Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

3. 9. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 228/3

## II

_(Preparatory Acts)_

# COMMISSION

Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific research and technological development
programme of the European Economic Community in the fields of industrial manufacturing

technologies and advanced materials applications (Brite/Euram)

(1989 to 1992)

_COM(88) 385 final — SYN 142_

_(Submitted by the Commission on 29 July 1988)_

(88/C 228/03)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Economic Community, and in particular Article 130Q
(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

In cooperation with the European Parliament,

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

Whereas Article 130K of the Treaty stipulates that the
framework programme shall be implemented through
specific programmes developed within each activity;

Whereas, by its Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC ('), the
Council has adopted a framework programme of
Community research and technological development
(1987 to 1991) providing for activities in the field of
science and technology for manufacturing industry and
advanced materials;

Whereas that Decision provides that a particular aim of
Community research shall be to strengthen the scientific
and technological basis of European industry and to
encourage it to become more competitive at international
level and that Community action is justified where
research contributes _inter alia_ to the strengthening of the
economic and social cohesion of the Community and the
promotion of its overall harmonious development, while
being consistent with the pursuit of scientific and
technical quality; whereas it is intended that the
Brite/Euram programme should contribute to the
achievement of these objectives;

O OJ No L 302, 24. 10. 1987, p. 1.

Whereas Council Decision 85/196/EEC ( [2] ) decided on a
first multiannual research and development programme
for the European Economic Community in the fields of
basic technological research and the application of new
technologies (Brite, 1985 to 1988);

Whereas Council Decision 86/235/EEC ( [J] ) decided on a
research programme on materials (raw materials and
advanced materials) (1986 to 1989);

Whereas it is necessary to react adequately to the interest
shown by the industry in transnational cooperation;

Whereas it is necessary to involve small and
medium-sized enterprises to the maximum extent
possible in the development of industrial technologies by
taking into account their particular and specific
requirements while respecting the objective of the
scientific and technical quality of the programme;

Whereas it is necessary to underline the industrial and
transnational nature of the programme by requiring
applied research projects with at least two industrial
partners from two different Member States;

Whereas it is necessary to ensure the industrial nature of
the programme by requiring focussed fundamental
research projects with industrial endorsement from at
least two independent enterprises;

Whereas the participation of organizations from EFTA
countries in industrially-oriented research and development (R&D) projects, under appropriate conditions,
may contribute to the competitiveness of manufacturing
industry as a whole;

O OJ No L 83, 25. 3. 1985, p. 8.
O OJ No L 159, 14. 6. 1986, p. 36.

No C 228/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 9. 88

Whereas it is in the Community's interest to consolidate
the scientific and technical basis of European research by
means of the involvement to a greater extent of the
EFTA countries in certain Community programmes,
particularly in programmes involving cooperation in
research and development of basic industrial technologies including advanced materials;

Whereas the implementation of concerted actions in the
COST framework is an essential element to complement
industrially-oriented R&D projects;

Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research

Committee (Crest) has been consulted on the following

measures,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

_Article 1_

A specific research and technological development
programme for the European Economic Community in
the fields of industrial manufacturing technologies and
advanced materials applications, as defined in Annex I,
is hereby adopted for a period of four years, from
1 January 1989.

_Article 2_

The funds estimated as necessary for the execution of
the programme amount to 439,5 million ECU, including
expenditure on staff whose cost shall not exceed 4,5 °/o
of the Community contribution.

_Article 3_

1. Detailed rules for the implementation of the
programme and the rate of the Community's financial
participation are set out in Annex II.

_Article 4_

1. In the third year of the programme implementation,
the Commission shall undertake a review of the

programme and report to the Council and to the
European Parliament on the results of this review,
together, if necessary, with any proposals for modification or prolongation.

2. An evaluation of the results achieved shall be

conducted before the end of the programme by the
Commission which shall report thereon to the Council
and the European Parliament.

3. The abovementioned reports shall be established
having regard to the objectives set out in Annex III to
this Decision and in conformity with the provisions of
Article 2 (2) of the framework programme.

_Article 5_

1. The Commission shall be responsible for the
execution of the programme and shall be assisted in its
implementation by the Management and Coordination
Advisory Committee (CGC) on Industrial Technology,
set up by Council Decision 84/338, Euratom, ECSC,
EEC O . '

2. The contracts entered into by the Commission shall
regulate the rights and obligations of each party,
including the methods of disseminating, protecting and
exploiting the research results.

