CELEX: 51990PC0156
Language: en
Date: 1990-05-28
Title: PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION ADOPTING A SPECIFIC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN THE FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL AND MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES ( 1990-1994 )

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                        C0M(90) 156 final - SYN 261
                                        Brussels, 28 May 1990
                            Proposal for a
                           COUNCIL DECISION
     adopting a specific research and technological development
   programme in the field of Industrial and Materials Technologies
                              (1990-1994)
                    (presented by the Commission)
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 1 -
                                CONTENTS
                                                    Page
Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a
specific research and technological development
programme in the field of Industrial and Materials
Technologies
(1990-1994)
ANNEX I
Scientific and technical objectives and content      11
ANNEX I I
Indicative breakdown of expenditures                 18
ANNEX I I I
Rules for implementing the programme and activities
for disseminating and exploitation of the results    19
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 2-
                             Proposal for a
                            COUNCIL DECISION
       adopting a specific research and technological development
    programme in the field of Industrial and Materials Technologies
                               (1990-1994)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having   regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing   the European   Economic
Community, and In particular Article 130q(2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,^1)
In cooperation with the European Par I iament,(2)
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee,^3)
(1) OJ No C
(2) OJ No C
(3) OJ No C
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 3 -
Whereas by its Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC ( 4 >, the Council adopted a
third framework programme      for Community   activities    In the field of
research and technological development (1990-94), specifying Inter alia
the activities to be pursued for contributing to the rejuvenation of
European manufacturing     industry by strengthening      Its scientific and
technological basis through research and development work; whereas this
Decision should be taken In the light of the grounds set out              In the
preamble to that Decision;
Whereas   Article   130k of   the Treaty   stipulates    that    the   framework
programme    Is to be implemented through specific programmes developed
within each activity;
Whereas the Joint Research Centre shall         contribute through       Its own
programme to the Implementation of the aforesaid activities;
Whereas an estimate should be made of the amount of Community financial
resources needed     to carry out   this specific programme; whereas the
definitive amounts will be fixed by the budgetary authority              In line
with the financial perspectives covering the period 1988-1992 Included
In the Inter Inst I tut lonaI Agreement of 29 June 1 9 8 8 ( 5 ) and with any
future financial perspectives covering the period 1993-1994;
Whereas,     pursuant   to   Article    4   and    Annex     I    of    Decision
90/221/Euratom, EEC,     the  amount   deemed    necessary     for   the   whole
framework programme     Includes an amount of 57 million ecus for            the
centralized dissemination and exploitation of results, to be divided up
in proportion to the amount envisaged for each activity; whereas in
view   of    the  Importance   of  this   specific   programme      within   the
"Industrial    and Materials Technologies" action      the estimate of       the
financial    resources needed   by  this programme    is to be       reduced  by
6.7 mi 11 ion ecus, which amount   is to be allocated to the centralized
activities,    In order to comply with the second sentence of Article
130p(2) of the Treaty;
(4) OJ No L 117, 8.5.1990, p.28.
(5) 0J No L 185, 15.7.1988, p.33
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 4 -
Whereas this programme must be Implemented by the Commission; whereas
to help accomplish      this, the Member     States are bound, pursuant       to
Article 5 of the Treaty, to facilitate the achievement of             Its tasks
where necessary, notably within a committee;
Whereas this programme must be implemented essentially by the selection
of research and development projects to enable them to benefit              from
Community participation; whereas the Commission should encourage the
submission of such projects by the usual means of publishing calls for
proposals In the Official Journal; whereas a special procedure should
also be devised so as to maintain a degree of flexibility enabling the
Commission,   in  the    face  of   the  continuous   evolution   and    gradual
acceleration of technological progress, also to take into consideration
spontaneous proposals consistent with the objectives of the programme;
Whereas the projects to be carried out under           the programme must be
selected with special attention to the principle of economic and social
cohesion In the Community, the transnational nature of the projects and
the support to be given to small and medium-sized enterprises;
Whereas It Is only In the light of experience gathered in the course of
this programme   that the Commission will be able to propose and the
Council  to adopt supplementary programmes by having recourse to the
means provided for     In Articles 1301, 130m or 130o of the Treaty, if
they contribute to the achievement of the programme's objectives, In
accordance with the option made available by Article 2(2) of Decision
90/221/Euratom, EEC;
Whereas, In accordance with Article 130g of the Treaty, the Community's
activities  aimed   at   strengthening    the  scientific   and  technological
basis   of  European     industry   and   encouraging    It  to   become    more
competitive Include promoting cooperation on research and technological
development  with    third    countries   and   international   organizations;
whereas such cooperation may prove particularly           beneficial    for  the
development of this programme;
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 5 -
Whereas it is necessary, as Annex II to Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC,
provides, to promote the basic technical research, the integration of
the new technologies for the user industries and the acquisition of the
scientific and technical knowledge necessary for establishing standards
and  codes  of  good   practice  facilitating  the  transfer   of   these
technologies;
Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research Committee      (CREST) lias
been consulted,
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 6 -
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
                                   Article 1
A specific research and technological development           programme   for   the
European Economic Community     in the field of Industrial and materials
technologies, as defined In Annex I, is hereby adopted for a period of
five years as from 1 January 1990.
