CELEX: 51975PC0389
Language: en
Date: 1975-07-22
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION (EEC) concluding the Agreement for the implementation of a European project on nuisances on the subject: "Research on the physico-chemical behaviour of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere" (project 61a)#Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION (EEC) concluding the Agreement for the implementation of a European project on nuisances on the subject: "Analysis of organic micro-pollutants in water" (project 64b) (submitted to the Council by the Commission)

ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (75) 389
Vol. 1975/0153
 ---pagebreak--- Disclaimer
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In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983
concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Economic
Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as
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In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom 1.
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Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europäischen Atomgemeinschaft (ABI. L 43 vom 15.2.1983,
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 ---pagebreak--- COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUN3TIES
                                     COM(75 ) 389 final
                                     Brussels , 22 July 1975
                             Proposai for a
                         COUNCIL DECISION ( EEC )
           concluding the Agreement for the implementation
           of a European project on nuisances on the subject :
           "Research on the physico-chemical behaviour of
           sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere " ( project 61a )
                             Proposai for a
                         COUNCIL DECISION ( EEC )
           concluding the Agreement for the implementation
           of a European project on nuisances on the subject :
           "Analysis of organic micro-pollutants in water "
           ( project 64b )
              ( submitted to the Council by the Commission )
  COM(75 ) 389 final
 ---pagebreak---                           IEM0RA1TPUK FROM THE COMTFSSIOF TO THS COUTTCIL
On 23 November 1971 t "^en European States signed the agreement for the
implementation of the European COST project on nuisances on the subject :
••Research on the physico chemical behaviour of sulphur dioxide in the
atmosphere " ( Project 61a ).      The European Coal and Steel Community , for
its part , signed this agreement following the invitation extended to the
Commission by the Cotincil at its 176th meeting on 23 November 1971 *
In addition , twelve European States signed the agreement for the
implementation of the European COST project on nuisances on the subject :
•'Analysis of organic micro–pollutants in water" (project 64b ).
The agreemonts provided for :
( a ) over a four-year period , an annual contribution from the ECSC of
      60 000 u.a . for project 61a ;
(b ) over a throe-year period , an annual contribution from the EEC of
      174 000 u.a .
By a decision of 14 May 1 97 3 « the Council adopted an EEC research
progx-cmrae ( List A ) which comprised , among other items , performance by the
JRC of the research work falling within the field of activities already ■
mentioned .
Consequently it appears that supplementary financial support will no
longer be necessary for the performance of work coming within the
international COST agreements .
On 26 July 1973 , the Commission requested the Council to conclude :
( a ) the accession of the Community to the agreement on "Research on
      the behaviour of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere " ( Doc . COST 17/72 )
      under the terms of Article 228 of the EEC Treaty;
(b ) the accession of the Community to the agreement on "Analysis of
      organic micro-pollutants in water" (Doc .COST 1 8/72 ) under the terms
      of Article 228 of the EEC Treaty.
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 4 -
  For reasons connected, with, the continuation of -Work within the COST
  framework , the Council was not able to take a decision .
  The Council having indicated its agreement on 23 September 1974 with
  regard to the general principles of developing cooperation within the
  COST framework , as contained in the opinion of CRIST , the procedure
  could be continued .
  In the course of this procedure , the CREST Committee expressed its opinion
- in favour of the Community's participation in these two projects «
  This opinion was forwarded to the Council ( Doc. R/ 238/75 (R^CH 4 )) and to
  the Commission .
  At its 75SHh meeting on 12 February 197 5 » "the Permanent Representatives
  Committee stated tlu/t it was in favour of Community participation on
  condition that it was based on Article 235 snd not on Article 228 as
  initially planned .
  With due regard to the opinion formulated by the Scientific and Technical
  Research Committee ( CREST ), to the position adopted to this effect and
  to the request of the Permanent Representatives Committee , the Commission
  refers the two new proposals for a decision ( appended hereto ) to the Council .
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 5 -
                              PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION ( EEC )
concluding the Agreement for the implementation of a
European project on nuisances on the subject :     "Research on the physico­
chemical "behaviour of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere " ( project 61a).
