CELEX: 32006D0976
Language: en
Date: 2006-12-19 00:00:00
Title: 2006/976/Euratom: Council Decision of 19 December 2006 concerning the Specific Programme implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities (2007 to 2011)

L 400/404        EN                 Official Journal of the European Union            30.12.2006
                                        COUNCIL DECISION
                                          of 19 December 2006
                         concerning the Specific Programme implementing
                                the Seventh Framework Programme
                     of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom)
                    for nuclear research and training activities (2007 to 2011)
                                           (2006/976/Euratom)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular
the first paragraph of Article 7 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament1,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee2,
Having consulted the Scientific and Technical Committee,
1
         Opinion of 30 November 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal).
2
         OJ C 185, 8.8. 2006, p. 10.
 ---pagebreak--- 30.12.2006        EN                 Official Journal of the European Union                       L 400/405
Whereas:
(1)       In accordance with Council Decision 2006/970/Euratom of 18 December 2006 concerning
         the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community
         (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities, (2007-2011)* 1 (hereinafter referred
         to as "the Framework Programme"), the Framework Programme is to be implemented
         through specific programmes that define detailed rules for their implementation, fix their
         duration and provide for the means deemed necessary.
(2)       The Framework Programme is structured in two types of activities: (i) indirect actions in
         fusion energy research and research on nuclear fission and radiation protection, and
         (ii) direct actions for activities of the Joint Research Centre in the field of nuclear energy.
         The activities under (i) should be implemented by this specific programme.
(3)      The rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities and for the
         dissemination of research results, for the Framework Programme (hereinafter referred to as
         'the rules for participation and dissemination') should apply to this programme.
(4)       The Framework Programme should complement other EU actions in the area of the
         research policy that are necessary for the overall strategic effort for the implementation of
         the Lisbon strategy, alongside in particular those on education, training, culture,
         competitiveness and innovation, industry, health, consumer protection, employment,
         energy, transport and environment.
*
        Note for OJ: please insert number and date.
1
        See p. … of this Official Journal.
 ---pagebreak--- L 400/406         EN                 Official Journal of the European Union                     30.12.2006
(5)       With reference to the Council Decision of 26 November 2004 amending the directives of
          negotiations on ITER, the realisation of ITER in Europe, in a broader approach to fusion
          energy, will be the central feature of the activities on fusion research carried out under the
          Framework Programme.
(6)       The EU activities to contribute to the realisation of ITER, and in particular those necessary
          for starting the construction of ITER at Cadarache and executing the ITER
          Technology R&D during the Framework Programme should be steered by a joint
          undertaking within the meaning of Title II, Chapter 5 of the Treaty.
(7)       Aspects of research and technological development in the field of nuclear fission science
          and technology may also be amenable to implementation through Joint Undertakings
          established under Title II, Chapter 5 of the Treaty.
(8)       In accordance with Article 101 of the Treaty, the Community has concluded a number of
          international agreements in the field of nuclear research, and efforts should be made to
          strengthen international research cooperation with a view to further integrating the
          Community into the world-wide research community. Therefore, this specific programme
          should be open to the participation of countries having concluded agreements to this effect
          and should be also open on the project level, and on the basis of mutual benefit, to the
          participation of entities from third countries and of international organisations for scientific
          cooperation.
 ---pagebreak--- 30.12.2006       EN                Official Journal of the European Union                     L 400/407
(9)      Research activities carried out within this programme should respect fundamental ethical
         principles, including those which are reflected in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the
         European Union.
(10)      The Framework Programme should contribute towards promoting sustainable
         development.
(11)      Sound financial management of the Framework Programme and its implementation should
         be ensured in the most effective and user-friendly manner possible, while ensuring legal
         certainty and the accessibility of the programme for all participants, in accordance with
         Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial
         Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities1 and
         Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) 2342/20022 laying down detailed rules for the
         implementation of that Financial Regulation and any future amendments.
1
        OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.
