This initiative aims to promote sustainable economic and social prosperity of the western Mediterranean region through growth and jobs creation by improving its competitiveness and attractiveness, while at the same time preserving healthy and balanced marine and coastal ecosystems. The western Mediterranean Sea has an enormous wealth in natural resources, cultural assets and diversity of people and places. The various sectors of the maritime economy have a vast potential for development, namely through research and industrial partnerships. Maritime (or sea basin) strategies are a tool to better address cross sectorial challenges and develop the blue economy in EU-shared sea basins, e.g. blue biotech can offer innovative solutions to a wide range of sectors and activities including food production, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has made available for public consultation its draft Guidance on dermal absorption of chemical plant protection products (PPPs). The Guidance, which updates the document published by EFSA in 2012, was drafted in the light of newly available human in vitro studies. As requested by the European Commission, the current Guidance on Dermal Absorption, has been revised by EFSA on the basis of the evaluation of new human in vitro dermal absorption studies.
Deadline: 24 February 2017
Website: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/