THE COUNCIL 0? TIIE EUROPEAN COMMUNIÎIES ,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the EEC and in particular his
Article 235 "thereof ;
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ;
Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament ;
Whereas , to contribute to the attainment of the objectives set out in
Articles 2 and 3 of the Treaty , the Council has adopted , on the basis of
Article 235          i"ts decision of 14 May 1973 » a research programme on
protection cf the environment*) 5
Whereas this programme comprises research projects which form part of the
work covered by the aforesaid agreement ;
Whereas the participation of the Community in the said agreement is likely
to help towards the best possible execution of the Community research
programme and consequently to the attainment of the aforesaid Treaty
objectives ;
Whereae the European Coal and Steel Community is not empowered to carry out
the requisite formalities , by the terms of its internal provisions , for
the entry into force of the agreements of 23 November 1971 ;
Tj!herea3 the Treaty contains no provision for the powers of action required
for these purposes 5
T^hereac CREST doliverod an opinion on 19 Docerabor 1974 ?
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS :
                                    Article 1
On behalf of the EEC , the agreement is hereby concluded for the implementation
of a European project on nuisances on the subject : "Research on the physico­
chemical behaviour of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere", the texte of which
 appears in the annexe «
 *) Official Journal no . L 153 of 9 June , p. 11
 ---pagebreak---                                          - 6 -
                                  Article 2
                                  «ММНМММ**
The amount allocated by the Community to the work provided for in the
agreement shall "be 120 000 u.a .
                                  Article 3
The Commission shall represent the Community on the Management Committee
provided for in Article 4 of the agreement .
                                  Article A
                                  ■w-i.iiFHiiBim. i IM IIIB h
The President of the Council is hereby authorized to designate persons
empowered to sign the agreement and to confer on them the powers necessary to
"bind the Community .
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 7 -
                         PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION ( EEC )   .
concluding "the Agreement for the implementation of
a European project on nuisances on the subject "Analysis of organic
micro-pollutants in water" (project 64b ).
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the EEC and in particular his
Article 235 thereof ;
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission;
Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament ;
Whereas , to contribute to the attainment of the objectives set out in
Articles 2 and 3 of the Treaty , the Council has adopted , on the basis of
Article 235 and. by its decision of 14 May 1973 , a research programme on
protection of the environment*) j
Whereas this programme comprises research projects which form part of the
work covered by the aforesaid agreement ;
Whereas the participation of the Community in the said agreement is likely
to help towards the best -possible execution of the Community research
programme and consequently to the attainment of the aforesaid Treaty
objectives ;
Whereas in the Management Committee the representatives of the signatories
of the agreement have expressed the wish that the Community participate ■
in the agreement ;
liieroas tho Treaty contains no provision for the powers of action required
for these purposes ;
Boreas CREST delivered an opinion on 19 December 1974?
KAS DECIDED AS P0LL0IE :
                                  Article 1
On behalf of the EEC , the agreement is hereby concluded for the
implementation of a European project on nuisances on the subject "Analysis
of organic micro-pollutants in Xtfater" the text a of which- appears in the annexe .
 *) Official Journal no.L 153 of 9 June , p. 11
 ---pagebreak---                                   Article 2
The amount allocated by the Community to the work provided for in the
agreement shall "be 174 000 u.a .
                                  Article 3
The Commission shall represent the Community on the Management Committee
provided for in Article 4 of the agreement .
                                  Article 4
The President of the Council is hereby authorized to designate persons
empowered to sign the agreement and to confer on them the powers necessary
to bind the Community .
 ---pagebreak---                  PINAKCIAL            RECORD        SHEET
1.   Title of project :
Community approval of agreement on projects :
( a) COST 6la:   Research into the physico-chemical behaviour of sulphur
     dioxide in the atmosphere .
(b ) COST 64b :  Analysis of organic micropollutpnts in water.
2.   Légal basis :
Article 235 of the EEC Treaty ,
3.   Authorizing department ;
Directorate-General for Research , Science end Education
Directorate-General of the Joint Research Centre .
4.   Buddet entry- :
Chapter 2.52 "Protection of the environment " in the Statement of
expenditure relating to research and investment activities (Annex I to
Section III - Commission - of the Budget of the European Communities ).