2
        OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC,
        Euratom) No 1261/2005 (OJ L 201, 2.8.2005, p. 3).
 ---pagebreak--- L 400/408         EN                 Official Journal of the European Union                      30.12.2006
(12)      Appropriate measures – proportionate to the European Communities' financial interests –
          should be taken to monitor both the effectiveness of the financial support granted and the
          effectiveness of the utilisation of these funds in order to prevent irregularities and fraud
          and the necessary steps should be taken to recover funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly
          used in accordance with Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002, Commission Regulation
          (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002, Council Regulations (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18
          December 1995 on the protection of the European Communities' financial interests1,
          (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and
          inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities'
          financial interests against fraud and other irregularities2 and Regulation (EC)
          No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning investigations
          conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)3.
(13)      Each thematic area should have its own budget line in the General Budget of the European
          Communities.
(14)      In the implementation of this programme adequate attention needs to be paid to gender
          mainstreaming, as well as to, inter alia, working conditions, transparency of recruitment
          processes, and career development as regards the researchers recruited on projects and
          programmes funded under the actions of this programme, for which the Commission
          Recommendation of 11 March 2005 on the European Charter for Researchers and on a
          Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers offers a reference framework, while
          respecting its voluntary nature,
1
        OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1.
2
        OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2.
3
        OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 1.
 ---pagebreak--- 30.12.2006       EN                Official Journal of the European Union                    L 400/409
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
                                                 Article 1
The specific programme for nuclear research and training activities in the fields of Fusion Energy,
Nuclear Fission and Radiation Protection under the Seventh Euratom Framework Programme,
hereinafter the "Specific Programme", is hereby adopted for the period from 1 January 2007 to
31 December 2011.
                                                 Article 2
The Specific Programme shall support the activities for research and training on nuclear energy,
supporting the whole range of research actions carried out in the following thematic areas:
(a)      fusion energy research;
(b)      research on nuclear fission and radiation protection.
The objectives and the broad lines of those activities are set out in the Annex.
 ---pagebreak--- L 400/410         EN                Official Journal of the European Union                    30.12.2006
                                                  Article 3
In accordance with Article 3 of the Framework Programme, the amount deemed necessary for the
execution of the Specific Programme shall be EUR 2 234 million, of which up to 15 % shall be for
the Commission's administrative expenditure. This amount shall be allocated as follows:
                Fusion energy research1                                                   1 947
                Nuclear fission and radiation protection                                    287
                                                  Article 4
1.        All research activities carried out under the specific programme shall be carried out in
          compliance with fundamental ethical principles.
                                                  Article 5
1.        The specific programme shall be implemented by means of the funding schemes
          established in Annex II to the Framework Programme.
2.        The rules for participation and dissemination shall apply to this Specific Programme.
1
        Within the amount foreseen for fusion energy research, at least EUR 900 million will be
        reserved for activities other than the construction of ITER, listed in the Annex.
 ---pagebreak--- 30.12.2006       EN                 Official Journal of the European Union                    L 400/411
                                                  Article 6
1.       The Commission shall draw up a work programme for the implementation of the specific
         programme, setting out in greater detail the objectives and scientific and technological
         priorities set out in the Annex, the funding schemes to be used for the topic on which
         proposals are invited, and the timetable for implementation.
2.       The work programme shall take account of relevant research activities carried out by the
         Member States, Associated States and European and international organisations. It shall be
         updated where appropriate.
3.       The work programme will specify the criteria on which proposals for indirect actions under
         the funding schemes shall be evaluated and projects selected. The criteria will be those of
         excellence, impact and implementation and within this framework additional requirements,
         weightings and thresholds may be further specified or complemented in the work
         programme.
4.       The work programme may identify:
         (a)    organisations that receive subscriptions in the form of a membership fee;
         (b)    support actions for the activities of specific legal entities.
