COUNCIL  DECISION
of 14 October 1988
adopting specific research programmes to be implemented by the Joint Research Centre for the European Atomic Energy Community (1988 to 1991)
(88/522/Euratom)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 7 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal for the Commission submitted after consultation of the Scientific and Technical Committee (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas, in adopting Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC (4), as amended by Decision 88/193/EEC, Euratom (5), concerning the framework programme for Community activities in the field of research and technological development (1987 to 1991), the Council acknowledged the importance of activities relating to radiation protection, technical standards, measurement methods and reference materials, nuclear fission, nuclear safety and controlled thermonuclear fusion;
Whereas, in the context of a common policy relating to the field of science and technology, research programmes are one of the principal means whereby the European Atomic Energy Community can contribute to the safe use of nuclear energy and to the acquisition and dissemination of information in this field;
Whereas the Joint Research Centre (JRC), as an integral component of the Community's R & D strategy defined in the framework programme, must retain its institutional role of providing the Commission with neutral and independent scientific and technical support in the implementation of Community policies;
Whereas, whilst contributing to the general objective of strengthening the scientific and technological basis of European industry and encouraging it to become more competitive at international level, the JRC has as one of its tasks, in accordance with its terms of reference and on the basis of its technical expertise, to advise the Commission when laying down technical regulations and standards for the development and application of new technologies, on the environmental compatibility of such technologies and their possible negative effects on the quality of life;
Whereas, for the period covered by this Decision, the implementation of the specific research programmes will continue to be the JRC's predominant task, although the use of other forms of action will occupy an increasingly important part of the JRC's activity;
Whereas the JRC is in a position to contribute to the process of reducing the gap in technological development between the different parts of the Community and thereby to contribute to the strengthening of its economic and social cohesion;
Whereas it is therefore appropriate that the JRC should develop and strengthen its collaboration with research institutes in the Member States;
Whereas it is important to provide for the adequate dissemination of the results of the JRC's specific research programmes whilst having due regard for the necessity to safeguard the Community's technological achievements and industrial property rights in respect of the results of research;
Whereas, in particular the European Parliament and the Council should be kept well informed of the JRC's activities;
Whereas the role of the board of governors of the JRC will be strengthened by the Commission to enable the board to play a more effective part in the future organization of the Centre, its staff and financial management, and in the implementation of its research programmes,
1. This Decision, which sets out the research activities of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) for the period 1988 to 1991, is hereby adopted with effect from 1 January 1988.
2. The research activities referred to in paragraph 1 are the implementation of the Community framework programme in research and technological development set out in Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC by means of specific research programmes and preparatory research.
3. The scientific and technical content of the specific research programmes referred to in paragraph 2 is outlined in Annex A.
The funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the activities referred to in Article 1 (2) amount to 448,3 million ECU, including expenditure on a staff of 1 162, reducing to 905 in 1991.
A breakdown of the amount of 448,3 million ECU between the various specific programmes to be executed is given in Annex A.
The Commission, assisted by the board of governors of the JRC, shall be responsible for carrying out this Decision and, to this end, shall call upon the services of the JRC.
The Commission shall decide on the terms of reference of the board of governors.
The Commission shall ensure, in cooperation with the board of governors, that periodic consultation be maintained with the relevant management and coordination advisory committees or equivalent committees with a view to ensuring coordination and consistency of approach between shared-cost actions and JRC activities in the same areas.
The research work implemented by the JRC pursuant to this Decision shall be evaluated by a panel of independent external experts set up by the Commission after consulting the board of governors.
The evaluation will cover the scientific, technical and economic results of research undertaken, its user-relevance, and its contribution to the overall objectives of Community research and development policy. The evaluation will also cover the impact of the administrative and financial restructuring of the JRC and of the new system for monitoring the special and general costs of the institutes. The evaluation will be carried out having regard to the programme objectives set out in Annex B to this Decision and in conformity with the provision of Article 2 (2) of Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC. The evaluation shall be submitted by the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council, together with the opinion of the board of governors of the JRC, at the end of 1989 and at the end of the period covered by this Decision.
The Commission shall each year before 31 March submit to the European Parliament and the Council a report on the implementation of this Decision. This report shall be accompanied by the observations of the board of governors. The board of governors may also submit through the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council a separate report on any aspect of the implementation of this Decision.
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.