Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific research and technological development programme in the field of industrial and materials technologies (1994-1998) (1) (94/C 295/17)

On 14 April 1994 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 130i(4) of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned proposal.

The Economic and Social Committee decided to appoint Mr Barbagli as Rapporteur-General for its Opinion.

At its 316th Plenary Session (meeting of 2 June 1994), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following Opinion by a majority vote with 33 abstentions.

1. Foreword

1.1. The Committee greatly regrets that the tight deadline set by the Council for the present Opinion, and for those on two other proposals for specific programmes, prevents it from playing its full advisory role on R& TD as enshrined in the Treaty, and, more especially, prevents it from making a detailed analysis of the scientific and technical content of the proposed programme.

1.2. The proposal is one of a package of seventeen proposals for specific programmes presented by the Commission under the fourth European Community framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities (1994-1998). The framework programme was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council under the co-decision procedure in April 1994 (2).

1.3. At the same time, the Commission has also adopted a uniform presentation designed both to simplify and rationalize procedures. The Committee welcomes this.

1.4. The Committee would have liked to make a number of comments on the overall package and on the framework programme itself. The present constraints regrettably do not allow it to do so in this Opinion.

1.5. Nevertheless, the Committee reserves the right to make such comments in its forthcoming Opinion on the other specific programmes and on the three specific programmes implementing the framework programme for Community research and training activities for the European Atomic Energy Community (1994-1998), which the Council also adopted in April 1994 (3).

1.6. As regards the general conditions for participation in the specific programmes and for their implementation, the Committee would also refer back to the many comments and suggestions made in its Opinion on the two proposed decisions concerning the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in the specific research programmes (4).

2. Introduction

2.1. The proposed programme comes under the first of the four activities scheduled in the fourth framework programme, concerning the implementation of research, technological development and demonstration programmes by the promotion of cooperation with and between undertakings, research centres and universities. This first activity covers the bulk of Community research initiatives.

2.2. The programme, which the Commission proposes be allocated MECU 1,623 from the Community budget, follows on from the 1990-1994 programme on the same subject adopted on 9 September 1991 (5). The Committee issued its Opinion on the earlier programme on 20 November 1990 (6).

2.3. The Commission proposal draws on the experience gained in the preceding programmes and guarantees continuity with them, while also responding to the new requirements stemming from the globalization of markets. In framing the proposal, the Commission has taken special account of the objectives enshrined in the Union Treaty as regards competitiveness and quality of life, and the concern for employment voiced in the White Paper.

2.4. The proposed programme is designed to focus European industrial research on three priority issues for the Union`s future:

- production technologies for future industries. The aim is to help European industry to move away from linear production systems based largely on Taylorism and define new production systems that are swifter, more flexible, more efficient and more competitive internationally;

- technologies for product innovation. The aim is to help industries in their drive to improve traditional products by introducing advanced technology into production and manufacturing processes, and to design new products with a high added value that meet consumer needs and are environmentally friendly;

- technologies for transport means. The improvement of existing means and, eventually, the development of new means which are more economical, reliable, competitive, comfortable and environmentally friendly, will be vital for the furtherance of the European Union.

2.5. The programme will have short, medium and long term objectives, and will involve three types of specific action:

- user-led industrial activities targeted on priority objectives of major strategic importance for the future of European industry;

- activities by and for SMEs: measure for technology stimulation, based on the experience gained with the CRAFT and Feasibility Awards schemes, in order to encourage and facilitate the participation of SMEs, especially those from less-developed regions;

- know-how development and dissemination activities based on generic technologies and grouped in thematic networks.

2.5.1. In the short term, priority will be given to research for the adaptation of existing technologies or for the development of new technologies which provide competitive leverage for sectors where the level of technology is lower; SMEs in these sectors account for a large proportion of European industry and are a major source of employment.

In the medium term, research will focus on industries which are already developing innovative technologies and strategies allowing better use of human resources while endeavouring to reduce the adverse environmental impact of production.

In the long term, research will focus on new technologies for the production and design of products which allow new industries or markets to be created in a context of sustainable growth.

3. Overall assessment

3.1. The proposed programme is clearly worded and has a practical content. The priorities reflect the needs of industry and should support the restructuring currently under way especially in traditional industries. The programme addresses the question of competitiveness but also deals with the problems of the environment, employment and European integration.

3.2. The fixing of short, medium and long-term objectives should enable firms (especially SMEs) to extend their involvement and their cooperation with universities and research centres.

