CELEX: 51988PC0830
Language: en
Date: 1988-12-09
Title: MODIFIED PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION ADOPTING A SPECIFIC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY IN THE FIELDS OF INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES AND ADVANCED MATERIALS APPLICATIONS ( BRITE/EURAM ) ( 1989-1992 )

No C 19/10                            Official Journal of the European Communities                                 25. 1. 89
              Modified proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific research and technological devel-
              opment programme of the European Economic Community in the fields of industrial manufac-
                         turing technologies and advanced materials applications (Brite/Euram)
                                                     (1989 to 1992) (')
                                              COM(88) 830 final — SYN 142
              (Submitted by the Commission, pursuant to Article 149(3) of the EEC Treaty on 9 December
                                                            1988)
                                                       (89/C 19/11)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,                          being consistent with the pursuit of scientific and
                                                                  technical quality; whereas it is intended that the Brite/
                                                                  Euram, programme should contribute to the achievement
                                                                  of these objectives;
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Economic Community, and in particular Article 130 Q
(2) thereof,                                                      Whereas Council Decision 85/196/EEC (2) decided on a
                                                                  first multiannual research and development programme
                                                                  for the European Economic Community in the fields of
                                                                  basic technological research and the application of new
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,                technologies (Brite, 1985 to 1988);
                                                                  Whereas Council Decision 86/235/EEC (4) decided on a
In cooperation with the European Parliament,                      research programme on materials (raw materials and
                                                                  advanced materials) (1986 to 1989);
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and                  Whereas in those areas where industrial progress is
Social Committee,                                                 hampered by lack of basic knowledge, it is necessary to
                                                                  support focussed basic research projects;
Whereas Article 130 K of the Treaty stipulates that the           Whereas it is necessary to react adequately to the interest
Framework, programme shall be implemented through                 shown by the industry in transnational cooperation;
specific programmes developed within each activity;
                                                                  Whereas it is necessary to involve small and
                                                                  medium-sized enterprises to the maximum extent
Whereas by Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC (2), the                  possible in the development of industrial technologies by
Council      adopted    a framework        programme     of       taking into account their particular and specific
Community research and technological development                  requirements while respecting the objective of the
(1987 to 1991) providing for activities in the field of           scientific and technical quality of the programme;
science and technolgy for manufacturing industry and
advanced materials;
                                                                  Whereas it is necessary to underline the industrial and
                                                                  transnational nature of the programme by requiring
                                                                  applied research projects with at least two industrial
Whereas that Decision provides that a particular aim of           partners from two different Member States;
Community research shall be to strengthen the scientific
and technological basis of European industry and to
encourage it to become more competitive at the interna-           Whereas it is necessary to ensure the industrial nature of
tional level and that Community action is justified where         the programme by requiring focussed fundamental
research contributes inter alia to the strengthening of the       research projects with industrial endorsement from at
economic and social cohesion of the Community and the             least two independent enterprises;
promotion of its overall harmonious development, while
(') OJNoC228, 3.9. 1988, p. 3.
    Original COM(88) 385 final — SYN 142; (23 August 1988).       O OJ No L 83, 25. 3. 1985, p. 8.
(2) OJ No L 302, 24. 10. 1987, p. 1.                              (4) OJ No L 159, 14. 6. 1986, p. 36.
 ---pagebreak---  25. 1. 89                              Official Journal of the European Communities                           No C 19/11
Whereas the participation of organizations from EFTA              European Parliament on the results of this review,
countries in industrially oriented R & D projects, under          together, if necessary, with any proposals for modifi-
 appropriate conditions, may contribute to the competi-           cation or prolongation.
tiveness of manufacturing industry as a whole;
                                                                  2.    An evaluation of the results achieved shall be
Whereas it is in the Community's interest to consolidate          conducted before the end of the programme by the
the scientific and technical basis of European research by        Commission which shall report thereon to the Council
means of the involvement to a greater extent of the               and the European Parliament
EFTA countries in certain Community programmes,
particularly in programmes involving cooperation in               3.    The abovementioned reports shall be established
research and development of basic industrial techno-              having regard to the objectives set out in Annex III to
logies including advanced materials;                              this Decision and in conformity with the provisions of
                                                                  Article 2 (2) of the Framework programme.