                                   Article 2
1.  The Community funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the
    programme under   this Decision amount       to 748 million ecus.        This
    amount includes 670 million ecu for the execution of the activités
    approved by the present       decision, and 78 million ecus for           the
    activities which the JRC will contribute to the programme and which
    will be subject of a separate decision of the Council.
2.  From   the  above    sum    of    670   million    ecus,    an   amount    of
    6.7 million ecus    is    drawn     for   the    centralized     action    of
    dissemination   and    exploitation.     The    funds   thus    reduced    to
    663.3 million  ecus    Include   staff   cost, which     may   amount   to a
    maximum of 3%.
3.  An Indicative allocation of funds is set out In Annex II.
4.  If the Council takes a decision in implantation of Article 1(4) of
    Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC, this decision shall be adapted               to
    take Into account the aforementioned decision.
5.  The budgetary authority shall lay down the available appropriations
    for each financial year.
                                   Article 3
Rules for the implementation of the programme are set out in Annex            IN.
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 7 -
                                 Article 4
The rate of the Community financial contribution shall be laid down In
accordance with Annex IV to Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC.
                                 Article 5
1.  During 1992 the Commission shall review the programme and address a
    report on the results of the review to the Council and the European
    Parliament, together with proposals for any necessary changes.
2.  At the end of the programme the Commission shall assess the results
    obtained.   It shall address a report thereon to the Council and the
    European Par I lament.
3.  The reports shall be drawn up having regard to the objectives set
    out in Annex I to this Decision and In accordance with Article 2(4)
    of Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC.
                                 Article 6
1.  The  Commission   shall  be  responsible   for  the execution   of  the
    programme.   It  shall   be  assisted   by  a  Committee,   hereinafter
    referred to as "the Committee", composed of representatives of the
    Member States and chaired by a representative of the Commission.
2.  The contracts concluded by the Commission shall govern the rights
    and  obligations    of  each  party,   including   the  procedures  for
    disseminating, protecting and exploiting the research results, In
    accordance with the arrangements adopted pursuant        to the second
    paragraph of Article 130k of the Treaty.
3.  A work programme for each year shall be drawn up and updated where
    necessary.   It shall set out the detailed objectives and types of
    projects to be undertaken, and the financial        arrangements to be
    made for them.    The Commission shall make calls for proposals for
    projects on the basis of the annual work programmes.
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 8 -
                                   Article 7
1. In the cases referred to in Article 8(1), the representative of the
   Commission shall submit to the Committee a draft of the measures to
   be taken. The Committee shall deliver its opinion on this within a
   time   limit   which   the Chairman may     set   in accordance     with   the
   urgency   of   the matter. The opinion       shall   be delivered      by  the
   majority   provided    for   In Article   148(2) of     the Treaty    for  the
   adoption of decisions which the Council is called upon to make on a
   proposal   from   the Commission.      When  voting    takes   place   in  the
   Committee, the votes of the representatives of the Member               States
   shall be weighted as specified in the abovementloned Article. The
   Chairman shall not take part in the voting.
