CELEX: 51989PC0283
Language: en
Date: 1989-06-06
Title: RE-EXAMINED PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION ADOPTING A SPECIFIC PROGRAMME FOR THE DISSEMINATION AND UTILIZATION OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH RESULTS ( VALUE ) ( 1989 TO 1992 )

21. 8. 89                                Official Journal of the European Communities                               No C 214/1
                                                                II
                                                        (Preparatory Acts)
                                                    COMMISSION
                Re-examined proposal for a Council decision adopting a specific programme for the dissemination
                    and utilization of scientific and technological research results (VALUE) (1989 to 1992)
                                                  COM(89) 283 final — SYN 136
                         (Presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 149.2(d) of the EEC Treaty
                                                         on 6 June 1989)
                                                          (89/C 214/01)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,                             Whereas the Council decided on the same occasion to give
                                                                     more attention to these horizontal activities, which
                                                                     constitute an essential part of the Community's scientific
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
                                                                     and technological strategy;
Economic Community and in particular Article 130 Q(2)
thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
                                                                     Whereas Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC stipulates that a
                                                                     specific objective of Community research must be to
In co-operation with the European Parliament (*),                    strengthen the scientific and technological basis of
                                                                     European industry, particularly in strategic sectors of
Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social              advanced technology, and to encourage industry by
Committee (2),                                                       making it more competitive at the international level, and
                                                                     whereas the same Decision also lays down that Community
                                                                     action is justified if it contributes, among other things, to
Whereas Article 130 G(c) of the Treaty assigns to the                enhancing the Community's economic and social cohesion
Community the task of, inter alia, disseminating and                 and to encouraging its overall harmonious development,
optimising the results of activities in Community research,          while at the same time being consistent with the pursuit of
technological development and demonstration;                         scientific and technical excellence; whereas the VALUE
                                                                     programme is planned to contribute to the pursuit of these
                                                                     objectives;
Whereas Article 130 K of the Treaty states that the
Framework Programme shall be implemented through
specific programmes developed within each activity;
Whereas, by Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC (3), as                     Whereas a specific programme for the dissemination and
amended by Decision 88/193/EEC, Euratom (4), the                     utilisation of the results of scientific and technological
Council adopted a Framework Programme for Community                  research should complement the activities carried out in
activities in the field of research and technological                this area in the context of other specific Community
development (1987 to 1991), providing for activities in the          research and development programmes and should also be
field of dissemination and utilisation of scientific and             closely co-ordinated with Community programmes in
technological research results in order to increase the              related fields, such as the SPRINT programme and the
efficiency of the research and technological development             action plan for small and medium-sized enterprises;
work itself and to stimulate the process of innovation and
industrial exploitation in Europe;
(*) Opinion delivered on 16 November 1988 (not yet published in
                                                                     Whereas it is desirable to promote co-operation between
    the Official Journal of the European Communities).               European Community research and development program-
(2) OJ No C 337, 31. 12. 1988, p. 12.                                mes and EUREKA projects; whereas, in the context of the
(3) OJ No L 302, 24. 10. 1987, p. 1.                                 present programme decision, it is desirable for appropriate
(4) OJ No L 89, 6. 4. 1988, p. 35.                                   links with the EUREKA COSINE project to be established;
 ---pagebreak---   No C 214/2                              Official Journal of the European Communities                                 21. 8. 89
 Whereas this programme must make use of the latest                                            Article 4
 telecommunications and information technology to
 achieve its objectives, for example by the creation of               Detailed rules for the implementation of the programme
 computer networks;                                                   and the rate of the Community's financial participation are
                                                                     set out in Annex III.
 Whereas the dissemination of results should be carried out
 taking into consideration the technologically strategic
                                                                                               Article 5
 interests of participants in the Member States and of the
 Community and in conformity with any requirements of                 1. The Commission shall be responsible for the im-
 confidentiality;                                                    plementation of the programme.
 Whereas it is appropriate for the special needs of small and        The Commission shall be assisted by a committee of an
 medium-sized enterprises to be taken into account as                advisory nature composed of the representatives of the
 regards technological information and assistance for                Member States and chaired by the representative of the
 exploitation;                                                       Commission.
 Whereas the Commission, in implementation of the Treaty
                                                                                              Article 6
 establishing the European Coal and Steel Community,
 carries out activities in the coal and steel sectors which do       1. The Representative of the Commission shall submit to
 not come under the RTD Framework Programme and the                  the Committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The
 results of which must be disseminated and used through              Committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft, within a
 appropriate autonomous activities;                                  time limit which the Chairman may lay down according to
                                                                     the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.
