2008/376/EC: Council Decision of 29 April 2008 on the adoption of the Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel and on the multiannual technical guidelines for this programme
Date: 2008-04-29
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: coal, fund (EU), management, research programme, steel, technological change

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(Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is not obligatory)

II

DECISIONS

COUNCIL

COUNCIL DECISION

of 29 April 2008

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

(2008/376/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

technological development and demonstration activities
in the sectors related to the coal and steel industry.

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

Having regard to the Protocol, annexed to the Treaty estab-
lishing the European Community, on the financial consequences
of the expiry of the ECSC Treaty and on the Research Fund for
Coal and Steel,

Having regard to Council Decision 2003/76/EC of 1 February
2003 establishing the measures necessary for the implemen-
tation of the Protocol, annexed to the Treaty establishing the
European Community, on the financial consequences of the
expiry of the ECSC Treaty and on the Research Fund for Coal
and Steel (1), and in particular Article 4(3) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

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

Whereas:

(1)

The revenue from investments of the net worth of the
assets of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)
in liquidation and, on completion of the liquidation, the
assets of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel, are being
assigned to the Research Fund for Coal and Steel, which
is intended exclusively to fund research projects outside
research,
the Community framework programme for

(2)

(3)

(4)

The Research Fund for Coal and Steel is to be managed
by the Commission in accordance with principles similar
to those governing the former ECSC coal and steel
technical research programmes and on the basis of multi-
annual technical guidelines which should constitute an
extension of those ECSC programmes, providing a high
concentration of research activities and ensuring that
they supplement
the Community framework
programme for research, technological development and
demonstration activities.

those of

research,

the European
The Seventh Framework Programme of
technological development
Community for
and demonstration activities (2007-2013) set out
in
Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament
and of the Council of 18 December 2006 (3) (hereinafter
‘the Seventh Framework Programme’)
referred to as
provides
to review Council Decision
2003/78/EC of 1 February 2003 laying down the multi-
annual technical guidelines for the research programme
of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (4) in order to
the Research Fund for Coal and Steel
ensure that
complements
the Seventh Framework Programme in
the sectors related to the coal and steel industry.

an incentive

Research and technical development constitute a very
important means of
supporting Community energy
objectives with regard to the supply of Community
coal and its competitive and environmentally friendly
conversion and utilisation. Moreover, the growing inter-
national dimension of the coal market and the global
the
scale of

the problems confronting it means that

(1) OJ L 29, 5.2.2003, p. 22.
(2) Opinion of 10 April 2008 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

(3) OJ L 412, 30.12.2006, p. 1.
(4) OJ L 29, 5.2.2003, p. 28.

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Community has to take a leading role in meeting chal-
lenges relating to modern techniques, mine safety and
environmental
by
ensuring the transfer of know-how required for further
improved working conditions
technological progress,
(health
environmental
and
and
protection.

at worldwide

protection

enhanced

safety)

level

(5) With the general aim of increasing competitiveness and
contributing to sustainable development,
the main
emphasis of research and technological development is
on the development of new or improved technologies to
guarantee the economic, clean and safe production of
steadily
steel
increasing performance, suitability to use, customer satis-
faction, prolonged service
and
recycling.

and steel products

characterised by

recovery

easy

life,

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

The order in which the research objectives for coal and
steel are presented in this Decision should not represent
a priority as between those objectives.

In the framework of the management activities of the
Research Fund for Coal and Steel,
the Commission
should be assisted by advisory groups and technical
groups
interests of
industries and other stakeholders.

representing a wide

range of

requires modification

incorporating new Member
The recent enlargement
States
the multiannual
technical guidelines laid down in Decision 2003/78/EC,
notably as regards the composition of
the advisory
groups and the definition of coal.

of

In accordance with Statement No 4 of the Decision of
the Representatives of the Governments of the Member
States meeting within the Council 2002/234/ECSC of
27 February 2002 (1), the Commission has re-examined
the definition of steel and come to the conclusion that it
is not necessary to change that definition. Indeed, steel
castings, forgings and powder metallurgy products are
topics
already covered by the Seventh Framework
Programme.

for

general

the Decision
The
revising
approach
the procedures
2003/78/EC should be to keep intact
that were
as
considered by
effective, together with a limited but necessary number
of modifications and administrative simplifications in
order
to ensure complementarity with the Seventh
Framework Programme.

assisting groups

the

Those modifications include the deletion of some accom-
panying measures as already foreseen in the Seventh
Framework Programme. It is also necessary to align the
periodicity of the revision and the experts’ nominations
concerning the Research Programme of
the Research
Fund for Coal and Steel on those used in the Seventh
Framework Programme.