2. The Commission shall adopt the measures envisaged when they conform
   to the opinion of the Committee.
3. When the measures envisaged do not conform to the opinion of the
   Committee, or when no opinion has been delivered, the Commission
   shall   without   delay    submit   to  the  Council    a proposal     on  the
   measures    to  be   taken.    The  Council   shall   act   by   a  qualified
   major Ity.
4. If the Council has not acted within one month of submission of the
   proposal, the measures proposed shall be adopted by the Commission.
                                   Article 8
1. The procedure laid down In Article 7 shall apply to:
        the preparation and updating of the work programmes referred to
        In Article 6(3);
        evaluation of the projects referred to In point 2 of Annex III,
        as well as the estimated amount of the Community's              financial
        contribution    when   these projects are      submitted    through   the
        ordinary procedure referred to In point 4 of Annex III and the
        abovementloned amount is more than 5 million ecus;
 ---pagebreak---                                   -  9 -
        evaluation of all projects submitted through the exceptional
        procedure referred to in point 4 of Annex III, as well as the
        estimated amount of the Community's financial contribution;
        measures for evaluating    the programme.
2.  The Commission may consult     the Committee on any matter    falling
    within the scope of the programme.
3.  The Commission shall Inform the Committee with regard to;
        the progress of the programme;
        draft calls for proposals, referred to In Article 6(3);
        projects,   referred to   In point   2 of  Annex  III, submitted
        through   the ordinary   procedure,   for which  the  exceptional
        procedure referred to In point 4 of Annex III, as well as the
        estimated amount of the Community's financial contribution;
        accompanying measures, referred to in point 2 of Annex III;
        concerted actions, referred to In point 2 of Annex III.
                                Article 9
In Implementing this programme, supplementary programmes within       the
meaning of Article 1301, participation within the meaning of Article
130m and joint undertakings or any other structures within the meaning
of Article 130o of the Treaty may also be decided on as the need
arises.
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 10 -
                               Article 10
Where cooperation with third countries and international organisations
aiming at achieving the objectives of this programme requires        legal
undertakings between the Community and the third parties concerned, the
Commission  shall   be authorized   to  negotiate,   In   accordance  with
Article 130n of the Treaty, international agreements laying down the
terms of such cooperation.
Decisions on the conclusion of such agreements shall        be adopted  in
accordance with the procedure referred to In Article 130q(2) of the
Treaty.
                               Article 11
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at           ,                     For the Counc 11,
                                        The President
 ---pagebreak---                                             - 11 -
                                                                                        Annex I
                SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL OBJECTIVES AND CONTENT
 This specific programme fully reflects the approach embodied in the Third Framework
 Programme in terms of scientific and technical goals.
 Paragraph 2 of Annex II of the Framework Programme, with the exception of the conditions
relating to measurement and testing (for which another specific programme exists), form an
integral part of the present specific programme.
The environmental aspects of products and processes and the working environment will be
included as strategic elements in all parts of the programme. This will require links with other
programmes covering the environment, health, and measurement and testing to take account
of advances in risk assessment and toxicology.
Integrated projects will be supported in selected areas where a range of technologies need
to be brought together. A particular example is the transport area - also taking into account
the logistical aspects of harmonisation and standardization - where such projects could
include the "clean car" and aeronautical technology (subject to a positive evaluation of the
present action in area 5 of the BRITE/EURAM Programme). Other projects might include
construction, production engineering (eg. clean manufacturing) and clothing. Links with
EUREKA projects will be encouraged, in line with the BRITE/EURAM experience of integrating
certain results with EUREKA projects.
The following presents an analytical description of the content of the programme, based on
and taking account of the above elements.
 ---pagebreak---                                                 - 12 -
 Area 1. Materials - Raw Materials
 The objective is to contribute to improving the performance of materials at a cost which
 permits competitive industrial exploitation over a broad range of applications not restricted
 to a few high performance items. The accent is on the innovative use of industrial minerals,
 metals and materials, including their exploration, exploitation, recovery, transformation,
 production and recycling.
Raw Materials
 Here the goal is the improvement of existing processes and mastering of new and
 competitive technologies.
