CELEX: 51989PC0105
Language: en
Date: 1989-02-24
Title: AMENDED PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION concerning the implementation at Community level of the main phase of the strategic programme for innovation and technology transfer (SPRINT) (1989-1993) (presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 149, paragraph 3 of the EEC Treaty)

ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (89) 105
Vol. 1989/0032
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 ---pagebreak--- COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                               COM ( 89 ) 105   final
                                               Brussels , 24 --  February . 1989
             AMENDED PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION
   concerning the implementation at Community level of the
            main phase of the strategic programme for
                innovation and technology transfer
                                 ( SPRINT )
                               ( 1989-1993 )
    (presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 149 , paragraph 3
                           of the EEC Treaty )
 ---pagebreak---                    Modif-ied    Proposai for a Decision
                                      œncerning
                th3 irnplenentation at Canmunity levai of the main
                 plasa of the strategie programma for innervation
                  and technology transfer - SPRINT - 1989-1993
ΊΉΕ ΟΧ©&ΙΕΙ, ΟΡ ΤΗΕ ΕυΒΟΡΕΑΝ ΟΟΜΙΜΓΠΕδ ,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Carmunity,
and in particular Article 235 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Carmission ( 1 ), •
Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament ( 2 ),
Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Corrmittee ( 3 ),
Whereas , under Article 2 of the Treaty, one of the major responsibilities
of the Carmunity is to ensure the harmonious development of the economy,
together with continued and balanced growth throughout the Carmunity , and
whereas , under Article 130A of the Treaty , it is required to achieve such
harmonious development of the entire Carmunity by developing and pursuing
actions leading to the strengthening of the Community 's economic and so¬
cial cohesion ;
Whereas , under the terms of Article 130F of the Treaty, the Carmunity has
as an objective the reinforcement of the scientific and technological
bases of European industry and the encouragement of the development of its
 international conpetitivity , and whereas the attainment of this objective
 involves , in particular , a determined effort to promote innovation and
 technology transfer ;
 ( 1 ) OJ N° C248    15.10.88, p.3
 (2) .
 ( 3 ) OJ N° C23     30.1.89 , p.6
                                                                            I
 ---pagebreak---                                                 2
 '• whereas the strategic Ccmrnmity programme for innovation and technology
  transfer - SPRINT 1983-1989 - (•*) has demonstrated the need for , and added
  value to 'oe derived fron, an ambitious Cannunity policy for innovation and
  technology transfer , particularly with a view to achieving the internal
market by the and of 1992 ;
’ihereas it is essential for the future of the Csmsunity to adopt appro¬
priate measures to stiraulat* the innovative capacity of companies and to
proasta rapid application of nsw technologies as soon as tney become
available ;
'.«harsaa many isKàa&t tsehRslogiGa» huwe yet ta spfciev© their f*'ll patenti al.
d^frusicri in cvucìEiia crudi, hicr^l industriai ss-dbhrs or in oort-it r?–icr ?;
us              iv.-klcptass, ci ìsdiTtrf.al deliro , col v- r           ^
          , ti^s   t                 ~cz>^ ç:uly  Ci-r                    rs*
                  aise its eccïjrede tnâ sccial csrl^oion?
                                           »
Whuirsis tiiiS j-kilrår uiaiC'S V.svss dv'-Hcp'^i spoolplicors 9-^ ^    rhe wrv*
port or irrorvcitia'ï ,     tsxshRblsgy trsKsfer and consuitEroy in  :        im
aenag'SSfEaït, üritticing and industrial cctpsration » and vtwrp's thr>*« infra¬
structures hâve a sigïïiiücsnt multiplier effset La praRctiurj innova.ti.cn
âitti tachîàslogicai davsL^aesïfc in ctscjanies , egpocially smllar cne», whila
and
the
the    institution of transnational liaism , coopcraticn , trainirsg and trans¬
fer rnechanisus optunira th«sa national schenes ;
' *) OJ N* L353 of 1S . 12.1983 , p. 12 and CJ N* L1S3 of 13.C6.37 , p. 45
 ---pagebreak---  Whereas the Cormunity itself, in complement to the actions of the Member
 States , has also undertaken initiatives to support innovation and techno¬
 logy transfer, as important elements in the implementation of other Connu-
 nity policies .