5.   Description and objective of and reasons for the projects
( a) COST 61 a
     The project relates to the determination of the physico-chemical
     behaviour of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere .    "Physico-chemical
     behaviour" means all those reactions which tcke place in the
     atmosphere and which cause a change in state of the sulphur dioxide
     or , alternatively , during which the sulphur dioxide undergoes a
     chemical transformation which has a decisive effect on its subsequent
     behaviour or on that of its reaction products .
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 2 -
       The proposed research covers the following topics :
                                                        à  ».
     • 1.     Research into the natural mechanism for removing some of the
        compounds from the atmosphere , washing , and absorption on to surfaces
        such as the soil and plants *
       Research into the vertical concentration pattern of sulphur dioxide
        and sulphuric acid in the atmosphere .    This research should produce
       "basic data on lesions caused in living organisms , the corrosion of
       materials , soil and water acidification and the retention time of
        sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere .
        2.    Development of methods of measuring and techniques for determining
        the amount of sulphurio acid , sulphates end the total acidity in the
        atmosphere •
       These studies are vital if the problems referred to above are to "be
        solved.     They will also furnish the information necessary to form a
       "better assessment of the health risks from sulphuric acid and , together
       tfith the research referred to in Section 1 , will help in the prepara­
       tion of air quality criteria .
       3.     Stepping-^up exchanges of information and research results ,
       particularly where the participating countries have already started on
        such activity "by organizing meetings and exchanging scientists .
       Objective :    Transport and effect of pollutants (particularly studies
        on "bioindicators to detect water pollution , studies on genetic toxicity
        and on biotelemetiy for detecting subacute toxic effeots in laboratory
        animals ).
(b )   COST 64b
       Development of methods for the optimum analysis of organic micro-
       pollutants in water samples .     The method should cover the whole range
        or organic constituents and enable them to be identified and their
        concentration to be . determined within the detection limits set .  It is
       hoped to develop a "nultidetection" set of instruments (thi3 is the key
        aspect of the project ) and, having regard to the various ways of
       developing such a unit , it is considered that separation by gas
        chromatography is the most suitable method.
 ---pagebreak---                                - 3 -
The advantage of this method is that only small amounts of sample
ms.terial are required and that the compounds are separated in such
way that they can "be examined "by various sensitive and selective
detectors , including the mass spectrometer .
The project embraces a number of proposed research topics and these
are listed "below :
1.     Compilation of reference data
- List of the organic mi crop ollut ants which are present or believed
   to "be present in the polluted water.
- Collection o? existing data (mass , infra-red , nuclear magnetic
   resonance spectra).
- Chemical preparation of reference pollutants for use in physico­
   chemical measurements .
- Physico-chemical measurements on reference pollutants .
2.     Analytical unit s
- Sampling and tre atment
- Séparation and détection techniques
- I3S/ GC coupling
- Evaluation of KS/GC coupling
3.     Data processing
- Hardware
- Software
Objective ? analysis and monitoring ( in particular , the development
of a multidetection unit );
Studies on the remote sensing and measurement of pollutants ;
Development of a data bank for chemical products .
Durât ion of xsro.iect :
( a) From 1 November 1972 to 31 October 1976 = 4 years
(b) From 1 November 1972 to 31 October 1975 = 3 years
 ---pagebreak---                                                       - 4 -
Financial       contribution "by the Community
     <η^ΜΜβΜΠ3ΜΜί.'η···ΜηΗτΜ«ϋ<Μ'>Οτ4·4^βΤΜΜΜΐεΐ4ΜΜΜΜΜ·κ·Μ·Μ^]·
( a) 120 000 tua. for 1975 and 1976
( b ) 174 000 u.a. for 1 975 * i.e. . a total of 294 000 u.a .
                                                                <
It should be pointed out that these financial contributions are
covered by appropriations allocated under Chapter 2.52 referred
to above .
The direct–action project " Protection of the environment", which
was approved by the Council on 14 May 1973 and which is being carried
out at the JRC establishment at Ispra , includes the execution of
which falls within the ambit of the abovementioned COST projects -       I21
other \ words , the JRC is already participating de facto in the
i»pl &ne:itat ion of these tvjo COST projects by virtue of its " Protection
of the environment" project , and there is no question of having to pay-
extra money for these projects into a non-Commission fund .