3.3. The contents are clearly defined and well geared to the concerns of industry.

3.4. The programme lays down precise strategic objectives for industrial R& D throughout Europe. The fact that the programme sets industrial rather than technological objectives should encourage the participation of all sectors of industry and trigger valuable synergies between industries, thereby helping to ensure that the results are rapidly marketable.

4. General comments

4.1. Employment, and especially youth employment, is currently the most serious problem facing Europe. European integration may be impeded and seriously delayed if special measures are not taken to solve the employment problem in the short term. The nascent economic recovery will have to provide work for young first job seekers in order to avoid imbalances and dangerous tensions. Technological research is an important instrument for restoring industrial competitiveness and enhancing efficiency. However, short-sighted use of this instrument, by failing to promote the technologies best placed to create jobs, could adversely affect the European system as a whole and thus worsen the problem of social exclusion.

4.1.1. Accordingly, the Committee draws the Commission`s attention to the need to pay special attention to this aspect when implementing the programme, by introducing selection criteria and participation arrangements designed to ensure that the research projects create employment.

4.2. Despite the Commission`s endeavours to specify the precise contents of the industrial and materials technologies programme, the Committee feels that there is still a danger of overlapping with other programmes, notably those on environment, transport and information and telecommunications technologies. The Committee asks the Commission to address this problem. Programme coordination may attenuate this risk but does not appear sufficient for the moment.

4.3. One of the problems which has most seriously held back European integration is the fact that researchers, whether in industry or in academic institutes, have found it difficult to cooperate.

4.3.1. When adopting the Commission proposals, the Council should avoid any further splitting, into more specific activities, of the financial resources proposed for the three main areas. There must be a cast-iron guarantee that all industries can participate in the research activities planned in the three areas, and especially that on transport technologies, in order to avoid the creation of artificial barriers to cooperation between industries and to promote the considerable synergies needed to accelerate the transfer of knowhow.

4.4. The experience which SMEs have gained from the CRAFT action (cooperative research) is worth maintaining and extending, as indicated in the fourth framework programme, to other specific programmes of interest to SMEs. This will help them to acquire the technology which is vital for furthering in-company innovation.

4.4.1. However, special attention should be accorded to simplifying procedures and setting up a support service for SMEs to help them participate properly. One of the main obstacles to SME participation in innovation is undoubtedly their ability to decide in precise economic terms the solution best tailored to their needs. Acquisition of available technology and use of available knowhow can often be more valuable than research.

5. Specific comments

5.1. The Committee endorses the Commission proposal. However, in order to further enhance its impact on the European economy the Committee proposes the following amendments.

5.1.1. After the 16th recital in the preamble, add the following new recital:

'Whereas the present programme`s activities and procedures must launch schemes to promote employment, particularly youth employment.`

5.1.2. Annex I (Scientific and technological content): In Area 3 (Technologies for transport means), the third sentence of the first paragraph of Point 2 (Proposed actions) should be deleted:

'Special attention will be paid to aeronautics research ... applied to other transport sectors.`

5.1.3. Annex II (Indicative breakdown of the amount deemed necessary): A fifth footnote should be added as follows:

'5. Any further splitting which would favour one sector of industry must be avoided, in particular in area three (transport technologies), so as to avoid the creation of artificial obstacles to cooperation between different industries.`

5.1.4. Annex III (Detailed rules for implementing the programme). The third paragraph of Point 1 should be amended as follows:

'However, for the purpose of implementing this programme, the following exceptions shall apply: Participation in shared-cost research activities requires at least three bodies from three countries, including two industries from two Member States of the European Union.`

5.1.5. In Point 2.4 of Annex III (Preparatory, accompanying and support measures), the following new indent should be inserted at the end:

'- bursaries and subsidies in the context of research contracts to facilitate initial employment for young graduates in the industries involved in the research.`

Done at Brussels, 2 June 1994.

The Chairman

of the Economic and Social Committee

Susanne TIEMANN

(1) OJ No C 113, 23. 4. 1994, pp. 4-15, 24.

(2) OJ No L 126, 18. 5. 1994, p. 1.

(3) OJ No L 115, 6. 5. 1994, p. 31.

(4) OJ No C 81, 18. 3. 1994, p. 9.

(5) OJ No L 269, 25. 9. 1991, p. 30.

(6) OJ No C 41, 18. 2. 1991, p. 46.