CELEX: 51988PC0632
Language: en
Date: 1988-11-21
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION adopting two specific research and technological development programmes in the field of the environment STEP: Science and Technology for Environmental Protection EOPCH: European Programme on Climatology and Natural Hazards 1989-1992 (presented by the Commission)

ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (88) 632
Vol. 1988/0210
 ---pagebreak--- Disclaimer
Conformément au règlement (CEE, Euratom) n° 354/83 du Conseil du 1er février 1983 concernant
l'ouverture au public des archives historiques de la Communauté économique européenne et de
la Communauté européenne de l'énergie atomique (JO L 43 du 15.2.1983, p. 1) modifié en dernier
lieu par le règlement (UE) 2015/496 du Conseil du 17 mars 2015 (JO L79 du 25. 3.2015, p. 1), ce
dossier est ouvert au public. Le cas échéant, les documents classifiés présents dans ce dossier
ont été déclassifiés conformément à l'article 5 dudit règlement ou sont considérés déclassifiés
conformément aux articles 26(3) et 59(2) de la décision (UE, Euratom) 2015/444 de la
Commission du 13 mars 2015 concernant les règles de sécurité aux fins de la protection des
informations classifiées de l'Union européenne.
In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983 concerning
the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Economic Community and the
European Atomic Energy Community (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as last amended by Council
Regulation (EU) 2015/496 of 17 March 2015 (OJ L 79, 27.3.2015, p. 1), this file is open to the
public. Where necessary, classified documents in this file have been declassified in conformity
with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation or are considered declassified in conformity with
Articles (26.3) and 59(2) of the Commission Decision (EU, Euratom) 2015/444 of 13 March 2015
on the security rules for protecting EU classified information.
In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom 1. Februar
1983 über die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europäischen Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und
der Europäischen Atomgemeinschaft (ABI. L 43 vom 15.2.1983, S. 1), zuletzt geändert durch die
Verordnung (EU) Nr. 2015/496 vom 17. März 2015 (ABI. L 79 vom 25.3.2015, S. 1), ist dieser Akt
der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich. Soweit erforderlich, wurden die Verschlusssachen in diesem Akt in
Übereinstimmung mit Artikel 5 der genannten Verordnung freigegeben; beziehungsweise werden
sie auf Grundlage von Artikel 26(3) und 59(2) der Entscheidung der Kommission (EU, Euratom)
2015/444 vom      13. März 2015 über die Sicherheitsvorschriften für den Schutz von EU-
Verschlusssachen als herabgestuft angesehen.
 ---pagebreak--- COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                             COM(88 ) 632 final - SYN 168
                                             Brussels , 21 November 1988
                                 Proposai for a
                                COUNCIL DECISION
  adopting two specific research and technological development programmes
                       in the field of the environment
      STEP :   Science and Technology for Environmental Protection
      EOPCH :  European Programme on Climatology and Natural Hazards
                                  . 1989-1992
                        ( presented by the Commission )
 ---pagebreak---                                 SUMMARY
     Specific research and technological development programmes
                      in the field of environment
     STEP ( Science and Technology for Environmental Protection)
     EPOCH ( European Programme on Climatology and Natural Hazards )
                              1989 - 1992
The two programmes contribute to the implementation of line 1.3 of
the Framework Programme for research and development ( 1987-1991 ).
STEP covers the research topics specified under environmental
protection , cultural heritage , major technological hazards and fire
safety ; EPOCH treats the topics under the heading climatology and
natural hazards . They continue and expand the current programmes in
these areas initiated in 1986 .
The main objectives of the programmes are :
-     to provide scientific and technical support for the
      environmental policy of the Community with an emphasis on
      developing preventative and anticipatory policies ;
      to improve the productivity of the overall research effort in
      the Community , reduce overlaps and evaluate gaps in research
      coverage through the coordination of national R&D programmes
      in the field of environment ;
-     to promote overall scientific and technical quality in this
       field , as a contribution to the strengthening of the economic
      and social cohesion of the Community .
 STEP comprises nine research areas :
 -     Environment and human health
 -     Assessment of risks associated with chemicals
 -     Atmospheric processes and air quality
      Vater quality
 -     Soil and groundwater protection
       Ecosystem research
 -     Protection and conservation of the European cultural heritage
 -     Technologies for environmental protection
 -     Major technological hazards and fire safety .
 ---pagebreak---                                   2
EPOCH Is sub-divided Into four research areas :
-     Past climates and climate change
-     Climate processes and models
-     Climatic impacts and climate-related hazards
-     Seismic hazard .
The two programmes will be Implemented through shared-cost research
contracts , coordination activities ( including concerted actions ) ,
education and training activities , studies and assessments .
The funding considered necessary for the two specific programmes
under action line 1.3 of the Framework Programme is 115 million
ECU , subdivided in 75 million ECU for STEP and 40 million ECU for
EPOCH .
                                                                      3
 ---pagebreak---                                   CONTENTS
                                                                 Page
SUMMARY
1.      Introduction     .                                           1
2.      Scientific and Technical Content     .                       6
3.      Fundlng and Implémentation      .                            9
4.      Condensed Description of the Two Research Programmes
        4.1  STEP : Science and Technology for Environmental ....   13
             Protection
        4.2   EPOCH : European Programme on Climatology and .       25
             Natural Hazards
DRAFT PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION
        ANNEX
FINANCIAL DATA AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESS
OPINION OF THE MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
 ( CGC ) "ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATOLOGY "
 ---pagebreak---                                        1
                     DRAFT PROPOSAL FOR TWO SPECIFIC
             RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES
                        IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENT
       STEP : Science and Technology for Environmental Protection
    EPOCH :   European Programme on Climatology and Natural Hazards
                                  1989-1992
1 . INTRODUCTION
    This proposal Is a scientific response of the European
    Community to the environmental challenges of the nineties .
    A    number   of  environmental     problems   have   been  solved  or
    alleviated    since  the   1972  Stockholm World    Conference  on the
    Environment and , In Europe , the Initiation In 1973 of the EC
    policy for the environment and similar actions at national
    level .    Yet concern for the environment Is now greater than
    ever as new Issues      of   an often more    intractable  nature have
    arisen .    These vary In scale from the local , to the regional
    and the global .
     Climate change due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in
     the atmosphere and stratospheric ozone depletion are now more
     than a purely scientific concern .          Together with them are
     other changes , also Induced by human activities , which affect
     the functioning of the planetary ecosystem , and which are
     beginning to be addressed by a world-wide research programme ,
     the IGBP ( International Geosphere Biosphere Programme ) .
                                                                           5
 ---pagebreak--- At regional level , widespread air pollution , due mostly to
energy conversion and use , affects crops , forests , lakes , and
human health .      Waste disposal is causing international
disputes . The use and release in the environment of synthetic
organic     chemicals   is    Increasing    continuously .     Modern
intensive agriculture has often a negative impact on the
environment , which needs to be remedied . The quality of soils
is being threatened and groundwater supplies are in danger of
becoming unsuitable for human use . The reform of the CAP will
create new environmental problems through the set aside of
agricultural land which will be in danger of being left to
abandon . Deforestation progresses at an alarming rate in the
tropical zones . Plant and animal species become extinct at an
increasing rate ,      reducing the potential of biological
resources for the future .        Over-exploitation of the land ,
 coupled with climate extremes , Increases erosion and leads to
 desertification in arid and semi-arid regions .      Coastal waters
 are  subject    to eutrophication ,  marine   life  is    threatened .
 Human mismanagement augments the risk and/ or the Impact of
 landslides , floods , fires , earthquakes . The potential risks of
 complex technology have been shown by a major nuclear and a
 number of Important chemical accidents .
 In facing many of these problems , the right strategy to adopt is
 difficult , if not impossible , to define because of insufficient
 knowledge of the phenomena involved , of their consequences on
 man and the environment , of the effectiveness of mitigating ,
 remedial or adaptive measures and their         undesirable Impact .
 Extensive research into these Issues must be pursued in the most
 efficient way .
 This is not to say that policy actions should be postponed
 until a complete understanding is achieved . In most
 ---pagebreak--- cases , measures can already be taken that go In the right
direction , but R & D is indispenslble to refine and improve them
and to Identify technically-sound , cost-effective and socially
acceptable environmental policies .
It   is   also   true   that   high    environmental   standards  make
economic sense , as they may encourage Industry to develop and
exploit more sophisticated technologies , and to save on energy
and raw materials .
Environmental    research    can   be   defined  as   aiming  at  risk
assessment ,   in   the   broad   sense   of  the   word , while   risk
management is the object of environmental policy . Research and
policy together should result in significant risk reduction .
There   is   much   to   say   for   international   collaboration   in
environmental research , because of the generally transboundary
nature of the problems , the interdisciplinary character of the
work required , and the need to bring together the skills of
scientists from various disciplines , engineers , economists and
sociologists .    Such co-operation is particularly useful for
 the member states of the European Community which share common
 environmental problems , a common policy and are being
 integrated in a large single market .
 In fact , such a co-operation has been extant for a number of
 years and EC environmental research programmes have yielded a
 large volume of useful results , as recognised by two
 successive independent evaluation panels ( 1985 and 1988). The
 effectiveness of these programmes has been enhanced by the
 participation of European non-member states in the COST
 framework , as well as through specific co-operation agreements
 with other industrialised countries .
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 4 -
The current programmes were Initiated in 1986 . They Include
Environment Protection , Climatology and Natural Hazards , and
Major Technological Hazards .
The new programmes proposed here aim at pursuing and expanding
them . They are submitted to contribute to the implementation of
line 1.3 of the Framework Programme for research and
technological development ( 1987-1991 ), which stipulates that the
purpose of environmental research is " to generate such
sufficient knowledge in the fields of environmental protection ,
climatology and safety , as is necessary for the implementation
of the Community environment policy and of the Community
consumer protection policy , and for their further development ;
to contribute also to other relevant Community policies ( energy ,
agriculture , industry , aid to developing countries )".
Furthermore , the two programmes will also address most of the
scientific Issues to be treated in the IGBP ,        also known as
Global Change . Therefore , they would represent a first , albeit
modest , contribution of the Community to this ambitious
long-term enterprise , which could very well require a much more
substancial effort on the part of Europe in the not so distant
future .
A condensed version of the proposed programmes is presented
 here .     Detailed descriptions are given in Working Papers
XII / 527 / 88 and XII / 528 /88 .
 The objectives of the programmes are :
 1 . to provide scientific and technical support for the
     environmental policy of the EEC with a special view of
     developing preventative and anticipatory policies ;
 2 . to improve the overall research effort in the Community
     through the coordination of national R&D programmes ;
 3 . to promote overall scientific and technical quality in
     this field , as a contribution to the strengthening of the
     economic and social cohesion of the Community .