(1) OJ L 79, 22.3.2002, p. 42.

(12)

(13)

(14)

(15)

(16)

(17)

interested Member

The rules on the composition of the advisory groups
should be revised, notably as regards the representation
of
and gender balance
States
according to Commission Decision 2000/407/EC of
19 June 2000 relating to gender balance within the
committees and expert groups established by it (2).

The Commission should be given the opportunity to
launch dedicated calls in the framework of the research
objectives defined in this Decision.

The maximum total
financial contribution from the
Research Fund for Coal and Steel for pilot and demon-
stration projects should be increased to 50 % of
the
eligible costs.

The eligible costs approach should be kept together with
a better definition of the cost categories and a revised
percentage for the calculation of the overheads.

The Commission has reassessed the multiannual technical
guidelines laid down in Decision 2003/78/EC and found
that in view of the changes required it is appropriate to
replace that Decision.

apply

should

this Decision

In order to ensure the necessary continuity with Decision
2003/78/EC,
from
16 September 2007. Applicants submitting proposals
between 16 September 2007 and the date
this
Decision takes effect should be invited to resubmit
their proposals in accordance with this Decision, which
should enable them to benefit from the more favourable
conditions provided by this Decision, notably as regards
the financial contribution to pilot and demonstration
projects.

(18)

The measures necessary for the implementation of this
Decision should be adopted in accordance with Council
Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the
procedures for
implementing powers
the exercise of
conferred on the Commission (3),

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

CHAPTER I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

Subject matter

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

the adoption of

for

(2) OJ L 154, 27.6.2000, p. 34.
(3) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. Decision as last amended by Decision

2006/512/EC (OJ L 200, 22.7.2006, p. 11).

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CHAPTER II

(f) coke and semi-coke derived from lignite;

RESEARCH PROGRAMME OF THE RESEARCH FUND FOR
COAL AND STEEL

(g) oil shales;

SECTION 1

Adoption of the Research Programme

Article 2

Adoption

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

The Research Programme shall support the competitiveness of
the Community sectors related to the coal and steel industry.
The Research Programme shall be consistent with the scientific,
technological and political objectives of the Community, and
in the Member
shall complement
the activities carried out
existing
States
research
Community
the framework programme for
programmes,
research,
demonstration
activities (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Research Framework
Programme’).

the
in particular

technological

and within

development

and

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

financed

under

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

SECTION 2

Definitions of coal and steel

Article 3

Definitions

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

1. coal shall mean any of the following:

2. steel shall mean any of the following:

(a) raw materials for iron and steel production, such as iron-

ore, sponge iron and ferrous scrap;

(b) pig iron (including hot metal) and ferro-alloys;

(c) crude and semi-finished products of iron, ordinary steel
or special steel
(including products for reuse and re-
rolling), such as liquid steel cast by continuous casting
or otherwise, and semi-finished products such as blooms,
billets, bars, slabs and strips;

(d) hot-finished products of iron, ordinary steel or special
(coated or uncoated products, excluding steel
steel
castings,
forgings and powder metallurgy products),
such as rails, sheet piling, structural shapes, bars, wire
rods, plates and universal plates, strips and sheets, and
tube rounds and squares;

(e) end products of

iron, ordinary steel or special steel
(coated or uncoated), such as cold-rolled strips and
sheets and electrical sheets;

(f) products of the first-stage processing of steel that can
the above iron
enhance the competitive position of
and steel products, such as tubular products, drawn
and polished products, cold-rolled and cold-formed
products.

SECTION 3

Research objectives for coal

Article 4

Improving the competitive position of Community coal

Research projects shall aim to reduce the total costs of
improve the quality of the products and
shall

1.
mining production,
costs of using coal. Research projects
the
reduce
encompass the entire coal production chain as follows:

(a) hard coal,

including the high and medium-ranking ‘A’
coals (sub-bituminous coals) as defined in the interna-
tional codification system of coal of the UN Economic
Commission for Europe;

(a) modern techniques for surveying deposits;

(b) integrated mine planning;

(b) hard coal briquette;

(c) coke and semi-coke derived from hard coal;

(c) highly efficient, largely automated excavation and new and
the

existing mining
geological characteristics of European hard coal deposits;

corresponding

technologies

to

(d) lignite,

including the low-ranking ‘C’ coals (or ortho-
lignites) and the low-ranking ‘B’ coals (or meta-lignites)
as defined in the above codification;

(e)

transport systems;

(d) appropriate support technologies;

(e)

lignite briquettes;

(f) power supply services, communication and information,
transmission, monitoring and process control systems;

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(g) coal preparation techniques, oriented to the needs of the

(c)

consumer markets;

(h) coal conversion;

(i) coal combustion.