 ---pagebreak--- L 400/412          EN                Official Journal of the European Union                    30.12.2006
                                                   Article 7
1.        The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the specific programme.
2.        For the purposes of implementing the specific programme the Commission shall be
          assisted by a consultative committee. The members of this committee can vary according
          to the different subjects on the committee's agenda. For fission-related aspects, the
          composition of this committee and the detailed operational rules and procedures applicable
          to it shall be as laid down in Council Decision 84/338/Euratom, ECSC, EEC of
          29 June 1984 dealing with structures and procedures for the management and coordination
          of Community research, development and demonstration activities1. For the fusion-related
          aspects they shall be as laid down in the Council Decision of 16 December 1980 setting up
          a Consultative Committee for the fusion programme2.
3.        The Commission shall regularly inform the committee of the overall progress of the
          implementation of the specific programme, and shall provide it with timely information on
          all RTD actions proposed or funded under this programme.
1
        OJ L 177, 4.7.1984, p. 25.
2
        Not yet published, but as last amended by Decision 2005/336/Euratom (OJ L 108,
        29.4.2005, p. 64).
 ---pagebreak--- 30.12.2006        EN               Official Journal of the European Union                       L 400/413
                                                 Article 8
The Commission shall arrange for the independent monitoring , assessment and review provided for
in Article 6 of the Framework Programme to be conducted concerning the activities carried out in
the fields covered by the Specific Programme.
                                                 Article 9
This Decision shall enter into force on the third day following its publication in the Official Journal
of the European Union.
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 19 December 2006.
                                                For the Council
                                                The President
                                             J. KORKEAOJA
 ---pagebreak--- L 400/414        EN                Official Journal of the European Union                     30.12.2006
                                                 ANNEX
                      SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES,
                       BROAD LINES OF THE THEMES AND ACTIVITIES
1.      INTRODUCTION
Nuclear power currently generates one third of all electricity consumed in the EU and, as the most
significant source of base load electricity that, during the operation of a nuclear power plant, does
not emit CO2, constitutes an important element in the debate on the means of combating climate
change and reducing Europe's dependence on imported energy.
Fusion has the potential to make a major contribution to the realisation of a sustainable and secure
energy supply for the EU a few decades from now after the market penetration of commercial
fusion reactors with ITER being the major step in the progress towards this goal. The realisation of
the ITER project therefore lies at the heart of the present EU strategy, though it must be
accompanied by a strong and focused European R&D programme to prepare for the exploitation of
ITER and to develop the technologies and knowledge base that will be needed during its operation
and beyond.
 ---pagebreak--- 30.12.2006        EN                Official Journal of the European Union                     L 400/415
On the other hand, nuclear fission remains a viable option for those Member States wishing to avail
themselves of this technology for a balanced mix of their energy supplies. Research and training
activities are of paramount importance in ensuring continued high levels of nuclear safety both now
and in the future, maintaining the progress towards implementation of sustainable waste
management solutions, and improving efficiency and competitiveness of the sector as a whole.
Research in radiation protection constitutes an essential aspect of this policy, ensuring optimal
safety of the public and workforce in all medical and industrial applications.
In all domains, the right level of investment in research is essential if Europe is to remain
competitive; for maximum effectiveness this requires a concerted approach at the EU level with
continued cooperation between Member States and significant efforts to maintain infrastructures,
competences and know-how. In general, research will also be needed to explore new scientific and
technological opportunities and to respond in a flexible way to new policy needs that arise during
the course of the Framework Programme.
 ---pagebreak--- L 400/416          EN                Official Journal of the European Union                   30.12.2006
2.       Thematic areas of research
2.1.     Fusion energy
The construction of ITER at Cadarache in France, and of "Broader Approach" projects to accelerate
the development of fusion energy, will take place within the framework of international
cooperation. An international ITER agreement will establish the ITER Organisation. The
construction of ITER and Broader Approach projects, and their exploitation together with other
facilities in international collaboration will expand such collaboration to an unprecedented level.