 ---pagebreak---                              - 5 -
With regard to the first of these objectives , research in
support of environmental policy entails work either of a
rather applied and short-term nature aimed at providing
concrete answers to practical questions of policy , or
long-term work aimed at the understanding of underlying
phenomena which would provide the basis for measures to be
taken in the more or less distant future , thus helping in the
formulation of policies aimed at preventing problems , or
making it possible to anticipate them .
The    second   objective   is   one    which   can   be   pursued
simultaneously with the first one .       Co-ordination has been
fruitful in the past . National research projects have been
pooled under various concerted actions , which have also
involved non-member states under the COST system .               In
addition , transnational projects will be the rule in the new
programme .
The third objective is not the least important .          European
research should be of the highest quality . EC co-ordinated
projects by effects of synergy may contribute to higher
standards and promote scientific productivity , as shown by a
bib Home trie study carried out in 1988 on behalf of the
Evaluation Panel .
Public funding is important and indispenslble in the field of
 environment  where   much of   the  research   is  aimed  at   the
 formulation of regulations and belongs definitely to the
 pre-competltlve stage . Also industry recognised the necessity
 of basic work in the areas of ecology , toxicology and
 measurement methods as part of EC funded programmes .
 ---pagebreak---                                - 6 -
2 SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL CONTENT
  The content of the programmes has been defined after numerous
  consultations and Intensive discussions with the CGC and Its
  related Working Groups , Including with Industry . Other
  Directorate Generals , in particular DGXI , have provided their
  research requirements .
  The   recommendations   of the   recent evaluation exercise  have
  been taken fully into account . The Evaluation Panel recognised
  that the objectives achieved in the preceding programme
  correspond to those defined in the Council Decision . It also
  acknowledged the quality of the research undertaken and
  concluded that the funds were used effectively . Following the
  recommendations of the Panel , during the implementation of the
  programne , In particular in formulating appropriate calls for
  proposals , emphasis will be given to defining clear operational
   goals within the general and specific objectives of the
  programme .
   In conclusion , and considering the funding constraints imposed
   by the Framework Programme , the present proposal covers two
   research programmes :     STEP ( Science and Technology for
   Environmental   Protection)   and EPOCH  (European Programme   on
   Climatology and Natural Hazards) .
   STEP covers the whole range of environmental research topics
   specified in line 1.3 of the Framework Programme under the
   headings "environmental protection", "cultural        heritage",
   "major technological hazards" and "fire safety".
                                                                    10
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 7 -
The programme is sub-dlvlded into nine research areas :
1 . Environment and human health :      aiming    at   the    protection of
    human health from environmental pollution ( including the
     indoor     environment )   through    early      identification of
    groups at risk , quantification of exposure , identi¬
     fication of early effects and through epidemiological
     surveillance .
2 . Assessment of risks associated vith chemicals :            in    view of
     the assessment of the potential risks to human health and
     the   environment    from chemicals ,    in   support    of  Community
     regulation .
3 . Atmospheric      processes   and air  quality :    to    elucidate   the
     turn-over of pollutants in the atmosphere and to assess
     the Impact of air pollution on terrestrial and aquatic
     ecosystems .
4 . Water quality : aiming at the development              and validation
     of analytical methods for the determination of water
     quality and the investigation of the transformation of
     pollutants in the aquatic environment as well as their
      effects on living targets .
 5 . Soil    and   groundwater   protection :    in  order     to generate a
      scientific basis for the protection              of    soil   and   the
      prevention of groundwater pollution .
 6 . Ecosystem research :     for   the  acquisition      of   knowledge   on
      structure , functioning and vulnerability of ecosystems in
      view of the definition of a long-term strategy for their
      protection , restoration and /or management .
 ---pagebreak--- 7 . Protection and conservation of the European cultural
     heritage : to provide a scientific basis for relevant aspects
     of Community cultural and environmental policies .
8 . Technologies for environmental protection : to develop and
     assess processes for the treatment and disposal of waste ,
     the reduction of emission , including by means of " clean
     technologies ".
9 . Major technological hazards     and fire    safety : to   provide a
     scientific    basis   for  the  assessment   of    risks   to   the
     general population from potentially hazardous industrial
     activities and fire in buildings , the mitigation of
      accidents and the design of equipment for accident
      prevention , giving due consideration to human factors .
 EPOCH is concerned with the study of climate , especially the
 climate change induced by greenhouse gases , and with hazards and
 risks associated with climate change and variability , and with
 other natural phenomena .
 The programme is sub-divided into four research areas :
 1 . Past climates and     climate  change : the   study   of   climatic
      conditions and climate change when man 's influence upon
      climate was inexistent or negligible , to provide a better
      understanding of the climate system apart from
      man-induced changes . This will also provide a valuable mean
       for testing the power of mathematical models to simulate the
       real climate under known conditions .
  2 . Climate processes and models : to better understand the
       mechanism ruling the various components of the climate
       system in order to improve our ability to simulate and
       predict climate change , especially the change due to the
       greenhouse effect .
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 9 -
  3 . Climatic Impacts and climate-related hazards : to understand
      the effects of climatic and hydrogeological factors , and
      especially of climate change , upon various sectors of the
      European environment ( sea level , land and water resources )
      and the occurrence of hazardous phenomena ( landslides ,
      floods , wildfires ).
  4 . Seismic hazard : to develop and Improve the means for pre¬
      dicting , preventing and mitigating the seismic risk in
      Europe , not only in earthquake-prone areas , but also in
      low-seismicity areas , where nevertheless high risk objects
      ( industrial and power plants , dams , etc .) exist .
  Further particulars on the two programmes are found under Point
  4 below .
3 FUNDING AND IMPLEMENTATION
   Total funding , as determined by the implementation of the
   current Framework Programme , should not exceed 115 million ECU
   for the period covered by it .            The proposed indicative
   distribution between the programmes is as follows .
                STEP   - 75 million ECU
                EPOCH - 40 million ECU
   The allocation of funds within each programme should be
   finalised after examination of the project proposals received
   and after taking the advice of the CGC . However , research on
   major technological hazards under STEP should be funded at the
   level of at least 12 million ECU in order to make a significant
   contribution .    This again is in line with the recommendations of
   the Evaluation Panel .
 ---pagebreak---                                10 -
The funds available will be used :
a) to finance shared-cost research contracts for projects
    submitted in response to public calls for proposals . The
    projects will be transnational as a general rule . While
    50Z EC contribution ( or 100Z of marginal costs for
    universities and research Institutes ) might be the base
    line , a flexible approach will apply ;
b ) to co-ordinate projects funded at national level ,
    Including the renewal of COST concerted actions ;
c ) for advanced cross-border training of scientists ;
d ) to carry out studies and assessments , upstream analysis ,
    and programme planning activities ;
e) to disseminate R & D results .
Efforts will be made to involve a broad spectrum of participants
in the programme ( research organisations , industry - including
SME 's , universities ) through the distribution of Information
packages , and links with professional associations . It is to be
expected that the first general call for proposals will be
published in the first trimester of 1989 . More specific calls
will follow later . It is intended to base the calls for research
proposals on well-defined projects which probably would permit
an easier and more rational selection of proposals . The
proposals will be assessed by independent experts on the basis
 of their quality , relevance to the programme , and prospect of
 success . The decision to fund will be made by the Commission
 after consultation with the CGC . As a rule , only well elaborated
 cooperative projects involving institutions from at least two
 Member States would be eligible for funding .
                                                                  14
 ---pagebreak---                                11
Appropriate interfaces will be established with other Community
R & D programmes and activities relating to a smaller or greater
extent to the field of environment : MAST (Marine Science and
Technology) , AFE (Actions in Favour of the Environment ) , REWARD
(Recycling of Waste R & D ) , JOULE ( non-nuclear energy), Wood ,
Agricultural Research ,    Radioprotection and Radioactive Waste
Disposal . ( STEP does not cover nuclear risk).
Particular emphasis will be given to co-ordination with the
activities    of  the  Joint   Research  Center   relevant   to the
environmental field .
The association or Involvement of European non-member states
will be made possible through the COST system and through the
bilateral framework agreements with EFTA countries .
The programme will be managed by the Commission with the
assistance of CGC n°ll , established by the Council resolution of
June 1984 .
 In the scientific management of the programmes , the projects
will , wherever suitable , be Increasingly regrouped by themes or
 sub themes to be managed by a leading contractor who will
 coordinate the work of the participating research teams . In this
way , the Increase in staff can be kept far below the
 proportional increase in the budget , taking into account also
 the shorter time-span of the new programmes .
 An Independent overall evaluation will be carried out and will
 be the subject of reports prepared in accordance with the
 relevant    Council   Resolution   and   Communication    from  the
 Commission as well as with the provisions of Article 2 $ 2 of
 the Framework Programme .
                                                                   15
 ---pagebreak---                                  12
The evaluation will be based on the objectives of the programmes ,
on the general goals for each research area and on the appropriate
operational goals which will be defined , in line with the opinion
of the CGC , at the level of calls for proposals .
These operational goals will be rather narrow in areas of
technological development , such as technologies for environmental
protection , major technological hazards and fire safety , or seismic
hazard . They will have to be defined in a broader sense in areas
addressing long-term environmental problems such as ecosystem
research or climate processes , where scientific creativity and
finding the unexpected are important components .
 ---pagebreak---                                        13 -
4.    CONDENSED DESCRIPTION OF THE TWO RESEARCH PROGRAMMES
4.1   STEP : Science and Technology for Environmental Protection
A)    INTRODUCTION
      STEP is a continuation and extension of the ongoing 4th
      Environment Protection Research Programme ( 1986-1990 ) and also
      Includes the follow-up of the pilot programme on major
      technological hazards .
      The scientific content of STEP covers the whole spectrum of
      research topics specified in chapter 1.3 of the Framework
      Programme under the headings "Environmental Protection",
      " Cultural Heritage", "Major Technological Hazards " and " Fire
      Safety" ( except for those items handled primarily by the JRC) .
      In building upon the existing programme and in extending it ,
      STEP addresses what are widely perceived to be the major
      environmental research issues of the early nineties climate
      change excepted ; these are
      -       Air pollution and its effects on          non-human  targets
              ( terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems ) .
      -       Stratospheric ozone .
              Assessment of chemicals .
      -       Environment and human health .
              Toxlc waste disposai .
      -       Loss of biodiversity and conservation of species and their
              habitats .
      -       Agriculture and environment .
