Explosives precursors are chemical substances which can be misused to manufacture home-made explosives. In 2013, recognising the threat posed by these substances to public security, Regulation EU 98/2013 on the marketing and use of explosives precursors was adopted to enhance security against terrorism. The 2015 European Agenda on Security also reflects the importance of taking action at EU level to reduce access to these dangerous chemical substances.
Despite the restrictions and controls introduced under the Regulation, regulated explosives precursor substances and mixtures continue to be accessed by individuals and groups that aim to carry out terrorist attacks in Europe.
In a 2017 report on the application of the Regulation, the Commission concluded that the Regulation’s entry into force helped reduce access to dangerous explosive precursors. The report adds, however, that changes to the Regulation should be considered in order to increase the capacity of all those involved in implementing and enforcing the restrictions and controls on precursors. With this in mind, the Commission has committed to carefully evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of the Regulation and assessing the impact of possible new and strengthened measures.
By Lucasmartin2 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
EuCheMS submitted a response, prepared by EuCheMS Food Chemistry Network, to this open consultation, calling for more research to determine safe limits. You can read its complete statement on our website: http://www.euchems.eu/.
Trans fats are a particular type of unsaturated fats that are present in foods in the EU and whose consumption increases the risk of Coronary Heart Disease more than any other nutrient. Trans fats can be produced industrially and can also be naturally present in food products derived from ruminant animals such as dairy products or meat from cattle, sheep or goat.
The European Commission is currently carrying out an Impact Assessment on a possible EU-based initiative to limit intakes of industrial trans fats in the diet of EU consumers, such as to limit industrial trans fats content in food through self-regulation or through a legally-binding measure, to introduce mandatory labelling of the trans fats content of foods on food labels or to prohibit the use of partly hydrogenated oils, which are the main source of industrial trans fats, in foods manufacturing/preparation through self-regulation or through a legally-binding measure.
The aim of the European Year of Cultural Heritage is to encourage more people to discover and engage with Europe’s cultural heritage and to reinforce a sense of belonging to a common European space. Throughout this year, we will celebrate our diverse cultural heritage across Europe, at EU, national, regional and local level. EuCheMS is adding a piece to this European mosaic with its first-ever EuCheMS Historical Landmark. The call for EuCheMS Historical Landmark is open until 30 April 2018.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship certificates are now available, upon request, for fellows who have completed a research period within one of the FP7 or H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Certificates can be requested through the project contact person or the legal entity authorised representative (LEAR) or the scientist in charge at the coordinating institution. The Certificate is not compulsory. It is a service offered to fellows requesting proof of their participation in a Marie Curie project. Source: http://ec.europa.eu/
At the closing event of the Erasmus+ 30th-anniversary campaign, representatives of the Erasmus+ Generation presented the Erasmus+ Generation Declaration to EU decision-makers in Brussels. The document contains 30 concrete proposals that reflect the Erasmus+ Generation’s vision and priorities for the future of the programme beyond 2020 in six key areas: societal challenges, skills gap, civic engagement, inclusion, global dimension, and simplification. Source: https://ec.europa.eu/
The study, fuelled by data from EUA members, is presented in a report and in an online tool. It captures the very latest funding trends in Europe and offers the most up-to-date information on 34 different higher education systems. The analysis reveals that since the 2008 financial crisis, the divide between higher education systems that increase public funding, and those that reduce investment, is getting wider. The study also shows that while 2012 was the most difficult year in terms of cuts, any recovery that can now be detected is slow and fragile. Source: http://www.eua.be/
The European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA) has published an update of how it evaluates the potential genotoxicity of substances in food and feed assessments. This scientific opinion provides recommendations on the adequacy of specific tests to establish the genotoxic potential of substances. It also advises on how to use data in a weight-of-evidence approach to conclude on genotoxicity and whether or not it is possible to set safe levels for substances. This opinion can be used by applicants when preparing their dossiers for evaluation and will also support the work of risk assessors and risk managers. Three key issues addressed by the opinion are: 1) the use of the “unscheduled DNA synthesis” test in relation to future assessments and re-assessments; 2) assessing bone marrow exposure in in vivo genotoxicity testing; and 3) whether or not data allow setting of safe levels. Source: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/