This will provide significant benefits to Europe, in particular in terms of efficiency and possible
cost sharing. The Domestic Agency for ITER will be established as a Joint Undertaking under the
EURATOM Treaty. It will provide the means for EURATOM to discharge its international
obligations under the ITER Agreement and to ensure that EURATOM provides in an efficient and
coherent manner the European contribution to ITER and to Broader Approach projects, including
the R&D activities in support of these projects.
 ---pagebreak--- 30.12.2006       EN                 Official Journal of the European Union                      L 400/417
Europe's leading position in fusion energy research is due to the combination of a single and fully
integrated European fusion programme of the European Research Area (ERA) type, strong
continuous Community support, coordination by EURATOM, and the development of human
capital in the EURATOM Fusion Associations. The Fusion Associations are centres of excellence
in fusion research and have an extensive network of collaborations, largely based on their
experimental facilities. The outstanding technology developments achieved by EURATOM in
contributing to the ITER Engineering Design Activities and the successful exploitation of the
JET facilities have contributed significantly to further enhancing the strong cohesion of the
European fusion programme. This has also given Europe the knowledge and experience needed for
broad collaborative efforts in all aspects of fusion energy research, including the realisation of ITER
and Broader Approach projects. Building on these achievements, the organisation and management
of FP7 will ensure that the R&D will be effectively and efficiently coordinated for the fulfilment of
the near and long term goals of the programme.
The rapid development of fusion also requires a wide industrial base to ensure a timely deployment
of fusion energy. European industry has already contributed substantially to the ITER Engineering
Design Activities. During FP7, European industry, including SMEs, will play a central role in the
construction of ITER and will position itself to participate fully in the development of fusion power
technologies for DEMO (a "demonstration" fusion power station) and future fusion power plants.
 ---pagebreak--- L 400/418        EN                  Official Journal of the European Union                     30.12.2006
ITER and the European fusion energy research programme will contribute to some of the urgent
actions identified in the report of the High Level Group ("Kok Report") as necessary to make
progress in the Lisbon strategy. In particular, ITER will become a magnet for the best fusion
scientists and engineers and high technology industries. This will create benefits for both the
European fusion programme and the overall scientific and technical knowledge base. The skills and
knowledge which will be acquired by European industry when building systems and components to
meet the highly demanding technical requirements of the ITER device will help boost its
competitiveness.
Overall Objective
To develop the knowledge base for, and to realise ITER as the major step towards, the creation of
prototype reactors for power stations that are safe, sustainable, environmentally responsible, and
economically viable.
Activities
(i)       The realisation of ITER
This includes activities for the joint realisation of ITER as an international research infrastructure,
as follows:
the Community will have a special responsibility within the ITER Organisation as the host of the
project and will assume a leading role, in particular regarding site preparation, establishing the
ITER Organisation, management and staffing, plus general technical and administrative support;
 ---pagebreak--- 30.12.2006       EN                 Official Journal of the European Union                    L 400/419
Community participation in ITER as a Party will include contributions to the construction of
equipment and installations which are within the perimeter of the ITER site and necessary for its
exploitation and support to the project during construction;
the R&D activities in support of ITER construction will be carried out in the Fusion Associations
and European industries. They will include the development and testing of components and
systems.
(ii)     R&D in preparation of ITER operation
A focused physics and technology programme will aim at consolidation of ITER project choices
and preparation for a rapid start-up of ITER operation, reducing significantly the time and cost
needed for ITER to achieve its baseline objectives. It will be executed through coordinated
experimental, theoretical and modelling activities using the JET facilities and other magnetic
confinement devices, existing, future or those under construction (Tokamaks, Stellarators, RFPs),
and other devices in the Associations, it will ensure that Europe has the necessary impact on the
ITER project, and it will prepare for a strong European role in its exploitation. This programme will
include:
–        assessment of specific key technologies for ITER operation through the completion and
         exploitation of the JET Enhancements (first wall, heating systems, diagnostics),
–        exploration of ITER operating scenarios by means of targeted experiments on JET and
         other facilities, and coordinated modelling activities.
