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20. 1. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 16/5

## II

_(Preparatory Acts)_

# COMMISSION

Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific multiannual research and training
programme for the European Atomic Energy Community in the field of radiation protection

(1990 to 1991)

_COM(88) 789 final_

_(Submitted by the Commission on 22 December 1988)_

(89/C 16/04)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

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

Having regard to the opinion of the European
Parliament,

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

Whereas, by its Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC of 28
September 1987 ('), the Council has adopted a multiannual framework programme of Community research
and technological development (1987 to 1991), providing
_inter alia_ for activities dealing with radiation protection;

Whereas the Scientific and Technical Committee ( [2] ) has
given a positive opinion on the programme proposal
1990 to 1991 from the Commission,

Whereas it is in the interest of the Community to
supplement and broaden the knowledge and the
scientific information needed for an objective study of
human exposure to radiation and radioactivity, of the
consequences of radiation exposure to man and of the
assessment and management of its risks as identified in
the document dealing with 'Community research needs
in the field of radiation protection for the period 1990 to
1994';

Whereas advanced training, scientific cooperation and
exchange of scientists and of scientific information are
essential to radiation protection;

Whereas the research covered by this Decision is an
appropriate way of pursuing such action;

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

_Article 1_

A specific research and training programme for the
European Atomic Energy Community in the field of
radiation protection, defined in Annex I, is hereby
adopted for a period of two years from 1 January 1990.

_Article 2_

The amount deemed necessary for the execution of the
programme is ECU 21,2 million, including expenditure
on a staff of 28.

_Article 3_

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

_Article 4_

1. An evaluation of the results achieved shall be

conducted by the Commission, which shall report
thereon to the Council and the European Parliament.

2. The abovementioned report shall be established
having regard to the objectives set out in Annex I to this
Decision and in conformity with the provisions of Article
2 (2) of Council Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC, of 28
September 1987.

_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 radiation protection, set
up by Council Decision 84/338/Euratom, ECSC,
EEC ( [3] ).

2. The contracts entered into by the Commission shall
regulate the rights and obligations of each party,

(') OJ No L 302, 24. 10. 1987, p. 1. .
( [2] ) See Appendix III. ' ( [J] ) OJ No L 177, 4. 7. 1984, p. 25.

No C 16/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 20. 1. 89

including the methods of disseminating, protecting and
exploiting the research results.

_Article 6_

The Commission is authorized to negotiate, in
accordance with Article 101 paragraph 2 of the EAEC

Treaty, agreements with non Member States, and international organizations, with a view to associating them
wholly or partially with the programme.

_Article 7_

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

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A ^ ^ ^ ^ ( ^

^ ^ O l A T t O ^ ^ ^ O T ^ C T ^ O ^ ^ ^ O ^ ^ ^ l ^ m ^ n ^ ^ O t D ^ ^ n

1 Obiectives

The radiation protection programme 1990 to 1991 aims by means of a cooperative European research
effort to provide

— the scientific basis for the continued updating of the^basicsafetv standards for the health protection of
the general public and workers against dangers of ionising radiations

— the scientific knowledge needed to assess the carcinogenic and genetic risks to workers and the general
public from exposure to low doses and low dose rates of radiation of different duality arising from
natural radiation, medical diagnostic radiology and nuclear industry,

— the methods to assess risks from radiation accidents as well as the rationales and techniques for the
implementation of countermeasures,

— the information necessary to expand radiation protection concepts and practices in response to demands
created, for example, by innovative applications of radiation in medicine and industry,

— the objective scientific background to help therelevant national authoraiesreach rationaldecisionson
the operation of the nuclear mdustry,on the development of environmental criteria for radioacti^itv,on
the management of rare emergency situations, and on the objective information to be given to the
public about risks and benefits,

— the incentive and the support for cooperation between scientists and research institutions from the
different member states, and the advanced training necessary to maintain competence in the
Commumtv,

— the stimulus for continueddevelopment of radiationprotectionphilosophyandconceptsmaninterna
nonal forum

It Technical co^ter^s

The 1990 to 1991 radiationprotectionprogrammerepresentsapartof the Community researchneedsin
the field of radiationprotection for thepenod 1990 to 199^ outlined m C O ^ t ft emphasises those
aspects of research that are of primary importance for the protection of workers and the public against
loni^mgradiation and that are related to the regulatory obhgationsof the Commission ^Iheprogramme
stressesresearchintocountermeasurestopreventorreduceexposuremnormalsituationsaswellasafter
accidents tt will also provide advanced training to young scientists to maintain scientific expertise in
radiationprotectioninthe Community

The programmewilldealwiththefollowmg subject areas

A rMman exposure to radiation and radioactivity

A t measurement of radiation dose and its interpretation

A^ Transfer and behaviour of radionuclides in the environment

r^ Consequences of radiation exposure to man, their assessment, prevention and treatment