Soil scientists at the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) have been gathering and analyzing soil samples from across Europe. Once the physicochemical soil properties have been analyzed, the JRC will be able to carry out assessments of how the impacts of EU and national land-based policies (such as the Common Agricultural Policy) are manifested through changes in soil characteristics over time. This assessment includes things like the physical and chemical properties of the soil, biodiversity, density, structure, and pollutants present. The soil sampling is done within the framework of a European-wide survey entitled LUCAS (Land Use/Land Cover Area Frame Survey), which is coordinated by the EU Statistical Office, EUROSTAT, and aims to assess changes in land cover and land use across the EU every three years. Source: https://ec.europa.eu/
Earlier in December, the European Commission proposed to ban seven new psychoactive substances (NPS) across the European Union, in addition to nine others banned previously during 2017. The seven new psychoactive substances, including those commonly known as “spice”, “herbal incense” and “legal weed”, belong to two categories: four of them are synthetic cannabinoids, with effects similar to cannabis but much more toxic, while the other three substances are synthetic opioids closely related to fentanyl, a substance controlled at international level. According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), these toxic substances are associated with over 170 deaths across the EU and a number of acute intoxications. Currently, these seven new psychoactive substances are not covered by international drugs controls and remain a serious challenge to European public health, especially for young people. Chemistry plays a crucial role in tracing and analysing these substances. Moreover, the ethical side of using chemistry to manufacture illegal substances will be one of the topics of the upcoming EuCheMS Course on Ethics. Source: http://europa.eu/
InRoad Project has recently organised a workshop in Brussels to discuss pressing issues surrounding EU research infrastructures and to look into after 2020. This project seeks to contribute to a better harmonisation and synchronisation of priority-setting, funding and lifecycle management of Research Infrastructures through the exchange of best practices among the main stakeholders of EU Member States, Associated Countries and also at European level. Additionally, the regional dimension will be considered by integrating Smart Specialisation Strategies in the work conducted. The next InRoad workshop will take place in March, in Sofia, Bulgaria. Source: http://inroad.eu/
The European Environmental Agency (EEA) has recently published the report ‘Renewable energy in Europe — 2017 update, where it provides an overview of progress in renewable energy in Europe, based on official statistics until 2015 and preliminary estimates for 2016. According to this report, the transition to renewable energy continues in the European Union (EU) but has lost some pace in the past two years. According to new European Environment Agency (EEA) estimates, renewables accounted for 86 % of the EU’s new capacity for electricity generation installed in 2016. Overall, EU Member States also continue to cut more capacity from conventional sources than they install. According to the report, coal was the fuel that was most substituted by renewables across Europe, accounting for roughly half of all avoided fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. EuCheMS is currently involved in the topic of renewable energy sources with its Solar-Driven Chemistry initiative. Source: https://www.eea.europa.eu/
Last month, the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU reached a provisional agreement with representatives of the European Parliament on all four legislative proposals of the waste package, also known as the circular economy package. The agreed waste legislative proposals establish binding waste reduction targets and updated rules to decrease waste generation, ensure a better control of waste management, encourage the reuse of products and improve recycling in all EU countries. After formal approval by the Council in the first quarter of 2018, the new legislation will be submitted to the European Parliament for a vote at first reading and to the Council for final adoption. Source: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/
The European Parliament, The European Council, and the European Commission have recently agreed on a Joint Declaration on the EU’s legislative priorities for 2018-19. In addition to prioritised legislation from the previous year, this declaration sets out 31 new legislative proposals tabled by the Commission which will be given priority treatment by the Parliament and Council for adoption or substantial progress by the time of the European Parliament elections in 2019. Chemistry relevant proposals include those related with the health of citizens, with a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens, as well as circular economy related legislation, with proposals for four new directives on waste. Circular Economy has also been high on EuCheMS agenda, with EuCheMS organising workshops on this topic and participating at EU Circular Economy Missions. Source: https://ec.europa.eu/
The Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU is taking place from January until June 2018 under the motto “united we stay strong”. According to its programme, the Presidency will look into the need of providing adequate infrastructure for education, training, and research and maintain its current level of funding. In the light of the discussions regarding the post Horizon 2020 Programme, the Presidency will organize a European conference “Food 2030” to provide a platform for discussion of the role of science and innovation for the future of food, healthy eating and the use of future food resources. The programme also highlights the mid-term evaluation of the Erasmus+ Programme and the political discussion on its post-2020 future. In terms of environmental policy, the Presidency will focus on the circular economy package, on eco-innovation, and on the improvement of air quality, among others. The Bulgarian Presidency will also prioritize the EU relation with the Western Balkans and the support of EU accession-related reforms in this region namely in the fields of education and research. Source: https://eu2018bg.bg/
The ERC has announced on 28 November the awarding of the Consolidator Grants that go to 329 top researchers across Europe. The funding, part of the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme, is worth in total €630 million and will give them a chance to have far-reaching impact on science and beyond. The grantees will carry out their projects at universities and research centres in 22 different countries across Europe. The ERC has evaluated 2,538 research proposals this time, out of which 13% will be funded.
A new study from the European Commission analyses how quality assurance, school management, admission and other management policies and practices impact on the quality, inclusiveness and efficiency of school education. The study consolidates existing knowledge across Europe and beyond and presents new evidence on the impact of different governance and management policies and practices in the current context of increased decentralisation and school autonomy. Among others, the study shows that continuing professional development of school leaders, teachers and other staff which is needs-based, collaborative, links practice with theory, is supported by external expertise and sustained over time has a positive impact on quality. Source: https://ec.europa.eu/
The European Commission has recently published a report on achievements of the Erasmus+ programme in 2016. With a 7.5% increase in the Erasmus+ budget compared to the previous year, the EU invested €2.27 billion to support 725,000 Europeans with mobility grants to study, train, teach, work or volunteer abroad. This brings the total to more than 2 million participants since 2014. In 2016, 21,000 projects received funding involving 79,000 education, training and youth organisations – 15% more projects than in 2015.
The current Erasmus+ programme, running from 2014 to 2020, has a budget of €14.7 billion and will provide opportunities for 3.7% of young people in the EU to study, train, gain work experience and volunteer abroad.
Source: http://europa.eu/
The celebrations for the 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage have been officially launched earlier this month. The purpose of the European Year of Cultural Heritage is to raise awareness of the social and economic importance of cultural heritage. Thousands of initiatives and events across Europe will provide the possibility to involve citizens from all backgrounds. The aim is to reach out to the widest possible audience, in particular children and young people, local communities and people who are rarely in touch with culture, to promote a common sense of ownership. Projects and initiatives implemented in EU Member States, municipalities and regions will be complemented by transnational projects funded by the EU. Conscious about the importance of chemistry to the European cultural heritage, 2018 will also mark the starting of the EuCheMS Historical Landmarks award, whose call nominations is now online. Source: http://europa.eu/
New emissions and efficiency standards will help national authorities to lower the environmental impact of the 3,200 installations that produce Large Volume Organic Chemicals (LVOC) and represent 63% of the EU’s entire chemical industry. The new specifications were set taking into consideration the Best Available Techniques whose conclusions were published in the European Union Official Journal earlier in December. LVOC have a major role in everyday life as these installations convert refinery products and other raw materials into large-quantity chemical intermediates that are needed to produce rubber, PVC and other plastics as well as organic fine chemicals such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals and paints. Source: https://ec.europa.eu/