 ---pagebreak--- L 400/420         EN                 Official Journal of the European Union                     30.12.2006
At an early stage of the Framework Programme, a review will be carried out of the facilities in the
programme, examining the possibility of phasing out existing facilities, and considering the need
for new devices in parallel to ITER exploitation. The review will be used as a basis for the possible
support of new or upgraded devices in order to ensure that the programme will maintain an
adequate set of fusion facilities for the relevant R&D.
(iii)     Technology activities in preparation of DEMO
Key technologies and materials required for the licensing, construction and operation of the
DEMO power plant will be further developed in Associations and industry in order to test them in
ITER and to position European industry to be able to construct DEMO and develop future fusion
power plants. The following activities will be implemented:
–         establishment of a dedicated project team and implementation of the Engineering
          Validation and Engineering Design Activities (EVEDA) to prepare for the construction of
          the International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF), which will be used for
          testing materials of a fusion power station - an essential pre-condition for the licensing of
          DEMO,
–         development, irradiation testing and modelling of low activation and radiation resistant
          materials; development of the key technologies required for fusion power plant operation,
          including blankets; conceptual design activities of DEMO, including safety and
          environmental aspects.
 ---pagebreak--- 30.12.2006        EN                 Official Journal of the European Union                   L 400/421
(iv)      R&D activities for the longer term
Building on the activities aimed specifically at ITER and DEMO, the fusion programme will
develop competences and enlarge the knowledge base in fields which are strategically relevant to
future fusion power stations. These research activities will lead to enhanced technical feasibility and
economic viability of fusion power. Specific actions for these purposes in the Seventh Framework
Programme will include:
–         improved concepts for magnetic confinement schemes will be studied on those concepts
          offering a high reactor potential, including stellarators. Work will concentrate on
          completion of the W7-X stellarator; utilisation of existing devices for expansion of the
          experimental databases; and appraisal of the future perspectives for these configurations,
–         an experimental fusion physics programme, which will be carried out with the objective of
          realising a comprehensive understanding of fusion plasmas aimed at the optimisation of
          power station design,
–         theory and further modelling with the ultimate aim of a comprehensive understanding of
          reactor-grade fusion plasmas,
–         studies of the sociological aspects and economics of fusion power generation, and actions
          aimed at the promotion of public awareness and understanding of fusion;
The existing activity in Inertial Fusion Energy, which maintains a watching brief on Member States'
civil research activities on inertial confinement will continue.
 ---pagebreak--- L 400/422         EN                Official Journal of the European Union                   30.12.2006
(v)       Human resources, education and training
Ensuring adequate human resources and a high level of cooperation within the programme, both for
the immediate and medium term needs of ITER, and for the further development of fusion, will be
addressed by:
–         support for the mobility of researchers between organisations participating in the
          programme, in order to promote enhanced collaboration and integration of the programme,
          and to foster international cooperation,
–         high-level training for engineers and researchers at post-graduate and post-doctoral level,
          including the use of facilities in the programme as training platforms and dedicated
          seminars and workshops. Action shall be taken to foster cooperation between participants
          in the programme in higher education, which may include masters and doctoral courses in
          Physics and Engineering for Fusion,
–         promotion of innovation and exchange of know-how with related universities, research
          institutes and industry,
–         encouragement in the generation of patents.
(vi)      Infrastructures
The realisation of ITER in Europe, in the international framework of the ITER Organisation, will be
an element of the new research infrastructures with a strong European dimension.
 ---pagebreak--- 30.12.2006        EN                Official Journal of the European Union                    L 400/423
(vii)     Technology transfer processes
ITER will require new and more flexible organisational structure to enable the process of
innovation and technological progress which it creates to be swiftly transferred to industry, so that
the challenges can be met to enable European industry to become more competitive.
