Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

No C 41/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 18. 2. 91

Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision concerning a specific programme of research
and technological development (R&TD) in the field of information technology (1990-1994) ( [x] )

(91/C 41/05)

On 6 June 1990 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee,
under Article 130Q of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, on the
abovementioned proposal.

The Section for Industry, Commerce, Crafts and Services, which was responsible for preparing
the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 9 November 1990. The
Rapporteur was Mr Nierhaus.

At its 281st plenary session (meeting of 20 November 1990) the Economic and Social
Committee adopted the following Opinion unanimously.

1. Preliminary comments

The purpose of the Commission's proposal is to put
into effect certain plans in the information technology
field approved by the Council in the third framework
programme for research and technological development
(1990-1994). A budget of 1 338,48 million ECU has been
provided, spread over the 1991-1994 financial years.
Varying amounts have been allocated to the five areas:

1. microelectronics;

2. information processing systems and software;

3. advanced business and home systems, peripherals;

4. computer integrated manufacturing and engineering;

5. basic research.

This is in line with the Community's policy of promoting the development of information technology in the
Member States through the synergistic effects of transborder cooperation.

Since the beginning of the first major European strategic
programme for research and development (R&D) in
the field of information technology (ESPRIT) in 1983,
this sector has maintained and in some respects even
increased its worldwide importance. As yet, however,
the Community has not been able to close the gap with
Japan and the USA in all areas and in some this gap
has even widened. Sustained progress will be possible

(!) OJ No C 174, 16. 7. 1990, p. 1.

only if the Europeans too succeed in exploiting the
advantages of a large, integrated economic area.

There are two outstanding reasons for promoting information technology:

Firstly, it is highly dynamic, i.e. new R&D results are
being translated into marketable products ever more
rapidly. Just as quickly these products become technologically outdated if they are not further developed
through new research. If this research is not carried out
or is inadequate, the development deficit grows ever
larger and becomes even more difficult to make up,
with the consequent economic repercussions.

Secondly, information technology occupies a key position in that it affects virtually all sectors of the economy
and society and therefore has considerable repercussions for employment policy in particular.

Generally speaking the increasing introduction of information technology into factories and offices leads to
rationalization, including the loss of jobs. On the other
hand, this can be offset by the creation of new jobs in
this sector, and the greater the ability to keep pace with
worldwide competition, the greater the number of jobs.

2. General comments

In view of the preceding comments the Committee
supports the proposed R&D programme, as it did the
comparable programmes already carried out, especially
ESPRIT, the most important so far in this field.

Logically, however, the proposed funds should be used
for those projects which are expected to be particularly
effective in boosting transborder R&D cooperation in

18. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 41/11

the Community. Under no circumstances must the proposed aid lead to a slackening of effort on the part of
the national authorities. On the contrary, the latter
must maintain and wherever possible step up their
efforts, quite apart from the R&D expenditure of the
industry itself.

3. Specific comments

3.1. The aims and content of the present specific
programme are largely identical with those of ESPRIT.
The second phase of ESPRIT and the new specific
programme of research and technological development
(R&TD) also overlap for the 1991 and 1992 financial
years, but just how the two programmes are coordinated in terms of organization and projects is not made
sufficiently clear. The Commission must explain this.

The reports referred to in Article 5 should also supply
information on which — possibly ESPRIT-assisted —
projects are being continued and which specific results
of ESPRIT projects have provided a base for the new
programme to build on.

3.2. In Annex I the Commission refers repeatedly and
expressly to the connection between technological development and the improvement of working conditions.
This applies above all to area 3 (advanced business and
home systems). This question is closely linked to that of
the qualifications of those who, in the final analysis, have
to use the results of technological R&D. Hence in virtually all areas the problem arises of training qualified
personnel for both research and the application of
results. The Commission should therefore examine the

feasibility of gearing this programme to the relevant
Community programmes for training and further training (e.g. EUROTECNET, COMETTII, ERASMUS II).

Done at Brussels, 20 November 1990.

3.3. The Committee particularly welcomes the special attention which is to be given to supporting small
and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in the choice of
projects to be carried out. It would further urge that
priority be given to supporting projects where at least
one partner is located in a disadvantaged region.

3.4. To make the programme more effective it is
essential to publicize the eligibility criteria as widely as
possible in order to further encourage SME in particular
to participate.

3.5. The Committee urges the Commission to
include representatives of the social groups as well as
government representatives in the committee referred
to in Article 6. At the very least those social groups
represented at Community level should be brought in
for consultation so that, inter alia, user needs and
experiences can be taken into account.

3.6. The Committee endorses the opening-up of the
programme to partners from third countries. Wherever
possible Eastern European States should be involved in
the programme.

3.7. The Committee expects the reports provided for
in Article 5 to be addressed to the Economic and Social

Committee as well.

In this connection the Committee would point out that
under Article 130Q(2) the Commission must in any case
consult the ESC if the report contains proposals for any
necessary changes.

_The_ _Chairman_

_of the Economic and Social_ _Committee_

Francois STAEDELIN