CORDIS Archive : CORDIS FP5: Library: DECISION No 182/1999/EC concerning the fifth framework programme of the European Community-6

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Decision No 182/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 December 1998 concerning the fifth framework programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (1998 to 2002)

THEME 3

COMPETITIVE AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

The objective is to produce and disseminate the knowledge and technologies needed to design and develop processes and produce high-quality, environment- and consumer-friendly products which will be competitive on tomorrow’s market, to help increase growth and create new jobs in Europe and to sustain the continuing innovation effort of manufacturing firms (including SMEs) so as to improve their competitiveness.

This goes hand in hand with the development of transport systems which are economic, safe, and protective of the environment and quality of life.

(a) Key actions (1)

(i) Innovative products, processes and organisation

The aim of this key action is to facilitate the development of high-quality innovative products and services which meet the needs of the citizen and the market and new methods of production and manufacture, including innovation in and modernisation of traditional industries, which save resources and are environmentally safe, whatever the method of production. Research will focus as a matter of priority on:

- the elaboration, development and integration of new technologies for design, manufacturing, control and production, including micro- and nano-scale technologies and engineering,

- deployment, integration and adaptation of information society technologies for intelligent manufaturing (including flexible workshop systems and systems for flexible management of supply and distribution chains, embedded systems and teleservices for operation and maintenance and simulation and shared-work technologies),

- technologies to improve quality control and for clean and eco-efficient processes, including synthesis and separation techniques, aiming at reducing resource utilisation and promoting the use of renewable resources, reuse and recycling of waste and the development of clean processes and products based on the concept of ‘life-cycle analysis’,

- new methods of organising production and work and of using and developing skills (including socioeconomic analyses), also in traditional industries.

(ii) Sustainable mobility and intermodality

The aim is to ensure the development of fully integrated policy and operational options for an integrated interoperable European rail and road, air and waterborne transport system on a broadly intermodal basis to ensure the mobility of people and goods, while at the same time improving transport efficiency, safety and reliability and reducing congestion and other environmental disbenefits. This requires as a matter of priority:

- the development, validation and demonstration of rational modal and intermodal transport management systems, including better use of second-generation satellite navigation and positioning systems, and advanced traveller and operator information services,

- research into transport infrastructures and their interfaces with transport means and systems, while reducing any adverse environmental and safety impacts and taking account of accessibility and the integration of regional planning and transport policies,

- the development of technical and socioeconomic scenarios for the sustainable mobility of people and goods.

(iii) Land transport and marine technologies

The aim is to encourage, while preserving the environment and improving safety, the development and integration of knowledge and technologies specific to land transport and sea-based activities. It will enable the Community to develop technologies to maintain and consolidate the competitive position of the European automotive and rail industry by developing innovative technologies and new materials, modes and systems for sustainable and efficient land transport means and to fully exploit the sea’s potential and improve the competitiveness of marine industry. This action will be complementary to the key actions on sustainable mobility and intermodality and sustainable marine ecosystems. Action will cover as a matter of priority:

- development of technologies for economic, clean, safe, efficient, energy-saving and intelligent road and rail vehicles operating in the total integrated transport environment,

- innovative vehicle concepts using new materials and construction techniques with emphasis on improved safety (including weight reduction and crashworthiness), recyclability and reduction of whole life-cycle costs,

- human/vehicle interaction in road and rail vehicles and innovative methods for the adaptation of rail-based systems to new needs,

- development of advanced ships which are safe, environmentally friendly and efficient,

- the use of the sea and inland waterways as economic and safe means of transporting goods and passengers (including advanced port infrastructure) by maximising vessel performance and interoperability in conjunction with the key action on ‘sustainable mobility and intermodality’,

- technologies for the study and observation of the seas and sustainable exploitation of the seas’ energy and mineral resources, including offshore and subsea technologies, and unmanned vehicles and submarine acoustics.

(iv) New perspectives in aeronautics

The aim of this key action is to help the Community consolidate its position in this sector by developing its mastery, in an environmentally friendly manner, of the most advanced aeronautical technologies. It will cover as a matter of priority:

- the development and demonstration of advanced technologies for integrated design and production, and for reduction of energy consumption, emissions and noise for various aircraft concepts,

- the technological and economic feasibility of and the critical technologies for new-generation aircraft concepts including advanced systems and sub-systems,

- the development of technologies to improve operational safety and efficiency, including on-board integration of air-traffic management technologies, in coordination with other transport-related key actions.

(b) Research and technological development activities of a generic nature

The effort will be focused on the priority research needed to reinforce European competitiveness and quality of life:

- by supporting the development of new and improved industrial materials and the processes for their manufacture: materials resistant to high temperatures and high pressure (e.g. for energy generation and engines); light materials (for transport and construction); functional materials (opto-electronics, biomaterials, sensors) designed and developed with ease of recycling in mind; surface and interface engineering, as well as nano-scale and beam technologies,

- by ensuring that European standards and testing laboratories provide consistent measurements and tests which are equivalent to similar measurements made by Europe’s major trading partners; by making available technical tests, certified reference materials and measuring instruments for use in Member States in order to assure compliance with Community directives; by supporting standardisation and certification, including action to combat fraud and ensure the quality of products and services,

- by developing new and improved materials and production technologies in the steel field.

In accordance with the general objectives outlined above, activities should focus, for example, on computing centres for research, high-power wind tunnels, laboratories and facilities for measurements and tests, as well as specialised databases.

(1) Coordination will be ensured between the various key actions and generic technologies on rail and road transport means.

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