Sir David King submits an independent review of the Joint Research Centre to the EU Commission
Sir David King submits an independent review of the Joint Research Centre to the EU Commission
Positive assessment given by independent review panel led by Sir David King of European Commission’s Joint Research Centre
Positive assessment given by independent review panel led by Sir David King of European Commission’s Joint Research Centre A panel of 14 international experts led by Sir David King, until recently the Chief Science Adviser to the UK Government, has completed an in-depth review of work carried out by the Joint
Research Centre from 2002 - 2006 under the Sixth Framework Programme for Research (FP6). Success factors were identified as delivering continued service to the European Commission without compromising
scientific vitality or integrity, responding to customer needs, integration of the seven research institute’s competencies and facilities around thematic priorities, increased networking activities, enhanced researcher training, and assisting Candidate Countries in the last steps of the EU accession process.
The report highlights that “the JRC has undergone a major transformation over the last 10 years, consolidating its position as an indispensable source of knowledge and expertise in support of the political agenda of the EU”. The Panel observed that “the JRC hasaccepted and implemented the recommendations of the Five-Year Assessment made in 2003″ through a clear customer-orientation and “reinforced its networking activities across Europe and internationally”.
The report singles out as special achievements the JRC’s role in enhancing the training of European researchers, assisting new Member States in the uptake of EU legislation and delivering well-respected
international services in several areas of competence.
Sir David King stated that a “detailed assessment of the work carried out during FP6 convinced the Panel of the good, very good and sometimes excellent quality”.
European Commissioner for Research Janez Potocnik congratulated the JRC on what he said is “this good report by an independent and distinguished panel. It shows that the JRC is moving in the right
direction.” Further info: a copy of the report can be downloaded from:
www.jrc.ec.europa.eu
Detailed interviews: with Sir David King, Janez Potocnik and Roland Schenkel: www.jrc.ec.europa.eu
JRC Fast Facts: details of who we are and what we do are attached below.
Contact: Aidan Gilligan, JRC Press Officer,
aidan.gilligan@ec.europa.eu ; +32 (0)2 2986482.
The Joint Research Centre is a Directorate-General of the European Commission. It comprises seven research Institutes located in five EU Member States (Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain).
Comprising 2,650 staff, the JRC plays an active role in helping create a safer, cleaner, healthier and more competitive Europe.
The JRC’s mission is to provide customer-driven scientific and technical support for the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of EU policies. As a service of the European Commission,
the JRC functions as a reference centre of science and technology for the Union. Close to the policy-making process, it serves the common interest of the Member States, while being independent of special
interests, whether private or national.
Governance
A Board of Governors, comprising high-level representatives from EU Member States, Candidate and Associated countries, advises on strategy, work programme, budget and high-level appointments. Our
customers in other Commission Directorates-General are consulted on our annual Work Programme through a High-level Users’ Group. The European Parliament and Council are similarly consulted on our participation in the Framework Programmes.
Our resources
The JRC is allocated an annual budget of 340 million for direct support to EU institutions from the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). It earns up to a further 15% from competitive activities.
Expertise, Facilities, Partners
Multi-disciplinary analytical capabilities and a unique range of highly specialised laboratories, facilities and state-of-the art measurement instruments.
We collaborate within a network of over 1,500 public and private organisations, including research centres, universities, regulatory bodies, local authorities, associations and industry.
We are committed to training young scientists, to researcher mobility, and to helping new Member States with the scientific-technical aspects of the EU body of law. The JRC is thus firmly integrated into the European Research Area.
Customers
Our main customers are the Commission’s policy Directorates-General, although we also perform substantial work for the Member State institutions and authorities, European Parliament and Council, Community and Executive Agencies.
Our FP7 priorities
Prosperity in a knowledge-intensive society includes growth, employment, knowledge, and competitiveness. The JRC is focusing on the regulatory context, the development of measurement standards and data harmonisation and support to key policy areas such as energy, transport, information, chemicals and biotechnologies. Direct support to policy formulation is being provided in the areas of economic,
market and fiscal policies.
The sustainable management of resources is a long standing work priority for the JRC, particularly in areas of agriculture and environment. The theme of environment and health is emerging as a new focus of attention while climate change remains a key feature. Security and freedom is an area of growing concern for the EU. The JRC will focus on providing technical support on internal security issues where interactions between the Commission and Member States are expanding. Activities will continue in well established policy area where many new challenges are emerging, including the safety of food and feed and response to disasters.
Europe as a world partner involves the JRC supporting a range of external policies (e.g. international trade/anti-fraud, Community action relevant to stability, non-proliferation and common foreign and security policy; development cooperation policy and humanitarian aid; European neighbourhood policy etc). This global dimension is of critical relevance to future EU policies touching upon security issues and development cooperation.
The EURATOM programme role for the JRC entails developing and assembling knowledge, providing crucial scientific/technical data and support for the safety/security, reliability, sustainability and control of nuclear energy. This includes the assessment of safety and security aspects related to innovative/future systems.
Our added value
Flexibility in responding to the changing needs associated with the evolution of EU policies for the duration of the Seventh Framework Programme, 2007 - 2013.
A focus on issues which are important in terms of socio-economic concerns, which have a clear Community dimension and a strong research and development component.
Attention to the provision of quality expertise and support to other Commission services, upon the emergence of new issues in crisis situations.
Reinforcement of competences and facilities in new fields of investigations which are relevant to future policies.
Increased reliance on networks and partnerships with other institutions and expert groups pursuing similar objectives and interests. The JRC will also increase its role as technical coordinator of expert networks created in other Directorate-Generals of the European Commission.
Continued day-to-day support in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of EU rules.
It goes without saying that nearly every sustainable public policy requires a thorough scientific basis for a careful evaluation of the impact its implementation will bring. EU policy is no exception. This is where the JRC plays a vital role.” Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner for Science and Research.
FAST FACTS about JRC Institutes
1. The Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES), Ispra, Italy.
430 staff and a 2007 budget of 41.1 million. Further info: http://ies.jrc.ec.europa.eu
2. The Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen (IPSC), Ispra, Italy.
420 staff and a 2007 budget of 37.2 million.
Further info: http://ipsc.jrc.ec.europa.eu
3. The Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), Geel, Belgium.
320 staff and a 2007 budget of 39.9 million.
Further info: http://irmm.jrc.ec.europa
4. The Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), Karlsruhe, Germany.
300 staff and a 2007 budget of 39.1 million.
Further info: http://itu.jrc.ec.europa.eu
5. The Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (IHCP), Ispra, Italy.
300 staff and a 2007 budget of 30.2 million.
Further info: http://ihcp.jrc.ec.europa.eu
6. The Institute for Energy (IE), Petten, The Netherlands.
230 staff and a 2007 budget of 29.2 million. Further info: http://ie.jrc.ec.europa.eu
7. The Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS), Seville, Spain.
170 staff and a 2007 budget of 14.6 million.
Further info: http://ipts.jrc.ec.europa.eu
Further information
Internal & External Comms Unit, Tel: +32 (0) 2 2957624, Email
jrc-info@ec.europa.int
Web: http://www.jrc.ec.europa.eu
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