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21. 8. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/1

## II

_(Preparatory Acts)_

# COMMISSION

Re-examined proposal for a Council decision adopting a specific programme for the dissemination
and utilization of scientific and technological research results (VALUE) (1989 to 1992)

_COM(89) 283 final — SYN 136_

_(Presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 149.2(d) of the EEC Treaty_

_on 6 June 1989)_

(89/C 214/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

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

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

In co-operation with the European Parliament (*),

Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social
Committee ( [2] ),

Whereas Article 130 G(c) of the Treaty assigns to the
Community the task of, _inter alia,_ disseminating and
optimising the results of activities in Community research,
technological development and demonstration;

Whereas Article 130 K of the Treaty states that the
Framework Programme shall be implemented through
specific programmes developed within each activity;

Whereas, by Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC ( [3] ), as
amended by Decision 88/193/EEC, Euratom ( [4] ), the
Council adopted a Framework Programme for Community
activities in the field of research and technological
development (1987 to 1991), providing for activities in the
field of dissemination and utilisation of scientific and

technological research results in order to increase the
efficiency of the research and technological development
work itself and to stimulate the process of innovation and
industrial exploitation in Europe;

(*) Opinion delivered on 16 November 1988 (not yet published in
the _Official Journal of the European_ _Communities)._
( [2] ) OJ No C 337, 31. 12. 1988, p. 12.
( [3] ) OJ No L 302, 24. 10. 1987, p. 1.
( [4] ) OJ No L 89, 6. 4. 1988, p. 35.

Whereas the Council decided on the same occasion to give
more attention to these horizontal activities, which
constitute an essential part of the Community's scientific
and technological strategy;

Whereas Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC stipulates that a
specific objective of Community research must be to
strengthen the scientific and technological basis of
European industry, particularly in strategic sectors of
advanced technology, and to encourage industry by
making it more competitive at the international level, and
whereas the same Decision also lays down that Community
action is justified if it contributes, among other things, to
enhancing the Community's economic and social cohesion
and to encouraging its overall harmonious development,
while at the same time being consistent with the pursuit of
scientific and technical excellence; whereas the VALUE
programme is planned to contribute to the pursuit of these
objectives;

Whereas a specific programme for the dissemination and
utilisation of the results of scientific and technological
research should complement the activities carried out in
this area in the context of other specific Community
research and development programmes and should also be
closely co-ordinated with Community programmes in
related fields, such as the SPRINT programme and the
action plan for small and medium-sized enterprises;

Whereas it is desirable to promote co-operation between
European Community research and development programmes and EUREKA projects; whereas, in the context of the
present programme decision, it is desirable for appropriate
links with the EUREKA COSINE project to be established;

No C 214/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 8. 89

Whereas this programme must make use of the latest
telecommunications and information technology to
achieve its objectives, for example by the creation of
computer networks;

Whereas the dissemination of results should be carried out

taking into consideration the technologically strategic
interests of participants in the Member States and of the
Community and in conformity with any requirements of
confidentiality;

Whereas it is appropriate for the special needs of small and
medium-sized enterprises to be taken into account as
regards technological information and assistance for
exploitation;

Whereas the Commission, in implementation of the Treaty
establishing the European Coal and Steel Community,
carries out activities in the coal and steel sectors which do

not come under the RTD Framework Programme and the
results of which must be disseminated and used through
appropriate autonomous activities;

Whereas the actions for the dissemination and utilisation of

results of specific Community technological research and
development programmes laid down in the Framework
Programme (1987 to 1991) are downstream from these
specific programmes;

Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research Committee

(CREST) has given its opinion;

HAD ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

_Article 1_

A specific programme for the dissemination and utilization
of results from research in science and technology,
hereinafter called 'dissemination and utilization programme', is hereby adopted for an initial period of three years
from 1 January 1989.

_Article 2_

The programme shall comprise two sub-programmes.

The objectives and scientific and technical content of these
sub-programmes are set out in detail in Annex I.

