Community programme (EEC) for the development of the specialized information market in Europe, 1984-1988

The programme was built upon the experience of three successive action plans (1975 to 1983) in the field of scientific and technical information and documentation. It complemented other related Community initiatives, in particular the ESPRIT programme, the INSIS project and programmes on vocational training and new information technologies.
To increase the use of, develop and create specialized innovative value-added European information products and services with a view to ensuring the economic viability and improved competitiveness of European suppliers on domestic and world markets.
Two guidelines:

- Improvement of the information environment and market conditions:
Improvement in the use of information products and services of European origin;

- Improvement in the supply and quality of European products and services:
Development of specialized information products and services of European origin.
The Commission, advised by the Committee for Scientific and Technical Information and Documentation (CSTID), was responsible for implementing the programme. In particular, it defined the detailed activities and the types of projects to be undertaken, established an annual workplan and ensured access to and dissemination of the results.

The Community was authorized to conclude cooperation agreements with third countries within the framework of the programme.

After 24 months the Commission re-examined the programme and submitted a report to the Council and the European Parliament. A final evaluation of the results was subsequently submitted.