Whereas the implementation of concerted actions in the
COST framework is an essential element to complement                                        Article 6
industrially oriented R & D projects;
                                                                   1.   The Commission shall be responsible for the
Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research                     execution of the programme and shall be assisted in its
Committee (Crest) has been consulted on the following             implementation by the Management and Coordination
measures,                                                         Advisory Committee (CGC) on Industrial Technology,
                                                                  set up by Council Decision 84/338, Euratom, ECSC,
                                                                  EEC O-
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
                                                                  2.    The contracts entered into by the Commission shall
                           Article 1                              regulate the rights and obligations of each party,
                                                                  including the methods of disseminating, protecting and
A specific research and technological development                 exploiting the research results.
programme for the European Economic Community in
the fields of industrial manufacturing technologies and
                                                                                            Article 7
advanced materials applications, as defined in Annex I,
is hereby adopted for a period of four years, from                 1.   Where Framework Agreements for scientific and
 1 January 1989.                                                  technical     cooperation      between    non-Community
                                                                  European countries and the European Communities have
                           Artcile 2                              been concluded, organizations and enterprises estab-
                                                                  lished in those countries may, under appropriate
The funds estimated as necessary for the execution of             conditions to be defined by the Commission, become
the programme amount to ECU 439 500 000, including                partners in a project undertaken within the programme.
expenditure on staff whose cost shall not exceed 4,5 %            For each such project, the Committee referred to in
of the Community contribution.                                    Article 5 shall assist the Commission in defining those
                                                                  conditions.
 The indicative internal allocation of this amount is set out
 in Annex IV.                                                     2.    No contractor established outside the Community
                                                                  who participates as a partner in a project undertaken
                           Article 3                              within the programme shall be entitled to Community
                                                                  financing intended for the programme. The contractor
Detailed rules for the implementation of the programme            shall contribute to general administrative expenses.
and the rate of the Community's financial participation
are set out in Annex II.
                                                                                            Article 8
                          Article 4                               The Commission shall ensure that procedures are set up
                                                                  to allow for appropriate cooperation with COST acti-
The Commission shall distribute, in all the Community             vities related to the areas of research covered by the
languages, information packs to accompany the invi-               programme, by ensuring regular exchanges of infor-
tations to participate, in order to guarantee equal oppor-        mation between the Committee referred to in Article 5
tunities for the undertakings, universities and research          and the relevant COST Management Committee.
centres in the Member States taking part.
                                                                                           Article 9
                          Article 5
                                                                  This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
1.    In the third year of the programme implementation,
the Commission shall undertake a review of the
programme and report to the Council and to the                    (') OJ No L 177, 4. 7. 1984, p. 25.
 ---pagebreak--- N o C 19/12                                 Official J o u r n a l of the E u r o p e a n C o m m u n i t i e s                        25. 1. 89
                                                                     ANNEX      I
                                                                   Technical Annex
            1. Advanced materials technologies
                The work in this area will focus on the development of improved or new materials and material
                processing for a wide range of possible applications except those directly related to IT covered in
                Esprit (').
                Including in particular:
                1.1. Metallic materials and metallic matrix composites
                     Goals:
                     — extended working life of components,
                     — higher operating temperatures for increased thermal efficiency,
                     — better and more effective material processing techniques.
                1.2. Materials for magnetic, optical, electrical and superconducting applications
                     Goal:
                     improved materials and materials processing for optical, magnetic, electrical and superconducting
                     applications.
                1.3. High temperature non-metallic materials
                     Goals:
                     — design methodologies for products based on ceramics, glasses and amorphous materials,
                     — improved monolithic and ceramic composites and metal/ceramic interfaces for industrial
                         applications,
                     — better processing techniques and quality control strategies.
                1.4. Polymers and organic matrix composites
                     Goals:
                     — development of polymers for specific applications,
                     — more cost effective process techniques for parts made from polymer and polymer matrix
                         composites,
                     — design rules for the specification and manufacture of engineering polymers and composites,
                     — new polymers with improved recycling attributes,
                     — improved product assurance techniques.
               1.5. Materials for specialized applications
                     Goal:
                     improved materials and their processing for specialized applications.