Research projects shall also aim to achieve scientific and
2.
technological progress with a view to gaining a better under-
standing of the behaviour and control of deposits in relation to
rock pressure, gas emissions, the risk of explosion, ventilation
and all other factors affecting mining operations. Research
the prospect of
projects with these objectives shall present
results applicable in the short or medium term to a substantial
part of Community production.

the return to the mine of mining waste, fly ash and desul-
phurisation products, accompanied, where relevant, by other
forms of waste;

(d) the refurbishment of waste heaps and the industrial use of

residues from coal production and consumption;

(e)

the protection of water tables and the purification of mine
drainage water;

(f) a reduction in the environmental

impact of
which mainly use Community coal and lignite;

installations

(g) the protection of surface installations against the effects of

subsidence in the short and long term.

Preference shall be given to projects that promote at least

3.
one of the following:

Article 7

Management of external dependence on energy supply

(a)

integration of individual techniques in systems and methods
and the development of integrated mining methods;

(b) substantial reduction of production costs;

(c) benefits in terms of mine safety and the environment.

Article 5

Health and safety in mines

Issues concerning mine safety, including gas control, ventilation
and air-conditioning with a view to improving underground
working conditions and occupational health and safety as well
as environmental issues shall also be taken into account in the
projects covering the activities referred to in Article 4(1)(a) to
(f).

Article 6

Efficient protection of the environment and improvement
of the use of coal as a clean energy source

1.
Research projects shall seek to minimise the impact of
mining operations and the use of coal in the Community on
the atmosphere, water and the surface within the framework of
an integrated management strategy with respect to pollution. As
industry is undergoing constant restruc-
the Community coal
turing, the research shall also be geared towards minimising the
environmental
impact of underground mines destined for
closure.

Research projects shall relate to the prospects for long-term
in economic,
energy supply and concern the upgrading,
energy-related and environmental
coal deposits
terms, of
which cannot be extracted economically by conventional
mining techniques. Projects may include studies, the definition
of strategies, fundamental and applied research and the testing
of
the
upgrading of Community coal resources.

techniques which offer prospects

innovative

for

Preference shall be given to projects integrating complementary
techniques
such as the adsorption of methane or carbon
dioxide, coal bed methane extraction and underground coal
gasification.

SECTION 4

Research objectives for steel

Article 8

New and improved steelmaking and finishing techniques

Research and technological development (RTD) shall aim to
improve steel production processes with a view to enhancing
product quality and increasing productivity. Reducing emissions,
energy consumption and the environmental impact as well as
enhancing the use of raw materials and the conservation of
resources shall
the improvements
sought. Research projects shall address one or more of the
following areas:

form an integral part of

(a) new and improved iron-ore reduction processes;

Preference shall be given to projects that envisage one or

2.
more of the following:

(b) ironmaking processes and operations;

(a) a reduction in emissions from coal utilisation,

including

capture and storage of CO2;

(c) electric arc furnace processes;

(d) steelmaking processes;

(b) a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions,

in particular

methane, from coal deposits;

(e) secondary metallurgy techniques;

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(f) continuous casting and near net shape-casting techniques

with and without direct rolling;

(b) steel grades and design of assembled structures to facilitate
the easy recovery of steel scrap and its reconversion into
usable steels;

(g) rolling, finishing and coating techniques;

(h) hot- and cold-rolling techniques, pickling and finishing

processes;

(i) process instrumentation, control and automation;

(j) maintenance and reliability of production lines.

Article 9

RTD and the utilisation of steel

RTD shall be undertaken in respect of the utilisation of steel to
meet the future requirements of steel users and to create new
market opportunities. Research projects shall address one or
more of the following areas:

(a) new steel grades for demanding applications;

(b) steel properties addressing mechanical properties at low and
high temperatures such as strength and toughness, fatigue,
wear, creep, corrosion and resistance against fracture;

(c) prolonging service life,

steels and steel

in particular by improving the
to heat and

structures

resistance of
corrosion;

(d) steel-containing composites and sandwich structures;

(e) predictive

simulation models on microstructures

and

mechanical properties;

(f)

structural safety and design methods,
regard to resistance to fire and earthquakes;

in particular with

(g) technologies relating to the forming, welding and joining of

steel and other materials;

(h) standardisation of testing and evaluation methods.