 Research will address the development of methods for process application and testing of
technologies so improving yield and enabling new mines to open and others to become
more economic.
Special attention will be given to integrated techniques and modelling for the exploration of
mineral deposits and for the exploitation and processing of minerals and rocks, and in
particular, of those resources of complex nature containing basic and strategic metals.
Research providing a better understanding of integrated systems will be pursued to underpin
advanced exploration methods for hidden deposits, hydrothermal, biological or chemical
processing, mining and quarrying technologies and those needed for the production of high
purity metals, fired clay and industrial minerals.     Work on new and improved drilling
technologies for cost effective exploration and exploitation will be undertaken. Special
attention will be directed to prenormative research concerned with occupational safety
conditions and the environmental impact of the exploitation technologies to be developed.
 ---pagebreak---                                                - 13 -
Recycling
 Here the goal is to reinforce the scope and effectiveness of recycling technologies. The
 economic and strategic consequenses of the loss of many valuable metals and materials,
 including those in short supply will be minimised. The environmental damage arising from
harmful effluents will be reduced.
A particular goal is the development of new process technologies for facing the challenge of
exploiting the residues, particularly waste and scrap, containing conventional as well as
precious and strategic metals, arising from the major branches of the manufacturing industry
such as electronics, electromechanics, automobile, aeronautical, metallurgy, petrochemical,
construction etc. Attention will also be directed to the complex challenge of recycling
composite and advanced materials.
Research on technologies for physical and/or chemical separation of metals containing
residues will be encouraged in order to increase the scale and efficiency of recycling and
increase the applicability of recycled materials.       Research will also cover thermal
technologies, hydrometallurgy and refining applied to processing of complex residues,
composite materials, new materials, alloys and multi-element scraps.
 ---pagebreak---                                              - 14 -
 New and Improved Materials
 Here the goals are developments in conventional mass commodity materials with enhanced
 properties and performance at a reasonable cost; advanced structural materials for high
 performance systems (i.e. metals, ceramics, polymers and their associate composites); and
 advanced functional materials (such as conducting polymers, power superconductors, high
 performance magnets and novel electronic materials) including their processing.
 In the field of conventional mass commodity materials, attention will be applied to production
and quality control technologies and the rules for long-term behaviour prediction required for
meeting consumer requirements such as consistency and reliability.
Research will be directed to new developments or radical innovations in advanced materials
for key engineering applications which may also have important spin-off effects in other
industrial areas.
A particular emphasis will be placed on developing materials with specified properties,
exploiting advances in understanding of the effects of structure. Techniques for tailoring
materials towards precise requirements will be addressed and should result in an
improvement of R&D effectiveness in this field.
With regard to technical ceramics, attention will be directed to the improved control of
microstructure and processing technologies and to the fundamental problems associated with
reliability and brittleness.
 ---pagebreak---                                              - 15 -
 In research into composite engineering the technologies needed to address the problems
 associated with large scale production will be tackled.
 For polymer materials, research will aim at a better understanding of the relationships
between structure, morphology and properties. The development of new and improved
processing technologies for producing reliable components will also be addressed in order
to extend the application of this class of materials.     In particular, research will aim at
developing technical thermoplastics which retain their mechanical properties at higher
temperature and which can be produced through the lower cost thermal processing routes.
In the case of superconductors, the challenge is to increase the maximum critical current
density and capacity together with advances in application technologies including cable
production, formation and reliability.
The research in this area will be complementary to work which will be carried out in the
specific programme on information technology (IT) foreseen in decision 90/.../EEC, Euratom
on materials for specific IT applications.
Prenormative work needed to accelerate the applicability of new materials will include
research relating to their classification together with their characterization to establish
performance and minimise their impact on health and the environment.
Area 2. Design and Manufacturing
The objective is to improve the capability of industry to design and manufacture products
which are, at the same time, highly competitive and environmentally and socially acceptable.
 ---pagebreak---                                               - 16 -
 Research will be directed to advanced enabling disciplines such as mechanics, optics,
 acoustics, fluid dynamics and process engineering, and their integration into new
 technological developments such as optomatronics (optics, materials and electronics),
 mechatronics (mechanical engineering, computing and electronics), zero loss cutting
technologies, microtechnology and molecular engineering.