      -       Basic ecosystem research .
      -       Marine pollution and protection of the marine environment .
              Protection of the cultural heritage .
      The above are to be seen in the overall context of global
       change * IGBP ; STEP , together with EPOCH , will be implemented
      within a cohesive framework capable of making a significant
       contribution to the investigation of this salient issue of our
       time .
 B)   ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PREVIOUS PROGRAMMES
       A critical independent assessment of the achievements of the
       previous programmes is contained in two evaluation reports
       ( I ) ( 2 ),  prepared  by   panels  of  eminent   scientists   ( the
       evaluation       made in 1985 covered also the relevant section of
       the JRC programme) .
       The Commission has published the results of these programmes
       in numerous reports ; a number of open symposia and workshops
       also received wide attention . In most of the research areas ,
       synthetic research reviews have been prepared which provide a
       comprehensive overview of the achievements in the various
       research areas .
  (1)
  (2)
       Evaluation Report No ; 14 , EUR 10.164 , 1986
       Evaluation Report No . .., EUR . . 1988
                                                                             17
 ---pagebreak---                                  14 -
C) SCIENTIFIC CONTENTS
        RESEARCH AREA 1 : ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH
        General goal : New , preventive approach to the protection
        o I human health from environmental pollution through
        early Identification of groups at risk , quantification of
        exposure by means          of   target   or   organ loads .
        Identification of early ( reversible) effects and through
        advanced techniques of epidemiological surveillance ;
        assessment of the Impact of Indoor air quality on human
        health .
        1.1 . Development of biological markers of exposure and
               precllnlcal effects :
        - Development of methods for population monitoring and of
           systems    to Identify exposed    Individuals / group 8  and
           quantify Internal exposure , target dose and lesions at
           the cellular and subcellular levels .
        - Early Indicators of adverse health effects due to
           exposure to environmental pollutants , to be of
           potential applicability to the general population .
         1.2 . Development of environmental     epidemiology in the
                European Community
        Development and application of epidemiological
         surveillance including the following :
         - Comparative evaluation of data sets In Member States
            concerning     environmental    exposure    and      health
            statistics , Investigation of the scope for data
            linkage .
         - Development of methods to analyse data In order to
            Identify adverse health effects due to environmental
            factors .
         - Coordination of environmental epidemiology within the
            Community .
          1.3 . Indoor air quality and Its impact on man
         - Exposure determination
          - Health effects measurements
          - Collection of exposure and health related data .
          - Development of methods to analyse data .
 ---pagebreak---                                   15
RESEARCH AREA 2 : ASSESSMENT OF RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH
                      CHEMICALS
General goal : Establishment of methodologies for the
assessment of potential risks from chemicals to human health
and    the  environment ,     In   support    of   existing   and   future
Community regulations , In particular Directive 79 / 831 / EEC .
2.1 . Development and validation of protocols In the context of
       Directive 79 / 831 / EEC for the assessment of health risks
Emphasis    is  given to       the assessment      of mutagenicity     and
carcinogenicity      ( quantitative      mutagenesis    and    mechanisms ,
development of tests for non-genotoxic carcinogens , validation
of tests for genomic mutations ) .
New directions to be considered include :
- Endpoints relevant to cancer , e.g. recombination , gene
   amplification , etc .
- Détection of spécifie germ cell mutagens .
- Development of a comprehensive in vitro assay for the
   detection of genotoxlc effects at low exposure levels .
 2.2 . Alternatives to the use of animals in           chemicals testing
 Research in this field is intended to support recent Community
 regulations on the protection of animals by improving the
 scientific basis for the development of methods which replace
 or reduce the use of animals in toxicological tests , without
 loss of overall capability for risk assessment .
 The effort within the Programme will focus on a few critical
 topics :
 - Metabolic activation         by    preparations    not    derived   from
   laboratory animals .
 - Measurements of mutations based on DNA technology .
 - New toxicity tests based on cell cultures .
 2.3 . Assessment procedures         for   the   abiotic   degradation of
        chemicals
 Emphasis will be given to             the simulation of degradation
 reactions in the absorbed state and to the investigation of
 suitable carrier materials .
 ---pagebreak---                              16
2.4 . Research on the assessment of         ecological effects of
       chemicals
Development of Integrated tests for " level 1 " and " level 2",
such as :
- Test methods for the terrestrial and marine environment ,
   using sensitive and representative organisms .
- Development of comparative            quantitative laboratory ,
  microcosm and field tests             for the prediction of
   cross-media effects from chemicals .
- Improvement and validation of models linking laboratory
   data to estimated exposure and effects in the environment .
2.5 . Refinement       and      application     of    quantitative
       structure / activity relationships (OSAR' s )
QSAR 's are of increasing promise and relevance to current
important environmental policy considerations ; research will
consist of testing the validity and applicability of the
main types of QSAR approaches , both for health and
ecological effects .
RESEARCH AREA 3 : ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES AND AIR QUALITY
General goal : Elucidation of Important physico-chemical
processes in the atmosphere and assessment of the Impact of
air pollution on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems .
3.1 . Tropospheric chemistry , including analysis , sources ,
       transport and deposition of pollutants and other
       alrborne substances
Research will concentrate on the following topics :
- Analysis of pollutants , In particular development            of
   equipment       and    methodologies ,     standardization   of
   measurements .
- Laboratory research to investigate the mechanisms and
   rates of reactions of importance in the atmosphere .
- Field measurements to quantify emissions , transport and
    deposition .
 3.2 . Stratospheric chemistry , ozone depletion and related
        issues
 Research on this subject , which is complementary to and
 Implemented together with climatic impact studies within
 EPOCH , encompasses :
 ---pagebreak---                             17
- Tropospheric concentrations and fluxes of key source gases
   of both natural and anthropogenic origin , including their
   chemistry and dynamics in the troposphere .
- Laboratory investigations of key processes in stratos¬
   pheric chemistry .
- Field measurements       related   to   stratospheric   ozone
   depletion .
- Development and validation of models        to describe and
   predict changes in stratospheric ozone .
- Assessment of risks to human health and of ecological
   consequences of stratospheric ozone depletion .
3.3 . Air   pollution   effects   on terrestrial   and  aquatic
       ecosystems
Research in this area carries three main goals , namely the
direct or indirect impact of air pollution on :
- Agricultural productivity , including economic aspects
- Terrestrial ecosystems ,      in particular forests      ( tree
   physiology , interaction     with other stresses ,     early
   diagnosis , etc .)
- Aquatic ecosystems (reversibility of acidification ,
   geochemical aspects , impacts on aquatic communities etc .).
RESEARCH AREA 4 : WATER QUALITY
 General goal : Development and validation of analytical
methods for the determination of water quality and specific
 pollutants ,    investigation of     the transformation of
 pollutants in the aquatic environment and of the ecological
 effects of pollutants .
 4.1 . Analysis and conversion of pollutants
 Research will cover in particular :
 - Basic analytical techniques , including sampling and
    sample treatment ; analysis of selected classes of
    compounds , and collection and treatment of analytical
    data .
                                                                  21
 ---pagebreak---                              18
– Behaviour of organic micropollutants in the aquatic
   environment (distribution and transport mechanisms !
   structure/ activity relationships , bioavailability and
   bioaccumulation) .
– Transformation      reactions    in   the   aquatic   environment
   ( chemical and photochemical reactions and biological
   transformations ) .
– Behaviour and transformation of organic micropollutants in
   water-treatment processes .
4.2 . Effects of pollutants
Research will cover :
- The assessment of the ecological effects of selected
   pollutants to be identified case by case .
- The study of phenomena linked to an excess of nutritional
   elements ,   in  particular    in  the   coastal  and  estuarine
   environment .
RESEARCH AREA 5 : SOIL AND GROUNDWATER PROTECTION
General goal : Development of a scientific basis for the
protection of soil and the prevention of groundwater
pollution .
5.1 . Protection against inorganic pollutants
Research will cover :
- Pollution        by    metals :      sorptlon ,    précipitation/
   remoblllsation , complex formation , transport ; uptake by
   and effects on plants , soil fauna and microorganisms .
- Excessive fertilisation , in particular with regard to
   nitrogen and phosphate ( retention vs. transport to
    groundwater , modelling of transport , nitrification and
    denitrification , emissions to the atmosphere ).
 - Acidification due to atmospheric input .
 5.2 . Protection against organic pollutants
 Sorption     and   mobilisation ,    transport ,   biological   and
 chemical transformation , uptake by and effects on plants ,
 soil fauna and microorganisms .
 ---pagebreak---                             19
5.3 . Effects of agricultural and forestry practice
- Completion and validation of the EC erosion model
- Effects of mechanical treatment and drainage               on   soil
   structure and erosion . Including soil compaction
- Effects of set-aside of agricultural land .
RESEARCH AREA 6 : ECOSYSTEM RESEARCH
General goal : Acquisition of knowledge on the functioning
of ecosystems to support the establishment of a long-term
strategy     for    their    protection ,     restoration       and / or
management .
6.1 . Terrestrial ecosystems
Research will focus on the following topics :
- Basic      processes     and    patterns       (biological        and
   non-biologlcal compartments ) .
- Ecological studies of populations and species .
- Studies      on   the   optimum      conditions      for    habitat
   conservation , and development of management strategies .
- Impact of stressors , such as natural stressors , pollution
   input , anthropogenic activities , specific stresses ( e.g.
   controlled and Incidental burning , resource exploitation ) ,
   loss of genetic diversity and spread of gene-manipulated
   organisms .
6.2 . Aquatic and coastal ecosystems ( including wetlands )
Research will deal with a wide range of aquatic ecosystems :
 - Coastal benthic ecosystems focussing essentially on the
    investigation    of   the    vulnerability       of    near-shore
    ecosystems , such as the intertidal and subtidal benthic
    communities along the North Sea and Atlantic coast and
    specific Mediterranean ecosystems ( e.g. Posidonia ) .
 - Alpine lakes .
 -   Functioning of wetland and river margin ecosystems .
 Particular    importance will be      given   to   the   interaction
 between     connected    ecosystems ,     e.g.    rivers / estuarine
 environment with emphasis on pollutant cycles .
                                                                         23
 ---pagebreak---                          - 20 -
RESEARCH AREA 7 : PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION OF THE
                   EUROPEAN CULTURAL HERITAGE
General goal : Establishment of a scientific basis for the
protection of cultural heritage in material form in support
of Community cultural and environmental policies .
7.1 . Assessment of the mechanisms of the deterioration
Weathering (natural and under the Influence of pollutants ) ;
physical , chemical and biological decay mechanisms and their
interactions .
