CELEX: 51989PC0084
Language: en
Date: 1989-02-24
Title: RE-EXAMINED PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION ADOPTING A SPECIFIC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY IN THE FIELDS OF INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES AND ADVANCED MATERIALS APPLICATIONS, BRITE / EURAM ( 1989-1992 )

17. 3. 89                            Official Journal of the European Communities                              No C 67/7
                                                            II
                                                     (Preparatory Acts)
                                               COMMISSION
             Re-examined proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific research and technological
             development programme of the European Economic Community in the fields of industrial
                           manufacturing technologies and advanced materials applications (')
                                                       Brite/Euram
                                                      (1989 to 1992)
                                                          PART I
                                              COM(89) 84 final — SYN 142
             (Submitted by the Commission pursuant to Article 149 (2) (d) of the EEC Treaty on 24 February
                                                           1989)
                                                       (89/C 67/06)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,                         where research contributes, inter alia, to the strength-
                                                                 ening of the economic and social cohesion of the
                                                                 Community and the promotion of its overall harmonious
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
                                                                 development, while being consistent with the pursuit of
Economic Community and in particular Article 130 Q               scientific and technical quality; whereas it is intended
(2) thereof,                                                     that the Brite/Euram programme should contribute to
                                                                 the achievement of these objectives;
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
                                                                 Whereas Council Decision 85/196/EEC (3) decided on a
In cooperation with the European Parliament,
                                                                 first multiannual research and development programme
                                                                 for the European Economic Community in the fields of
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and                 basic technological research and the application of new
Social Committee,                                                technologies (Brite 1985 to 1988);
Whereas Article 130 K of the Treaty stipulates that the
                                                                 Whereas Council Decision 86/235/EEC (4) decided on a
framework programme shall be implemented through
                                                                 research programme on materials (raw materials and
specific programmes developed within each activity;
                                                                 advanced materials) (1986 to 1989);
Whereas, by its Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC (2), the
Council has adopted a framework programme of                     Whereas in cases where industrial progress is hampered
Community research and technological development                 by lack of basic knowledge, it is necessary to support
(1987 to 1991) providing for activities in the field of          focussed fundamental research projects;
science and technology for manufacturing industry and
advanced materials;
                                                                 Whereas it is necessary to react adequately to the interest
Whereas that Decision provides that a particular aim of          shown by the industry in transnational cooperation;
Community research shall be to strengthen the scientific
and technological basis of European industry and to
encourage it to become more competitive at the inter-            Whereas it is necessary to involve small and
national level and that Community action is justified            medium-sized enterprises to the maximum extent
                                                                 possible in the development of industrial technologies by
(') OJ No C 228, 3. 9. 1988, p. 3.
(2) OJ No L 302, 24. 10. 1987, p. 1.                             (3) OJ No L 83, 25. 3. 1985, p. 8.
                                                                 (4) OJ No L 159, 14. 6. 1986, p. 36.
 ---pagebreak--- No C 67/8                             Official Journal of the European Communities                                    17. 3. 89
taking into account their particular and specific                                            Article 3
requirements while respecting the objective of the
                                                                 Detailed rules for the implementation of the programme
scientific and technical quality of the programme;
                                                                 and the rate of the Community's financial participation
                                                                 are set out in Annex II.
Whereas it is appropriate to undertake precompetitive
research in aeronautics in order to meet medium- and                                         Article 4
long-term technology requirements; whereas such
research should take particular account of economic,             1.     In the third year of the programme implementation,
safety and environmental aspects;                               the Commission shall undertake a review of the
                                                                programme and report to the Council and to the
                                                                 European Parliament on the results of this review,
Whereas it is necessary to underline the industrial and         together, if necessary, with any proposals for modifi-
transnational nature of the programme by requiring               cation or prolongation.
applied research projects with at least two industrial
partners from two different Member States;                       In respect of research relating to aeronautics, a review
                                                                will be carried out during the second year.