_Article 3_

1. The funds estimated as necessary for the Community's
financial contribution to the execution of the programme
amount to 38 million ecus, including expenditure arising
from a temporary staff of 20.

2. An indicative breakdown of appropriations, for the
estimated total amount, between the various activities
listed in Annex I is given in Annex II.

_Article 4_

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

_Article 5_

1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the programme.

The Commission shall be assisted by a committee of an
advisory nature composed of the representatives of the
Member States and chaired by the representative of the
Commission.

_Article 6_

1. The Representative of the Commission shall submit to
the Committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The

Committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft, within a
time limit which the Chairman may lay down according to
the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.

2. The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in
addition, each Member State shall have the right to ask to
have its position recorded in the minutes.

3. The Commission shall take the utmost account of the

opinion delivered by the Committee. It shall inform the
Committee of the manner in which its opinion has been
taken into account.

_Article 7_

The procedure laid down in Article 6 shall apply in
particular to:

— the content of calls for tenders,

— the assessment of the proposed projects and the
estimated amount of the Community's contribution to
them,

— confidentiality criteria for the dissemination of results,

— departures from the general rules governing Community financial participation set out in Annex III,

— any adaptation of the indicative breakdown of appropriations set out in Annex II,

— the precise implementing procedures resulting from
agreements with third countries,

— the measures to be undertaken to evaluate the

programme.

_Article 8_

1. In the first half of the third year of the programme
implementation, the Commission shall undertake a review
of the programme and the extent to which the objectives set
out in Annex I have been achieved. The Commission shall

address a report to the European Parliament and the

21. 8. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/3

Council on the results of this review, together, if necessary,
with any proposals for modification or prolongation in the
light of the interim results achieved.

2. At the end of the programme, the Commission shall
report to the European Parliament and the Council on the

evaluation of the results achieved.

3. The reports provided for in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be
drawn up having regard to the objectives set out in Annex I
to this Decision and in conformity with Article 2(2) of

Decision No 87/516/Euratom, EEC.

_Article 9_

1. The Commission is hereby authorised to negotiate, in
accordance with Article 130 N of the Treaty, agreements
with third countries taking part in European Co-operation
in the field of Scientific and Technical Research (COST)

with a view to associating them wholly or partially with the
programme. These agreements shall be founded on the
criteria of mutual advantage.

_Article 10_

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

_ANNEX_ _1_

Objectives and scientific and technical content

The general objective of the VALUE programme is to promote the effective utilization of the results of
Community RTD activities with a view to attaining the declared goal of the Framework Programme to
strengthen the scientific and technological basis of European industry and with a view both to encouraging
industry by making it more competitive at the international level and to contributing to the completion of the
single internal market and the strengthening of economic and social cohesion.

SUB-PROGRAMME I: DISSEMINATION AND UTILIZATION OF THE RESULTS OF COMMUNITY

RTD ACTIVITIES

1. _Objectives_

Whilst respecting the contractual arrangements governing Community RTD activities, to disseminate,
by appropriate channels, the results of those activities so as to ensure an improvement in the level of
exploitation and the resulting creation of economic activities. In order to improve the competitiveness of
European industry, the interests of SMEs will be taken into account and special consideration will be
given to their needs as regards technological information and assistance for exploitation.

Lines of action:

1.1. Collection and dissemination of information concerning existing or planned Community RTD
programmes, using appropriate methods and means, such as:

— computerized data bases,

— electronic information services,

— information and dissemination centres in the Member States,

— the editing and distributing of printed matter (newsletters, brochures, reviews, articles).

This activity should facilitate participation in general in RTD activities and the search for partners. As
far as possible, use will be made of existing data bases and associated information services including,
where appropriate, services offered by private organizations.

1.2. Identification, characterization and screening to establish their suitability for dissemination or
exploitation of relevant results of Community RTD activities by:

— examining contracts and reports,

— assessing their scientific/technical and utilisation potential,

— examining the need for protection by means of patent applications, etc.