7.2 . Critical environmental factors
Mlcrocllmate étudiés ,    transport and déposition processes ,
etc.
7.3 . Damage Assessment
Development of methods and techniques for damage assessment .
7.4 . Material characterization
Comparative evaluation of various types of materials with
regard to their stability against pollution impact .
 7.5 . Conservation techniques
Assessment of the performance of materials and methods
 employed in conservation and restoration .
 RESEARCH AREA 8 : TECHNOLOGIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
 General goal : Design and assessment of processes for the
 treatment and disposal of waste and the reduction of
 emissions ; development of clean technologies .
 8.1 . Waste Research
 Research will be concerned with utilisation , recycling and
 disposal of :
 - Organic wastes ( sewage sludge , liquid agricultural waste ,
    etc .) in close cooperation with REWARD in the Materials
    Programme and EC demonstration activities (DG XI , DG
    XVII ).
  - Toxic and dangerous waste , with partlcular emphasis on
    characterlzation of waste , spécifie treatment processes to
    facilitate disposai , spécifie destruction or recycllng
                                                                24
 ---pagebreak---                           - 21
   processes     and  biotechnological  processes   for  waste
   treatment ( in close cooperation with the Biotechnology R&D
   Programme ) .
- Research will also cover waste disposal on land , with
   particular emphasis on environmental Impact assessment for
   the design of waste disposal sites , risk assessment and
   reclamation of abandoned disposal sites .
8.2 . Emission abatement
Research will concentrate on :
- Reduction of emissions to the atmosphere ( insofar as not
   covered by the JOULE Programme ) .
- Advanced technologies for waste water treatment .
- Application of biotechnological processes .
8.3 . Clean technologies
The development of new , low emission processes or
process-integrated abatement technologies , concentrating on
the following Industrial sectors :
- Chemical industry
- Metallurgy
- Metal finishing and coating
- Fibres and textiles
- Tanning
Research will be complementary to , and serve as a basis for ,
 the promotion of pilot and demonstration projects under
Council Regulation EEC 2242 / 87 (DG XI ).
 RESEARCH AREA 9 : MAJOR TECHNOLOGICAL HAZARDS AND FIRE
                     SAFETY
 General goal : Development of the scientific basis for the
 assessment of risk to the general population from major
 industrial accidents and from fire in buildings and the
 investigation of possibilities for preventing and mitigating
 such accidents .
 9.1 . Physical and Chemical Phenomena
 - Phenomenology of release and early stages of dispersion of
    gases and aerosols .
 - Dispersion over large . areas with emphasis on dense gases
    and aerosols .
 ---pagebreak---                                   22
     - Combustion : conditions for generation of destructive blast
       pressures ; blast propagation and formation of large fires
       and fireballs ; fire development and growth in buildings .
     9.2 . Technologies of Accident Prevention
     - Safety and reliability of existing technologies and their
       improvement for production , storage and transport of
       dangerous goods , safety devices ; possible measures to
       mitigate accidents ( e.g. water sprays ).
     - Alternative technologies : avoidance or           réduction   of
       hazardous     lntermedlates     or products ;    avoidance    of
       hazardous operatlng conditions .
     - Instrumentation :       early      warning    and      detection
       devices / systems   and     their   coupling  with   mitigation
       installations .
     9.3 . Evaluation and Management of Risk
     - Hazard analysis : systematic procedures for identification
       and quantification of risk .
     - Management     of    risk :    organisational   systems ;   risk
       perception by the public ; acceptable risk levels ; socio¬
        economic effects of risk control regimes .
     - Human factors : role of man in production             processes ;
       workplace design ; man-machine interaction ;          population
        behaviour in case of accidents and fires .
D) LINKS TO AND COOPERATION WITH OTHER COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES
   Utmost importance will be given to complementarity and close
   coordination with the relevant sections of the JRC programme .
   In many areas , such as atmospheric chemistry and erosion ,
   joint implementation with EPOCH is envisaged .
   The new programme REWARD (Recycling of Waste R & D) is under
   the same management as STEP , permitting an integrated approach
   to waste management .
   As regards the marine environment , joint operations with the
   MAST programme (Marine Science and Technology) are foreseen in
   a number of research fields .
   The sociological and economic aspects will be treated in close
   cooperation with the FAST-programme and with the European
   Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working
   Conditions , Dublin .
 ---pagebreak---                                - 23 -
   The very nature of environmental research generates interfaces
   and connections with numerous other Community R&D programmes ;
   wherever appropriate , close links with these programmes will
   be established , in particular with JOULE , Raw Materials ,
   Radiation Protection , Biotechnology , Medical Research , Science
   and Technology for Development , Agricultural Research , the
   Fisheries Programme (DG XIV ) , CORIME and the demonstration
   programmes on Clean Technologies and Waste (DG XI ) and Energy
   (DG XVII ).
E) ASSOCIATION OF NON-MEMBER STATES AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
   European non-Member Countries may be either associated with
   the programme within the context of existing Framework
   Agreements for scientific and technical cooperation , or with
   specific concerted actions through COST-agreements .
   The Commission will also endeavour to strengthen cooperation
   with non-European states in appropriate research areas .
    STEP will provide input for a Commission participation in
    EUREKA projects , e.g. EUROTRAC and EUROCARE .
    Cooperation with relevant International programmes will be
    further enhanced , in particular with the research activities
    of WHO and UNEP ; formal participation in programmes such as
    IGBP of ICSU may be envisaged .
F)  IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME
    As   regards   research   in the narrow sense ,   STEP will be
    Implemented by :
    - Contract research
       Shared-cost contracts will be funded on the basis of calls
       for proposals specifying , where appropriate , specific well
       defined cooperative projects ; transnational cooperation will
       be the general rule .
    - Concerted actions
       Concerted actions will normally be Implemented within the
       COST  framework    and   aim  to coordinate  research   funded
       nationally ; it may be complemented by contract research to
       fill the gaps . In addition to the overall coordination , the
       implementation of specific strategic projects will be
       promoted .
     - Coordination actlvltles
       In addition to formal concerted actions , less formal and
       sometime ad hoc coordination mechanisms will be established
       to promote specific projects .
 ---pagebreak---                             24
These activities will be complemented by :
- Training ,  in   particular  by  grants  for   students  and
  post-graduates .
- Assessments and upstream analyses with a particular emphasis
  on reviewing and presenting scientific results and
  generating reports for immédiate use for environmental
  régulation and management .
 ---pagebreak--- 4.2     EPOCH : European Programme on Climatology and Natural Hazards
A)      INTRODUCTION
EPOCH ( European Programme on Climatology and Natural Hazards ) Is a
continuation and extension of the ongoing R&D programme on Climatology
( 1986-1990 ).
As regards the scientific contents , EPOCH has been drafted as a reply
to the following questions :
    -   Which are the main and most urgent problems to be solved In the
        field of climate change and natural hazards , especially as regards
        Europe ?
    - What knowledge Is most needed In order to solve them ?
    - How can that knowledge be obtained ?
    - Therefore , which areas have to be Investigated , and which research
        guidelines should be provided .
While In the ongoing programme the section "Natural Hazards" was
limited to a pilot action In the field of seismic risk , EPOCH
represents an effort to meet more effectively the concerns of most
Member States of the Community , and therefore covers a fuller range
of hazards ( landslides , storms and floods , forest fires , seismic
phenomena). As regards climatic Impacts , a greater stress Is put on
subjects such as the effects of climate change on sea level rise , on
vegetation , agriculture and water resources and on land degradation
leading to desert-llke conditions In Europe , especially under
conditions of progressive drought .
In so doing , EPOCH Is fully In line with the terms of reference
specified by the Framework Programme for research In the field of
Climatology and Natural Hazards , thus :
"Research on Climatology and Natural Hazards will focus on efforts to
understand the mechanisms which govern the phenomena concerned , e.g. by
developing powerful models capable of forecasting such phenomena In
temporal and spatial scales useful for planning and prevention , by
refining our ability to assess Impacts upon specified segments of
European Community geography , society and economy , and by establishing
a sound scientific basis for any preventive or corrective measure"(l ) .
B)      ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PREVIOUS PROGRAMMES
 For an assessment of the achievements of the previous programmes
 ( 1981-1985 and 1986-1990 ) reference Is made to the Evaluation Report
 ( 2 ).   In particular , the Panel stated that It "was impressed by the
 degree of structural unity , transnationality and interdisciplinarity In
 the programme", while Its activities appear " to have been well chosen ,
 of high standard , and well carried out ".
 (1)       0J L 302 of 24.10.1987 , p. 7
 (2 )      Evaluation Report No . EUR ...., 1988 .
 ---pagebreak---                                      26 -
The results of the research conducted under the previous programmes
have been published In various books and reports , most of which were
the outcome of contact group meetings , symposia and workshops , among
which the symposium held in Brussels in November 1986 to assess the
current scientific consensus concerning the climate change due to
greenhouse gases , and the associated impacts .
C)   SCIENTIFIC CONTENTS OF THE PROGRAMME
     1 . RESEARCH AREA 1 : PAST CLIMATES AND CLIMATE CHANGE
         General goal : The study of climatic conditions and climate
         change when the influence of man upon the climate system was
         inexistent or negligible . This should provide a better
         understanding of the functioning of the climate system
         (atmosphere , oceans , biosphere , cryosphere) apart from changes
         induced by man 's activities .
         1.1 . Modelling of extremes
         Modelling past climate fluctuations leading to extreme climates
         ( e.g. ice ages ) for which typical parameters are known from
         proxy data .     This should help to asses the power of
         mathematical models to simulate the real climate under known
         conditions .
         1.2 . Transient behaviour of the European climate : data and
               modelling
         Reconstruction from proxy data and model simulations of past
         climates ,   aimed    at   understanding    long-term variations
         ( astronomical time scales ) in relation to the corresponding
         atmospheric concentrations of CO^.
     2 . RESEARCH AREA 2 : CLIMATE PROCESSES AND MODELS
         General goal : To understand the mechanisms ruling the various
         components of the climate system , and their interactions , in
         order to improve the physical formulation and the parametrlzatlon
         of climate models , and hence our ability to predict climate
         change .
         2.1 .  Climate   change  détection ,  modelling   and prédiction ,
         especially as regards greenhouse gas effects .
         The improvement , testing and validation of climate models in
         order to enhance their ’predictive ability with the objective of
         improving the regional details of prediction of climate change in
         Europe .
         2.2 . The global carbon cycle
         Multidisciplinary research of the global carbon cycle including
         biological , geochemical and modelling aspects . This would
         provide an essential contribution to our understanding of carbon
         dioxide sources and sinks , especially in view of determining
         future atmospheric CO^ levels .
