CELEX: 51988PC0789
Language: en
Date: 1988-12-16
Title: 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 ( 1990-1991 )

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,                            HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European                                        Article 1
Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 7
                                                                    A specific research and training programme for the
thereof,
                                                                    European Atomic Energy Community in the field of
                                                                    radiation protection, defined in Annex I, is hereby
Having regard       to    the  opinion   of   the   European        adopted for a period of two years from 1 January 1990.
Parliament,
                                                                                             Article 2
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and
Social Committee,                                                   The amount deemed necessary for the execution of the
                                                                    programme is ECU 21,2 million, including expenditure
Whereas, by its Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC of 28                  on a staff of 28.
September 1987 ('), the Council has adopted a multi-
annual framework programme of Community research                                             Article 3
and technological development (1987 to 1991), providing             Detailed rules for the implementation of the programme
inter alia for activities dealing with radiation protection;        and the rate of the Community's financial participation
                                                                    are set out in Annex I.
Whereas the Scientific and Technical Committee (2) has
given a positive opinion on the programme proposal                                           Article 4
 1990 to 1991 from the Commission,
                                                                    1.    An evaluation of the results achieved shall be
Whereas it is in the interest of the Community to                   conducted by the Commission, which shall report
supplement and broaden the knowledge and the                        thereon to the Council and the European Parliament.
scientific information needed for an objective study of
                                                                    2.    The abovementioned report shall be established
human exposure to radiation and radioactivity, of the
                                                                    having regard to the objectives set out in Annex I to this
consequences of radiation exposure to man and of the
                                                                    Decision and in conformity with the provisions of Article
assessment and management of its risks as identified in
                                                                    2 (2) of Council Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC, of 28
the document dealing with 'Community research needs
                                                                    September 1987.
in the field of radiation protection for the period 1990 to
1994';
                                                                                             Article 5
Whereas advanced training, scientific cooperation and               1.    The Commission shall be responsible for the
exchange of scientists and of scientific information are            execution of the programme and shall be assisted in its
essential to radiation protection;                                  implementation by the Management and Coordination
                                                                    Advisory Committee (CGC) on radiation protection, set
Whereas the research covered by this Decision is an                 up by Council Decision 84/338/Euratom, ECSC,
appropriate way of pursuing such action;                            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.
 ---pagebreak--- No C 16/6                         Official Journal of the European Communities                             20. 1. 89
including the methods of disseminating, protecting and      Treaty, agreements with non Member States, and inter-
exploiting the research results.                            national organizations, with a view to associating them
                                                            wholly or partially with the programme.
                        Article 6
                                                                                    Article 7
The Commission is authorized to negotiate, in
accordance with Article 101 paragraph 2 of the EAEC         This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
 ---pagebreak--- ^0 t ^                                       COffici^l]oLirn^lof tri^ Earooc^nCommLinin^                            c^oCtoBB
                                                                              A ^ ^ ^ ^ ( ^
                                   ^^OlATtO^^^OT^CT^O^^^O^^^l^m^n^^OtD^^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 t h e p e n o d 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 p r o g r a m m e w i l l d e a l w i t h t h e f o l l o w m g subject areas
       A rMman exposure to radiation and radioactivity
           At    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
           Ct    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 m a y b e appropriate In such cases, the Commission
       shallconsulttheCommitteereferred t o r n Article ^ S ^
 ---pagebreak--- No C 16/8                              Official Journal of the European Communities                                    20. 1. 89
                                                        Addendum to Annex I
          EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR T H E RESEARCH AND TRAINING PROGRAMME IN T H E
                                             FIELD OF RADIATION P R O T E C T I O N
          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 hypo-
              thetical 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 envi-
                  ronment 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 devel-
          opment 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.
 ---pagebreak--- 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.
 ---pagebreak--- ^oCtDBtO                                      C^ffic^l]oarn^lof                  ^ELiro^c^nCornrriLiriin^                                               ^0 1 ^
                                               Opinionof the^ciendficandTeehnieatCommittee
         on the proposal of the Commission foraresearch and training p r o g r a m m e ! 9 9 0 t o l 9 9 1 for the European
                                       A t o m i c E n e r g y C o m m u m t y i n t h e 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 p r o p o s a l ! 9 9 0 t o l 9 9 1 ,
            — 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 t h a t i t i s i m p o r t a n t t h a t t h e C o m m u n i t y e f f o r t s h e c o n t m u e d inthethreesuh^ect areas ^e r^
            a n d C o f 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 o f o p i m o n i n t h e 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 ^ h i l e these aspects may not he p a r t o f 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
 ---pagebreak--- 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'