DO stochastic effects of radiation

r^^ ^on^stochastic effects of radiation

r^^ radiation effects on the developing organism

C ^.isks and management of radiation exposure

C t assessment of human exposure and risks

C ^ (Optimisation and management of radiation protection

At ^ptemeDtano^

The programme will be carried out mainly by means of cost^shared contracts with national institutions and
university departments m member states Contracting parties shall be required to meet a substantial
proportion of the costs, which should normally correspond to at least ^O^Bo of the total expenditure tn
specific cases, a higher rate of Community financing maybe appropriate In such cases, the Commission
shallconsulttheCommitteereferred torn Article ^ S ^

No C 16/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 20. 1. 89

_Addendum to Annex I_

EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR THE RESEARCH AND TRAINING PROGRAMME IN THE

FIELD OF RADIATION PROTECTION

The Commission's recent communication to the Council concerning a Community plan of action relating
to the evaluation of Community research and development activities for the years 1987 to 1991 (') states
that the objectives and milestones of each research programme have to be set out in a testable form so as to
guide subsequent evaluations. Accordingly this note puts forward evaluation criteria appropriate to this

programme.

The major evaluation criteria for the programme are:

— the relevance of the results of the research carried out in the programme for the theoretical foundation
of radiation protection and its practical applications;

— the scientific originality of the work;

— the efficiency of the management;

— the extent to which the programme has contributed to cooperation among Member State's laboratories;

— its role in the dissemination of knowledge;

— the relevance and applicability of the results for the Commission's regulating activities.

In addition, the criteria set up for the 1988 to 1989 revision ( [2] ) should also be considered:

— whether a significant contribution has been made to the development of more cost-effective techniques
to prevent and counter harmful effects of radiation, especially those occurring as a result of hypothetical accidents taking into account the Chernobyl situation. In particular whether

— the reliability of long distance atmospheric transfer models has been improved,

— improved data and models on the transfer of radionuclides in the food chain have been obtained,

— the feasibility of epidemiological studies on health effects in the population has been demonstrated
or rejected,

— the radiological consequences of nuclear accident scenarios have become better understood,

— the scientific basis of the underlying data for derived emergency reference levels has been
developed,

— practical countermeasures with respect to the agricultural and aquatic environment, the urban environment and preventive medication have been improved,

— better methods for monitoring and surveillance in accidental situations have been found,

— the treatment methodologies and diagnosis of exposed persons have advanced.

Evaluations are normally conducted once during each programme and most of these criteria can be tested
only after the research contracts have been terminated and the final reports have been assessed.

The evaluation should be conducted by panels of independent external experts, chosen in accordance with
point 3.5 of the Community plan of action relating to the evaluation of Community research and development activities for the years 1987 to 1991, and who will need to take evidence on all above points.

(') OJ No C 14, 20. 1. 19S7, p. 5.
( [2] ) Council Decision of 21. 12. 1987, OJ No I. 16, 21. 1. 1988, p. 44.

20. 1. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 16/9

_APPENDIX_ _II_

Opinion of the Management and Coordination Advisory Committee 'Radiation Protection'

concerning the Draft Proposal by the Commission for a research and training programme (1990 to 1994) in

the field of radiation protection

The Management and Coordination Advisory Committee 'Radiation Protection' (CGC) has examined in
detail the proposal of the Commission during its meetings in December 1987, March 1988 and May 1988
and states unanimously:

— the CGC is of opinion that it is in the interest of the Community to advance and broaden scientific
knowledge in the field of radiation protection by means of the Commission's radiation protection
programme in order to implement the goals of the framework programme to gain adequate scientific
and technical understanding and control of radiation risks;

— the CGC stresses the need for a balanced and comprehensive Community radiation protection research
programme which takes into account the various scientific aspects most essential for the protection of
man and his environment from ionizing radiation and which is indispensable to maintain Community
competence in radiation protection;

— the CGC strongly supports the draft programme proposal 1990 to 1994 and states its conviction, based
on a valid assessment of Community needs in radiation protection, that the research proposed is
relevant, contains the most essential elements and will assure a cost-effective coordination of national
effort, avoiding unnecessary duplication;

' — the CGC points out that, in order to prevent any further decline in the scientific radiation protection
expertise presently available within the Community, it is essential that opportunities for advanced
training be now provided for scientists working in this area;

— the CGC stresses the need for funds to assure a certain flexibility of the programme which is needed to
respond rapidly to important developments in radiation protection or to a changed situation such as
that presented by the Chernobyl accident.

— the CGC has evaluated the current programme 1985 to 1989 (see Annex) ( [l] ) and concludes that this
programme is comprehensive, balanced and well managed, that it contributes significantly to relevant
knowledge on radiation protection and that it has achieved a high degree of Community cooperation in
this area;

— the CGC takes note of the fact that, within the present framework programme 1987/1991, the funds
available for a decision on a future radiation protection programme as presented in the draft proposal
allow only limited progress. Consequently, the programme will have to be executed in two phases.

Consequently the CGC unanimously asks the Council to agree to the renewal of the multiannual research
and training programme in radiation protection for a period of five years as an appropriate way of assuring
an adequate level of radiation protection in the Community.

Brussels, 15 July 1988.