                                                                         30
 ---pagebreak---                                - 27
    2.3 . Land surface processes
    Observation and modelling of the land surface characteristics ,
    which determine the fluxes of energy , mass and momentum between
    soil and atmosphere .
    2.4    Climatic aspects of ozone changes and troposphere-
           stratosphere interactions
    Data collection and modelling studies to Investigate the
    relations between changes in ozone concentration and climate .
    Research on this topic is complementary to stratospheric
    chemistry research foreseen in the STEP programme , and will be
    implemented in common .
    2.5 . Cloud-radiation interactions
    Study and modelling of the role of clouds          in energy and
    mass transfer within the climate system .
    2.6 . Ocean circulation and air-sea fluxes
    Ocean circulation studies for climate modelling , especially as
    regards     CO^    absorptivity  in relation    to   ocean water
    temperature .
    2.7 . Cryospheric processes
    Modelling of ice sheets , in order to understand their
     formation , stability and disappearance , especially in rapid
    deglaclatlon processes .
3 . RESEARCH AREA 3 : CLIMATIC IMPACTS AND CLIMATE-RELATED
     HAZARDS
     General   goal  :   To understand the  effects  of  climatic  and
     hydrogeological factors , and especially of climate change , upon
     various sectors of the European environment .
     3.1 . Sea level change
     Research on the climatic and geological factors determining
     future sea level change , hazard of storm surges for European
     coasts , as well as the impacts to be expected from sea level rise
     for natural ecosystems and coastal land use in Europe .
     3.2 . Climatic impacts on land and water resources
     Assessing the perturbations which a climate change could induce
     in the complex relations between vegetation and edaphlc
     parameters . The Impacts of increasing CO^ in a changing climate
     on European forests and crops .
     Models capable to characterise the effects of climate change on
     hydrological systems ( surface and ground water supplies ) .
 ---pagebreak---                                    28 -
   3.3 . European land dégradation and désertification in a
          changing climate
   Effects of climatic and meteorological factors on soil erosion ,
   especially in areas within Europe where such degradation has
   led to desert-like conditions .
   3 . A. Instability and erosion of natural slopes
   Physical and human factors leading to the erosion and
   instability of natural slopes , such as can produce large-scale
   destructive       landslides .      Mapping     of   areas    at    risk ,
   classification of instability processes in relation to climate ,
   lithology , geological structure , morphology , active erosion .
   To develop methods of prevention , control and rehabilitation .
   3.5 . Storms and floods
   Understanding , preventing and mitigating the risks associated
   with floods and related hazards . Methods and methodologies for
   the study , forecast and control of floods , and for flood hazard
   assessment . Ascertain how land use practices and human works
   have    created   conditions   favourable   to   the  occurrence   or the
   aggravation of floods .      Application of radar and satellite data
   to forecast and track severe storms , and               to   Improve  the
   hydrological models of catchment behaviour .
   3.6 . Wildfires
   Understanding       the conditions favouring or preventing the
   occurrence and spread of forest fires ( ecosystem biomass ,
    structure of vegetation , properties of vegetation fuels ).
   Development      of   methods    for  forecasting    fire   severity  and
    frequency .
A. RESEARCH AREA A : SEISMIC HAZARD
    General     goals    :  To   develop   and    improve   the   means   for
    predicting , preventing and mitigating the seismic risk in
    Europe , not only in earthquake-prone areas , but also in
    low-seismicity areas where nevertheless high-risk objects
    ( industrial and power plants , dams , etc .) exist .
    A.l . Strong-motion measurements
    Research and data analysis concerning various aspects of ground
    motion during strong earthquakes            ( ground acceleration and
    velocity ) .
    A. 2 . European data centres and information services
    Creation of European facilities ( networked data centres ) for
     the collection and exchange of relevant data , and for the
     dissemination of elaborated information to civil authorities ,
     press media and the public , concerning the on-going seismic
     activity .
                                                                          7,0
 ---pagebreak---                                    29 -
       4.3 . Multidisciplinary earthquake prediction studies
       Identification and mapping of both selsmological and
       non-seismological precursors of earthquakes , such as long-term
       regularities and seismic gaps , variations in the seismicity
       patterns ,   active    faults ,  geophysical precursors       ( e.g.
       geoelectric , geomagnetic , electrotelluric , gravity ),     ground
       water and gas emissions , ground deformations , etc .
       4.4 . Risk assessment including methods of evaluating seismic
             vulnerability of housing stock , lifelines , historical
             buildings and monuments
       Vulnerability assessment studies based on analyses of past
       damage . Studies of different types of structures to estimate
       vulnerability functions . Survey of objects at risk and impact
       studies of the consequences of earthquakes .          Study of the
       effectiveness of existing codes and regulations .
       4.5 . Establishment of a task force for scientific field
             missions after a destructive earthquake
       Constitution of a body of volunteer scientists to be rapidly
       mobilised and engaged in scientific field missions soon after a
       destructive earthquake .
D)  LINKS TO AND COOPERATION WITH OTHER COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES
   Cooperation , or common coordination of selected activities , is
   foreseen first of all with the STEP programme , e.g. in the field of
   research on the stratospheric ozone depletion .
   Cooperation is also to be foreseen with the Remote Sensing
   programme of the JRC , possibly in the framework of the DG XII
   coordination action of space activities ; with DG VI as regards
   forest fires ; with DG XI as regards the programme CORINE and the
   analysis of policy options to face the Impacts of the foreseen
   climate change , with DG XII / E-5 and DG XVII as regards the
   relationship between energy policies and climate change .
E) ASSOCIATION OF NON-MEMBER STATES AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
   The programme is open to cooperation with non-member states through
   the COST organisation . An agreement of cooperation already exists
   with Switzerland .    Informal cooperation is going on with the US
   Department of Energy (CO^ programme) . Similar links are developing
   with Canada and , as regards palaeoclimatic research , with the
   European Science Foundation .
   EPOCH also covers a large part of the research subjects foreseen in
   the IGBP programme , and this should be the basis for future links
   and cooperation with that programme .
                                                                       33
 ---pagebreak---                                            30
        A similar remark applies to the World Climate Research Programme
        and the World Climate Impact Programme .
F)      IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME
EPOCH will be implemented by various means .
( a)   Research work will be supported through
         (i)       Shared-cost   contract      research ,   whereby   transnational
                   European projects will be funded ;
          ( ii)    Coordination activities , through the continuation of the
                   established groups of European scientists , to enhance
                   cooperation at large between teams not receiving research
                   funds from the EC .        Some of these activities may be
                   reinforced by research contracts to support key projects in
                   relevant areas .
  (b )   Education and training activities will be pursued through
          ( i)     The  reinforcement    of    the  already   established  European
                   School of Climatology and Natural Hazards , through annual
                   or biennial courses on selected relevant topics , to be held
                   in cooperation with various European research institutions ;
          ( ii )   Sectoral grants for European graduates and post-graduates
                   in fields relevant to climatology and natural hazards ;
           ( iii ) The publication of a series of books and monographs dealing
                   with important topics relevant to the research areas of the
                   programme and meeting the needs of different kinds of
                   concerned audiences .
                                                                             34
 ---pagebreak---                                         Proposal for a
                                       COUNCIL DECISION
        adopting two specific research and technological development programmes
                             in the field of the environment
              STEP :     Science and Technology for Environmental Protection
              EPOCH :    European Programme on Climatology and Natural Hazards
                                       1989 - 1992
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community ,
and in particular Article 130 q ( 2 ) thereof ;
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ( 1 );
In cooperation with the European Parliament ( 2 ) ;
 Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee ( 3 ) ;
 Ihereas Article 130 k of the Treaty provides that the framework programme
shall be implemented through specific programmes developed within each
activity ;
 ( 1 ) OJ No . C. ..
 ( 2 ) OJ No . C. ..; OJ No . C. ..
 ( 3 ) OJ No . C. ..
                                                                            35
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                  2
Whereas by its decision 87 / 516 / Euratom , EEC ( 4)^ the Council adopted a
framework programme of Community research and technological development
( 1987-1991 ), providing inter alia for activities in the field of the
environment ;
Whereas , for the selection of Community actions , the framework programme
sets out criteria among which is that of contributing to the strengthening
of the economic and social    cohesion of the Community , consistent with the
pursuit of scientific and technical quality ;
Whereas the Council of the European Communities and the Representatives of
the Member States , meeting within the Council , declared in their Resolution
of 19 October 1987          on the continuation and implementation of a European
Community policy and action programme on the environment ( 1987-1992)            that
improving the scientific bases of environment policy , inter alia          through
appropriate research programmes , was one of the priority areas of Community
action ;
Whereas the participation of certain European non-member States in a
Community R & D programme in the field of the environment would be
beneficial ;
Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research Committee ( CREST ) has been
consulted r
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION :
                                         Article 1
 Two specific research and technological development programmes for the
 European Economic Community in the field of the environment , as defined in
 the Annex , are hereby adopted for a period of 4 years , starting from
 ( 4 ) OJ No . L 302 , 24.10.1987, p. 1
 ( 5 ) OJ No . C 328 , 07.12.1987 , p. 1
                                                                                 36
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                     3
                                       Article 2
The amount deemed necessary for the execution of the two programmes is 115
million ECU , including expenditure on a staff of 30 , subdivided as follows :
- STEP ( Science and Technology for Environmental Protection); 75 million ECU ,
- EPOCH (European Programme on Climatology and Natural Hazards)' 40 million
    ECU .
                                        Article 3
Detailed rules for the implementation of the programmes and the rate of the
Community 's financial participation are set out in the Annex .
                                        Artide 4
1 . In the third year of the programmes' implementation , the Commission shall
     undertake a review of the programmes and            shall report to the Council
     and the European Parliament on the results thereof , together ,               if
     necessary , with any proposals for modification or prolongation .
 2 . An   evaluation   of  the  results      achieved   shall  be  conducted  by  the
     Conmlsslon , which shall report thereon to the Council and the European
      Parliament .
 3 . The abovementloned reports shall be established having regard to the
      objectives set out in the Annex and in conformity with the provisions of
      Article 2(2 ) of Decision 87 / 516 / Euratom , EEC on the framework programme .
                                                                                  17
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                     4
                                         Artide 5
1 . The Commission shall be responsible for the execution of the two
      programmes and shall be assisted in their implementation by the
    . Management and Coordination Advisory Committee ( CGC ) on Environment and
      Climatology , set up by Council Decision 84 / 338 / Euratom,ECSC, EEC ( 6 ).