Whereas it is necessary to ensure the industrial nature of       2.     At the end of the programme, an evaluation of the
the programme by requiring focussed fundamental                  results achieved shall be conducted by the Commission
research projects with industrial endorsement from at           which shall report thereon to the Council and the
least two independent enterprises;                               European Parliament.
Whereas organizations from non-Community European                3.     The abovementioned reports shall be established
countries which have concluded scientific and technical          having regard to the objectives set out in Annex III to
cooperation agreements with the Community in indus-              this Decision and in conformity with the provisions of
trially oriented R & D projects may, by participating           Article 2 (2) of the framework programme.
under appropriate conditions, contribute to the competi-
tiveness of manufacturing industry as a whole;                                               Article 5
                                                                 1.     The Commission shall be responsible            for  the
Whereas the implementation of concerted actions in the           execution of the programme.
COST framework is an essential element to complement
industrially oriented R & D projects;                            2.     The Commission shall be assisted by a committee,
                                                                 hereinafter referred to as 'the committee', composed of
                                                                 the representatives of the Member States and chaired by
Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research
                                                                 the representative of the Commission.
Committee (Crest) has expressed its opinion on the
Commission proposal,
                                                                 3.     Contracts concluded by the Commission shall
                                                                 govern the rights and obligations of each party, in
                                                                 particular arrangements for the dissemination, protection
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:                                       and exploitation of research results.
                         Article 1                                                           Article 6
A specific research and technological development                1.     In respect of research to be undertaken under Areas
programme for the European Economic Community in                 1 to 4 of Annex I, the following procedure shall apply:
the fields of industrial manufacturing technologies and
advanced materials applications, as defined in Annex I, is         (i) The Commission shall submit to the committee a
hereby adopted for a period of four years, from 1                      draft of the measures to be taken. The committee
January 1989.                                                          shall deliver its opinion within a time limit which the
                                                                       chairman may lay down according to urgency of the
                                                                       matter, if necessary by taking a vote.
                         Article 2
                                                                  (ii) The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes of the
The funds estimated as necesary for the execution of the               committee; in addition, each Member State shall
programme amount to ECU 499 500 000, including                         have the right to have its opinion recorded in the
expenditure on staff whose cost shall not exceed 4,5 %                 minutes.
of the Community contribution.
                                                                 (iii) The Commission shall       take the utmost account of
                                                                       the opinion delivered      by the committee. It shall
The indicative internal allocation of these funds is set out           inform the committee       of the manner in which its
in Annex IV.                                                           opinion has been taken     into account.
 ---pagebreak--- 17. 3. 89                                      Official Journal of the European Communities                                                 No C 67/9
2.      In respect of research to be undertaken under area                      — any departure from the rules for implementation set
5 of Annex I, the following procedure shall apply:                                   out at Annex II,
 (i) The representative of the Commission shall submit                          — the participation in any project by non-Community
       to the committee a draft of the measures to be                                organizations or enterprises referred to in Article 8,
       taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the                    — any adaptation of the internal indicative allocation of
       draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay                          funds set out in Annex IV,
       down according to the urgency of the matter. The
       opinion shall be delivered by the majority laid down                     — the measures to be undertaken to evaluate the
       in Article 148 (2) of the Treaty in the case of                               programme,
       Decisions which the Council is required to adopt on
       a proposal from the Commission. The votes of the                         — arrangements for the dissemination, protection and
       representatives of the Member States within the                               exploitation of the results of research carried out
       committee shall be weighted in the manner set out                             under the programme.
       in that Article. The chairman shall not vote.
                                                                                                                 Article 8
 (ii) The Commission shall adopt the measures envisaged
       if they are in accordance with the opinion of the                         1.     Where framework agreements for scientific and
       committee.                                                                technical        cooperation         between         non-Community
                                                                                 European countries and the European Communities have
(iii) If the measures envisaged are not in accordance                            been concluded, organizations and enterprises estab-
       with the opinion of the committee, or if no opinion                       lished in those countries may, on the basis of the
       is delivered, the Commission shall, without delay,                        criterion of mutual advantage, become partners in a
       submit to the Council a proposal relating to the                          project undertaken within the programme.
       measures to be taken. The Council shall act by a
                                                                                 2.     No contractor based outside the Community and
       qualified majority.