Design
 Research on design will address the impact on product performance, manufacturing and life
cycle costs. This approach will link the information requirements inherent in the engineering
design process (material product form, fabrication and function) with the organisational
procedures and the human factors that underlie the process. This work will complement the
product modeling approach which is a leading IT theme, in the specific programme on
information technologies foreseen in decision 90/.../EEC, Euratom.
Research will address failure modes and defect analysis, by modelling techniques based on
fracture mechanics, tribology, fluid dynamics, corrosion analysis, etc. Implementation of
these design approaches may require the adaptation of software tools for specific
applications.
Design research will be directed towards design for ease of maintenance, recycling or reuse
with a view to reducing whole life costs.      Research on improved modelling and rapid
prototyping techniques will support the engineering design process addressing product
validation, optimisation and prediction of service behaviour. Prenormative research will aim
at the drawing up of codes of good design practice.
 ---pagebreak---                                                 - 17
 Manufacturing
  Research on the quality of manufacturing will address the use of efficient and cost effective
 manufacturing processes and integrate other aspects including the design interface, quality
 control and the working environment.
 Attention will be directed to flexible small-batch production technologies and also to mass
 production technology in order to meet an emerging need for identical technical products in
 large quantities. In particular, appropriate materials application and related technologies,
 such as those for precision engineering or incorporation of ceramics into a mass production
environment, will be addressed as well as technologies for shaping, machining and assembly
of miniaturised components.
 Research will be directed to the adaptation of established CI M systems to meet the special
needs of industry and particularly those of small and medium sized undertakings.
Research on net or near net shaping and forming processes will be supported in order to
reduce costly and environmentally damaging wastes.
Research in chemical engineering will develop integrated approaches. Subjects of study
could include process modelling, separation technology, molecular engineering, catalysis and
surface science and chemical sensors. Fundamental research into mixing and stirring, and
particle and powder technology will be supported in order to develop a better understanding
than is provided by current empirical approaches. Research will also be directed to providing
the understanding of particular processes as a basis for software tailored to particular needs.
 ---pagebreak---                                               18 -
                                                                                        Annex II
                     INDICATIVE BREAKDOWN OF EXPENDITURES
in %, for the period 1990-1994.
Area 1. Materials - Raw Materials
        - Raw Materials and Recycling                                                    12
        - Materials                                                                  50 - 60
Area 2. Design and Manufacturing                                             30 - 40
The breakdown between different areas does not exclude the possibility that projects could cover
several areas.
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 19
                                    Annex 111
                    Rules for Implementing the Programme
    and Activities for Dissemination and Exploitation of the Results
1.   The Commission shall      Implement the programme on the basis of the
     scientific and technical content described In Annex I.
2.   The rules for Implementing the programme, referred to in Article 3,
     comprise   research     and     technological      development     projects,
     accompanying measures and concerted actions.
     The direct research activities carried out by the JRC will be the
     subject of a separate Council Decision.
     The projects    shall   be the subject      of  shared-cost    research  and
     technological development contracts.
     The accompanying measures consist of applying the means to ensure
     proper   technical   execution,    management     and  evaluation    of  the
     programme, as well as adequate dissemination and accessibility of
     the results, and coordination, training and consciousness-raising
     of the participants in the programme.
     The   concerted    actions    are    those   defined    In  the    Financial
     Regulation.
3.   The participants In the projects must be natural or legal persons
     established   In   the   Community 6 ,  such   as  universities,    research
     organizations and     industrial   firms,    Including small    and medium-
     sized enterprises, or associations thereof, in particular European
     Economic Interest Groupings (EElGs).
6   In the context of the present programme, the European Centre for
   Nuclear Research (CERN), based In Geneva, most of whose Installations
   are   located   In   the    Community,    may   participate    In   contracts.
 ---pagebreak---                                         - 20 -
   Natural   or     legal    persons   established       in  countries    which    have
   concluded agreements with the Community               foreseeing scientific and
   technical     research,      may,   based     on    the   criterion     of    mutual
   advantage, take part        in the projects undertaken         in the context of
   this programme. The contracting            parties under       such   arrangements
   shall not benefit from Community funding. They shall contribute to
   the general administrative costs.