(viii) Responding to emerging and unforeseen policy needs
A "fast track" fusion development programme could bring fusion energy earlier to the market, as
part of a wider policy of addressing the issues of the security of Europe's energy supply, climate
change, and sustainable development. The primary objective and a major milestone of the "fast
track" would be an earlier realisation of DEMO. In FP7, this would involve activities and projects
embedded in the international Broader Approach to fusion energy, undertaken by EURATOM in
collaboration with ITER partners.
2.2.      Nuclear fission and radiation protection
Indirect actions will be undertaken in five principal areas of activity detailed below. The overall
objective is to enhance in particular the safety performance, resource efficiency and
cost-effectiveness of nuclear fission and uses of radiation in industry and medicine. However,
important cross-cutting links exist throughout the programme, and interactions between different
activities must be adequately accommodated. Crucial in this respect are support for training
activities and research infrastructures. Training needs must constitute a key aspect of all
Community-funded projects in this sector, and these together with support for infrastructures will be
an essential component in addressing the nuclear competence issue.
 ---pagebreak--- L 400/424         EN                Official Journal of the European Union                    30.12.2006
A common European view on key problems and approaches is required in accordance with the
needs of strengthening the European Research Area. Links will be established among national
programmes and networking will be promoted with international organisations and third countries
including the USA, NIS, Canada and Japan. Where there is a clear Community interest,
EURATOM must play a full role in existing forums coordinating RTD (research and technological
development) activities at the international level. Coordination will also be assured where
appropriate with the programme of direct actions carried out by the JRC in this field as well as with
indirect actions under fusion energy research.
Equally important links must be established with research in the EC Framework Programme, in
particular in the activities of European standards, education and training, environmental protection,
material science, governance, common infrastructures, security, safety culture and energy.
International collaboration will be a key feature of the activities in many of the thematic areas.
(i)       Management of radioactive waste
Objectives
Through implementation-oriented RTD, the activities aim to establish a sound scientific and
technical basis for demonstrating the technologies and safety of disposal of spent fuel and
long-lived radioactive wastes in geological formations, to underpin the development of a common
European view on the main issues related to the management and disposal of waste, and to
investigate ways of reducing the amount and/or hazard of the waste by partitioning and
transmutation or other techniques.
 ---pagebreak--- 30.12.2006       EN                 Official Journal of the European Union                    L 400/425
Activities
Geological disposal: RTD in the field of geological disposal of high-level and/or long-lived
radioactive waste involving engineering studies and demonstration of repository designs, in-situ
characterisation of repository host rocks (in both generic and site-specific underground research
laboratories), understanding of the repository environment, studies on relevant processes in the near
field (waste form and engineered barriers) and far-field (bedrock and pathways to the biosphere),
development of robust methodologies for performance and safety assessment and investigation of
governance and societal issues related to public acceptance.
Partitioning & Transmutation: RTD in all technical areas of partitioning and transmutation which
could be the basis for the development of pilot facilities and demonstration systems for the most
advanced partitioning processes and transmutation systems, involving sub-critical and critical
systems, with a view to reducing the volumes and hazard of high-level long-lived radioactive waste
issuing from treatment of spent nuclear fuel. Research will also explore the potential of concepts
that produce less waste in nuclear energy generation, including the more efficient use of fissile
material in existing reactors.
(ii)      Reactor systems
Objectives
The aims of these actions are to ensure the continued safe operation of all relevant types of existing
installations and, as a contribution to enhancing diversity and security of supply and combating
global warming, to explore the potential of more advanced technology to deliver an even safer,
more resource-efficient and more competitive exploitation of nuclear energy.
 ---pagebreak--- L 400/426          EN                Official Journal of the European Union                    30.12.2006
Activities
Nuclear installation safety: RTD in operational safety of current and future nuclear installations,
especially plant life assessment and management, safety culture (minimising the risk of human and
organisational error), advanced safety assessment methodologies, numerical simulation tools,
instrumentation and control, and prevention and mitigation of severe accidents, with associated
activities to optimise knowledge management and maintain competences.