2 . The contracts entered into by the Commission shall regulate the rights
      and obligations of each party , Including the methods of disseminating ,
      protecting and exploiting the research results .
                                         Article 6
1 . The Commission is hereby authorized to negotiate , in accordance with Article
       130 n of the Treaty , agreements with non- ember States and international
       organizations , in particular with those countries participating in
       European cooperation in the field of scientific and technological
       research ( COST ) , and those having concluded framework agreements for
       scientific and technical cooperation with the Community , with a view to
       associating them wholly or partly with the programmes .
 2 . Where framework agreements for scientific and technical cooperation
       between non-Member States and the European Conmunities have been
       concluded , organizations and enterprises established in those countries
       may participate in a project undertaken within these programmes .
  ( 6 ) OJ No . L 177 , 4.7.1984 , p. 25
                                                                                   38
 ---pagebreak---                                   Artide 7
This Decision is addressed to the Member States .
Done at                                           For the Council
                                                   The President
 ---pagebreak---                                      I. OBJECTIVES
Environmental Issues In one form or another , whether air pollution , groundwater
quality or the greenhouse effect , pervade almost every aspect of human life .
This 1B reflected in the three objectives which are shared by the two
programmes , STEP ( Science and Technology for Environmental Protection) and EPOCH
(European Programme on Climatology and Natural Hazards ) , namely
-  the provision of scientific and technical support for the environmental
   policy of the Community , and for other relevant Community policies such as
   energy , agriculture , Industry , aid to developing countries , both for the
   solution of short term policy questions and for the medium and long-term
   formulation of preventive and anticipatory policies ;
-  the further improvement of the productivity of the overall research effort in
   the Community , the reduction of overlaps and the Identification of gaps ,
   through the coordination of the national R&D programmes in the field of
   environmental research ;
-   the promotion of overall scientific and technical quality in the field of
    environmental research , as a contribution to the strengthening of the
    economic and social cohesion of the Community , R&D capabilities at the
    highest level in all parts of the Community being one of the prerequisites
    for its harmonious development .
                                                                                40
 ---pagebreak---                                     2
                             II . CONTENTS
STEP ( Science and Technology for Environmental Protection
RESEARCH AREA 1 :   ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH
                    1.1  Development of biological markers of
                         exposure and preclinlcal effects
                    1.2  Development of environmental epidemiology
                         in the European Community
                    1.3  Indoor air quality and its impact on man
RESEARCH AREA 2 :   ASSESSMENT OF RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CHEMICALS
                    2.1  Development and validation of protocols in
                         the context of Directive 79 / 831 / EEC for the
                         assessment of health risks
                    2.2  Alternatives to the use of animals in
                         chemicals testing
                    2.3  Assessment procedures for the abiotic
                         degradation of chemicals
                    2.4  Research on the assessment of ecological
                         effects of chemicals
                    2.5  Refinement and application of quantitative
                          structure / activity relationships ( QSAR's )
RESEARCH AREA 3 :   ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES AND AIR QUALITY
                     3.1 Tropospheric chemistry , including analysis ,
                          sources ,    transport and deposition of
                          pollutants and other airborne substances
                     3.2  Stratospheric chemistry , ozone depletion
                          and related issues
                     3.3  Air pollution effects on terrestrial and
                          aquatic ecosystems
 RESEARCH AREA 4 :  WATER QUALITY
                     4.1  Analysis and conversion of pollutants
                     4.2  Effects of pollutants
                                                                    41
 ---pagebreak---                                - 3 -
RESEARCH AREA 5 : SOIL AND GROUNDWATER PROTECTION
                  5.1  Protection against inorganic pollutants
                  5.2  Protection against organic pollutants
                  5.3  Effects of agricultural and forestry
                       practice
RESEARCH AREA 6 : ECOSYSTEM RESEARCH
                  6.1  Terrestrial ecosystems
                  6.2 Aquatic and coastal ecosystems ( including wetlands)
RESEARCH AREA 7 : PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION OF THE EUROPEAN
                  CULTURAL HERITAGE
                  7.1  Assessment of the mechanisms of the
                       deterioration
                  7.2  Critical environmental factors
                  7.3  Damage assessment
                  7.4  Material characterization
                  7.5  Conservation techniques
RESEARCH AREA 8 : TECHNOLOGIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                  8.1  Waste Research
                  8.2  Emission abatement
                  8.3  Clean technologies
RESEARCH AREA 9 : MAJOR TECHNOLOGICAL HAZARDS AND FIRE SAFETY
                  9.1  Physical and Chemical Phenomena
                  9.2   Technologies of Accident Prevention
                   9.3  Evaluation and Management of Risk
                                                                 4%
 ---pagebreak---                                     4
EPOCH ( European Programme on Climatology and Natural Hazards )
RESEARCH AREA 1 :   PAST CLIMATES AND CLIMATE CHANGE
                    1.1   Modelling of extremes
                    1.2   Transient behaviour of the European
                          climate : data and modelling
RESEARCH AREA 2 :   CLIMATE PROCESSES AND MODELS
                    2.1   Climate change detection , modelling and
                          prediction ,    especially     as    regards
                          greenhouse gas effects
                    2.2   The global carbon cycle
                    2.3   Land surface processes
                     2.4  Climatic aspects of ozone changes and
                          troposphere-stratosphere interactions
                     2.5  Cloud-radiatlon interactions
                     2.6  Ocean circulation and air-sea fluxes
                     2.7   Cryospheric processes
RESEARCH AREA 3 :    CLIMATIC IMPACTS AND CLIMATE-RELATED HAZARDS
                     3.1   Sea level change
                     3.2   Climatic Impacts on land and water
                           resources
                     3.3   European land degradation and
                           desertification in a changing climate
                     3.4   Instability and erosion of natural slopes
                     3.5   Storms and floods
                     3.6   Wildf 1res
                                                                    43
 ---pagebreak---                                  5
RESEARCH AREA 4 : SEISMIC HAZARD
                  4.1  Strong-motion measurements
                  4.2  European data centres and Information
                       services
                  4.3  Multidisciplinary earthquake prediction
                       studies
                  4.4  Risk assessment including methods of
                       evaluating seismic vulnerability of housing
                       stock , lifelines , historical buildings and
                       monuments
                  4.5  Establishment of a task force for
                       scientific    field     missions   after   a
                       destructive earthquake
 ---pagebreak---                            III . IMPLEMENTATION
The programmes shall be Implemented by means of ( 1 ) shared-cost
research    contracts . ( 11 )  concerted  actions ( 111 ) coordination
activities ( lv ) education and training activities , and (v ) studies
and assessments .
The programmes are open to universities , research organizations and
Industrial companies , Including small and medium-sized enterprises ,
Individuals , or any combination thereof established In the
Community . As a rule projects must be transnational .
The association and Involvement of non-member States , International
and national organizations will be founded on the criterion of
mutual advantage . In the case of European non-member States , their
association and Involvement will be made possible through the COST
system and through the bilateral framework agreements with EFTA
countries .
For shared-cost contracts , the Community participation will
generally be 50Z of the total expenditure , but this percentage may
be varied according to the nature and the stage of development of
 the research . In respect of universities and research Institutes
 carrying out projects , the Community may bear up to 100Z of the
 additional expenditure Involved .
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 7
                             IV . EVALUATION CRITERIA
The Commission 's Communication to the Council concerning a Community Plan for
Action relating to the evaluation of Community research and development
activities for the years 1987 to 1991 ( COM ( 80 ) 660 final ) states that the
objectives and milestones of each research programme have to be set out in a
testable form .
1.   The first objective of the two programmes is the provision of scientific
     and technical support for the environmental policy of the Community , and
     for other relevant Community policies .
     Taking into account the general goals of the separate research areas of
     the programmes , the evaluation criteria should consist of the following :
     -   the scientific and technical progress made , contributing to the
         solution of short term policy questions ;
     -   the advances in the understanding of environmental processes as a basis
         for the medium and long term formulation of preventive and anticipatory
         policies ;
     -   the contribution to the definition of norms and standards .
 2.  The coordination of national R&D programmes will be evaluated by criteria
      such as :
      -  the added value due to coordination which was not obtainable in one
         national programme alone ;
      - the repartition of research tasks between national programmes as a
          result of coordination .
                                                                               46
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 8 -
3. The promotion of overall scientific quality in the field of environmental
   research , as a contribution to the strengthening of the economic and
   social cohesion of the Community , will be evaluated by criteria as :
   -  the degree of transnationality of the research projects ;
   -  the participation in training and educational activities ;
   -  the application of the results obtained , to regions of the Community
      other than those where the research was conducted ;
   - the quality of environmental research as measured by suitable
      blbliometric studies .
                                                                            47
 ---pagebreak---                                  FINANCIAL DATA
                        CONCERNING THE R & D PROGRAMMES
                           IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENT
                      ( Indirect and concerted actions )
                                    1989-1992
FRAMEWORK PRCGRAMME ITEM :   1.3 ENVIRCNMENT
Budget Heading : ENVIRONMENT                              Article : 731
                                                          Item :    7314
                                                 Budget
Entitled                                       ( in MECU) Staff
STEP (Science and Technology for                   75       20
      Environmental Protection)
EPOCH (European Programne on
      Climatology and Natural                      40       10
      Hazards)
                                       Total      115        30
                                                                      48
 ---pagebreak---                               GLOBAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT
1.   Total cost over duration :
      (million E5CU)
           - Frcm the budget of the Canmunity :         115.000
           - Fran other sectors at national level :     105.541
1.1   a)   Commitment schedule
                                    1989     1990     1991      1992    Total
      Staff                         0.215 *  0.652 *  2.675     2.785   6.327
      Administration                0.415    0.432    1.120     1.165   3.132
      Contracts                     9.870   55.416   19.205   21.050  105.541
      Total                       10.500    56.500   23.000    25.000 115.000
      b)    Payment appropriations
                         1989       1990     1991     1992      1993    Total
      Staff             0.215       0.652    2.675    2.785             6.327
      Administration    0.415       0.432    1.120    1.165     -
                                                                        3.132
      Contracts         2.370      24.416   31.205   36.050    11.500 105.541
      Total             3.000      25.500   35.000   40.000    11.500 115.000
* 19 staff members ( 11A , 2B , and 6C) are covered by the previous programmes
    in 1989 and 1990 and will be transferred to the new programmes as follows :
            STEŒ> - 8A , 2B , 5C
            EPOCH - 3A , 1C
                                                                              49
 ---pagebreak---                              FINANCIAL STATEMENT
1. BUDGET TITLE
   STEP ( Science and Technology for Environmental Protection) .
2. LEGAL BASIS
   Article 130 Q.
3. PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
   STEP is a continuation and extension of the ongoing 4th Environmental
   Research Programme ( 1986-1990 ) . It covers the whole spectrum of research
   topics specified in Chapter 1.3 of the Framework Progranme under the
   headings "Environmental Protection", "Cultural Heritage", "Major
   Technological Hazards" and "Fire Safety" .
   The programme has the following main objectives :
   a)   to provide scientific and technical data which support the Cannunity
        Environment Policy ;
   b)   to address longer-term environmental problems , thus preparing the
        way for the development of preventative and anticipatory policies
        taking account of foreseeable environmental trends , and to provide
        the means to evaluate the effectiveness of current environmental
        policies ;
   c)   to serve as an instrument for enhancing further , at Canmunity level ,
        the co-ordination of national research activities in the
        environmental field , in order to improve the productivity of the
        overall effort through the encouragement of joint projects , the
        elimination of duplication , and the evaluation of gaps in research
        coverage ;
   d)   to strengthen industrial ccnpetitivity ;
   e)   to contribute to the definition of norms and standards in view of
        the completion of the internal market in 1992 ;
    f)  to promote the processing and evaluation of research results in the
        environmental field in view of their use in environmental regulation
        and management ;
   g)   to support training in environmental sciences .
                                                                        50
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 2 -
   The programme comprises nine research areas :
         1.   Environment and human health ;
         2.   Assessment of risks associated with chemicals ;
         3.   Atmospheric processes and air quality ;
         4.   Water quality ;
         5.   Soil and groundwater protection ;
         6.   Ecosystem research ;
         7.   Protection and conservation of the European
              cultural heritage ;
         8.   Technologies for environmenta1 protection ;
         9.   Major technological hazards and fire safety .
4. PR0GRA1-ME JUSTIFICATION
   Inproving the scientific bases of environment policy is one of the
   priority areas of Cannunity action , as defined by the Council of the
   European Caimunities in the resolution on the continuation and
   implementation of a European Cctrmunity policy and action programme on the
   Environment . Hie increasing complexity and transboundary , or even
   global , nature of environmental issues requires a multinational research
   effort for their investigation and solution .
                                                                       51
 ---pagebreak---                                         - 3 -
5.   FDlANCIAL IMPLICATICNS FOR INTERVEMTICN APPROPRIATICI
      (million ECU)
5.1  Total cost over duration :
           - From the budget of the Community :        75.000
            - From other sectors at national level :   68.978
5.2  a)    Ccmnitment schedule
                                  1989      1990     1991      1992    Total
     Staff                        0.096     0.303    1.775     1.848   4.022
     Administration               0.265     0.275    0.715     0.745   2.000
     Contracts                    6.139   35.422    13.010    14.407  68.978
     Total                        6.500   36.000    15.500    17.000  75.000
     b)     Payment appropriations
                        1989      1990      1991     1992      1993    Total
      Staff            0.096      0.303     1.775    1.848     _
                                                                       4.022
      Administration   0.265      0.275     0.715    0.745     p.m .   2.000
      Contracts        1.539     16.422    20.510   23.207     7.300  68.978
      Total            1.900     17.000    23.000   25.800     7.300  75.000
 5.3  Method of Calculation
     a)   Expenditure by contract
          This expenditure covers the Carrmunity ' s financial contribution to the
           research carried out under shared-cost contracts to be concluded with
           industry and the research institutes of the Member States . It
           includes expenditure for the services of experts in helping with
           programme management . The cost of the external evaulation by
           independent experts , estimated to be 250.000 ECUs , is also included .
                                                                                   5?
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 4 -
   b)   Operating expenditure
        This expenditure covers administrative costs (the ccrmittee which
        supports the Cccimission in the execution of the programne , working
        party meetings , document distribution and dissemination of
        information) , use of data processing and telecommunications
        facilities and other supporting activities .
   c)   Personnel costs
        The requirements for this programme have been estimated on the basis
        of auxiliary staff , consultants , costs of mission and statutory
        required staff^ of:
        1)    in 19892
              No new staff .
        2)    for 19903
              4 statutory officials - category A
              1 statutory official - category C
              This supplementary staff will be requested under the
              1990 budget .
6. FINANCING OF EXPENDITURE
   The appropriations required to cover the Community 's contribution to this
   project are to be entered in the Ccnmunity 's future budgets .
      The cost of the new staff is calculated at the 50% rate in the
      enrolment year .
         - The expenditure concerning personnel has been calculated on
           the following basis :
            . 93.000 ECUs/year for an A official
            . 58.000 ECUs/year for a B official
            . 37.000 ECUs/year for a C official
      15 members of staff ( 8A , 2B , 5C ) are covered by the previous programne
      in 1989 and 1990 and will be transferred to this programne in 1991 .
      4% inflation has been provided for 1990 .
                                                                             53
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 5 -
7. TYPE OF CONTRQL
        Administrative control by the Directorate-General for Financial
        Control as regards budget implementation .
        Scientific control by the Directorate-General for Science , Research
        and Development .
        CGC Committee .
        Audits by the Court of Auditors in accordance with the provision of
        the Treaty .
                                                                         54
 ---pagebreak---                                   FINANCIAL STATEMENT
1. BUDGET TITLE
   EPOCH ( European Programme on Climatology and Naturai Hazards ) .
2. LEGAL BASIS
   Article 130 Q.
3. PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
   EPOCH is subdivided into 4 research areas :
   1.      Past climate and climate change : the study of climatic conditions
           and climate change when man 's influence upon climate was inexistent
           or negligible , to provide a better understanding of the climate
           system apart frcm man-induced changes . Reconstruction of past
           climates is a valuable means to test the power of mathematical
           models to simulate the real climate under known conditions .
   2.      Climate processes and models : to better understand the mechanisms
           ruling the various components of the climate system in order to
           inprove our ability to simulate and predict climate change .
   3.      Climatic impacts and climate-related hazards : to understand the
           effects of climatic and hydrogeological factors , and especially of
           climate change , upon various sectors of the European environment
            ( sea level , land and water resources ) and occurrence of hazardous
           phenomena ( landslides , floods , wildfires) .
   4.      Seismic hazards : to create the means for predicting , preventing and
           mitigating the seismic risk in Europe , not only in earthquake-prone
           areas , but also in lew seismicity areas , where nevertheless high
           risk objects ( industrial and power plants , dams , etc .) exist .
   The programme should be implemented through : (i) contract research ;
    ( ii ) co-ordination activities ; ( iii ) education and training .
4. PROGRAMME JUSTIFICATION
   The climate change foreseen in the next decades as a consequence of man 's
   activities ( fossil fuel burning , industrial activities , deforestation ,
   etc .) poses serious problems of a global character . The impacts which
   such change may have on the European environment , society and economy may
   be serious and must be assessed in view of adopting counteractive ,
   preventative and adaptive policy options .
   Natural hazards also constitute a serious threat to European environment
   and economy . All these problems cue of a transboundary nature and
   require a multinational approach for their proper solution .
                                                                              55
 ---pagebreak---                                          - 2 -
5.   FINANCIAL IMPLICATICI FOR D7TERVENTICN APPROPRIATICI
      (million ECU)
5.1  Total exist over duration :
           - Fran the budget of the Canmunity :       40.000
           - Fran other sectors at national level :   36.563
5.2  a)    Coimitment schedule
                                   1989      1990   1991     1992      Total
     Staff                         0.119     0.349  0.900    0.937     2.305
     Administration                0.150     0.157  0.405    0.420     1.132
     Contracts                     3.731   19.994   6.195    6.643    36.563
     Total                         4.000   20.500   7.500    8.000    40.000
      b)    Payment appropriations
                        1989       1990      1991   1992     1993      Total
      Staff            0.119       0.349     0.900  0.937              2.305
      Administration   0.150       0.157     0.405  0.420    p.m .     1.132
      Contracts        0.831       7.994    10.695 12.843    6.700    36.563
      Total            1.100     - 8.500    12.000 14.200    6.700    40.000
 5.3  Method of Calculation
     a)   Expenditure by contract
          This expenditure covers the Canrminity 's financial contribution to the
           research carried out under shared-oost contracts to be concluded with
           industry and the research institutes of the Member States . It
           includes expenditure for the services of experts in helping with
           programme management . The cost of the external evaluation by
           independent experts , estimated to be 150.000 ECUs , is also included .
                                                                             56
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 3 -
   b)    Operating expenditure
        This expenditure covers administrative costs (the conmittee which
         supports the Ccmnission in the execution of the programme , working
         party meetings , document distribution and dissemination of
         information) , use of data processing and telecommunications
         facilities and other supporting activities .
   c)    Personnel costs
         The requirements for this programme have been estimated on the basis
         of auxiliary staff , consultants , costs of mission and statutory
         required staff'*' of:
         1)    in 19892
               1 statutory official - category A
               1 statutory official - category C
               This supplementary staff is requested under the 1989 budget .
         2)    for 19903
               2 statutory officials - category A
               1 statutory official (s) - category B
               1 statutory official ( s) - category C
               This supplementary staff will be requested under the
               1990 budget .
6. FINANCING OF EXPENDITURE
   The appropriations required to cover the Ccmnunity 1 s contribution to this
   project are to be entered in the Ccmnunity ' s future budgets .
      The cost of the new staff is calculated at the 50% rate in the
      enrolment year .
          - Hie expenditure concerning personnel has been calculated on
            the following basis :
            . 93.000 ECUs/year for an A official
            . 58.000 BCUs/year for a B official
            . 37.000 BCUs/year for a C official
      4 staff members ( 3A , 1C) are covered by the previous programme in 1989
      and 1990 and will be transferred to this new programme in 1991
      4% inflation has been provided for 1990 .                              r,
                                                                             57
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 4 -
7. TYPE OF CONTROL
        Administrative control by the Directorate-General for Financial
        Control as regards budget implementation .
        Scientific control by the Directorate-General for Science , Research
        and Development .
        CGC Ccmmittee .
        Audits by the Court of Auditors in accordance with the provision of
        the Treaty .
                                                                          58
 ---pagebreak---           ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESS
Participation and potential benefits
The two proposed R&D programmes , STEP ( Science and Technology
for Environmental Protection) and EPOCH ( European Programme on
Climatology and Natural Hazards ), 1989-1992 , have the purpose
of providing scientific and technical support for the
environment and consumer protection policy of the Community
and to contribute also to other relevant Community policies ,
including industry .
In doing so , the two programmes will promote both long-term
research aiming at the understanding of basic phenomena needed
for the formulation of preventive and anticipating policies ,
as well as research and technical development of a more
applied and short-term nature .