No C 214/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 8. 89

1.3. Action on legal protection of the results by:

— having recourse to selected patent agents advisers,

— examining reports to ensure confidentiality and protection before publication,

— assisting contractors and inventors,

— information and awareness activities.

1.4. Dissemination of results which need not be protected by:

— publications (books, reports, summaries, newsletters, etc.),

— organization of, and participation in, seminars, conferences, exhibitions, etc.,

— organisation of targeted dissemination activities,

— transfer of knowledge by (short-term) secondment of research workers participating in Community
RTD projects,

— collaboration with, and assistance to, organisations in the Member States in the setting up of
mechanisms for dissemination,

— electronic means such as data bases and associated services.

1.5. Promotion of the exploitation of relevant results by:

— assessing, with the help of experts, the potential for exploitation of the results,

— providing expert advice in the setting up and planning of exploitation projects,

— assisting in matters of legal and technical protection,

— exhibitions, assisting in finding partners for joint ventures or work under licence,

— providing financial and technical support for developing laboratory prototypes for collaborative
precompetitive use,

— advising participants in finding financial support from third parties;

SUB-PROGRAMME II: COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS

2. _Objectives_

To promote, with a view to improving the efficiency of distributed research and development activities
throughout Europe, while paying due regard to the requirements for confidentiality and integrity of
Community RTD information (see 2.2), a common integrated computer communications infrastructure
and associated services, accessible to the various public and private research centres in Europe.

Lines of action:

2.1. General support to the development of computer communications networks in the field of RTD.

— Technical assistance and support to the RARE (Reseaux associes pour la recherche europeenne)
Association, particularly its pan-European projects (e.g. in the message handling and files transfer
areas), to the implementation phase of the EUREKA COSINE project, and to Member States
wishing to develop or adapt networks for the purposes of this programme.

2.2. Work on requirements for confidentiality and integrity of Community RTD information.

21. 8. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/5

_ANNEX_ _U_

Indicative breakdown of appropriations

_(million ecu)_

SUB-PROGRAMME I:

Dissemination and utilization of the results of Community RTD

activities

1.1. Collection and dissemination of information concerning existing or
planned Community RTD programmes

1.2. Identification, characterization and screening of results of
Community RTD activities

1.3. Actions on legal protection of results (patents, etc.)

1.4. Dissemination of results

1.5 Promotion of the exploitation of results

Sub-total

SUB-PROGRAMME II:

Computer communications networks

2.1. General support to the development of computer communications
networks in the field of RTD

— Technical assistance and support to the RARE Association
(Reseaux Associes pour la Recherche Europeenne) particularly
its pan-European projects (e.g. in the message handling and files
transfer areas), to the implementation phase of the EUREKA
COSINE project, and to Member States wishing to develop or
adapt networks for the purposes of this programme

2.2. Work on requirements for confidentiality and integrity of
Community RTD information

Sub-total

To be allocated after mid-term programme review

Total

6,0

2,0

2,0

8,0

10,0

6,0

2,0

28,0

8,0

2,0

38,0

^ o C ^ B t ^ C^thci^l]ourn^lotr^cLuron^nCornrnnn^nc^ ^1 ^ ^

i . C E ^ E I ^ l

In the implementation ofthe programme, the Commission shall study,select and apply methods forthe efficient
[dissemination and takeupoftechnologicalinnovations.lt will apply the accumulated experience and best](http://takeupoftechnologicalinnovations.lt)
practice ofboth European and international experts in this field.In its exploitation work, the Commission will
take into consideration the legitimate interests of the contractors.

II.S^ECIEICI^^LE^E^T^TIO^^OO^EITIES

t. The activities set out in ^nnexlare to be implemented by means, ^ ^ ^ ^ ^, of contracts for studies and
services to be carried out on behalf of the Commission.

^. ^ i t h r e g a r d t o the actions to be implemented on the basis of shared-cost contracts,the Community^
participation will in principle be up to ^ 0 ^ of the total expenditure.

