BRUSSELS BRIEF

This brief is intended to provide a monthly up-date on matters within the European Institutions. More detailed reports of meetings with European Commission and Parliament are provided to ECCE member organisations with Working Papers and Minutes of Meeting.

ECCE BRUSSELS BRIEF: Regular updates: EU policies and actions on Research and development; Education; Environment, Energy; Information Technology; General Interest; Project Financing; News from the European Parliament, Update on Conferences

The Italian Presidency is convening an extraordinary summit of Heads of State and Government in Rome on 4 October for the opening of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) which is called upon to approve the Draft Constitutional Treaty drawn up by the Convention at the end of sixteen months of high-level political debate. The Italian Presidency hopes that the IGC will conclude its work by the end of 2003 to enable European voters to be aware of an enlarged Union’s proposed structure and direction prior to the June 2004 European Parliamentary elections. The Draft Constitutional Treaty may be found (in English) on: http://www.ueitalia2003.it/NR/rdonlyres/F83C02CA-6D07-4F41-A1EC-74450BCFB07E/0/0718CONV850EN.pdf

° Competitiveness Council of 22nd September confirms research investment goals: A Council Resolution confirmed that overall spending on EU R&D should be increased with the aim of approaching 3% of GDP by 2010 and that 2/3 of this investment should come from the private sector. The Commission is to report annually from 2004 on progress in reaching the 3% objective and implementation of the Action Plan.

° The European Parliament Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy has evaluated the Commission communication “Investing in research: an action plan for Europe” and published its assessment in a 7-page working document. Recommended ‘next steps’ conclude that Parliament should call for the research portion of the EU budget to be raised to 7% and boost the next FP accordingly. It should also declare basic research an European task and agree to and fund a European Research Foundation http://europa.eu.in/comm/dgs/research/index_en.html

° Commission memo clarifies FP6 funding for future Member States prior to accession: Following some confusion relating to Article 32 of the accession treaty (under which no financial commitment can be concluded to benefit of the 10 future Member States between 1 January - 30 April 2004) the Commission has emphasised that this does not affect participation of organisations from these 10 accession countries in FP6. The memo is to be found on: http://www.cordis.lu/fp6/accession_info.htm

° Sixth Framework Programme: - Open Calls for Proposals and Expressions of Interest in FP6

° Plans proposed for Nordic research area to be launched in 2005: Finland’s former science minister Mr Gustav Bjoerkstrand, who has published a draft white paper for ‘Noria’, the Nordic research and innovation area, believes ‘Noria’ could press ahead of the European Research Area where Europe is not united and thus co-operate with other parts of the world. ‘Noria’ objectives will be: international collaboration, PhD training, establishing Nordic centres of excellence, stimulating investment in infrastructure and promotion of knowledge transfer within the region. Proposals will be discussed at the Nordic council of ministers in October in an attempt to reach political consensus on these plans.

° Scotland introduces intermediary technology institutes (ITI): Three new research funding bodies set up by Scottish Enterprise, the first of their kind in the U.K., will invest Euro 650 million over 10 years in energy, the life sciences and communications technology and digital media http://www.itiscotland.com

° Environmental Liability Council Common Position for 2nd reading by European Parliament: the Environment Council reached political agreement on this important issue at its 13th June meeting . Further information about the amendments introduced by the Council in the Commission's proposal, is contained in the press release (http://ue.eu.int/newsroom, heading "Council press releases" and then "Environment"). For further information on the 11th September text, please refer to:

° Nuclear safety - 10 years of network collaboration: Europe’s 150 nuclear power reactors are growing older and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre leads a network of key European plans in research and development on the subject of nuclear power plant safety. A seminar on the subject was held in Petten (Netherlands) on 22nd and 23rd September. Further information may be found at: http://safelife.jrc.nl and also in Communication ‘COM (2002) 606’ published on 6th November 2002.