Advanced nuclear systems: RTD to improve the efficiency of present systems and fuels and, in
collaboration with the international efforts in this field such as the Generation IV International
Forum, to investigate aspects of selected advanced reactor systems in order to assess their potential,
proliferation resistance and their effects on long-term sustainability, including upstream research
activities1 (especially material science) and the study of the fuel cycle and innovative fuels and
waste management aspects.
(iii)      Radiation protection
Objectives
The safe use of radiation in medicine and industry relies on a sound radiation protection policy and
its effective implementation, and remains a priority in the programme. Research plays a key role in
maintaining and improving the standards of protection, and this is a common objective of all
activities in the programme. Research also has the important objectives of underpinning
Community policies and their effective implementation and responding rapidly and effectively to
emerging needs.
1
         It is recalled that under EC specific programme "Ideas" the ERC supports frontier research
         in any field of basic scientific and technological research.
 ---pagebreak--- 30.12.2006        EN                Official Journal of the European Union                     L 400/427
A key objective of this research will be to help resolve the controversy over the risk from exposures
to radiation at low and protracted doses. Resolution of this scientific and regulatory issue has
potentially important cost and/or health implications for the use of radiation in both medicine and
industry.
Activities
–         Quantification of risks for low and protracted exposures: Better quantification of the risks
          to health for low and protracted exposures, including individual variability, through
          epidemiological studies and an improved understanding of the mechanisms from cellular
          and molecular biology research.
–         Medical uses of radiation: Enhance the safety and efficacy of medical uses of radiation in
          diagnosis and therapy (including nuclear medicine) through new technological
          developments and achieving a proper balance between the benefits and risks of such uses.
–         Emergency management and rehabilitation: Improve the coherence and integration of
          emergency management (including the characterisation of contamination and the
          rehabilitation of accidentally contaminated territories) in Europe through the development
          of common tools and strategies and demonstrate their efficacy in operational environments.
 ---pagebreak--- L 400/428         EN                Official Journal of the European Union                       30.12.2006
–         Malevolent uses of radiation or radioactive material: Develop robust and practicable
          approaches to manage the impact of malevolent uses (including from diversion) of
          radiation or radioactive material covering direct and indirect health effects and
          contamination of the environment, particularly inhabited areas and food and water
          supplies.
          Complementarity will be ensured and duplication avoided with the "Security" theme of the
          "Cooperation" Specific Programme1, which can also benefit from any relevant expertise
          acquired during previous Euratom actions.
–         Other topics: national research activities in other areas (e.g. natural radiation, radioecology,
          protection of the environment, dosimetry, occupational exposure, risk governance, etc) will
          be more effectively integrated.
1
        Part of the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community.
 ---pagebreak--- 30.12.2006        EN                 Official Journal of the European Union                     L 400/429
(iv)     Infrastructures
Objectives
Research infrastructures are an essential part of RTD in nuclear science and technology and the
radiological sciences, ranging in size from very large and expensive plant and laboratory networks
to much smaller facilities such as databases, numerical simulation tools and tissue banks. The
objectives of the programme are to provide support for key infrastructures where there is clear
European added value especially in order to establish critical mass and for the replacement of
ageing facilities such as e.g. research reactors. This will consolidate the success of previous
Community programmes, which have facilitated transnational access to, as well as cooperation
between, such infrastructures, and contribute to maintaining the high standards of technical
achievement, innovation and safety in the European nuclear sector.
Infrastructures also make an important contribution to the training of scientists and engineers.
Activities
–        Supporting infrastructures: support for the design, refurbishment, construction and/or
         operation of key research infrastructures required in any of the above thematic areas; for
         example: underground laboratories for research on geological disposal of radioactive
         waste, pilot/test facilities for partitioning and transmutation devices, reactor components
         and subsystems, hot cells, facilities for severe accident testing and thermal hydraulic
         testing, material testing facilities, numerical simulation tools and radio-biology facilities,
         databases and tissue banks for use in radiation protection research.
