  implementing  the  2004  work  plan,  was  launched  on  the  same  day  and 
remained open for two months.  

3.2. 

Information about the call for proposals 

An  information  day  was  held  in  Luxembourg  on  22  March  2004  to  provide  information  to 
potential project submitters on how to present proposals to the Public health programme. The 
event  gathered  ca.  300  participants  from  the  EU,  Candidate  Countries  and  EEA/EFTA 
Countries. 

The  Public  health  programme  website  contained  all  relevant  information  required  to  submit 
proposals,  e.g.  the  call  publication  notice,  2004  work  plan,  application  forms,  a  guide  for 
applicants, evaluation criteria and a model grant agreement. 

A help-desk was set up which received over 500 requests for information or assistance. 

3.3. 

Evaluation procedure  

231 proposals were submitted, requesting a total EU contribution of €180.8 million. Although 
fewer compared to 2003, their quality had generally improved. Each proposal was evaluated 
by  an  official  and  one  of  20  independent  external  experts.  In  case  of  disagreement  between 
two evaluators, a third internal or external evaluator provided a consensus evaluation report. 
The  decision  of  the  Evaluation  Committee  was  submitted  for  formal  consultation  of  other 
DGs to avoid duplication or overlap with other ongoing projects. 

The document Rules, criteria and procedures for the selection and funding of actions under 
the Public health programme13, served as the basis for the evaluation criteria.  

79 projects were recommended for funding of which 12 projects were placed on a reserve list. 
The reserve list was significantly reduced compared to 2003 in order to offer a more realistic 
possibility  of  funding.  139  projects  were  rejected  and  9  were  ineligible.  4  proposals  were 
excluded due to non-compliance with the submission date. 

The  projects  submitted  under  the  2004  call  for  proposals  were  presented  to  the  Programme 
Committee at its meeting of 8 July 2004. The projects were generally considered innovative 
and of high quality.  

The Committee introduced minor adjustments: one project had its budget corrected and two 
projects  were  prolonged.  As  in  2003,  the  order  of  two  projects  on  the  reserve  list  was 
reversed.  The  Committee  gave  its  unanimous  favourable  opinion  on  the  updated  list  of 
accepted proposals and the reserve list. 

11 
12 
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OJ L 60 of 27.2.2004, p. 58 
OJ C 52 of 27.2.2004, p. 22 
OJ C 62 of 15.3.2003, p. 14 

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3.4. 

Adoption of the list of selected projects 

Following the Programme Committee meeting, the Authorising Officer approved the list of 67 
projects  recommended  for  funding  and  the  order  of  the  12  projects  on  the  reserve  list  as 
approved by the Programme Committee. The remaining 152 projects were rejected. The total 
commitment for the retained proposals amounted to € 48.8 million. 

On 15 December 2004, following the availability of additional funds, the Authorising Officer 
allocated another € 6.6 million to the 2004 call for proposals, thus financing all 12 projects on 
the reserve list. 

3.5.  Methods of dissemination and exploitation of results 

A complete list of the names and brief descriptions of projects which have been selected for 
funding 
on 
the  Europa  web-site 
on 
http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_projects/project_en.htm.  

available 

Public 

health 

are 

for 

Once all the contract agreements have been signed, further information will be available on 
administrative  information  of  the  main  beneficiary,  the  associated  beneficiaries,  financial 
information, project descriptions, their outcomes and methods used.  

4. 

MAJOR ACTIONS LAUNCHED UNDER THE 2003 AND 2004 WORK PLANS 

4.1. 

Cross-cutting themes  

Actions  of  strategic  importance,  linking  several  programme  objectives  were  grouped  under 
cross cutting themes in 2003. Key projects covered networking of health NGOs; strategies for 
action  and  networking  for  reducing  health  inequalities;  and  the  establishment  of  a  Europe-
wide, multidisciplinary network on drug prevention in prison.  

Cooperation  between  Member  State  health  services  was  covered  by  three  projects  on 
prevention of cardiovascular disease, mapping access to health services and evaluating public 
health in the European border regions. 

In 2004, the cross cutting themes were incorporated into the three strands of the programme. 

4.2. 

Health information  

In  2003,  the  programme  strove  to  integrate  work  carried  out  under  the  eight  former 
Community  public  health  programmes.  This  concerned  essentially:  (i)  health  indicators 
projects  addressed  to  create  a  EU  common  list  (ECHI)  as  well  as  to  develop  indicators  in 
areas as diseases, health systems, pharmaceuticals, mental health, life styles, etc. (ii) projects 
focusing on routine and sustainable data collection (e.g. Injury Database, Cancer databases), 
(iii)  projects  focusing  on  the  improvement  of  mechanisms  of  health  reporting  (Health 
Interview Survey projects, Hospital Data projects), and (iv) projects addressed to improve or 
establish best clinical and codification practices.  