4. The  choice    of    projects    shall   be   carried    out   according     to  the
   following order of priority, the first method being the rule, the
   second the exception:
   The participants in the projects shall be selected on the basis of
   the  ordinary      procedure    of   calls    for    proposals    referred    to  In
   Article 6 (3) and published in the Official Journal of the European
   Commun 11 i es.
   The   Commission       may    also   accept     proposals     according      to   an
   exceptional    procedure      and under     the conditions mentioned          below,
   when    they     make     a    particularly       promising     and    significant
   contribution as regards the originality of the theme proposed, the
   novelty    of     the    scientific     and    technical     approach     and    the
   methodology of execution, also taking              into account the particular
   nature of the proposers.
   A favourable technical evaluation of such proposals shall not by
   Itself be a sufficient justification for accepting a project; this
   exceptional    procedure may only apply after verification                 that the
   nature of the project, as defined above, does not justify the use
   of the normal procedure for calls for proposals.
   The exceptional       procedure must      be completed      before   the ordinary
   procedure     In   such    a   way   that    the    available    amount    for   the
   Community's     financial     participation      in projects     retained    by  the
   ordinary procedure can be determined precisely. The closing date
   for the exceptional procedure shall be published each year in the
   OffIclal Journal.
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 21 -
   The amount of the financial participation of the Community for all
   the projects retained by the exceptional procedure will be decided
   each  year,   in relation    to   the projects   selected   according   to
   particularly   strict   criteria   of excellence.     In any   case,  this
   amount may not exceed 15%; it may be revised each year In the light
   of experience.
   The Commission shall draw up a vade mecum setting out all the rules
   applicable to this exceptional procedure In order to guarantee full
   transparency.
5. The  projects   must   provide   for   participation   by  at   least  two
   mutually   independent   partners    established   in   different   Member
   States.
6. The Commission may encourage the participants to form a European
   Economic  Interest Grouping (EEIG) or make other arrangements for
   carrying out projects, such as those on a large scale, permitting
   decentralized management     adapted to the specific requirements of
   the project.
7. The knowledge acquired during the course of the projects shall be
   disseminated on the one hand within the specific programme and on
   the other hand by means of a centralized activity, pursuant to the
   decision  referred    to  in   the   third  paragraph   of  Article 4   In
   Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC.
 ---pagebreak---                                  FINANCIAL STATEMENT (1)
1.    BUDGET HEADING AND TITLE
   Part B of the general budget
   Subsection 6, Item 6121
   Specific programme of Community RTD activities in the field of Industrial and Materials
   Technologies (1990 - 1994V
2.    LEGAL BASE
   Article 130 Q(2) of the Treaty.
3.    OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION
   See Annex I of the proposal.
4.    FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
         Amounts deemed necessary in MIO ECU :
         Programme implementation                                                  663.30
         Centralised action for dissemination and exploitation                       6.70
         TOTAL                                                                    670.001
   The indicative operational breakdown of the ECU 663.3 million for the programme
   implementation is given in Annex II of the proposal.
     1
       excluding JRC activities (78 MIO ECU)
 ---pagebreak---     Indicative multiannual schedules
                 1990           1991          1992            1993             19942          TOTAL
Commitments       -            139           170.87          198              155.43           66330
Payments          -             13            94.50          154              401.80           663J0
The definitive yearly amounts will be determined by the budgetary authority in accordance with the
financial perspectives for the period 1990-1992 (annexed to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 29
June 1984) and with subsequentfinancialperspectives which may be adopted for 1993 and 1994.
5.STAFF AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE
   In addition to the principal means of action which are contracts (annex III), the above amounts
   include programme-related staff and administrative expenditure estimated at no more than 35
   MIO ECU.
   The expenditure on staff will not exceed 3% of the amount deemed necessary for the programme
   implementation. This implies a maximum of 81 statutory posts (A, B and/or C) at any given time
   during the life of the programme. The infrastructure costs related to statutory staff will be borne
   by Part A of the budget.