 Whereas the actions for the dissemination and utilisation of
 results of specific Community technological research and            2. The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in
 development programmes laid down in the Framework                   addition, each Member State shall have the right to ask to
 Programme (1987 to 1991) are downstream from these                 have its position recorded in the minutes.
 specific programmes;
                                                                    3. The Commission shall take the utmost account of the
 Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research Committee            opinion delivered by the Committee. It shall inform the
 (CREST) has given its opinion;                                     Committee of the manner in which its opinion has been
                                                                    taken into account.
HAD ADOPTED THIS DECISION:                                                                    Article 7
                                                                    The procedure laid down in Article 6 shall apply in
                            Article 1                               particular to:
                                                                    — the content of calls for tenders,
A specific programme for the dissemination and utilization
of results from research in science and technology,                 — the assessment of the proposed projects and the
hereinafter called 'dissemination and utilization program-              estimated amount of the Community's contribution to
me', is hereby adopted for an initial period of three years             them,
from 1 January 1989.
                                                                    — confidentiality criteria for the dissemination of results,
                            Article 2                               — departures from the general rules governing Com-
                                                                        munity financial participation set out in Annex III,
The programme shall comprise two sub-programmes.
                                                                    — any adaptation of the indicative breakdown of ap-
                                                                        propriations set out in Annex II,
The objectives and scientific and technical content of these
sub-programmes are set out in detail in Annex I.                    — the precise implementing procedures resulting from
                                                                        agreements with third countries,
                            Article 3                               — the measures to be undertaken to evaluate the
                                                                        programme.
1. The funds estimated as necessary for the Community's
financial contribution to the execution of the programme                                      Article 8
amount to 38 million ecus, including expenditure arising
from a temporary staff of 20.                                       1. In the first half of the third year of the programme
                                                                    implementation, the Commission shall undertake a review
2. An indicative breakdown of appropriations, for the               of the programme and the extent to which the objectives set
estimated total amount, between the various activities              out in Annex I have been achieved. The Commission shall
listed in Annex I is given in Annex II.                             address a report to the European Parliament and the
 ---pagebreak--- 21. 8. 89                                  Official Journal of the European Communities                                         No C 214/3
Council on the results of this review, together, if necessary,                                          Article 9
with any proposals for modification or prolongation in the
light of the interim results achieved.                                      1. The Commission is hereby authorised to negotiate, in
                                                                            accordance with Article 130 N of the Treaty, agreements
                                                                            with third countries taking part in European Co-operation
2. At the end of the programme, the Commission shall                        in the field of Scientific and Technical Research (COST)
report to the European Parliament and the Council on the                    with a view to associating them wholly or partially with the
evaluation of the results achieved.                                        programme. These agreements shall be founded on the
                                                                            criteria of mutual advantage.
3. The reports provided for in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be
drawn up having regard to the objectives set out in Annex I
                                                                                                        Article 10
to this Decision and in conformity with Article 2(2) of
Decision No 87/516/Euratom, EEC.                                            This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
                                                                   ANNEX 1
                                               Objectives and scientific and technical content
              The general objective of the VALUE programme is to promote the effective utilization of the results of
              Community RTD activities with a view to attaining the declared goal of the Framework Programme to
              strengthen the scientific and technological basis of European industry and with a view both to encouraging
              industry by making it more competitive at the international level and to contributing to the completion of the
              single internal market and the strengthening of economic and social cohesion.
              SUB-PROGRAMME I: DISSEMINATION AND UTILIZATION OF THE RESULTS OF COMMUNITY
              RTD ACTIVITIES
              1.       Objectives
                      Whilst respecting the contractual arrangements governing Community RTD activities, to disseminate,
                      by appropriate channels, the results of those activities so as to ensure an improvement in the level of
                      exploitation and the resulting creation of economic activities. In order to improve the competitiveness of
                      European industry, the interests of SMEs will be taken into account and special consideration will be
                      given to their needs as regards technological information and assistance for exploitation.
              Lines of action:
              1.1.    Collection and dissemination of information concerning existing or planned Community RTD
                      programmes, using appropriate methods and means, such as:
                      — computerized data bases,
                      — electronic information services,
                      — information and dissemination centres in the Member States,
                      — the editing and distributing of printed matter (newsletters, brochures, reviews, articles).
                      This activity should facilitate participation in general in RTD activities and the search for partners. As
                      far as possible, use will be made of existing data bases and associated information services including,
                      where appropriate, services offered by private organizations.
              1.2.    Identification, characterization and screening to establish their suitability for dissemination or
                      exploitation of relevant results of Community RTD activities by:
                      — examining contracts and reports,
                      — assessing their scientific/technical and utilisation potential,
                      — examining the need for protection by means of patent applications, etc.