Whereas it is appropriate to maximise thesa initiatives in order to re¬
inforce their ef fectiveness and ooherence ;
                   Whereas in this principal phase of the
                   programme it is necessary to qive
                   greater prominence to the role of
                   companies and their organizations , finance
                   companies , specialized consultants and the
                   professional personnel involved .
Whereas in view of the importance of technology transfer and innovation
for SEs it is appropriate to coordinate the actions in this area with
the policy in favour of SME 's developed by the Commission within the
framework of its Action Progranme( 1 ) ;
Whereas it is essential to have access to instruments providing a better
understanding of the innovation and technology transfer process , In order
to identify more clearly the obstacles to be encountered and to evaluate
the impact of instruments and policies ;
Whereas reciprocal information flows , the exchange of experience and con¬
certstion between the Member States and the Cormission with regard to in¬
novation policies are essential to enhance their own effectiveness and the
cohesion of the entire Gcnnunity ;
( 1 ) OCM(86 ) 445 fir»cl
                                                                            *
 ---pagebreak---                                         4
 Whereas there is a need to icyrove access to technologies , capital ss–
 narkets in order to stimulate innovation ;
 Whereas Cnrmunity action appears necessary in these fields and whereas chs
 treaty makes no provision for corresponding powers of action ,
 BAS i «Trrpp AS TOLLCWS *
Article 1
The main phase of the strategic programne for the promotion of innovation
and technology transfer , hereinafter referred to as the "SFR1OT programne'*
 (" Strategic Programne for Innovation and Technology Transfer"), is hereby
adopted for a period of five years from 1 January 1989 .
Article 2
The aima of the proposed programne are as follows :
1 . to strengthen the innovative capadty of Eurqpean producers of gcods
    and services , in view of the 1992 Single Market;
2 . to promote rapid penetration of new technologies throughout the econo¬
    mic fabric of the Comounity, particularly in those regions and indus¬
    trial sectors where they are as yet not fully integrated, thus streng¬
    thening, in close Liaiscn with other policies , instruments and bodies
    promoted by the Oamunity, its eoonanic and social cohesion in the
    field of innovation and technology transfer;
 ---pagebreak---                                            5
   3 . to enhance thè effectiveness and ccherar.ce of existing instrunents and
       policies, whether regional , naticnal or Gonnunity, in thè field of in¬
       novation and technology transfer .
  Article 3
  With a view to achieving the aims set out in Article 2, the following
  actions will be undertaken, taking careful account of initiatives already
  underway, as provided for in Article 5 :
   strengthening of the innovation
   services infrastructure in the
   Community bv the consolidation of
    exlstinq transnational networks . and
   bv the formation of further networks .
   pavlng Particular attention to those
    areas of the Community where a
    suitable framework does not vet exist
   gr._laJLnad.equat.e.. and building upon
    existing organisations in the regions ;
. supporting intxa-Ccmnunity pilot projects for information transfer where
   these are of value to the Ccmnunity as a whole;
        $
. improving the innovation environment by a better understanding of the
  processes involved and increased ooncertation between the Member States
  and the Gonnissicn .
These actions are described in detail in Annex I.
Article 4
The Cannunity's contribution to the activities set out in Article 3 u
astimated at 130 million EQ7 over the lifespan of the psogranme .
                                                                               *
 ---pagebreak---                                          O
A significant: part of this amount will be employed , as a priority , to the
benefit of regions of lagging development or industrial decline .
Annex II provides an indicative breakdown of expenditure for the various
actions set out in Article 3 .
Article 5
1 . The Caanisaion is respcnsible far implemanting the SPRINT programme .
2 . The Carmissicn is assisted by a cormittee ,       kncw as the " Innovation
    Cannittes" , canprising représentatives of the Monter States and chairad
    by the CanTdssian' s représentative .