° Effects of indoor air pollution: A Joint Research Centre (JRC) study has revealed that in some cases indoor environments can be twice as polluting as outdoor environments. Hundreds of volatile components have been detected, of which some are toxic. JRC has built an INDOORTRON Environment Chamber and is conducting an INDEX project. Faced with a clear lack of reliable European-level data, JRC is developing new analytical approaches, comparison and harmonisation measures: http://www.jrc.cec.eu.int

° Proposal for a new Directive to prevent groundwater from pollution: The proposed Directive introduces monitoring requirements and quality objectives, obliging Member States to monitor and assess groundwater quality and to identify and reverse trends in groundwater pollution. The Directive is related to the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and includes measures to assess the chemical status of groundwater and identify trends in pollution of groundwater bodies and also protect groundwater from indirect pollution resulting from discharges of pollutants after percolation through the ground or sub-soil. In 2012 a comprehensive programme of measures to prevent or limit pollution of water, including groundwater, will become operational under the Water Framework Directive. Exiting legislation on groundwater is found in Directive 80/68/EEC, which does not set any clear quality objectives or require comprehensive monitoring. http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/water/index.html

° Study promotes protection of natural zones: A World Bank-World Wildlife Fund Alliance study seeks to developed wider arguments for safeguarding natural zones. These are considered at risk in the face of sprawling urbanisation. The report concludes that well-managed natural forests provide high quality water with less sediment and fewer pollutants that water from catchments. http://europa.eu.int/comm./dgs/research/index_en.html

° EU ‘CADZIE’ project leads to improvements in avalanche assessment and protection: An FP5 project with 700,000 Euro shared data from France, Italy, Norway, Austria, Iceland and Switzerland and investigated effects of defence structures on full scale avalanches. http://cadzie.grenoble.cemagref.fr/

° Parliament calls for a temporary committee following the ‘Prestige’ disaster: Despite efforts made by the Spanish authorities, a year after the disaster, the wreckage which still contains 14,000 tonnes of oil, is still leaking. This and maritime safety standards will be investigated by the proposed committee. A key amendment adopted demanded establish of a European coastguard with appropriate powers and instruments for strict surveillance and prosecution of illegal discharges from vessels.

° Commission welcomes agreement on revised Seveso II Directive to prevent major accident hazards: Agreement by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament now allows for information for the public, training for emergencies and the involvement of sub-contracted personnel. Industrial operators will also be obliged to produce risk maps showing areas that might be affected by a major accident. The revised Directive now covers chemical and thermal processing operations in mining as well as operational tailings management facilities containing dangerous substances. Council Register reference for Seveso II Conciliation working document

° Study claims the Earth is hotter than at any point during the last 2,000 years: The study by Professor Philip Jones from the University of East Anglia’s climatic research unit and Professor Michael Mann from the US University of Virginia analysed temperature data going back over 1,000 years. Their evidence indicates that in the in the past the Earth’s temperature was likely to fluctuate by around 0.2 degrees centigrade every century - since 1980 researchers have recorded a rise in the Earth’s temperatures of at least that amount.

° Identification of sites where waste must be removed: Following a case referred to the European Court of Justice by the Belgian Conseil d’Etat, the Advocate General’s Opinion indicates that member states owe a duty to identify on maps those sites where waste must be removed (Ref. Cases C-53/ and C-217/02)

° Environmental cases: The following have been brought before the European Court of Justice and order to pay costs: Belgium for failing to legislate on end-of-life vehicles (Directive 2000/53/EC) (Case C-345/03)

Austria for allowing the use of sewage sludge in agriculture in the Bundeslaender of Kaernten, Steiermark and Vorarlberg (Case filing C-340/03); Ireland for failing to legislate on CO2 emissions from new cars (Case filing C-257/03); Austria for imposing a ban on lorries on certain stretches of motorway in the Land of Tyrol (infringing its obligations under Arts. 1 & 3 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 881/92 and Arts. 1 & 6 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3118/93 and Arts. 28 EC to 30 EC) thereby infringing the free movement of goods. Austria: for being in breach of its duty to transport Directives on dangerous waste (Council Directive 75/442/CEE and 94/904/CE, paragraph 4 and Annexes I & II of 91/689/CEE)

° Commission report compiles results of EU funded research projects in education: The projects, funded under the Fourth and Fifth Framework Programmes in the categories of: research on higher education; school-to-work transitions; new governance models for education and training; the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in learning; and education, inequalities and social exclusion. For the full report please access: http://www.cordis.lu/citizens/publications.htm