                                                                                 participating as a partner in a project undertaken under
(iv) If, on the expiry of a period which may in no case                          the programme may benefit from the Community
       exceed two months from the date of referral to the                        financing of the programme. The contractor shall
        Council, the Council has not acted, the proposed                         contribute to the general administration costs.
        measures shall be adopted by the Commission.
                                                                                                                 Article 9
                                Article 7                                        The Commission shall ensure that procedures are set up
The procedures laid down in Article 6 (1) and (2) shall                          to allow for appropriate cooperation with COST ac-
apply, subject to the provisions of those paragraphs, in                         tivities related to the areas of research covered by the
particular to:                                                                   programme, by ensuring regular exchanges of infor-
                                                                                 mation between the committee referred to in Article 5
— the establishment of the work plan for research to be                          and the relevant COST management committee.
      carried out under area 5 of Annex I,
                                                                                                                Article 10
— the scientific and technical assessment of proposals
      received,                                                                  The Decision is addressed to the Member States.
                                                                      ANNEX I
                                                 PROGRAMME SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES
                1.    Advanced materials technologies
                      The work in this area will focus on the development of improved or new materials and material
                      processing for a wide range of possible applications except those directly related to information tech-
                      nology (IT) covered in Esprit (').
                (') Developments of materials already covered by Esprit are, for instance, dealing with magnetic, magneto-optical, optical
                    thin films for sensors, recording media and heads, optical layers and specific materials for opto-electronics, ceramics
                    and polymers for integrated circuit packaging and specific substrates, superconducting thin films for low current
                    applications and devices.
 ---pagebreak--- No C 67/10                               Official Journal of the European Communities                                     17. 3. 89
           Including in particular:
           1.1. Metallic materials and metallic matrix composites
                 Objectives:
                 — extended working life of components,
                 — higher operating temperatures for increased thermal efficiency,
                 — better and more effective material processing techniques;
           1.2. Materials for magnetic, optical, electrical and superconducting applications
                 Objectives:
                 — improved materials and materials processing for optical, magnetic, electrical and superconducting
                     applications;
           1.3. High temperature non-metallic materials
                 Objectives:
                 — design methodologies for products based on ceramics, glasses and amorphous materials,
                 — improved monolithic and           ceramic composites and metal/ceramic interfaces      for  industrial
                     applications,
                 — better processing techniques and quality control strategies;
           1.4. Polymers and organic matrix composites
                 Objectives:
                 — development of polymers for specific applications,
                 — more cost-effective      process techniques for parts made from polymer and polymer matrix
                     composites,
                 — design rules for the specification and manufacture of engineering polymers and composites,
                 — new polymers with improved recycling attributes,
                 — improved product assurance techniques;
            1.5. Materials for specialized applications
                 Objectives:
                 — improved materials and their processing for specialized applications.
           2.    Design methodology and assurance for products and processes
                 The development of techniques to improve product quality and the reliability and maintainability of
                 structures and manufacturing systems by clarification of the design aims for both product and process,
                 and by refinement of the criteria against which the attributes are measured. The exploitation of
                 materials for application in sensors, and the reduction in the whole life costs of sensors are also
                 included in this section. This will complement work in Community IT programmes, where on-line
                 control is treated, including monitoring and diagnostics, predictive maintenance and quality assurance.