 ---pagebreak--- No C 214/4                             Official Journal of the European Communities                                        21. 8. 89
           1.3.   Action on legal protection of the results by:
                  — having recourse to selected patent agents advisers,
                  — examining reports to ensure confidentiality and protection before publication,
                  — assisting contractors and inventors,
                  — information and awareness activities.
           1.4.   Dissemination of results which need not be protected by:
                  — publications (books, reports, summaries, newsletters, etc.),
                  — organization of, and participation in, seminars, conferences, exhibitions, etc.,
                  — organisation of targeted dissemination activities,
                  — transfer of knowledge by (short-term) secondment of research workers participating in Community
                      RTD projects,
                  — collaboration with, and assistance to, organisations in the Member States in the setting up of
                      mechanisms for dissemination,
                  — electronic means such as data bases and associated services.
           1.5.   Promotion of the exploitation of relevant results by:
                  — assessing, with the help of experts, the potential for exploitation of the results,
                  — providing expert advice in the setting up and planning of exploitation projects,
                  — assisting in matters of legal and technical protection,
                  — exhibitions, assisting in finding partners for joint ventures or work under licence,
                  — providing financial and technical support for developing laboratory prototypes for collaborative
                      precompetitive use,
                  — advising participants in finding financial support from third parties;
           SUB-PROGRAMME II: COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS
           2.      Objectives
                  To promote, with a view to improving the efficiency of distributed research and development activities
                  throughout Europe, while paying due regard to the requirements for confidentiality and integrity of
                  Community RTD information (see 2.2), a common integrated computer communications infrastructure
                  and associated services, accessible to the various public and private research centres in Europe.
           Lines of action:
           2.1.   General support to the development of computer communications networks in the field of RTD.
                  — Technical assistance and support to the RARE (Reseaux associes pour la recherche europeenne)
                      Association, particularly its pan-European projects (e.g. in the message handling and files transfer
                      areas), to the implementation phase of the EUREKA COSINE project, and to Member States
                      wishing to develop or adapt networks for the purposes of this programme.
           2.2.   Work on requirements for confidentiality and integrity of Community RTD information.
 ---pagebreak--- 21. 8. 89                                Official Journal of the European Communities                  No C 214/5
                                                               ANNEX U
                                               Indicative breakdown of appropriations
                                                                                            (million ecu)
          SUB-PROGRAMME I:
          Dissemination and utilization of the results of Community RTD
          activities
          1.1. Collection and dissemination of information concerning existing or
               planned Community RTD programmes                                         6,0
          1.2. Identification, characterization and screening of results of
                Community RTD activities                                                2,0
          1.3. Actions on legal protection of results (patents, etc.)                   2,0
          1.4. Dissemination of results                                                 8,0
          1.5 Promotion of the exploitation of results                                 10,0
                                                                         Sub-total          28,0
          SUB-PROGRAMME II:
          Computer communications networks
          2.1. General support to the development of computer communications
                networks in the field of RTD
               — Technical assistance and support to the RARE Association
                     (Reseaux Associes pour la Recherche Europeenne) particularly
                     its pan-European projects (e.g. in the message handling and files
                     transfer areas), to the implementation phase of the EUREKA
                     COSINE project, and to Member States wishing to develop or
                     adapt networks for the purposes of this programme                  6,0
          2.2. Work on requirements for confidentiality and integrity of
                Community RTD information                                               2,0
                                                                         Sub-total           8,0
          To be allocated after mid-term programme review                                    2,0
                                                                             Total          38,0
 ---pagebreak--- ^oC^Bt^                                    C^thci^l]ourn^lotr^cLuron^nCornrnnn^nc^                                          ^1 ^ ^
        i.CE^EI^l
        In the implementation ofthe programme, the Commission shall study,select and apply methods forthe efficient
        dissemination and takeupoftechnologicalinnovations.lt will apply the accumulated experience and best
        practice ofboth European and international experts in this field.In its exploitation work, the Commission will
        take into consideration the legitimate interests of the contractors.
        II.S^ECIEICI^^LE^E^T^TIO^^OO^EITIES
        t. The activities set out in ^ n n e x l a r e to be implemented by means, ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ , of contracts for studies and
            services to be carried out on behalf of the Commission.
        ^. ^ i t h r e g a r d t o the actions to be implemented on the basis of shared-cost contracts,the Community^
            participation will in principle be up to ^ 0 ^ of the total expenditure.
            ^lternatively,m respect of universities and research institutes carrying out projects, the Community may
            bear up t o t O ^ O ^ o f additional expenditure involved.