° European Commission adopts proposal for a Directive on the eco-design of energy-consuming products (e.g. electrical and electronic devices or heating equipment): ‘Eco-design’ signifies the integration of environmental considerations at the design phase. After adoption of the Directive by the Council and the parliament, the Commission, with the aid of a Committee, will be able to take measures on specific products and environmental aspects (e.g. energy consumption, waste and water generation, extension of lifespan) after impact assessment and wide consultation. Further information may be found on: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/eco_design/index.htm

° Commission ‘ExternE’ research seeks to quantify full external (socio-economic) costs of transport and electricity generation: Costs could be used to impose eco-taxes on what are considered the most damaging technologies. Impacts analysed include human health, damage to buildings, crops and ecosystems, global warming and noise pollution. Research methodology measured source emissions, analysed changes in air, soil and water quality then assessed physical impacts and expressed them in monetary terms. Results of the Commission study contains major uncertainties but are consider to result in identification of priority areas for research: http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/energ y/pdf/externe_en.pdf

° Communication expected on e-Government: according to a recent speech by Commissioner Liikanen, issues the Commission seeks to identify and resolve for its forthcoming communication, include ensuring inclusive and widespread access to the Internet so that public services are accessible for all; safeguarding trust and confidence in online interaction with governments; making electronic public procurement easier; and defining, developing and implementing pan-European services and promoting their use. Further issues include inter-working of administrations at all levels for one-stop personalised services.

° New minimum safety rules for road tunnels: The European Parliament Transport Committee adopted a first reading report of MEP Reinhard Rack. These rules would govern tunnels over 500 metres long in the Trans-European Network. Amendments to Annex I (covering infrastructure measures, safety parameters, number of tubes and lanes, tunnel gradients, escape routes and emergency exits etc) were tabled and adopted following findings from national experts from e.g. Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy.

° Transitional transit system applicable to heavy goods vehicles through Austria: Council has rejected amendments adopted by the European Parliament for the draft Regulation for 2004, and convened the Conciliation Committee in accordance with Art. 251(3) of the European Community Treaty.

° European Car Free Day on 22nd September heralds European Mobility Week: European Car Free Day is now in its fifth year and takes place in more than 900 cities in over 20 countries: its focus is the benefits of sustainable transport and policies that improve air quality, reduce noise and enhance people's quality of life. This year's theme for European Mobility Week, which was launched in 2002, is accessibility for people with disabilities. 2003 is the European Year of People with Disabilities. http://www.mobilityweek-europe.org/

° Commission publishes call for tenders for study on impacts of Galileo on road transport: The Joint Research Centre has published a call for a study (budget of Euro 150,000) to identify potential technological, commercial or other risks and obstacles to the wide introduction of Galileo-based services in road transport. Policy measures to influence the number or impact of Galileo applications for road transport should also be investigated. E-mail: Jrc-TendersIPTS@cec.eu.int http://ted.publications.eu.int/static/do_ccur/en/en/164943-2003.htm

Information on European Investment Bank loans is to be found on http://www.eib.org

The Competitiveness Council meeting in September reached political agreement on a modified Commission proposal for a Directive on the right of EU citizens and their families to freely move and reside within the territory of the Union - administrative formalities should be simplified and a permanent right of residence, no longer subject to any conditions, should exist after 5 years of uninterrupted residence in the host Member State.

Discussions during the 22nd -25th September session included: Community greenhouse gas emissions and the Kyoto Protocol ; Measures against air pollution from non-road machinery; Safety at sea; Security of natural gas supply; Security of supply for petroleum products; presentation of the Draft EU Budget 2004;European Constitution and Inter-Governmental Conference; a Commission statement on the outcome of the WTO meeting in Cancún. Reports of potential interest to professional civil engineers and to the construction sector:

Report on the Commission communication on water management in developing countries and priorities for EU development cooperation (Ref: A5-0273/2003 22 July 2003, Rapporteur. Paul Lannoye MEP)
Full text

° Conference on the role of science in policy-making, Brussels, 16th October 2003

The conference is aimed at environment and health stakeholders, environmental journalists, policy makers and science communicators. Subject will include: science in environment and health policy debates, state of communication between scientists and non-specialists, role of scientists in society, media and decision-making, evolving nature of environmental debates. http://www.greenfactsfoundation.org/conference/index.htm