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Particular attention was given to synergies with the Community Statistical Programme14. The 
World  Health  Organisation  (WHO)  and  the  Organisation  for  Economic  Co-operation  and 
Development (OECD) are associated to the most part of EU projects in the area. 

A  sustainable  health  monitoring  system  is  being  established  which  aims  to  produce 
comparable information on health and health-related behaviour of the population, on diseases 
and  health  systems.  The  statistical  element  of  the  system  is  being  developed  using  as 
necessary  the  Community  Statistical  Programme.  It  is  based  on  European-wide  common 
agreed indicators and instruments with regard to their definition, methods of data  collection 
and  use.  Seven  working  parties  forming  a  network  took  forward  previous  work  on  health 
monitoring by concentrating on indicators and data collection.  

Work was also carried out to create, in a first step, a short list of Community health indicators 
with the intention to expand this list in the coming years; develop instruments for collecting 
comparable information together with the Community Statistical Programme; and develop a 
series  of  European  Health  Reports  presenting  analysis  and  information  for  policy  makers, 
specific audiences or the general public. 

Cooperation  in  the  health  systems  area  was  promoted  through  support  to  health  evidence 
activities and mapping of access to health services. 

A  call  for  tender  concerning  reporting  and  analysis  of  health,  and  social  and  economic 
impacts  of  alcohol  was  launched  to  address  existing  and  planned  national,  EU  and  WHO 
policies on alcohol to identify recommendations and options for potential EU alcohol policy 
or  strategy  options.  Another  tender  was  launched  on  the  development  of  public  health 
performance  indicators  for  the  pharmaceutical  sector  to  monitor  the  extent  to  which  the 
pharmaceutical sector is aligned with public health and other social objectives. 

In  2004,  work  continued  on  information  and  diffusion,  health  systems,  major  and  chronic 
diseases,  the  Injury  Database,  mental  health  and  rare  diseases.  Within  information  and 
diffusion,  work  concentrated  on  the  concept  and  elements  of  the  future  European  Union 
Health  Information  and  Knowledge  System,  on  the  development  of  public  platforms  for 
dissemination  of  the  EU  health  action  (the  Health  Portal)  and  for  the  dissemination  of  the 
short list of Community health indicators, on the creation of a platform for dissemination of a 
similar  short  list  at  sub-national  level;  on  a  health  broadcasting  platform;  and  on  the  policy 
impact of public health reporting.  

In  the  area  of  health  systems,  a  network  of  authorities  and  institutions  involved  in 
pharmaceutical  affairs  was  set  up  to  exchange  information  on  pharmaceutical  pricing  and 
reimbursement  information.  A  hospital  data  project  began  to  improve  the  comparability  of 
registration  methods  on  discharges  and  surgical  procedures,  increase  the  scope  of  data 
collection, and extend this work to the new Member States. Free movement of services and 
professionals is also foreseen by developing EU-wide commonality in methodology on patient 
safety in healthcare institutions. 

To  improve  the  quality  and  the  sustainability  of  major  and  chronic  diseases  networks  of 
information,  support  was  given  to  the  European  Cancer  registries  and  databases  systems,  to 
several projects inventorying morbidity sources and to projects creating appropriated monitor 

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OJ L 358 of 31.12.2002, p.1 

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and  indicators  systems  as  well  as  methods  of  data  collection  for  several  groups  of  diseases 
(asthma and COPD, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, musculoskeletal diseases, etc). 

To cover information on rare diseases, a conference was supported to address ways in which 
awareness of rare diseases, together with cooperation and knowledge-sharing at the EU level 
can  be  increased  to  improve  access  to  information,  diagnosis,  care,  drugs  and  support.  An 
operational monitoring system for congenital anomalies has been created, a network for rare 
and congenital anaemia will be set up and a secretariat for a rare disease task force will also 
become operational. 

Mental  health  was  addressed  by  several  initiatives  such  as  health  indicators  for  people  with 
intellectual  disabilities,  treatment  of  mentally  ill  in  prisons  and  mental  health  economics.  A 
platform on mental health promotion and mental disorder prevention was set up to implement 
a comprehensive strategy for mental health.  

Other  areas  covered  in  2004  consist  of  environment  and  health;  health  surveys,  mortality; 
health impact assessment; injuries and accidents; e-health; and lifestyles. 