    The Gonmissian’ s representative subnits to the Gamsittee a proposal on
    measures to be taken . The deadline by wtti<di the Cannittee must give
    its opinion an this proposal is set by the diairma in the light of the
    urgency of th* issue . The opinion is adopted by the majority Laid dcwn
    in Article !.i 2 (?.) of the Treaty concerning the adoption of Decisions
    1/        Council on a proposal fron the Coimissicn . For the purposes of
    vod?.g within the Coimittae , the votes of the national representatives
    wl' _, zti weighted in accordance with the above article . The chairman has
    no "Ota .
                                                                                1
                                                                                  à
 ---pagebreak---                                         7
    The Commission adopts measures with irrrrediate effect . Nevertheless , if
    these are not in accordance with the Carmittee' s opinion , these mea¬
    sures are immediately oarmanicatad to the Council by the Caitnissicn . In
    this case , the Commission may defer application of the measure it has
    promulgated for a maximum of one month from the date of this communi¬
    cation .
    The Council, acting by a qualified majority, may reach an alternative
    decision within the period set out in the above paragraph .
3 . With respect to tha implémentation of the plan of action outlined in
    Article 3, the Carraission will corssult the Canmittee in particular with
    regard tôt
    - prioritiee of the above plan of action,
    - évaluation of projects ,
    - avalúation of the prograimie Sor the purpoeee of preparing the report
      callad for under Article 8 .
4 . The Commission will ensure close liaison between the SPRINT programma
    and othar related or conplamentary Camunity initiatives , in course or
    in préparation .
                                                                               α
 ---pagebreak---                                           8
■xt-LcIe 6
1 . The financial oontrilMtion of the Carmunity will be adapted to the
    characteristics of the specific case . It may taka the form of a direct
    or indirect subsidy, an advance on cwn capital , a contribution to a
    guarantee arrangement or any other appropriate form. This contribution ,
    as a percentage of total costs , shall be the lower the greater the
    proximity of the action or project to the racket.
2 . The Commission will , in general , inplanent the SPRINT progranme by way
    of calls for proposais .
3 . In implementing the program*, the Ccnmisaicn will also make use of the
    instruments and bodies promoted within the framework of other Ccmrunity
    coliciea, in particular regional policy, in order to reinforce the
    efficiency of th* programme and overall coherence.
4 . The Ormniasicn * s contractors will , as i general rule , bear the major
    share of financing, and at least 50% of total costs . In exceptional
    cases , and after an opinion by the "Innovation Cannittee", a ccntribu-
    ticn m excess of this percentage shall not be excluded, in particular
    fur the purposes of taking account of the specific difficulties an-
    cuuncari'.d by regions of lagging development or industrial decline in
    participating in transnational activities .
 ---pagebreak---          furticle 7
         In accordance with a procedure to be drawn up oy the Con-mission, and after
         an opiru.cn by the Innovation Committee'' , the Member States and the Cor.
         mission shall conduct regular exchanges of all useful information with ?
         bearing on the alms of the programne referred to in this Decision .
         Article 8
         During the third year of the programme’ 3 operation , the Carmissicn will
         draw up a report assessing the results achieved and, after an opinion by
         the " Innovation Committee ", submit it to the Council , the European Parlia¬
         ment and the Economic and Social Carmittee . This report may be accompanied
         by proposals for ncdifying the programme , should these appear necessary in
         the Light of the results .
             The European Parliament will be asked to give its opinion on
              this report and any accompanying proposals for modifications .
         Crs compì etion of thè progranme ,  and after an opinion by thè " Innovatici
         Commi ttee ", thè Ccrrmission vili submit to thè Council , thè European Par-
         liament and thè Economie and Social Carmittee a report cn thè programma ’ s
         implementatioo and resulta .