° Ethical forum “Go English, What language for higher education in 21st century Europe” to discuss the use of the English language in higher education, Brussels, 16th October

Under the patronage of EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin and Education and Culture Commissioner, Viviane Reding, the university foundation of Belgium is organising an ethical forum entitled to discuss the use of the English language in higher education. English has become the unofficial language of scientifie publication throughout the world, althought students at all levels continue to be taught in their own language. under the patronage of. It will take place on 16 October in Brussels. For further information :
Fondation universitaire, rue d'Egmont 11, Brussels 1000 Tel: +32 2 545 04 20 Fax: +32 2 513 64 11
E-mail: fu.us@skynet.be http://www.fondationuniversitaire.be/en/ forum2.php

° “Construction research in an enlarged European Union”, Warsaw, Poland, 6th and 7th November

This workshop event aims to generate collaborative partnerships between researchers from Member States and Associated States in the field of construction research. The programme includes keynote presentations by representatives from the European Commission, Member States and Associated States, as well as industry leaders and experts in the field of construction research.

° Integrated Lifetime Engineering of Buildings and Civil Infrastructures, Kuopio, Finland, 1st to 3rd December 2003

Symposium themes will be: 1. Ownership planning and management of investments, 2. Integrated life-cycle design, 3. Lifetime management systems 4. Integration and design of management processes, 5. Data for life-time design and management, 6. Norms, standards and guidelines, 7. Best practices in applying life-cycle design and management. Registration and further information may be obtained from http://www.ril.fi/ILCDES2003 or by e-mail to kaisa.venalainen@ril.fi

The 9th international conference will address issues from ‘e-learning policies in practice’ to ‘future technologies for learning’. Workshops will include the use of GRID infrastructures to support future technology enhanced learning http://www.online-educa.com/en/

° International Symposium on Eastern Mediterranean geology, Thessaloniki, 14th-20th April 2004

Thessaloniki, Greece is to be the venue for this conference on structural geology, stratigraphy and tectonics; petrology and geochemistry; volcanology and geothermy; large earthquakes, marine geology, remote sensing and natural hazards, geoarcheology, mineral resources and geology of the Balkan peninsula. http://geonet.geo.auth.gr/5thISEMG/index .htm

° Turkish Civil Engineering - 17th Technical Congress and Exhibition, Istanbul, 15th-17th April 2004

The 17th Technical Congress on Turkish Civil Engineering will be held at Yildiz Tehchnical University in Istanbul. The congress and exhibition aim to present new advances and improvements in technical applications as well as problems and issues affecting the profession. Student project competitions will ensure participation of future professionals and there will be international project presentations. Further information from: http://www.imo.org.tr/teknikkongre17/english/english.htm

° Congress of Croatian Builders, Cavtat (by Dubrovnik), 22nd - 24th April 2004

The 4th Congress of Croatian Builders is being prepared by the Croatian Society of Civil Engineers and will cover the themes of Croatia’s construction industry activities aimed at meeting EU accession requirements and implementation of national strategy for the construction of roads and motorways in Croatia. For participation or paper submission contact: marija@grad.hr

° Intelligent transport systems Congress and exhibition ‘moving towards an integrated Europe’, Budapest, Hungary, 24th to 26th May 2004

The Conference will include discussions on e-safety in an enlarged EU, intelligent vehicle safety systems and ITS for multimodal services without borders. Contributions are expected for 1st December 2003.

° Monitoring the geological environment Segovia, Spain, from 5 to 7 July 2004

An international conference on the monitoring, simulation and remediation of the geological environment aims to attract a multi-disciplinary audience of researchers, practitioners and government employees interested in a variety of areas, including civil engineering, forest and agricultural engineering, geography, biology, ecology and hydrology.

° Advantages for Real Estate and Construction Sector, Helsinki, 13th - 16th June 2005

The 11th Joint CIB International symposium aims to put modern construction management and economics into a perspective of modern real estate and construction businesses and projects. Topics of interest include the evolving sector, firms and their businesses, projects and processes, IT and construction processes, Foundations of our thinking and practice. The call for Papers will be available in October 2003.