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–         Access to infrastructures: facilitate transnational access to existing and future
          infrastructures by individual research workers and research teams.
(v)       Human resources, mobility and training
Objectives
Owing to the concern in all sectors of nuclear fission and radiation protection over maintaining the
required high level of expertise and human resources, and the implications this may have especially
on the ability to retain current high levels of nuclear safety, the objectives of the programme will be
to support, through a variety of measures, the spreading of scientific competence and know-how
throughout the sector. These measures aim to guarantee the earliest possible availability of suitably
qualified researchers, engineers and technicians, for instance through joint training activities and
improved coordination between EU educational institutions in order to ensure qualifications are
equivalent across all Member States, or by facilitating the training and mobility of students and
scientists. Only a truly European approach can ensure the required incentives and harmonised levels
of higher education and training, thus facilitating the mobility of a new generation of scientists and
catering for the career-long training needs of engineers faced with tomorrow's scientific and
technological challenges in an increasingly integrated nuclear sector.
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Activities
–        Training: Coordination of national programmes and provision for general training needs in
         nuclear science and technology through a range of instruments, including competitive
         ones, as part of general support to human resources in all thematic domains. Includes
         support for training courses and training networks, and measures to make the sector more
         attractive to young scientists and engineers.
–        Mobility of research workers: Support principally through grants and fellowships for the
         increased mobility of scientists and engineers between different universities and institutes
         in Member States and also in countries outside the EU. Special assistance may be provided
         in the case of research workers from the NIS.
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3.        Ethical aspects
During the implementation of this programme and in the research activities arising from it,
fundamental ethical principles are to be respected. These include, inter alia, the principles reflected
in the Charter of fundamental rights of the EU, including the following: protection of human dignity
and human life, protection of personal data and privacy, as well as animals and the environment in
accordance with Community law and the latest versions of relevant international conventions,
guidelines and codes of conduct, e.g. the Helsinki Declaration, the Convention of the Council of
Europe on Human Rights and Bio-medicine signed in Oviedo on 4 April 1997 and its Additional
Protocols, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Universal Declaration on the human
genome and human rights adopted by UNESCO, UN Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention
(BTWC), International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and the
relevant World Health Organisation (WHO) resolutions.
Account will also be taken to the opinions of the European Group of Advisers on the Ethical
Implications of Bio-technology (1991-1997) and the opinions of the European Group on Ethics in
Science and New technologies (as from 1998).
In compliance with the principle of subsidiarity and the diversity of approaches existing in Europe,
participants in research projects must conform to current legislation, regulations and ethical rules in
the countries where the research will be carried out. In any case, national provisions apply and no
research forbidden in any given Member State or other country will be supported by Community
funding to be carried out in that Member State or country.
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Where appropriate, those carrying out research projects must seek the approval of the relevant
national or local ethics committees prior to the start of the RTD activities. An ethical review will
also be implemented systematically by the Commission for proposals dealing with ethically
sensitive issues or where ethical aspects have not been adequately addressed. In specific cases an
ethical review may take place during the implementation of a project.
The Protocol on protection and welfare of animals annexed to the Treaty requires the Community to
pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals in formulating and implementing Community
policies including research. Council Directive 86/609/EEC of 24 November 1986 on the
approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States regarding
the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes1 requires that all
experiments be designed to avoid distress and unnecessary pain and suffering to the experimental
animals; use the minimum number of animals; involve animals with the lowest degree of
neurophysiological sensitivity; and cause the least pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm. Altering
the genetic heritage of animals and cloning of animals may be considered only if the aims are
ethically justified and the conditions are such that the animals' welfare is guaranteed and the
principles of bio-diversity are respected. During the implementation of this programme, scientific
advances and national and international provisions will be regularly monitored by the Commission
so as to take account of any developments.
1
        OJ L 358, 18.12.1986, p. 1. Directive as amended by Directive 2003/65/EC of the European
        Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 230, 16.9.2003, p. 32).