European Technology PlatForm

Industry Platform is based on the concept of European Technology Platforms (ETPs) that have been in existence since 2003. Since then, the concept has been taken up widely and there were 34 ETPs up and running by March 2007. These span a wide range of technologies which are key to Europe's future growth and competitiveness objectives.

The concept has been endorsed by a wide range of experts. The Report of the Independent Expert Group on R&D set-up following the Hampton Court meeting of Heads of Government (the 'Aho Report') concluded that “technology platforms form an effective vehicle for the course of action that we propose, allowing flexible use of resources and the opportunity to combine market creation and technological development”. (http://cordis.europa.eu/technology-platforms/).