                 Including in particular:
           2.1. Quality and reliability and maintainability in industry
                 Objectives:
                 — improved performance measurement for manufacturing operations in a wide variety of industries,
                 — improved and more predictable physical and environmental behaviour of products,
                 — improved quality control strategies,
                 — design rules for reliability and maintainability of components, structures and systems including
                     machinery operating under varying conditions;
 ---pagebreak--- 17. 3. 89                             Official Journal of the European Communities                                     No C 67/11
          2.2. Process and product assurance
                Objectives:
               — reduction of whole life costs of sensor systems for process control,
               — exploitation of materials properties for applications in sensors,
                — use of advanced measurement techniques for more cost-effective examination of topology,
                — improved energy control for industrial applications,
                — improved non-destructive testing methods for product assurance.
          3.    Application of manufacturing technologies
                Here the task is to identify and address the needs of manufacturing industry and particularly the less
                advanced sectors, many of which have a major part made up of small and medium-sized enterprises
                (SMEs). It is to be expected that modelling of physical processes will be a valuable instrument for
                progress. Also addressed is the challenge to the industries based on the use of flexible materials. The
                work will mainly focus on product and process development, transferring and adapting technology
                already used in other sectors. This should complement work in Esprit where IT systems for advanced
                manufacturing and CIM are being developed.
                Including in particular:
          3.1. Advancing manufacturing practices
                Objectives:
                — identifying means for improving manufacturing practices in specific sectors,
                — transfer and adaptation of technology already used in other sectors;
          3.2. Manufacturing processes for flexible materials
                Objectives:
                — increased process flexibility,
                — reduced waste of material,
                — improved process and product quality.
          4.    Technologies for manufacturing processes
                Improved techniques for shaping, joining and assembly, surface treatment, chemical processes and
                particle technology are fundamental needs for industry. Advancement of these processes is essential for
                securing manufacturing competitiveness.
                Including in particular:
           4.1. Surface techniques
                Objectives:
                — cost-effective surface treatments for industrial applications,
                — techniques for quality assurance and control of the treatment process;
           4.2. Shaping, assembly and joining
                Objectives:
                — improved methodologies for shaping processes and assembly,
                — improved joining techniques to improve reliability and reduce defect levels,
                — methods for testing welded and bonded joints to improve reliability of results and service predicta-
                    bility,
 ---pagebreak--- N o C 67/12                               Official J o u r n a l of the E u r o p e a n C o m m u n i t i e s         17. 3. 89
                 — design methodology for joining,
                 — better understanding of beam/workpiece interactions for industrial power beam processes;
            4.3. Chemical processes
                 Objectives:
                 — improved predictability and yield in chemical processes,
                 — membrane materials with improved characteristics,
                 — improved performance of membrane processes,
                 — new systems for separation in hostile environments;
            4.4. Particle and powder processes
                 Objectives:
                 — improved techniques for particle production to optimize produce shape, structure and stability,
                 — cost-effective techniques for particle categorization and process performance,
                 — better approaches to handling and separation,
                 — cost-effective routes for small lots of high-quality powder;
            5.   Specific activities relating to aeronautics
                 This section covers precompetitive research in technological areas which are of primary relevance to
                 aeronautics (in particular aeroplanes and helicopters) and are not yet covered in other programme
                 areas.
            5.1. Aerodynamics
                 Objectives:
                 — analysis and optimization of configurations for supersonic aircraft, including an estimation of
                     aerothermodynamic heat loads,
                 — investigation of laminar flow technology,
                 — development of numerical methods,
                 — integration of computerized design technologies;
            5.2. Acoustics
                 Objectives:
                 — noise source identification, prediction and reduction,
                 — basic investigation of acoustic fatigue and related damage tolerance on advanced composites,
                 — investigation of different construction methods,
                 — development and application of simulation models for response calculations under selected acoustic
                     loads;
            5.3. Airborne systems and equipment
                 Objectives:
                 — integration and operation of modern systems and equipment and corresponding new architectures,
                 — investigations concerning the use of onboard intelligent knowledge base systems (IKBS),
                 — investigations into the concept of the 'all electric aircraft';
 ---pagebreak--- 17. 3. 89                             Official J o u r n a l of the E u r o p e a n C o m m u n i t i e s                  N o C 67/13
          5.4. Propulsion systems
               Objectives:
               — integration of advanced propeller and propeller-rotor systems,
               — provision of mathematical models for different design evaluation,
               — specification and design of wind tunnel models and their components,
               — specific aspects of air-breathing engine combustion.