         Article 9
             The Commission shall use the most appropriate means to disséminât
information throuffhout the Coeaunity on activities eonducted in implémenta t le n
of thio decision and the résulté of auch actiritieB 1
         Article 10
         This Decision is addressed to the Mancer States •
           me ?.t Brus sa 1 1 ■                         'jor rhs r ~ -
 ---pagebreak---                                                                      ANNEX I
             5ПИГ331С ряосадмв гса ШЬСУХПСМ АЬЮ                  TPAiEFER
                              -   SPSHir - 1989-1993 -
                          AI>S AND CQTHZTICBf CP PCTlCtS
The aima of tha progranme ara as follo«:
1 . to strangtben tha innovativa capacity cf S^rcpean producsrs of cocca
      itd sasrvtcsa with a view to tbc 1992 •final® Market ;
1 , to psospt® smpxd                 ari rm? t&tbrslsrd®® th?oychc,c£ the ecr-'o-’
      i:uc fesric of the Ccrcsrsitv^  partiaaiarly in those regions aod indus¬
      trial enters where they at® as yst not Silly ihtegratad , thus rtro-a-
    ■ tnaning , in cios® LLaLscn with other policies , Lnrtrumsnts and bodies
      pratistsd by the Ccmuinity, its oaonsaaio and social cohesion inthe field
      of innovation and technology transfer ;
2 . to enhanoe thè affectivarass and ccherancs of «xishing irstrurasnts and
      paliciss , whethar ragionai , ostiensi or Csnmunity , in thè fiald cf Ln-
      novaticn .
The proposed actions , comprising three priority lines of action, will -nafca
the most of the Comrunity dimension and optiniza national efforts in the
field of innovation and technology transfer, thus accelerating the techno-
 ogical development of European industry.
 ---pagebreak---      ?'        r~*J :v*        v, __ r TT^ry."_i.rfT'y,<-:•»• ~urt’.r"1" _frtr inrx’vrticn. sorvi zsr,
     tíia ¿rv afrji.isi.j - .& -t o :; jr . \ ¡- x-suul. • .-y y -,: - Tus
la prrticular , thio ü.volvos i
1    T>* st.rsngthariing o * intra-Cr. ^ÎÎTÎ joity nets*îor5ta Cor innovation :
     li ) consoTj dat.icn *nd cte^leprent. of eadirting networks , particularly
          involving:
          - tschnology and innovation manftgffiw.t consultants ;
          - sectoral collective ra&earch centrer? ?
          » innovation fioandng institutions .
   11? '  formation of nsw raatworks , pørtieularly bttsw*r«:
          - contract-researdî organisations ;
          - engineering consultants ;
          - quality and value-an&lysis apecialiats . . .
  le )    strengthaning intra-Coranunity crirnunication betwaan:
          - rasaarcft/ industry and univers ity/ irsdustry interface ;
          - technopoles and science parks .
  :A )    délimitation cf link?g» mschardarœ? b-àtwsen tfta variais Lancr/atic:
          and technoiogy transfer nsfcworks .
 ---pagebreak---                                              3
 Netwsrk support, measures :
 2a ) actions of infonraticn , awareness , pra7otj.cn and the transfer of
       kncw-how in innovation management and reiated measures :
                                         • trans-natlonai and Inter - régional
                        exchanqes of experiencp     across national
                                         boundaries in particular through sup¬
       port for studies , specialist seminars and the formation of net¬
       works of experts in relevant management disciplines ( quality,
       value analysis , marketing . ..)?
     . diffusion of these management techniques by appropriate promo¬
       tional activities ( conferences , exhibitions , European prizes ,
       " success stories " ...);
     . actions of information ,      awareness and the transfer of know-how ,
       of a transnational character or purpose , for actors involved in
       the diffusion and transfer of technology and in innovation mana¬
       gement - these actions to be developed in close Liaison with the
       CCMEIT programme .
b ) gteclflc instruments to enhance the ef fectivenes3 of networks , in¬
    volving particularly :
     *              tocethar futura nstwcrk partiet nsr.ts ( fer exarnaie by
       iteans of visits end professional exchanges , intrcductory ssni-
       nars , etc . ) ;
     . exchar^es cf tachnslc~y cTtartunities , e?pecislly throuah ras¬
       ures s-tmed at :
        , . ennancing the transnational iT.çact cf                     ■ "■ nM.rit.i .- r. u
            z,~2z faire    ( axa *r      bst^a-srs crctnlsara  :; u ciffur^nt
            gicrs » visita Lp rennui'acturers frem c-ther régions , etc. , r
                                                                                             a
 ---pagebreak---                                            4
           . ■ davelcping maans of camvunicatinq these technology opportnni
               ties and appropriate ose thereof ( catalogues , exhibitions ,
               exchanges , databanka , conférences and seminars , videoconfe-
               rences , etc. );
        . identifying "bast practice" with respect to technology transfer ;
       . specific measures to ensure that those regions of the Ccmnunity
          with a less well developed service infrastructure for innovation
          can participate more fully in the various intra-Ocmmxiity net¬
          works .