           (') Developments of materials already covered by Esprit are, for instance, dealing with magnetic, magneto-optical, optical
               thin films for sensors, recording media and heads, optical layers and specific materials for opto-electronics, ceramics
               and polymers for IC packaging and specific substrates, superconducting thin films for low current applications and
               devices.
 ---pagebreak--- 25. 1. 89                             Official J o u r n a l of the E u r o p e a n Communities                           N o C 19/13
          2. Design methodology and assurance for products and processes
             The development of techniques to improve product quality and the reliability and maintainability of
             structures and manufacturing systems by clarification of the design aims for both product and process,
             and by refinement of the criteria against which the attributes are measured. The exploitation of
             materials for application in sensors, and the reduction in the whole life costs of sensors are also included
             in this section. This will complement work in Community IT programmes, where online control is
             treated, including monitoring and diagnostics, predictive maintenance and quality assurance.
             Including in particular:
             2.1. Quality and reliability and maintainability in industry
                  Goals:
                  — improved performance measurement for manufacturing operations in a wide variety of
                      industries,
                  — improved and more predictable physical and environmental behaviour of products,
                  — improved quality control strategies,
                  — design rules for realiability and maintainability of components, structures and systems including
                      machinery operating under varying conditions.
             2.2. Process and product assurance
                  Goals:
                  — reduction of whole life costs of sensor systems for process control,
                  — exploitation of materials properties for applications in sensors,
                  — use of advanced measurement techniques for more cost effective examination of topology,
                  — improved energy control for industrial applications,
                  — improved non-destructive testing methods for product assurance.
          3. Application of manufacturing technologies
             Here the task is to identify and address the needs of manufacturing industry and particularly the less
             advanced sectors, many of which have a major part made up of SMEs. It is to be expected that
             modelling of physical processes will be a valuable instrument for progress. Also addressed is the
             challenge to the industries based on the use of flexible materials. The work will mainly focus on product
             and process development, transferring and adapting technology already used in other sectors. This
             should complement work in Esprit where IT systems for advanced manufacturing and CIM are being
             developed.
             Including in particular:
             3.1. Advancing manufacturing practices
                  Goals:
                  — identifying means for improving manufacturing practices in specific sectors,
                  — transfer and adaptation of technology already used in other sectors.
             3.2. Manufacturing processes for flexible materials
                  Goals:
                  — increased process flexibility,
                  — reduce waste of material,
                  — improved process and product quality.
 ---pagebreak--- No C 19/14                             Official Journal of the European Communities                                       25. 1. 89
           4. Technologies for manufacturing processes
              Improved techniques for shaping, joining and assembly, surface treatment, chemical processes and
              particle technology are fundamental needs for industry. Advancement of these processes is essential for
              securing manufacturing competitiveness.
              Including in particular:
              4.1. Surface techniques
                   Goals:
                   — cost-effective surface treatments for industrial applications,
                   — techniques for quality assurance and control of the treatment process.
              4.2. Shaping, assembly and joining
                   Goals:
                   — improved methodologies for shaping processes and assembly,
                   — improved joining techniques to improve reliability and reduce defect levels,
                   — methods for testing welded and bonded joints to improve reliability of results and service
                       predictability,
                   — design methodology for joining,
                   — better understanding of beam/workpiece interactions for industrial power beam processes.
              4.3. Chemical processes
                   Goals:
                   — improved predictability and yield in chemical processes,
                   — membrane materials with improved characteristics,
                   — improved performance of membrane processes,
                   — new systems for separation in hostile environments.
              4.4. Particle and powder processes
                   Goals:
                   — improved techniques for particle production to optimize product shape, structure and stability,
                   — cost-effective techniques for particle categorization and process performance,
                   — better approaches to handling and separation,
                   — cost-effective routes for small lots of high quality powder.
                                                            ANNEX      II
                                               RULES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
          Participants may be industrial organizations, research institutes and universities, established in the
          Community. The Community contribution shall not normally exceed 50 % of total expenditure, the
          remainder in principle to be provided by the industrial participants. Industrial participants shall include any
          research institute which is funded entirely or mainly by industrial organizations.
 ---pagebreak--- 25. 1. 89                              Official Journal of the European Communities                                     No C 19/15
           Industrial applied research
          The principal form of support for industrial applied research of a pre-competitive character will be through
          cost shared action.