Article 10

Conservation of resources and improvement of working
conditions

In both steel production and steel utilisation, the conservation
of resources, the preservation of the ecosystem and safety issues
shall form an integral part of the RTD work. Research projects
shall address one or more of the following areas:

(a)

techniques for recycling obsolete steel from various sources
and classification of steel scrap;

(c) control and protection of the environment in and around

the workplace;

(d) restoration of steelworks sites;

(e)

improvement of working conditions and quality of life in
the workplace;

(f) ergonomic methods;

(g) occupational health and safety;

(h) reduction of exposure to occupational emissions.

CHAPTER III

MULTIANNUAL TECHNICAL GUIDELINES

SECTION 1

Participation

Article 11

Member States

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

Article 12

Candidate countries

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

in candidate countries

Article 13

Third countries

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

from third countries

contribution under

receiving

any

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SECTION 2

Eligible activities

Article 14

Research projects

SECTION 3

Management of the research programme

Article 19

Management

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

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

Article 15

Pilot projects

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

Article 16

Demonstration projects

shall be

characterised by

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

Article 17

Accompanying measures

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

Article 18

Support and preparatory actions

sound and effective management of

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

Article 20

Establishment of the Coal and Steel Advisory Groups

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

Article 21

Tasks of the Advisory Groups

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

(a)

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

(b) the consistency and the possible duplication with other RTD

programmes at Community and national level;

(c)

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

(d) the work being undertaken on specific projects;

(e)

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

(f)

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

(g) the preparation of a manual for evaluating and selecting

RTD actions, as referred to in Articles 27 and 28;

(h) the evaluation of proposals for RTD actions and the priority
to be given to those proposals, having regard to the funds
available;

(i)

the number, competence and composition of the Technical
Groups referred to in Article 24;

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

and highly qualified experts

(j)

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

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(k) other measures when requested to do so by

the

Commission.

and, where necessary, in the definition of the priority objectives
of the Research Programme.

Article 22

Composition of the Advisory Groups

Each Advisory Group shall be composed in accordance
1.
with the tables
the
Advisory Groups shall be appointed by the Commission to
serve in a personal capacity for a period of 42 months.
Appointments may be withdrawn.

in the Annex. Members of

set out

Members of the Technical Groups shall be appointed by the
Commission and shall come from the sectors related to the
coal and steel industry, research organisations or user industries
research strategy,
where they shall have responsibility for
management or production.
the Commission,
In addition,
when appointing members, shall seek to achieve a gender
balance.

The

2.
appointments received in the following ways:

Commission

consider

shall

proposals

for

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

(a) by the Member States;

(b) by the entities referred to in the tables in the Annex;

Implementation of the research programme

SECTION 4

(c)

in response to a call for applications for inclusion on a
reserve list.

The Commission shall ensure, within each Advisory
expertise and the broadest

3.
Group, a balanced range of
possible geographical representation.

Article 25

Call for proposals

An open and continuous call

1.
for proposals is hereby
launched. Unless otherwise specified, 15 September of each
year shall be the cut-off date for the submission of proposals
for evaluation.

4. Members of the Advisory Groups shall be active in the
field concerned and be aware of the industrial priorities.
In
addition,
the Commission, when appointing members, shall
seek to achieve a gender balance.

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

Article 23

Meetings of the Advisory Groups

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

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

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

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

Article 24

Establishment and tasks of the Coal and Steel Technical
Groups

The Coal and Steel Technical Groups (hereinafter referred to as
‘the Technical Groups’) shall advise the Commission on the
monitoring of research and pilot or demonstration projects

3.
The Commission shall establish an information package
setting-out the detailed rules for participation, the methods of
managing proposals and projects, application forms, rules for
the submission of proposals, model grant agreements, eligible
costs, the maximum financial contribution allowable, methods
of payment and the annual priority objectives of the Research
Programme.

The Commission shall make the information package public on
the Community Research and Development Information Service
(CORDIS) or corresponding website.

shall be

submitted to the Commission in
Applications
accordance with the rules
laid down in the information
package, of which a paper copy can be obtained from the
Commission on request.

