The European Physical Society (EPS) invited EU institution representatives and stakeholders to a session on ‘The Importance of Physics to the Economies of Europe’ on 15 October 2019. Speakers, including EPS President Petra Rudolf demonstrated the vital role physics plays in scientific research, innovation, job creation and economic resilience and prosperity. A study which looked at the role of physics in the economy from 2011- 2016, showed that 3.34 jobs are supported for each job created in physics-based industries. But speakers also addressed the role of physics beyond economic considerations, highlighting the role the science can play in policymaking, education and social curiosity. The session also acted as a direct call for investment into EU science, both for fundamental and basic research, and for short-term and exploitable innovation. You can download and read the EPS report here.

The Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) met in September to address a number of pressing issues. Microplastics once again took centre stage however. Stakeholders were invited during the meeting to better clarify the points of the proposed restriction on microplastics. A heated discussion eventually arose on the definition of microplastics given by ECHA’s proposed restriction. Stakeholders notably disagreed on the elements of the microplastic definition; substances excluded from the definition; natural polymers (not chemically modified) and biodegradable polymers. In particular, the lower limit of 1nm indicated in the definition was much debated. Read the full meeting debrief here.

On 24 to 26 September, the European Commission launched the EU Research & Innovation Days, a three-day marathon of sessions, workshops and networking opportunities that aimed to address the key issues surrounding EU research, innovation and science. Speakers including a wide range of EU officials, stakeholders and representatives from academia and industry. The EU R&I Days were meant to showcase how co-designing processes would be implemented in the run-up to the launch of Horizon Europe, the next EU research framework programme. Carlos Moedas, current Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation explained his vision for Horizon Europe, and particularly the ‘Missions’, which he encouraged the newly selected chairs to make as open, transparent and co-creative as possible.

Prior to the event, the European Commission launched a public call for feedback on the implementation of Horizon Europe in an early exercise of co-creation. You can read EuChemS’ response here.

The EuChemS video game ‘Elemental Escapades!’ has just been released in 11 different languages. You can now join Jan’s adventures in Croatian, Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Serbian, Romanian, or Spanish. There is now a drop-down menu in the bottom right of the main menu which will allow you to play the game in any one of eleven languages. The translations were prepared by our own European Young Chemists’ Network delegates.