                                                               ANNEX      II
                                              RULES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
          The Commission shall implement the programme on the basis of the scientific and technical content set out
          in detail in Annex I.
          The Commission shall distribute, in all Community languages, information packs to accompany the invi-
          tation to participate in order to guarantee equal opportunities for the undertakings, universities and
          research centres in the Member States.
          The programme is carried out principally by means of shared-cost research contracts to be awarded
          following a selection procedure based on calls for proposals published in the Official Journal of the
          European Communities.
          Participants may be industrial organizations, research institutes and universities, established in the
          Community. Each contractor will be expected to make a significant contribution to projects. The
          contractors shall be expected to bear a substantial proportion of the costs, 50 % of which shall normally be
          borne by the Community.
          Industrial applied research
          The principal form of support for industrial applied research of a precompetitive character will be through
          shared-cost action. At least two industrial enterprises from different Member States and independent of
          each other must take part in each project. Each party is expected to make a significant contribution to the
          project. The contracting parties shall bear a substantial part of the costs, up to 50 % of which shall, as a
          rule, be borne by the Community.
          Alternatively, in respect of universities and research institutes carrying out projects, the Community may,
          within the abovementioned limits of its financial contribution, bear up to 100 % of the additional expen-
          diture involved.
          Recognizing the important role of SMEs in developing the manufacturing base of the Community and the
          merits of their participation in the programme, the Commission will examine in consultation with the
          committee how research organizations can best act within the programme to meet the R & D needs of
          SMEs. Projects should include at least 10 man-years of activity, the realistic minimum for an effective
          collaborative project, and the total projects costs should fall in the range ECU 1 million to ECU 3 million.
          Focussed fundamental research
          Focussed fundamental research projects shall involve at least two partners established in different Member
          States. When the partners are universities or research institutes, the project should be endorsed by at least
          two legally independent industrial enterprises and the Community could bear up to 100 % of the marginal
          costs of universities and research institutes. Projects should include at least 10 man-years of activity and fall
          in the range of ECU 400 000 to ECU 1 million total project costs.
          Feasibility awards for SMEs
          The Commission will introduce a pilot scheme of feasibility awards aimed at assisting SMEs establish the
          feasibility of a device, process or concept as a means of enhancing their stature in finding a partner in a
          subsequent call for proposals under the shared cost action. The Commission will support up to 75 %
 ---pagebreak--- No C 67/14                              Official Journal of the European Communities                                    17. 3. 89
           (maximum ECU 25 000) of the cost of research lasting up to six months. High standards of evaluation will
           ensure that the awards are highly competitive and recognized as prestigious.
           Coordinated activities
           In cases where work, supported by national funds or entirely privately funded, is already going on, the
           Commission's role may be limited to simply organizing the coordination of the work and the Community
           funding confined to covering the cost of such coordination activities. However, in certain cases where it is
           clear that strategically important work requires more than simply coordination, the Commission could, in
           consultation with the committee, consider a higher Community funding.
           Research relating to aeronautics
           A work programme will be established to define precise objectives and determine priority themes for
           research in area 5 of Annex I.
           The Commission shall establish calls for proposals for projects in this area on the basis of the work
           programme.
           Projects in the field of aeronautics must include two industrial enterprises from different Member States.
           Particular attention will be paid to ensuring:
           — the complementarity of research carried out in this area with activities carried out under the
                programmes of the Member States and those carried out in other forums of European transnational
                cooperation, including Eureka,
           — the participation of research institutes, universities and small and medium-sized enterprises,
           — the maximum benefit to technological areas outside the aeronautics sector.
           The rules relating to the financing of industrial applied research and focussed fundamental research shall
           apply as appropriate to the financing of research projects relating to aeronautics.
