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Content archived on 2023-03-27

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Specific research and technological development programme (Euratom) in the field of decommissioning of nuclear installations, 1989-1993

 
Part of the Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (1987-1991) under subactivity 5.1.: "Fission: nuclear safety", this third programme in the field, like the previous one (1984- 1988), consists of three sections. The third section has been extended to enable the Community to participate more fully in selected pilot projects in the various Member States.
To investigate the development of a system for managing nuclear installations that have been finally shut down and for disposing of the radioactive wastes produced in their dismantling, and to promote a consensus about a Community policy in the field of decommissioning.
Three areas:

- Research and development projects:
The long-term integrity of buildings and systems, decontamination for decommissioning purposes, dismantling techniques, the treatment of specific waste materials and the estimation of quantities of radioactive waste;

- Identification of guiding principles in the design and operation of nuclear installations and their decommissioning with a view to defining the technical elements of a Community policy in this field;

- Testing of new techniques under real conditions:
By implementing pilot projects and alternative tests and by seconding staff, the Commission encourages the use of advanced techniques and the undertaking of parallel studies.
The Commission, assisted by the Management and Coordination Advisory Committee (CGC) on Nuclear fission energy - Fuel cycle / processing and storage of waste, is responsible for executing the programme through shared-cost research contracts, study contracts, coordination projects and training and mobility grants.

The Commission distributes, with the invitation to participate, information packs in all the official languages of the Community in order to guarantee equal opportunities for undertakings, universities and research centres in the Member States. Contracts and grants are awarded, where appropriate, following a selection procedure based on calls for proposals. The participation of SMEs is encouraged.

Shared-cost research projects are normally carried out by participants from more than one Member State. The Community may bear up to 50% of total expenditure or, where universities and research institutes are concerned, up to 100% of the marginal costs.

Where an opportunity exists for large-scale cooperation involving different Member States, the Community may participate through shared-cost contracts in specific parts of the projects and organize, by means of concerted action, an exchange of information relating to the other parts. This concerns, in particular, the selected pilot dismantling projects. The secondment of research staff, wherever possible, from all Member States to these projects is encouraged.

The Commission is authorized to negotiate agreements or contracts with non-Member States, international organizations or nationals of non-Member States with a view to associating them with the programme.

The contracts concluded by the Commission govern the rights and obligations of each party, particularly the arrangements for disseminating, protecting and exploiting research results. Information resulting from implementation of the shared-cost activities is made accessible on an equal basis to all Member States. Licences and/or other rights developed in the framework of the programme are subject to the normal contractual conditions of the Community.

In the third year of the programme the Commission will undertake a review of it and submit a report to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee, together, if necessary, with a proposal for modification or prolongation. A final evaluation of the results achieved will subsequently be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council.