6.IMPLICATIONS FOR REVENUE
   The contributions by third country contractors towards the cost of administration of the
   programme will be reused pursuand to articles 27.2 and 96 of the Financial Regulation3.
 7.TYPES OF CONTROL
    Control will be exercised by :
           the Programme Management Committee (scientific control)
           the services of the DG responsible for the execution of the programme, possibly assisted
           by independent experts
            the Commission's Financial Controller
      2
        for the payment appropriations : 1994 and beyond
      3
        Financial Regulation of 21 December 1977, as last amended by Regulation 610/90 of
 March 1990.
 ---pagebreak--- In accordance with Article 2 of the Financial Regulation(3), the use of appropriations will be
subject to analyses of cost-effectiveness and the realisation of quantified objectives will be
monitored.
External audit may be carried out by the Court of Auditors in accordance with the Treaty.
 ---pagebreak---                   STATEMENT OF IMPACT ON COMPETITIVENESS AND EMPLOYMENT
1-        The main reason for introducing the measure
   The proposed programme is aimed at promoting collaborative technological research to enhance
   the competitive position of the Community's manufacturing industries, in particular SMEs. An
   important purpose of this European Community programme is to bring together complementary
   research of industrial firms, research institutes, universities and other organizations from different
   countries in the Community through transnational cooperation.
2.        Features of the businesses in question
   The proposed programme is directed at European manufacturing industries where there is a need
   to improve technology in order to enhance competitive performance. The target companies
   include a large proportion of SMEs such as those which already participate in the
   BRTTE/EURAM and Raw Materials and Recycling programmes.
3.        Obligations imposed directly on business
   The same obligations are imposed on all institutions participating in the programme including :
   conformity of the proposed research with the technical annex of the project, transnational
   cooperation, sharing of costs, free site-access to Commission agents, participation in seminars and
   meetings of contractors organized by the Commission, and annual reports of activities and results.
4.        Indirect obligations likely to be imposed on business by national, regional or local
          authorities
   No such obligations are foreseen following the implementation of this Council decision.
5.        Special provisions in respect of SMEs
 ---pagebreak--- Subject to the success of the pilot scheme, the Commission will support Feasibility Awards to help
small and medium sized undertakings establish the feasibility of a device, process or concept as
a means of enhancing their potential to find a partner in a subsequent call for proposals under
the shared cost action. The Commission will support up to 75 % 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.
The Commission will support Cooperative Research which will help companies, particularly small
and medium sized undertakings generally not having their own research facilities, to carry out
R&D to address their common problems.
When a choice has to be made between projects of similar technical merit and likely industrial
impact, preference will be given to those projects involving SMEs.
A particular advantage for SMEs in participating in the programme is that all signatories to a
contract are treated on an equal footing; even when making a relatively small contribution, a
contractor has the right of full access to the foreground information arising from the research
project.
 ---pagebreak---        Likely effects on :
a.     The competitiveness of business
       As the programme is aimed at research not leading directly to new commercial products
       or processes, there will be no immediate effect on the competitiveness of businesses.
       In the longer term, the programme is directed at improving the technological competences
       of European industry in general and of small and medium sized enterprises in particular.
       A number of projects in the programme will deal with technical problems specific to SMEs.
       The majority of the participants in these projects will be SMEs. The results of the
       projects, if successful, will be of real benefit to SMEs in the longer term.
       As the technical work develops, dissemination of information about the research results
       will commence.
   b.   Employment
       The effects on employment (inasmuch as these can be measured) of the programme are
       and will continue to be of an indirect and positive nature in the immediate term.
       Consultation of representative organizations
The Industrial Research and Development Advisory Committee (IRDAC), in which the European
Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), the European Centre for Public Enterprises (ECPE), the
Union of Industries of the European community (UNICE) and the Federation of European
Industrial Cooperative Research Organizations (FEICRO) are represented, has been consulted
during the preparation of the new programme, and has been consulted on the technical subjects
of the programme.
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                  ISSN 0254-1475
                                                                 COM (90) 156 final
                                                      DOCUMENTS
EN                                                                                       13 16
                                 Catalogue number : CB-CO-90-239-EN-C
                                                               ISBN 92-77-60709-2
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