                                                            ANNEX      III
                                            PROGRAMME EVALUATION CRITERIA
           The results against which the programme should be evaluated must reflect its objectives and the wider
           objectives of the framework programme.
            1. As the principal objective is to enhance the competitive position of the Community's manufacturing
               industries, the evaluation should determine:
               — the extent to which the projects were selected against credible and measurable industrial cirteria,
               — the extent to which substantial product or process development has resulted from the work
                   supported.
           2. A further objective is to encourage transfrontier collaboration in strategic industrial research. The
               evaluation should determine:
               — to what extent, before and after project completion, there were continuing links between partners
                   for research, development, manufacturing, marketing or staff formation.
           3. A further programme objective is to encourage transfer of technology across Community frontiers and
               between sectors, particularly those with a high predominance of SMEs. The evaluation should
               determine:
               — the extent to which SMEs have exploited technologies and new materials arising from successfully
                   completed projects,
               — the extent to which accomplishments are protected by patent action or are disseminated to raise
                   awareness in the European research and technology Community.
 ---pagebreak--- 17. 3. 89                               Official Journal of the European Communities                                        No C 67/15
              As far as research relating to aeronautics is concerned, the evaluation will also include, in particular, the
              following criteria:
              — the contribution of such research to the technological competitiveness of the European aeronautical
                  industry,
              — the benefits accruing to technological areas other than aeronautics,
              — the added value of dedicated Community research in this area.
          4. In the wider context of the framework programme, the evaluation shall be conducted in the light of all
              the selection criteria set out in Annex III of the framework programme which include that of contri-
              buting to the strengthening of the economic and social cohesion of the Community.
              This evaluation will be undertaken by independent evaluators.
                                                             ANNEX      IV
                                     INDICATIVE INTERNAL ALLOCATION OF FUNDS
           I. Sectors R & D                                                                                             (%)
               1. Advanced materials technologies                                                                      28
              2. Design methodology and assurance for products and processes                                           19
               3. Application of manufacturing technologies                                                            19
              4. Technologies for manufacturing processes                                                              20
              5. Specific activities relating to aeronautics                                                            7
          II. Staff and administrative costs
              Staff costs                                                                                               4,5
              Administrative costs                                                                                      2,5
                                                                                                                     100,0
              Between 7 and 10 % of the budget shall be available for fundamental research in the above areas where
              industrial progress is impeded by gaps in basic scientific knowledge.
              Up to 0,45 % of the available budget may be devoted to the feasibility awards referred to in Annex II.
 ---pagebreak--- No C 67/16                            Official Journal of the European Communities                                 17. 3. 89
                                                           PART II
             Comment of the Commission on the amendment of the European Parliament which is not
             accepted by the Commission:
             1. At its session of February 15, the European Parliament adopted one amendment during the
                second reading of the Common Position on Brite/Euram.
             2. The Commission cannot accept this amendment for the following reason:
                This amendment refers to the annual budget procedure and has already been taken
                previously into account. The Commission believes that it is not necessary as it is already
                covered by Article 130 P of the EEC Treaty.
                                                    AMENDMENT No 1
                          Article 2                                                        Article 2
                                                                 Amplify this Article to read as follows:
The funds estimated as necessary for the execution of            The funds estimated as necessary for the execution of
the programme amount to ECU 499 500 000, including               the programme amount to ECU 499 500 000, including
expenditure on staff whose cost shall not exceed 4,5 %           expenditure on staff whose cost shall not exceed 4,5 %
of the Community contribution.                                   of the Community contribution.
The indicative internal allocation of these funds is set out     The indicative internal allocation of these funds is set out
in Annex IV.                                                     in Annex IV.
                                                                 The Commission shall each year in the context of the
                                                                 annual budget procedure propose to the budgetary
                                                                 authority that it enter the appropriations required for the
                                                                 programme in proportion to the real needs of the
                                                                 financial year concerned and to the financial perspective
                                                                 as contained in the Interinstitutional Agreement.