4.3. 

Health threats 

Activities  were  carried  out  to  sustain  and  develop  surveillance  within  bacterial  enteric 
pathogens,  influenza,  Creutzfeldt  Jakob  Disease  and  travel  associated  legionnaire’s  disease. 
Within  early  warning  and  response,  a  publishing  service  for  the  exchange  of  peer-reviewed 
scientific  information  was  set  up.  Efforts  to  improve  communicable  disease  control  and 
communication were begun. 

Health security and preparedness were covered through efforts to counter deliberate releases 
of  biological  agents  and  other  potential  larger  impact  natural  epidemics;  a  network  of 
infectious diseases physicians; and a pilot alert system relating to the release of chemicals by 
terrorists.  

Former key projects for rare diseases were linked to new activities. Within tissues and cells, 
methods  to  influence  tissue  quality  and  security  both  for  transplantation  and  tissue  banking 
were  put  forth.  Impetus  was  provided  to  standard  setting,  inspection  and  accreditation  for 
health  institutions  and  facilities  involved  in  haematopoietic  stem  cell  collection,  processing 
and transplantation. 

Development  of  a  network  for  laboratories  enabling  rapid,  effective  and  co-ordinated 
responses  to  health  threats  resulting  from  natural  infections  was  begun  as  well  as  a 
programme identifying norovirus outbreaks. Capacity building to strengthen surveillance and 
control of communicable diseases was encouraged. 

An  emphasis  on  surveillance  continued  in  2004,  particularly  in  the  areas  of  vaccine 
preventable diseases, reducing threats of nosocomial infections, and providing information on 
HIV across the EU and Candidate Countries. Surveillance of tuberculosis was enhanced e.g. 
by developing a European capacity to identify and monitor tuberculosis events of EU interest. 
Surveillance  of  sexually  transmitted  infections  and  other  infectious  diseases  was  also 
addressed. 

With the collaboration of Russian scientists, an improved diagnostic capability in the EU was 
developed under the heading of health security and preparedness. An alerting system, criteria 

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for  development  of  a  health  surveillance  system,  and  training  modules  for  the  deliberate 
releases  of  chemicals  by  terrorists  were  also  covered  under  the  2004  activities.  A  call  for 
tender  was  launched  to  evaluate  and  improve  preparedness  for  public  health  emergencies 
through malicious release of biological and chemical agents and an influenza pandemic. 

For  increased  safety  of  blood,  tissues  and  organs,  a  European  quality  management  system 
network  for  blood  safety  was  approved.  Activities  covering  legal,  ethical  and  social  issues 
were  addressed  to  improve  secure  European  integrated  donation  chains  in  unrelated 
haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. 

Networking  was  supported  between  laboratories,  for  imported  viral  diseases  such  as  SARS, 
and  for  European  hospital  infection  antimicrobial  resistance  typing.  Capacity  building  was 
encouraged in the field of training, both for health professionals on rapid response to health 
threats and for intervention epidemiology in the domain of alert and response.  

4.4. 

Health determinants 

In  2003  and  2004  an  emphasis  was  placed  on  a  smooth  transition  from  the  eight  separate 
Public health programmes to the new Public health programme. A coherent approach between 
health determinant actions was developed, with increased attention on strategic approaches. 

A  network  for  coherent  strategies  in  the  domain  of  nutrition  and  physical  activity  was 
established,  as  were  networks  for  preventing  obesity  in  children.  Efforts  to  increase  cost 
effectiveness and efficiency of smoking prevention activities among civil society were further 
encouraged,  for  example  in  the  form  of  cessation  programmes  for  adolescents,  smoke  free 
hospitals,  and  an  evaluation  of  the  effects  of  Irish  tobacco legislation15.  Also  in  the  field  of 
tobacco, two anti-smoking campaigns were launched and a call for tender on tobacco control 
was published. 

Prevention  and  reduction  of  health-related  harm  associated  with  drug  dependence  was 
addressed through a call for tender. Actions on drugs in prisons and drug prevention in cities 
were covered under the 2003 and 2004 calls for proposals.  

An  assessment  of  abuse  of  legal  pharmaceutical  products  was  begun.  Projects  enhancing 
sexual  health  of  young  people,  and  AIDS/HIV  prevention  in  relation  to  young  migrant  and 
mobile populations were selected. This work was strengthened in 2004 by including migrant 
prostitutes, sexual and reproductive health of people with HIV, and sexual health best practice 
in new Member States with an emphasis on HIV/AIDS. 