A new European Air Quality Index was launched in November by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Commission, allowing users to check the current air quality across Europe’s cities and regions. The Index is accompanied by new country fact sheets that provide updated air quality information for EEA member countries. The Index consists of an interactive map that shows the local air quality situation at station level, based on five key pollutants that harm people’s health and the environment: particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ground-level ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). Source: https://www.eea.europa.eu/
A resolution tabled by the Public Health and Food Safety Committee of the European Parliament opposing the authorisation of phosphate additives in kebab meat failed to win an absolute majority of 376 Members of European Parliament. The European Commission can therefore now proceed to allow the use of phosphoric acid, di-, tri- phosphates and polyphosphates (E338-452) in kebab meat – be it mutton, lamb, veal, beef or poultry. According to the European Commission, the use of phosphates is required for a partial extraction and breakdown of meat proteins to form a protein film on vertical meat spits to bond meat pieces together in order to ensure homogenous freezing and roasting. Source: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/
Last month, the European Parliament Office in the UK organised an event aimed at analysing the implications of Brexit for the UK science and research sector. As highlighted during this event, a survey prior to the referendum shows that 93% of members of the science community expressed their support for the EU. Julie Girling, Member of the European Parliament, talked of the role of the European Parliament in the Art. 50 procedure and on how the UK government plan for the science sector is full of good intentions but lacks details. The science community has always been one of the most supportive of the EU, and European chemists have recently expressed the need to continue UK-EU collaboration after Brexit in a EuCheMS position paper. Source: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/
After a long debate and several setbacks glyphosate license in the EU was renewed for a period of five years. On 27 November 2017, a positive opinion was reached with 18 Member States voting in favour of the renewal, 9 against and 1 abstaining.
On the same topic and responding to the European Citizens’ Initiative “Ban Glyphosate”, the Commission published a communication in December. In this communication the Commission states that a ban depends on Member States, not on the Commission, and announced a legislative proposal for spring 2018 to enhance the transparency, quality and independence of scientific assessments of substances, such as public access to raw data. The Commission also announced future amendments to the legislation to strengthen the governance of the conduct of relevant studies, which could include for example the involvement of public authorities in the process of deciding which studies need to be conducted for a specific case. To know more about this topic, please consult the outcomes of this EuCheMS-Pavel Poc European Parliament workshop as well as this Chemistry in Europe article. Source: https://www.theguardian.com/ ; http://europa.eu/
For the third time, Members of the European Parliament, policy-makers from EU institutions, Member States, national parliaments and regional authorities meet scientists and representatives of the academia, research institutes and universities at the annual “Science meets Parliaments” gathering. This year’s edition focuses on the role of science in a post-fact society. The event, organized jointly by the Joint Research Centre with the European Parliament’s Science and Technology Options Assessment (STOA) panel, promotes the culture of evidence-informed policy-making on the EU, national and regional level. Science Meets Parliaments also launched the 2017´s Member of the European Parliament (MEP)-Scientists Pairing Scheme. This scheme consists of bilateral meetings between MEPs and scientists and participation of scientists in Parliament Committees. This project familiarises MEPs with the latest scientific developments in their field of interest and allows scientists to experience the complexity of political decision-making. This year, Member of the EuCheMS Executive Board Pavel Drašar used this opportunity to meet with his 2016 paired MEP, Pavel Poc. Source: https://ec.europa.eu/
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the United Nations in September 2015, have given a new impetus to global efforts for achieving sustainable development. In this context, Eurostat has published a monitoring report of the progress towards the SDGs in an EU context. This report provides a first statistical overview of trends relating to the SDGs in the EU. As a topic transversal to society, chemistry is a contributor to many SDGs such as clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; industry, innovation and infrastructure; responsible consumption and productions; or climate action. Among other findings, the report shows significant progress over the past five years in affordable and clean energy and in responsible consumption and production. Source: http://ec.europa.eu/
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