The European Parliament adopted by 647 votes to 20 with 6 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the participation of the Union in a European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research jointly undertaken by several Member States.
Parliament adopted its position at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure. The amendments adopted in plenary were the result of a compromise between Parliament and Council. They amend the Commission’s proposal as follows:
Union's financial contribution: the maximum Union's financial contribution, including EFTA appropriations, to EMPIR shall be EUR 300 million (as in the Commission’s proposal). This contribution shall be paid from appropriations allocated to the relevant parts of the Specific Programme, implementing Horizon 2020, and in particular from Part II “Industrial leadership” and Part III “Societal challenges”.
In order to take into account the duration of Horizon 2020, calls for proposals under EMPIR should be launched at the latest by 31 December 2020.
In accordance with the Commission proposal, EMPIR will pursue the following general objectives:
· provide appropriate, integrated and fit-for-purpose metrology solutions supporting innovation and industrial competitiveness, as well as measurement technologies addressing societal challenges such as health, environment and energy, including support to policy development and implementation;
· create an integrated European Metrology Research system with critical mass and active engagement at regional, national, European and international level.
Agreements between the Union and EURAMET: these should set out provisions for the publication of calls for proposals by EMPIR, in particular on the single portal for participants as well as through other Horizon 2020 electronic means of dissemination managed by the Commission.
Audits: administrative burdens should be reduced for all parties. Double audits and disproportionate documentation and reporting should be avoided.
Evaluation: the Commission must organise an independent interim evaluation of EMPIR by 30 June 2017 and send that report to the European Parliament and to the Council by 31 December 2017. The result of the interim evaluation will be taken into account in the interim evaluation of Horizon 2020.