In the field of environment, projects concern environment and health information, the effect 
of  noise  on  children’s  health,  and  environment  and  safety  training.  Implementation  of 
Directive  2002/49/EEC16  was  begun  in  the  field  of  new  threats  emerging  from  increased 
nocturnal air and rail traffic.  

Disease  prevention  was  addressed  in  the  fields  of  diabetes  and  cancer.  Diabetes  prevention 
was  tackled  through  healthy  lifestyle,  nutrition  and  physical  activity.  Best  practice  in 
secondary cancer prevention was assured. 

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16 

S.I. No. 481 of 2003 
OJ L 189 of 18.7.2002, p. 12 

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Structures  for  policy  making  with  regard  to  electromagnetic  fields  were  foreseen,  together 
with  healthy  lifestyle  education  being  integrated  in  school  curricula.  A  European  master  of 
public health should provide a European dimension to post-graduate training. 

Efforts  to  reduce  health  inequalities  in  the  Roma  community  were  promoted  under  the 
heading  social-economic  factors.  A  network  on  best  practice  for  vulnerable  groups  within 
health and social inclusion was set up. A network on health promotion in the work place was 
established  to  disseminate  good  practice,  education  and  training  in  accession  counties. 
General public health training has also been emphasised in the new Member States. 

5. 

CONCLUSION 

Significant  results  were  accomplished  during  the  first  two  years  of  the  Public  health 
programme,  which  solicited  vivid  interest  among  European  health  actors.  In  the  first  two 
years  of  its  existence,  the  programme  received  many  applications  which  provided  a  wide 
geographical coverage and addressed a vast range of activities under the 2003 and 2004 work 
plans. 

However, it also became apparent that to ensure efficient and effective implementation of this 
ambitious  and  complex  programme,  an  executive  agency  was  required  as  foreseen  in  the 
programme  Decision.  Its  establishment  was  postponed  by  delays  in  the  overall  legal  and 
procedural  framework  for  the  creation  of  executive  agencies.  As  a  result,  the  additional 
resources needed to implement the programme in an optimum manner were not available. The 
Agency was created in December 200417 and is successively becoming operational in 2005.  

The Public health programme strengthened its collaboration with international bodies such as 
the  WHO,  World  Bank,  OECD,  Council  of  Europe,  and  European  Observatory  on  Health 
Systems and Policies.  

The  importance  the  Commission  attaches  to  public  health  in  EU  policies  was  reflected  in 
efforts  to  ensure  a  global,  coherent  EU  health  strategy,  close  links  between  public  health 
measures,  and  health-related  initiatives  in  other  policy  areas.  Such  links  were  supported  by 
new  mechanisms  and  instruments,  e.g.  health  impact  assessment  of  other  policies,  joint 
measures  with  various  policies  and  mechanisms  strengthening  the  coordination  of  health 
related activities. 

A  reflection  process  on  EU  health  policy  was  launched  by  Commissioner  Byrne  on  15 
October 2004 to help shape the future of EU health strategy. National and regional authorities, 
NGOs,  universities, individual citizens  and  companies were keen to contribute. The  process 
generated a major debate across the EU and beyond.  

A  number  of  legislative  activities  were  covered  for  various  aspects  within  the  programme’s 
remit.  Among  these  could  be  mentioned  Directive  2003/33/EC18  on  the  approximation  of 
Member State laws, regulations and administrative procedures relating to the advertising and 
sponsorship  of  tobacco  products.  The  Council  and  the  European  Parliament  adopted  a 

17 
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Commission Decision 2004/858/EC, OJ L 369 of 16.12.2004, p. 73 
OJ L 152 of 20.6.2003, p. 16 

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   EN 

 
                                                 
Directive setting standards for handling human tissues and cells19. An international network of 
epidemiological  surveillance  and  control  of  communicable  diseases  was  set  up  and  work 
began on establishing a European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control in Stockholm20. 
It started its work in May 2005. 

19 

20 

Directive  2004/23/EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  31  March  2004,  OJ  L  102, 
07.04.2004 p. 48 
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004, OJ L 
142 of 30.4.2004, p.1. 

EN 

11 

   EN 

 
                                                 
ANNEX 

Consumption of commitment credits – Mio € 

Administrative expenses 

Operational expenses: 

Call for tenders 

Call for proposals 
(budget  shared  equally  
across the three strands) 

2003 

2004 

1.975

50.018

0.190

49.649

3.739  

55.89821 

2.255 

55.286 

21 

Figures  for  2004  are  indicative  and  remain  subject  to  funding  of  the  selected  projects  following  a 
successful negotiation procedure and signature of the grant agreement. 

EN 

12 

   EN