Specific research programmes (EEC) to be implemented by the Joint Research Centre - Environmental protection -, 1992-1994

Part of the third Framework programme for Community activities in the field of research and technological development (1990 to 1994) under subactivity II.3.: "Environment", the programme builds on and continues the work undertaken in the previous JRC programme in the field of environmental protection.

In the global change area, emphasis is placed on strong cooperation with laboratories and institutes in the Member States and at international level. The JRC contribution concerns mainly:
- Modelling and air pollution transport;
- Air chemistry linked notably to the fate of biogenic and anthropogenic emissions;
- Biosphere-atmosphere interaction;
- Related applications of remote sensing.

Under the heading of technologies and engineering for the environment, activities concern mainly environmental chemicals and are aligned towards chemical waste problems.
To provide a contribution to the scientific knowledge, technical know-how and data needed by the Community to carry out its role with regard to the environment, to evaluate the effects of pollution from industrial and other sources, and to assess environmental degradation caused by the use of energy in the home, transport and industry.
Three research areas (Environment Institute, Ispra):

- Global change:
To study the transport, diffusion and chemical fate of biogenic and anthropogenic emissions in the perturbed troposphere:
. Laboratory and in-field studies on biosphere/atmosphere interactions with emphasis on the Mediterranean area;
. Trends of trace atmospheric species relevant to the photochemistry and the planetary radiation budget with emphasis on sulphur containing gases;
. Theoretical modelling and experimental validation of mesoscale and long-range atmospheric physico-chemical transformation and transport processes;

- Environmental chemicals:
. Evaluation:
Management, maintenance, updating and extension of the Environmental Chemicals Data and Information Network (ECDIN), assistance in the preparation of data profiles for Commission services, and establishment and comparison of trace metal concentrations in tissues of EC general population (reference values) and their toxicological significance;
. Soil, water, waste:
Studies on underground migration, retention and transformation of pollutants; characterization and quantification of algal blooms in fresh, brackish and marine waters; improvement of analytical measurements quality and methodology; coordination of the EUREKA project EU-674 and development of the related mobile laboratory for in-field sampling and analysis; development of toxic waste management support decision systems;
. Indoor pollution:
Management and Scientific Secretariat of the Concerted Action "Indoor air quality and its impact on man" (former COST 613); development and validation of methods for the assessment of the emission and absorption of volatile organic indoor pollutants from and on indoor materials and of exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOC) due to indoor activities; development and application of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOC) analysis;

- Food and drug analysis:
Development of a European Laboratory to support the EC sectoral policies on food, agriculture, consumer protection and custom tariffs.
The Commission, assisted by the Board of Governors of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), is responsible for carrying out the programme by means of the services of the JRC and in parallel with other relevant specific programmes of the third Framework programme (1990-1994).

The programme comprises research and technological development (RTD) projects and accompanying measures. The RTD projects are carried out in collaboration and in concert, whenever feasible, with national research bodies in the Member States, taking into account as far as possible regional development aspects of RTD activities and their potential socio-economic effects. Particular attention will be paid to associations with industry, notably with SMEs, in collaborative schemes around the projects.

The research is carried out by the JRC's Environment Institute (EI) at Ispra.

The Commission is authorized to negotiate international agreements with third country members of COST, in particular member countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Central and Eastern European countries, with a view to associating them with the programme. However, no contracting body based outside the Community may benefit from the Community financing granted to the programme. Such a body shall contribute to the general administrative costs.

Research projects open to international cooperation shall include cooperation measures with international research laboratories and make provision for the exchange of researchers. Supplementary measures should allow cooperation with research laboratories and institutions located in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

The total funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the JRC's specific programmes in the field of the environment (Environmental Protection, Application of Remote Sensing Techniques, Industrial Hazards, Centre for Earth Observations) amount to ECU 148.5 million, 6% of which may be used for exploratory research. A sum representing 1% of the total JRC budget for 1992-1994 is reserved as a contribution from the JRC's specific programmes to the centralized action on dissemination and exploitation of results (VALUE II).

Knowledge gained through the realization of the projects will be disseminated by the programme itself as well as by the centralized action.

The Commission shall each year before 31 March present to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee a report on the implementation of the programme, together with the observations of the Board of Governors. At the end of the programme an evaluation of the research shall be conducted by a group of independent external experts and a report on the evaluation, accompanied by the opinion of the Board of Governors, shall be forwarded to these same bodies.