^lternatively,m respect of universities and research institutes carrying out projects, the Community may
bear up totO^O^of additional expenditure involved.

^. Call for proposals or for tenders ^restricted or publics are to be published where appropriate in the ( 0 ^ ^

4. Support for European cooperation networks is a further means of achieving the objectives of the
programme. The Commission may also nominate bodies to be its correspondents forthe local promotion of
the objectives of the programme in member States or regions where the infrastructure for these activities
needs to be developed.

21. 8. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/7

COMMENTS OF THE COMMISSION ON THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED BY THE

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE

COMMISSION

The European Parliament has proposed in its second reading, 24th May 1989, three amendments,
which have not been accepted by the Commission, to the common position relative to a decision
(CEE) adopting a specific programme for the dissemination and utilization of the results from
scientific and technological research (VALUE).

The Commission considers that the introduction of a budgetary amendment is not desirable for the
proposal for decision which is currently under consideration, since it would delay the adoption of
the programmes in question;

The Commission considers it inopportune to mention its duty, 'The coordination of the activities
of various programme managers and competent D.Gs' in a proposal relating to a specific

programme.

Amendment n° 4 relates, particularly, to the adoption of a proposal to reduce linguistic obstacles
and regional differences. Its content was introduced in the modified proposal of the Commission.
However it was not retained in the common position adopted by the Council. The Commission
therefore requested that a declaration be included in the minutes to mark its intention of respecting
the spirit of this amendment. It did not therefore seem necessary to reintroduce this amendment in
the present proposed reconsidered proposal.

AMENDMENT No 2

Commission for Energy, Research and Technology

_Recommendation_ _for the second reading (doc._ _A2-131/89)_

_Rapporteur: M._ _Kolokotronis_

Common position of the Council (doc. C2-20/89. — SYN 136)

VALUE programme

COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY PARLIAMENT

(Amendment 2)

_Article 3_

paragraph la (new)

la. The Commission shall each year, in the context of the
annual budget approval procedure, propose to the
budgetary authority that it determine the amount of the
appropriations to be entered in respect of the programme
with due regard for actual requirements in the financial
year concerned and the financial forecasts as set out in the
Inter-Institutional Agreement.

No C 214/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 8. 89

AMENDMENT No 3

Commission for Energy, Research and Technology

_Recommendation_ _for the second reading (doc._ _A2-131/89)_

_Rapporteur: M._ _Kolokotronis_

Common position of the Council (doc. C2-20/89. — SYN 136)

VALUE programme

COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY PARLIAMENT

(Amendment 3)

Article 4, second paragraph (new)

The Commission shall be responsible for ensuring the
coordination of the activities of the various programme
managers and the competent Directorates-General.

AMENDMENT No 4

Commission for Energy, Research and Technology

_Recommendation_ _for the second reading (doc._ _A2-131/89)_

_Rapporteur:_ M. _Kolokotronis_

Common position of the Council (doc. C2-20/89. — SYN 136)

VALUE programme

COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY PARLIAMENT

(Amendment 4)

_Article 8(1)_

1. In the first half of the third year of the programme
implementation, the Commission shall undertake a review
of the programme and the extent to which the objectives set
out in Annex I have been achieved. The Commission shall

address a report to the European Parliament and the
Council on the results of this review, together, if necessary,
with any proposals for modification or prolongation in the
light of the interim results achieved.

_Article 8(1)_

1. In the first half of the third year of the programme
implementation, the Commission shall undertake a review
and it shall report to the Council and the European
Parliament on the results of this review (giving statistics on
the achievement of the various objectives listed in Annex 1),
together, if necessary, with any proposals for modification
or prolongations in the light of the interim results achieved.
In the course of the same period, proposals for measures
designed to reduce the negative effects of linguistic barriers
in the field of dissemination and utilization of results from

research in science and technology, as well as the negative
effects arising from regional variations in the adequacy of
the infrastructure for activities of this nature, shall be
adopted in accordance with the procedure set out in Article
130 Q(2) of the EEC Treaty.