        ^. Call for proposals or for tenders ^restricted or publics are to be published where appropriate in the ( 0 ^ ^
        4. Support for European cooperation networks is a further means of achieving the objectives of the
            programme. The Commission may also nominate bodies to be its correspondents forthe local promotion of
            the objectives of the programme in member States or regions where the infrastructure for these activities
            needs to be developed.
 ---pagebreak--- 21. 8. 89                            Official Journal of the European Communities                               No C 214/7
             COMMENTS OF THE COMMISSION O N THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED BY THE
                   EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT WHICH HAVE N O T BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE
                                                      COMMISSION
           The European Parliament has proposed in its second reading, 24th May 1989, three amendments,
           which have not been accepted by the Commission, to the common position relative to a decision
           (CEE) adopting a specific programme for the dissemination and utilization of the results from
           scientific and technological research (VALUE).
           The Commission considers that the introduction of a budgetary amendment is not desirable for the
           proposal for decision which is currently under consideration, since it would delay the adoption of
           the programmes in question;
           The Commission considers it inopportune to mention its duty, 'The coordination of the activities
           of various programme managers and competent D.Gs' in a proposal relating to a specific
           programme.
           Amendment n° 4 relates, particularly, to the adoption of a proposal to reduce linguistic obstacles
           and regional differences. Its content was introduced in the modified proposal of the Commission.
           However it was not retained in the common position adopted by the Council. The Commission
           therefore requested that a declaration be included in the minutes to mark its intention of respecting
           the spirit of this amendment. It did not therefore seem necessary to reintroduce this amendment in
           the present proposed reconsidered proposal.
                                                  AMENDMENT No 2
                                   Commission for Energy, Research and Technology
                                Recommendation for the second reading (doc.       A2-131/89)
                                              Rapporteur: M. Kolokotronis
                              Common position of the Council (doc. C2-20/89. — SYN 136)
                                                   VALUE programme
          COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL                                   AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY PARLIAMENT
                                                                 (Amendment 2)
                                                                                           Article 3
                                                                 paragraph la (new)
                                                                 la. The Commission shall each year, in the context of the
                                                                 annual budget approval procedure, propose to the
                                                                 budgetary authority that it determine the amount of the
                                                                 appropriations to be entered in respect of the programme
                                                                 with due regard for actual requirements in the financial
                                                                 year concerned and the financial forecasts as set out in the
                                                                 Inter-Institutional Agreement.
 ---pagebreak--- No C 214/8                              Official Journal of the European Communities                                   21. 8. 89
                                                      AMENDMENT No 3
                                      Commission for Energy, Research and Technology
                                  Recommendation for the second reading (doc.        A2-131/89)
                                                  Rapporteur: M. Kolokotronis
                                Common position of the Council (doc. C2-20/89. — SYN 136)
                                                       VALUE programme
            COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL                                   AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY PARLIAMENT
                                                                   (Amendment 3)
                                                                   Article 4, second paragraph (new)
                                                                   The Commission shall be responsible for ensuring the
                                                                   coordination of the activities of the various programme
                                                                   managers and the competent Directorates-General.
                                                      AMENDMENT No 4
                                     Commission for Energy, Research and Technology
                                  Recommendation for the second reading (doc.        A2-131/89)
                                                 Rapporteur: M. Kolokotronis
                               Common position of the Council (doc. C2-20/89. — SYN 136)
                                                       VALUE programme
            COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL                                   AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY PARLIAMENT
                                                                   (Amendment 4)
                        Article 8(1)                                                       Article 8(1)
1. In the first half of the third year of the programme            1. In the first half of the third year of the programme
implementation, the Commission shall undertake a review           implementation, the Commission shall undertake a review
of the programme and the extent to which the objectives set       and it shall report to the Council and the European
out in Annex I have been achieved. The Commission shall           Parliament on the results of this review (giving statistics on
address a report to the European Parliament and the               the achievement of the various objectives listed in Annex 1),
Council on the results of this review, together, if necessary,    together, if necessary, with any proposals for modification
with any proposals for modification or prolongation in the        or prolongations in the light of the interim results achieved.
light of the interim results achieved.                            In the course of the same period, proposals for measures
                                                                  designed to reduce the negative effects of linguistic barriers
                                                                  in the field of dissemination and utilization of results from
                                                                  research in science and technology, as well as the negative
                                                                  effects arising from regional variations in the adequacy of
                                                                  the infrastructure for activities of this nature, shall be
                                                                  adopted in accordance with the procedure set out in Article
                                                                  130 Q(2) of the EEC Treaty.