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Article 26

Content of proposals

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

information package

listed in the

the

financial

agreements

shall define

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

Article 30

Financial contribution

shall

include a detailed description of

the
Each proposal
information on objectives,
proposed project and contain full
partnerships,
each partner,
management structure, anticipated results, expected applications
and an assessment of anticipated industrial, economic, social
and environmental benefits.

including the precise

role of

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

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

agreements. The

financial

total

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

Article 27

Evaluation of proposals

3. Without prejudice to paragraph 1 of
the
maximum total financial contribution, expressed as a percentage
of the eligible costs defined in Articles 31 to 35, shall be:

this Article,

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

(a)

for research projects up to 60 %;

The Commission shall establish and publish a manual for the
evaluation and selection of RTD actions.

(b) for pilot and demonstration projects up to 50 %;

Article 28

(c)

accompanying measures,

for
actions up to 100 %.

support

and preparatory

Selection of proposals and monitoring of projects

The Commission shall register the proposals received and

1.
shall verify their eligibility.

Article 31

Eligible costs

The Commission shall evaluate the proposals with the

2.
assistance of independent experts.

1.

The eligible costs shall consist of the following:

3.
The Commission shall draw up a list of the proposals
adopted in order of merit. The ranking list shall be discussed
by the relevant Advisory Group.

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

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

Article 29

Grant agreements

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

appropriate, of

the nature of

the

as

(a) equipment costs;

(b) staff costs;

(c) operating costs;

(d) indirect costs.

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

Article 32

Equipment costs

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

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Article 33

Staff costs

SECTION 5

Evaluation and monitoring of the research activities

The costs of actual hours devoted exclusively to the project by
scientific, postgraduate or technical staff and the staff costs of
manual workers directly employed by the beneficiary shall be
chargeable. Any additional staff costs, such as scholarships, shall
require the Commission’s prior written approval. All working
hours charged must be recorded and certified.

Article 36

Technical reports

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

Article 34

Operating costs

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

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

(a) raw materials;

(b) consumables;

(c) energy;

(d) transportation of raw materials, consumables, equipment,

products, feedstock or fuel;

(e)

the maintenance, repair, alteration or transformation of
existing equipment;

(f)

IT and other specific services;

(g) the rental of equipment;

(h) analysis and tests;

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

Article 37

Annual review

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

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

(i) dedicated workshop organisation;

Monitoring and assessment of the Research Programme

Article 38

(j) certificate on financial statements and bank guarantee;

(k) protection of knowledge;

(l) assistance from third parties.

including an assessment of

The Commission shall carry out a monitoring exercise of
1.
the Research Programme,
the
expected benefits. A report on that exercise shall be issued by
the end of 2013, and thereafter every seven years. These reports
shall be made public on the Community Research and Deve-
corresponding
lopment
website.

Information Service

(CORDIS) or

Article 35

Indirect costs

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

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

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

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Article 39

(d) changes to the cut-off date referred to in Article 25;

Appointment of independent and highly qualified experts

the appointment of

For
independent and highly qualified
experts referred to in Article 18, Article 28(2) and Article 38,
the provisions set out in Articles 14 and 17 of the Regulation
(EC) No 1906/2006 (1), shall apply by analogy.

(e)

the drawing-up of dedicated calls for proposals.

Article 42

Committee

CHAPTER IV

FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 40

Review of the multiannual technical guidelines

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

the last year of each seven-year period,

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

Article 41

Implementing measures

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

(a)

the approval of the funding actions where the estimated
amount of
the
Research Programme is equal to or more than EUR 0,6
million;

contribution under

the Community

The Commission shall be assisted by the Coal and Steel

1.
Committee.

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and
7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply.

The period laid down in Article 4(3) of that Decision shall be
set at two months.

Article 43

Repeal and transitional measures

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

Article 44

Applicability

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

It shall apply from 16 September 2007.

Article 45

Addressees

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Luxembourg, 29 April 2008.

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

assessment of
Article 38;

(c) amendments to Sections 3 and 4 of Chapter II;

For the Council
The President

D. RUPEL

(1) Regulation (EC) No 1906/2006 of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 18 December 2006 laying down the rules for the
participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in
actions under the Seventh Framework Programme and for the disse-
mination of research results (2007-2013) (OJ L 391, 30.12.2006,
p. 1).

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

ANNEX

Members

Maximum total

a) From coal producers/national federations or related research centres

b) From organisations representing coal producers at European level

c) From coal users or related research centres

d) From organisations representing coal users at European level

e) From organisations representing workers

f) From organisations representing equipment suppliers

8

2

8

2

2

2

24

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

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

Members

Maximum total

a) From steel industries/national federations or related research centres

b) From ornganisation representing producers at European level

c) From ornganisations representing workers

d) From organisations representing downstream processing industries or steel users

21

2

2

5

30

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