Research and development: EC/Australia, Canada, USA agreements, intelligent manufacturing systems

OBJECTIVE: conclusion of an international cooperation agreement on research and development activities in the domain of intelligent manufacturing systems (IMS) between the Community and the United States of America, Japan, Australia, Canada, Norway and Switzerland. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Decision 378/97/EC concerning the conclusion on behalf of the Community of an Exchange of Letters recording the common understanding on the principles of international cooperation on research and development activities in the domain of intelligent manufacturing systems between the European Community and the United States of America, Japan, Australia, Canada and the EFTA countries of Norway and Switzerland. SUBSTANCE: the agreement should establish the principles of cooperation with regard to research and development in the domain of intelligent manufacturing systems between entities of the Community and entities of third countries. For Community entities the multi-annual framework R & D programme and in particular the 'Information Technologies' and 'Industrial and Materials Technologies' programmes are those affected by the financing. The rules proposed for the allocation, dissemination and protection of intellectual property rights resulting from the cooperation follow the guiding principles laid down in the Joint Declaration by the Council and the Commission of 26 June 1992. Initially cooperation will cover the following topics: - total product life cycle issues; - process issues; - strategy/planning/design tools; - human/organizational/social issues; -virtual/extended enterprise issues. Cooperation will involve participation in projects by entities, in accordance with procedures adopted in common for the creation and operation of international consortia. It will include visits, training and exchanges of scientists. Representatives of the participants appointed to the International Steering Committee will act as the liaison between it and their respective governments. They will monitor the implementation of the IMS. Financing of activities will be subject to the availability of funds and to the applicable laws and regulations, policies and programmes of the participating regions. Each participant will cover its own participation. The IMS programme will have a duration of 10 years. ENTRY INTO FORCE: the decision entered into force on 27 January 1997. The agreement will enter into force as soon as the necessary notifications have been completed. �