          At least two industrial enterprises from different Member States and independent of each other must take
          part in the project. Each party is expected to make a significant contribution to the project. The contract
          parties shall bear a substantial part of the costs, up to 50 % of which shall, as a rule, be borne by the
          Community. The Community may bear up to 100 % of the marginal expenditure incurred by universities
          and research institutes in relation to the project.
          Recognizing the important role of SMEs in developing the manufacturing base of the Community and the
          merits of their participation in the programme, the Commission is considering, in conjunction with Irdac,
          how best research organizations can act within the programme as a focus for meeting the R & D needs of
          SMEs. Projects should include at least 10 man-years of activity, the realistic minimum for an effective
          collaborative project, and the total project costs should fall in the range of ECU 1 million to ECU 3
          million. Subsidaries of multinational companies based outside the Community may participate if the R & D
          and exploitation takes place within the Community.
          Focussed fundamental research
          Focussed fundamental research projects shall involve at least two partners established in different Member
          States. When the partners are universities or research institutes, the project should be endorsed by at least
          two legally independent industrial enterprises and the Community could bear up to 100 % of the marginal
          costs of such partners. Projects should include at least 10 man-years of activity and fall in the range of
          ECU 400 000 to ECU 1 million total project costs.
          Feasibility awards for SMEs
          The Commission will introduce a pilot scheme of feasibility awards aimed at assisting SMEs establish the
          feasibility of a device, process or concept as a means of enhancing their stature in finding a partner in a
          subsequent call for proposals under the shared cost action. The Commission will support up to 75 %
          (maximum ECU 25 000) of the cost of research lasting up to six months. High standards of evaluation will
          ensure that the awards are highly competitive and recognized as prestigious. This scheme will be
          cofinanced by the Task Force SME.
          Coordinated activities
          In cases where work, supported by national funds or entirely privately funded is already going on, the
          Commission's role may be limited to simply organizing the coordination of the work and the Community
          funding confined to covering the cost of such coordination activities. However, in certain cases where it is
          clear that strategically important work requires more than simple coordination, the Commission could, in
          consultation with CGC, consider a higher Community funding.
                                                           ANNEX    III
                                          PROGRAMME EVALUATION CRITERIA
          The results against which the programme should be evaluated must reflect its objectives and the wider
          objectives of the Framework programme.
          1. As the principal objective is to enhance the competititve position of the Community's manufacturing
             industries, the evaluation should determine:
             — the extent to which the projects were selected against credible and measurable industrial criteria,
 ---pagebreak--- N o C 19/16                              Official J o u r n a l of the E u r o p e a n C o m m u n i t i e s              25. 1. 89
                — the extent to which substantial product or process development has resulted from the work
                    supported.
            2. A further objective is to encourage transfrontier collaboration, in strategic industrial research. The
                evaluation should determine:
                — to what extent, before and after project completion, there were continuing links between partners
                    for research, development, manufacturing, marketing or staff formation.
            3. A further programme objective is to encourage transfer of technology across Community frontiers and
                between sectors, particularly those with a high predominance of SMEs. The evaluation should
                determine:
                — the extent to which SMEs have exploited technologies and new materials arising from successfully
                   completed projects,
               — the extent to which accomplishments are protected by patent action or are disseminated to raise
                    awareness in the European research and technology community.
            4. In the wider context of the Framework programme, the evaluation should determine:
               — the extent to which the projects have contributed to the harmonization of the Community by
                    reducing the technical barriers to trade,
               — the extent to which the projects have contributed to strengthening the Community's economic and
                   social cohesion and to promoting its general and harmonious development.
            The evaluation will be undertaken by independent evaluators.
                                      INDICATIVE INTERNAL ALLOCATION OF FUNDS
                                                                                                                      %
             I. Sectors    R&D
                Advanced materials technologies                                                                      30
                Design methodology and assurance for products and processes                                          21
                Application of manufacturing technologies                                                            21
                Technologies for manufacturing processes                                                             21
            II. Staff and administrative costs
                Staff costs                                                                                           4,5
                Administrative costs                                                                                  2,5
                                                                                                                    100,0
                At least 7 % of the budget shall be available for basic research in the development of materials in those
                areas where industrial progress is impeded by gaps in basic scientific knowledge.