The impact on industry in general , and on small business in
particular , will be an Indirect one in the first case and both
a direct and Indirect one in the second case .
While long-term research by its nature will be mostly carried
out by universities and public research institutes , though
industry is not excluded , industry will benefit from its
results , which should help it to anticipate the trend in
environmental policies and standards , to apprehend at an early
stage and at their true value environmental problems and to
adapt their industrial strategy accordingly . This can
stimulate the development of new technologies as a source of
Industrial progress .
Short term research and technological development will be part
of a number of research areas in STEP , such as assessment of
risks associated with chemicals , water quality , technologies
for environmental protection and major technological hazards ,
and in the areas of EPOCH dealing with climatic impacts and
 climate related hazards , and with seismic hazard . Activities
 in  these  areas  are well  suited  for  an  active  and  direct
participation of industry , especially of SME 's which are
 strong in the development of instrumentation and measuring
devices . Indirect benefits for industry will arise from the
 results of these more applied research projects such as
development and validation of protocols for the    assessment of
health risks or the development of alternatives    to the use of
 animals in chemical testing , which should lead   to more rapid
 and reliable testing procedures in the food ,     cosmetics and
 pharmaceutical Industries .
                                                                59
 ---pagebreak--- Advantages to business
Participation   in   the programme offers  an opportunity       for
business to work in close collaboration with universities and
with public and private research institutes . The collaborative
projects required by the programme will provide SME 's with
access to relevant and detailed research results which are not
yet published and will quite often never be published in the
open literature . The requirement for transnational projects
should be an incentive for SME 's to establish international
research contacts .
Difficulties which may be encountered by SME 's
Small business may encounter difficulties in the following
respects :
-   Funding of the part of the shared-cost research which is
    not covered by the Community and which amounts generally to
    at least 50Z of the total cost .
-   The cost of preparing a project proposal can be a deterrent
    for some SME 's , as well as the lack of familiarity with
    Commission procedures .
Impact on employment
As the research is precompetltive , and to a large extent
long-term research , and is not specifically aimed at industry ,
the impact on employment is impossible to evaluate with any
degree of confidence .
There is certainly a positive effect on the maintenance and
recruitment of research staff directly Involved in projects
funded by the programme .
Consultations of industry
The proposal for the two programmes was discussed by the
Round-Table    " Environmental  Research"  of   the      Industrial
 Research and Development Advisory Committee ( IRDAC ) .
 ---pagebreak---                                        OPINION
                                  expressed by the
                           CGC Environment and Climatology
                        on the proposals for R & D Programmes
              in the field of environment ( STEP & EPOCH ) 1989-1992
The CGC Environment and Climatology discussed in detail the draft proposal
for environmental research consisting of 2 programmes : STEP and EPOCH . In
formulating its opinion , it has taken into account on the one hand , the
objectives and financial provisions for environmental research in the
Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development 1987-1991 and
on the other , the recommendations of the Evaluation Panel which recently
concluded its study of the past programmes .
The CGC agrees that Community environmental research should fulfill the
following broad objectives :
      1.    the provision of scientific support to the Action Programme
            for the environment ;
      2.    the Improvement of the overall research effort in the Community ,
            through the coordination of national R&D programmes .
      3.    the promotion of scientific and technical quality as a contribution
            to the strengthening of the economic and social cohesion of the
            Community .
The CGC endorses the Commission proposal to concentrate its action on 2
programmes : STEP for environmental protection , including major technological
hazards , and EPOCH for climate and natural hazards which should be closely
co-ordinated .
The CGC underlines the need for the establishment of clear operational goals ,
wherever appropriate , for the implementation of the programme .
The CGC agrees generally with the distribution of funds between the 2
programmes proposed by the Commission . It recognises the need for the
provision of adequate staff , for the planning and execution of the
programmes , as recommended by the Evaluation Panel .
 It is in favour of the participation to the programmes of European non member
 states ( EFTA and COST ) .
 The CGC' s views on the 2 programmes are detailed in the attached pages .
 In conclusion the CGC agrees with the scientific content and the ways of
 Implementation proposed for STEP and EPOCH and , on the understanding that
 clear and appropriate operational goals will be developed for each area of
 the two programmes before the issuance of calls for proposals , recommends
 that the proposals are transmitted to the Council and Parliament for early
 approval .
                                                                              61
 ---pagebreak---                                         OPINION
    of the Management and Coordination Advisory Committee ( CGC ) -
         Environment and Climatology on the draft proposal for
         an R&D Programme in the field Science and Technology
             for Environmental Protection 1989-1992 ( STEP )
1.   The CGC discussed the draft proposal for a Research and
     Development Programme in the field of Science and Technology
     for Environmental Protection 1989 to 1992 ( STEP )
     ( Doc . XII / CGC/ ENV/ 88 / 3 / 2 Rev. 1 ).
2.   In formulating this opinion , the CGC took into account the
     results of two evaluations of the previous programmes done in
     1985 ( Evaluation Report, no . 14 , EUR 10164 , 1986 ) and in 1988
     ( Interim Evaluation Report ).
3.   The CGC notes the substantial achievements of the previous
     programmes . It emphasizes the continuing need for a Community
     Programme on environmental-protection research , given             the
     still growing concerns about environmental problems .
4.   The CGC supports the general aims of the proposed Programme
     which is designed to provide R&D support to the environmental
     and related policies of the Communities , and in particular to
     Its Environment Action Programmes . The Programme will also
     provide a basis for               the  development of anticipatory and
     preventive policies .
5.   The CGC underlines that the programme proposal is consistent
     with the terms of reference for environmental research laid
     down in the Council decision of 28 September 1987 concerning
     the framework programme for Community activities in the field
     of research and technological development ( 1987 to 1991 ).
6.   With regard to specific aspects of the Programme proposal , the
     Committee 's comments and recommendations are as follows :
Objectives and scientific contents
7.   The CGC appreciates that the presentation of the scientific
     and technical contents of the programme has been rationalised
     with regard to the previous one and welcomes the effort to
     Introduce , on project level , an integrated trans-media
     approach to environmental research . The important research
     problems of the early nineties regarding environmental
     protection are addressed by the programme proposal .
8.   The CGC supports the establishment of clear operational goals
     in research areas wherever appropriate , while other research
     areas providing more basic scientific knowledge , have broader
     objectives .
 ---pagebreak--- 9.   The CGC endorses the Incorporation In STEP of research on
     major technological hazards from Industrial activities and
     underlines the need for a strong coordinated European effort
     In this area .
10 . The CGC welcomes the Incorporation of an Independent research
     area on the protection and conservation of the European
     cultural heritage .
11 . The CGC stresses the need to integrate research on the
     socio-economic impact of the major environmental issues ,
     whenever appropriate .
Ways of implémentation
12 . The  CGC  is   in favour of  a sound  balance between contract
     research and concerted actions to be complemented by suitable
     and flexible mechanisms for coordination of national research .
     As a rule , all projects should be transnational .
13 . The CGC insists on a tight coordination between STEP and other
     Community research programmes , in particular with EPOCH , the
     JRC programme and with MAST and JOULE .
14 . The CGC strongly supports the opening of the programme to the
     participation of European non-Member States .
15 . The CGC welcomes the intention to cooperate closely with and
     contribute to pertinent international programmes and suitable
     EUREKA projects .
16 . The Committee underlines the importance of training activities
     related to the research projects to be implemented .
17 . The Committee requests greater clarity , simplification and
     acceleration of procedures in the selection , administration
     and management of research projects , in order to ease the
     workload on Commission Services and on itself .
 ---pagebreak---                                    1
                                OPINION
          expressed by the CGC Environment and Climatology
                                  on
       the draft proposal for a R&D Programme in the field of
                   CLIMATOLOGY AND NATURAL HAZARDS
                             ( 1989-1992 )
1.  The CGC discussed in detail the draft proposal for a Research
    and Development Programme in the field of Climatology and
    Natural Hazards ( EPOCH *) whose contents have been drafted in
    cooperation with an Ad-hoc Working Party appointed by the CGC .
2.  The CGC welcomes and shares the favourable opinion expressed in
    the Evaluation Report on the previous programme with regard to
    both the scientific results and the development of European
    cooperation in the fields covered .       In the light of those
    comments , and subject to the remarks below , it endorses the
    proposed programme as responding to the research needs arising
    in particular from the greenhouse gases issue , and because of
    the overwhelming Importance of climate change and natural
    hazards for human activities .
Aims and objectives
3.  The CGC endorses the aims and objectives of the proposed
    Programme as defined in the draft proposal .         Within this
    framework , it recognises the continuing need to provide R&D
    support    to the  environmental    and related policies  of  the
    Community .
4.  The Committee also recognizes that the scope of the proposed
    Programme is fully in line with the terms of reference of the
    Framework Programme as regards Climatology and Natural Hazards .
5.  The CGC is of the opinion that EPOCH can provide a valuable ,
    coordinated input to European wide projects as well as
    contribute to international programmes such as the IGBP , the
    WCRP , the International Decade for Natural Hazards Reduction .
     Such input should be provided in close cooperation with STEP
    and MAST .
6.  The CGC considers that the research foreseen under EPOCH will
     contribute a sound basis for any preventive or corrective
    measures that might be considered in relation with the foreseen
     climate change and its impacts on the European environment .
     European Programme on Climatology and Natural Hazards
                                                                   64
 ---pagebreak--- V
                                    - 2 -
  Scientific contents
  7.   The Committee is in agreement with the scientific contents of
       the proposed programme .     This is in line with the current
       concern throughout the Community about environmental problems ,
       such as for instance those posed by enhanced atmospheric CO^,
       to the resolution of        which   climatological  research  can
       effectively contribute .
  8.   The CGC supports the expansion of the previous          programme
       particularly as regards the following items :
       (1)   the greater stress being put on the Impacts of climate
             change , especially as regards the European agriculture
             and   water   resources ,  the   sea  level  rise  and  its
             consequences , the aridif icatlon and desertification of
             important European regions .
       ( li) the study of the causes , mechanisms and impacts         of
             selected natural hazards (natural slope instability     and
             erosion , storms and floods , wildfires , earthquakes   and
             tsunamis ), which can seriously affect the environment  and
             the society in all European countries .
  Ways of implémentation
  9.   The Committee endorses the ways proposed to implement the
       programme and especially the fact that cooperation between
       scientific institutes of the member states will be strongly
       suppported by means of joint projects , coordination of research
       activities and scientific meetings .
  10 . The Committee recommends that the current training activities
       be pursued , and welcomes the institution of a European School
       of Climatology and Natural Hazards as a most useful and
       efficient contribution to such activities .
                                                                       65