Prof. Dr A. CIGNA

_Chairman of the CGC 'Radiation Protection'_

(') See Appendix IV and Supplementary Document part II.

^ o C t D B t O C^ffic^l]oarn^lof ^ELiro^c^nCornrriLiriin^ ^0 1 ^

Opinionof the^ciendficandTeehnieatCommittee

on the proposal of the Commission foraresearch and training programme!990tol991 for the European
AtomicEnergyCommumtyinthe field of radiationprotecdon

t touring its meetingon 31 Octoher 1 9 ^, the Committee has examined theCommunity programme in
the field of radiation protection

— on the one hand,it has examined the programme proposal!990tol991,

— on the other hand,it has startedadiscussion on certain aspects of the Community programme which
should recede particular attention, especially during the period which follows the forthcoming
revision of the framework programme

2 The Committee gives positive advice on the programme proposal for the years 1990 to 1991 It
considers thatitisimportantthattheCommunityeffortshecontmued inthethreesuh^ect areas ^e r^
andCof the proposed programme

3 TheCommittee considers that the present uncertainties in the estimates of the effect of lowdoses of
radiationandthewidespreadtendency to exaggerate theeffectsmal^eit important to emphasi^ethese
partsof theprogrammethatarelil^elytoimprovethescientifichasisof radiationprotectionstandards
applying to low doses whether from occupational or natural sources

The Committee alsorecogm^es that there are significant differences ofopimoninthe Community with
respect to the use of availahle scientific information for the management of radiation protection

The Committeethereforeencouragesthoseactivitieswithmtheradiationprotectionprogramme which
could usefully contribute to ahetter common understandingof the corresponding scientificissues and
an improved communication with the puhlic

^ The Committee is concerned ahout the discrepancies in measurement and interpretation that hecame
apparent after the Chernohyl accident ^hile these aspects may not he partof a radiationprotection
research programme, the Committee advises the Commission to provide additional help to memher
states for improving measurement and interpretation procedures

^ At itsne^t meeting,the Committee ^illcontinue to discuss the orientations of theradiation protection
programme to he recommended for the framework programme revision, taking into account the
evaluation of the current programme hy an independent panel

20. 1. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 16/11

_APPENDIX_ _IV_

Opinion of the Management and Coordination Advisory Committee 'Radiation Protection'

concerning the evaluation of the 1985 to 1989 radiation protection programme

The Management and Coordination Advisory Committee 'Radiation Protection' (CGC) has evaluated the
radiation protection programme (see Supplementary Document II) in preparation for a new programme
proposal. On the basis of its discussions and annual evaluation of the ongoing research projects, the CGC
concludes:

— despite the reduction in funding compared to the original proposal of the Commission, a reasonably
balanced radiation protection research programme has been achieved although several relevant research
areas had to be reduced or abandoned with a consequent loss of expertise in this area. Moreover, the
amputation of the funds for flexibility did not permit the programme to respond immediately to the
Chernobyl accident by an appropriate extension of research projects;

— the research carried out in the different areas of the programme (sectors) in highly relevant for
conceptual, practical and regulatory problems in radiation protection on a Community level, and the
great majority of the projects have made remarkably good progress in attaining their specified goals.
The scientists involved in the projects of the programme have proven their ability to respond to the
challenge of Chernobyl as far as their limited means allowed;

— the radiation protection programme has continued to be highly productive in relation to the means
available, with an output of about 700 scientific publications per year and a large number of
proceedings from workshops and symposia on topical subjects (a total of 25 from 1985 to 1987);

— the study groups, workshops and seminars organized by the Commission alone or together with other
institutions have had a substantial impact in fostering the exchange of information and cooperation and
have noticeably contributed to the cost-effectiveness of the programme. The Commission's workshop
were among the first ones to evaluate objectively the consequences of the Chernobyl accident;

— the present structure of the CGC has facilitated and contributed to an effective management of the
programme in cooperation with the Commission's staff. This allowed scientific priorities relevant to the
practical and regulatory needs of Community radiation protection to be defined and the progress of all
different research projects to be closely monitored. This structure also has become a valuable
instrument for the interchange of information and for cooperation between the different national
efforts and the Community's radiation protection programme;

— many of the scientific recommendations of the earlier independent evaluation panel have been adopted
successfully in the programme, a few, however, could not be realized or be funded;

— the Memoranda of Understanding concluded recently with the United States Department of Energy
and the Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd have started with much good will on both sides and are
becoming a basis of valuable cooperation;

— the cooperative groups initiated and supported by the programme have continued to be useful
instruments for the implementation of technical cooperation. They have contributed significantly to the
creation of a European climate of research and have helped in the training of scientists in radiation
protection;

— only a small number of short-term training fellowships have been possible under the programme. In
view of the critical manpower situation, the training and exchange of young scientists should be
expanded to prevent a decline in the expertise in radiation protection occurring in the near future.

Brussels, 4 May 1988.

Prof. Dr. A. CIGNA

_Chairman_ _of_ _the_ _CGC_ _'Radiation Protection'_