_Article 6_

1. Where framework agreements for scientific and
technical cooperation between non-Community
European countries and the European Communities have
been concluded, organizations and enterprises established in those countries may, under appropriate
conditions to be defined by the Commission, become
partners in a project undertaken within the programme.
For each such project, the committee referred to in
Article 5 shall assist the Commission in defining those
conditions.

2. No contractor established outside the Community
who participates as a partner in a project undertaken
within the programme shall be entitled to Community
financing intended for the programme. The contractor
will contribute to general administrative expenses.

_Article 7_

The Commission shall ensure that procedures are set up
to allow for appropriate cooperation with COST activities related to the areas of research covered by the
programme, by ensuring regular exchanges of information between the Committee referred to in Article 5

and the relevant COST Management Committee.

_Article 8_

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

0) OJ No L 177, 4. 7. 1984, p. 25.

3. 9. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 228/5

_ANNEX_ _I_

TECHNICAL ANNEX

1. ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES

The work in this area will focus on the development. of improved or new materials and material
processing for a wide range of possible applications except those directly related to IT covered in
Esprit (').

Including in particular:

1.1. _Metallic materials and metallic matrix composites_

Goals

— extended working life of components

— higher operating temperatures for increased thermal efficiency

— better and more effective material processing techniques

1.2. _Materials for magnetic, optical, electrical and superconducting applications_

Goal

— improved materials and material processing for optical, magnetic, electrical and superconducting applications

1.3. _High temperature non-metallic materials_

Goals

— design methodologies for products based on ceramics, glasses and amorphous materials

— improved monolithic and ceramic composites and metal/ceramic interfaces for industrial applications

— better processing techniques and quality control strategies

1.4. _Polymers and organic matrix composites_

Goals

— development of polymers for specific applications

— more cost-effective process techniques for parts made from polymer and polymer matrix
composites

— design rules for the specification and manufacture of engineering polymers and composites

— new polymers with improved recycling attributes

— improved product assurance techniques

(') Developments of materials already covered by Esprit are, for instance, dealing with magnetic, magneto-optical, optical
thin films for sensors recording media and heads, optical layers and specific materials for opto-electronics, ceramics
and polymers for IC packaging and specific substrates, superconducting thin films for low current applications and
devices.

N o C 228/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 9. 88

1.5. _Materials for specialized applications_

Goal

— improved materials and their processing for specialized applications

2, DESIGN METHODOLOGY AND ASSURANCE FOR PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES

The development of techniques to improve product quality and the reliability and maintainability of
structures and manufacturing systems by clarification of the design aims for both product and process,
and by refinement of the criteria against which the attributes are measured. The exploitation of
materials for application in sensors, and the reduction in the whole life costs of sensors are also included
in this section. This will complement work in Community IT programmes, where on-line control is
treated, including monitoring and diagnostics, predictive maintenance and quality assurance.

Including in particular:

2.1. _Quality and reliability and maintainability in industry_

Goals

— improved performance measurement for manufacturing operations in a wide variety of
industries

— improved and more predictable physical and environmental behaviour of products

— improved quality control strategies

— design rules for reliability and maintainability of components, structures and systems including
machinery operating under varying conditions

2.2. _Process_ _and product assurance_

Goals

— reduction of whole life costs of sensor systems for process control            

— exploitation of materials properties for applications in sensors

— use of advanced measurement techniques for more cost effective examination of topology

— improved energy control for industrial applications

— improved non-destructive testing methods for product assurance

3. APPLICATION OF MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES

Here the task is to identify and address the needs of manufacturing industry and particularly the less
advanced sectors, many of which have a major part made up of SMEs. It is to be expected that
modelling of physical processes will be a valuable instrument for progress. Also addressed is the
challenge to the industries based on the use of flexible materials. The work will mainly focus on product
and process development, transferring and adapting technology already used in other sectors. This
should complement work in Esprit where IT systems for advanced manufacturing and CIM are being
developed.

Including in particular:

3.1. _Advancing manufacturing practices_

Goals

— identifying means for improving manufacturing practices in specific sectors

— transfer and adaptation of technology already used in other sectors

3.2. _Manufacturing_ _processes_ _for flexible materials_

Goals

3. 9. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities N o C 228/7

— increased process flexibility

— reduced waste of material

— improved process and product quality

4. TECHNOLOGIES FOR MANUFACTURING PROCESSES

Improved techniques for shaping, joining and assembly, surface treatment, chemical processes and
particle technology are fundamental needs for industry. Advancement of these processes is essential for
securing manufacturing competitiveness.

