The European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC)

 

SUMMARY OF:

Article 8 of the Euratom Treaty

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THIS TREATY ARTICLE?

The Joint Research Centre (JRC), set up under Article 8 of the Euratom Treaty, is the science and knowledge service of the European Commission, which provides independent scientific advice and support to European Union (EU) policy.

Originally established with a view to carrying out nuclear research, it has been entrusted with other activities over the years.

KEY POINTS

A 1989 Council decision and 1994 Council conclusions supplement Article 8 in clarifying the role of the JRC in the non-nuclear field. The conclusions, in particular, reinforce the JRC’s move towards non-nuclear activities, promoting benchmarking against world-class science organisations, and its competitive approach.

JRC scientific work supports a variety of EU policies with independent scientific evidence. These policies relate to topics such as:

• agriculture and food security;
• economic and monetary union;
• energy and transport;
• the environment and climate change;
• health and consumer protection;
• information society;
• innovation and growth;
• nuclear safety and security;
• safety and security;
• standards.

Knowledge management

As the Commission’s knowledge and science service, the JRC plays a central role in creating, managing and making sense of collective scientific knowledge for better EU policies.

JRC role

The JRC’s work contributes to the strategic direction and implementation of the research and innovation programmes (Horizon Europe and the Euratom research and training programme) by means of its direct actions.

Budget

The JRC is funded by the research framework programmes (nuclear and non-nuclear activities). In addition, it generates a part of its budget through activities for payment, as provided for in Decision 89/340/EEC concerning work for third parties performed by the JRC relevant to the European Economic Community, and by Article 24 of the financial regulation (see summary).

Reorganisation

The JRC is organised as a Directorate-General of the Commission. As reorganised by Decision 96/282/Euratom, its Director-General is assisted by a Board of Governors nominated by EU Member States and appointed by the Commission. The board assists the Director-General in preparing the multiannual work programmes and work plans.

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

• Non-nuclear direct actions of the Joint Research Centre (European Commission)
• The Joint Research Centre: Science and knowledge management at the service of Europe’s citizens — factsheet (European Commission)
• JRC in brief (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENT

Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC — Euratom), Title Two — Provisions for the encouragement of progress in the field of nuclear energy — Chapter I: Promotion of research — Article 8.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Commission Decision 96/282/Euratom of 10 April 1996 on the reorganisation of the Joint Research Centre (OJ L 107, 30.4.1996, pp. 12–15).

Council conclusions of 26 April 1994 on the role of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) (OJ C 126, 7.5.1994, pp. 1–4).

Council Resolution of 29 April 1992 concerning the activities to be undertaken by the Joint Research Centre (OJ C 118, 9.5.1992, pp. 8–10).

Council Decision 89/340/EEC of 3 May 1989 concerning work for third parties performed by the Joint Research Centre relevant to the European Economic Community (OJ L 142, 25.5.1989, p. 10).

last update 28.10.2021