  2c ) The launching of innovations emerging from networks by improving
       the dialogue between sources of funding technical experts and inno¬
       vators identified by the networks ( for example , through a databank
       of projects , intra-Cbmounity "investment fora" and "brokerage
       meetings").                                    •        '
. Suppartigg pilot projacts fer intza-OgsssÆdty irsiovatlcp transfer.
 suppart far pilot projeets of transnatiansi character , emphasizing in¬
 dustriai cooperatian and, in particular, invaiving thè application of
 generic technologias to target industriai sectors in ragiona of lagging
 develcpraant or industriai decline of thè Comunity7
 acccnpanying masures to heighten awarenass of these technologies and te
 train comparu. es adopting thera, amphasizing the transnational dimension;
 ---pagebreak---                                         5
   . the provision of technical support for
   companies , particularly small - and
   medium-sized enterprises , potentially
   able to use these technologies , in
   particular by employing specialised
   technology transfer networks and
   advanced - technology centres ;
 . support for tha affective execution of projects , particularly by mobili¬
   zing available finding fran the public and private sectors .
Twin approadiee can be followad:
. cne cf these identifies available technologies with a cost-benefit ratio
   suiting them for widespread adoption by conpanies in regions of lagging
   development or industrial decline , and is therefore designed to protote
   the use of these technologies in the sectors concerned;
. the other is baaed on identifying a problem, far which a solution can be
   found, comm to a group of canpanias in a given industrial sector or
   region . It encourages the identification and possible adaptation of
   available technologies to deal with tha problem.
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 6 -
The planned projects must be on a large enough scale to act as a catalys'
in the development of the industrial sectors and the use of the technolo
gies concerned . They must also meet , wholly or in part, the following cri¬
teria :
- be model proj eets in as mach as they anploy a " systemic " overall aop--
  roach to the introduction of technological change , rot only in purely
  technical terms but also with regard to such aspects as ccmpany organi-
  zatien, the training and motivatlon of persennei and ^ the use of such
  management methods as value analysis , industrial design and the assess-
  ment of market potential ;
- próvida an optimun combination of skills through transnational ( between
  several Member States of the Ccmmunity) and, wherever possible , trans-
  functicnal ( between partners of differing specialist skills )
                                                 and inter-regional coopération .
- involve irdu3triai sectors or technologies chosen to guarantee a sigrr -
   ficant économie impact ;
- iivake an active contribution to reducing regional disparities in the
  availability of - and access to - technologies ;
                                                         ♦
- ba based as far as possible en existing infrastructures and enhance Un
  use maie of these ;
 ---pagebreak---                                         7
    Include follow-up and evaluation provisions , based in particular cn
    stated and readily verifiable quantitative aims ;
    ansured feedback of the experience gained, preferably directly by the
    companies benefiting frcm the scheme , in order to maximize the nulti-
    olier effect .
   . Improvinq the Innovation ecviraanBafc thrtugh a better understandinq of
     the proceaeee involved and jggeaad oaaoartatiaa batwcan the Msnfaar
     States and the Cccnissicn
1 . Mcnitoring - of innovation in Europe ( "Surcpean Innovation Mcnitoring
     Systm")' and «valuation of support maasures ;
2-i Strengthening ooncertation and tha exchanga of exparience between tne
     NSamber States and tha Gamdssion in the field of innovation policy and
     technology transfer , in particular with the aim of establishing a regu¬
     latory, legal, economic and fiscal environment favourable to innovation
     snd technology transfer .
                                                                              I /-