Including in particular:

4.1. _Surface techniques_

Goals

— cost-effective surface treatments for industrial applications

— techniques for quality assurance and control of the treatment process

4.2. _Shaping, assembly and joining_

Goals

— improved methodologies for shaping processes and assembly

— improved joining techniques to improve reliability and reduce defect levels

— methods for testing welded and bonded joints to improve reliability of results and service
predictability

— design methodology for joining

— better understanding of beam/workpiece interactions for industrial power beam processes

4.3. _Chemical_ _processes_

Goals

— improved predictability and yield in chemical processes

— membrane materials with improved characteristics

— improved performance of membrane processes

— new systems for separation in hostile environments

4.4. _Particle and powder_ _processes_

Goals

— improved techniques for particle production to optimise product shape, structure and stability

— cost-effective techniques for particle categorization and process performance

— better approaches to handling and separation

— cost-effective routes for small lots of high quality powder

N o C 228/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 9. 88

_ANNEX_ _II_

RULES FOR IMPLEMENTATION

Participants may be industrial organizations, research institutes and universities, established in the
Community. The Community contribution shall not normally exceed 50 % of total expenditure, the
remainder in principle to be provided by the industrial participants. Industrial participants shall include any
research institute which is funded entirely or mainly by industrial organizations.

Industrial applied research

The principal form of support for industrial applied research of a pre-competitive character will be through
cost shared action. The conditions for participation will be that in each project there will be 50 %
financing from industrial partners and at least two legally independent industrial enterprises from different
Member States per project. To be classified as an independent enterprise, research organizations should
normally receive the industrial 50 % in direct payments from nominated companies involved in steering the
project.

Recognizing the important role of SMEs in developing the manufacturing base of the Community and the
merits of their participation in the programme, the Commission is considering, in conjunction with Irdac,
how best research organizations can act within the programme as a focus for meeting the R&D needs of
SMEs. Projects should include at least 10 man years of activity, the realistic minimum for an effective
collaborative project, and the total project costs should fall in the range 1 to 3 million ECU. Subsidiaries of
multinational companies based outside the Community may participate if the R&D and exploitation takes
place within the Community.

Focussed fundamental research

Focussed fundamental research projects shall involve at least two partners established in different Member
States. When the partners are universities or research institutes, the project should be endorsed by at least
two legally independent industrial enterprises and the Community could bear up to 100 % of the marginal
costs of such partners. Projects should include at least 10 man years of activity and fall in the range of 0,4
to 1 million ECU total project costs.

Feasibility awards for SMEs

The Commission will introduce a pilot scheme of feasibility awards aimed at assisting SMEs establish the
feasibility of a device, process or concept as a means of enhancing their stature in finding a partner in a
subsequent call for proposals under the shared cost action. The Commission will support up to 75 %
(maximum 25 000 ECU) of the cost of research lasting up to six months. High standards of evaluation will
ensure that the awards are highly competitive and recognized as prestigous. This scheme will be
co-financed by the task force SME.

Coordinated activities

In cases where work, supported by national funds or entirely privately funded is already going on, the
Commission's role may be limited to simply organizing the coordination of the work and the Community
funding confined to covering the cost of such coordination activities. However, in certain cases where it is
clear that strategically important work requires more than simple coordination, the Commission could, in
consulation with CGC, consider a higher Community funding.

3. 9. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities N o C 228/9

_ANNEX_ _III_

PROGRAMME EVALUATION CRITERIA

The results against which the programme should be evaluated must reflect its objectives and the wider
objectives of the framework programme.

1. As the principal objective is to enhance the competitive position of the Community's manufacturing
industries, the evaluation should determine:

— the extent to which the projects were selected against credible and measurable industrial criteria,

— the extent to which substantial product or process development has resulted from the work
supported.

2. A further objective is to encourage transfrontier collaboration in strategic industrial research. The
evaluation should determine:

— to what extent, before and after project completion, there were continuing links between partners
for research, development, manufacturing, marketing or staff formation.

3. A further programme objective is to encourage transfer of technology across Community frontiers and
between sectors, particularly those with a high predominance of SMEs. The evaluation should
determine:

— the extent to which SMEs have exploited technologies and new materials arising from successfully
completed projects,

— the extent to which accomplishments are protected by patent action or are disseminated to raise
awareness in the European research and technology community.

4. In the wider context of the framework programme, the evaluation should determine:

— the extent to which the projects have contributed to the harmonization of the Community by
reducing the technical barriers to trade.

The evaluation will be undertaken by independent evaluators.