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.
EFSA publishes dietary reference values (DRVs) for sodium and chloride after a ten year project
The European Food Safety Agency’s (EFSA) publication of dietary reference values (DRVs) for sodium and chloride marks the end of ten years of work by nutrition scientists. The work, begun in 2009 aimed to update values for macronutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals that were last set in the 1990s. Read EFSA’s article including interviews with some of its scientists on what this feat means, and its expected effects both on diets, health and policy work.
Latest ECHA Committee for Risk Assessment meeting sees heated discussion on definition of microplastics
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.
ITRE study ‘Global Centre for Excellent Research’
A report titled ‘Europe – the global centre for excellent research’, requested by the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy was recently published. The report analyses the EU’s potential role as a global centre of excellence for research and as a key player in a future of complex global interactions and competition. The EU’s longstanding position as a world-leader in research is becoming increasingly tested by the likes of China and India whose science and technology structures continue to benefit from growing investment. The report concludes that the EU, in order to be a global centre for excellent research, would need to invest into its framework programmes, support further integration of national excellent research poles, as well as open up projects to foreign talent and build a strong and active partnership across the world. You can read the full report here.
EU celebrates research and innovation
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.
Hearing of Mariya Gabriel takes place at the European Parliament
On 30 September, Mariya Gabriel, who has been put forward by the European Commission President-Elect Ursula von der Leyen as Commissioner for ‘Innovation and Youth’ faced the hearing by the European Parliament Committees for Culture and Education and Industry, Research and Energy.
The two committees referred to the lack of reference to research, science, education and culture in the name of the Commissioner’s proposed title. EuChemS has equally stressed that this sends a negative message to scientists, researchers, policymakers and to the public, and that the Commissioner’s portfolio title should include the words ‘research’ and ‘education’. You can read our open letter to Dr von der Leyen here.
The committees moreover underlined the need to encourage and prepare for an ambitious budget for Horizon Europe and of including the active involvement of the Parliament in its implementation. Mariya Gabriel explained her vision of increasing synergies between programmes, and has stated her wish to tackle the gap in research performance and opportunities between eastern and western European countries.
EuChemS’ video game ‘Elemental Escapades!’ is released in 11 languages
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.
EuChemS annual meetings take place in Bucharest
The annual gathering of the EuChemS community sees several meetings taking place: its General Assembly, Executive Board meeting and Professional Networks meetings. This year’s meetings were held in Bucharest at the Politehnica University of Bucharest, Romania at the beginning of October. The meetings saw wide ranging discussions, developments, decisions and elections. In the first instance, Floris Rutjes from the Royal Netherlands Chemical Society (KNCV) was elected as EuChemS President-Elect. Eckart Rühl, of the German Bunsen Society for Physical Chemistry was re-elected as EuChemS Treasurer. Two new members of the Executive Board were also elected: Ioannis Katsoyiannis (Association of Greek Chemists) and Rinaldo Poli (French Chemical Society). The new roles will officially begin in January 2020.
The General Assembly also voted in favour of two new Supporting Members: the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3), and ChemPubSoc Europe.
Find out more about the various discussion topics here. Speakers’ presentations can be found here.
EuChemS was most pleased to welcome Bonnie Charpentier, President of the American Chemical Society (ACS) to the open session of the General Assembly, where, together with Pilar Goya, EuChemS President, a ‘Chemisty Enterprise Partnership’ was signed. More information here.
EuChemS warmly thanks the Romanian Chemical Society for hosting and welcoming all the participants.
EuChemS General Assembly 2019
The upcoming EuChemS General Assembly and its Professional Networks meetings will be held in Bucharest, Romania in the first week of October where it will be hosted by the Romanian Chemical Society. The meetings will enable the EuChemS’ member societies from discussing future activities and initiatives, as well as the many IYPT activities and events of the year. The meetings will as always allow representatives to share ideas and of strengthening links across borders.
2nd European Education Summit
2nd European Education Summit
26 September 2019
Brussels, Belgium
Website: https://bit.ly/2K3QPNA
European Research and Innovation Days
European Research and Innovation Days
24 – 26 September 2019
Brussels, Belgium
Website: https://bit.ly/2uNYJBS
Sustainable Policy for Critical Raw Materials
Sustainable Policy for Critical Raw Materials
25 September 2019
Brussels, Belgium
Website: https://bit.ly/2kgMeNK
Avogadro Colloquia 2019 (AC 2019)
Avogadro Colloquia 2019 (AC 2019)
17 – 18 December 2019
Rome, Italy
Website: https://bit.ly/2k90TKG
3rd International Caparica Christmas Conference on Translational Chemistry
3rd International Caparica Christmas Conference on Translational Chemistry
2 – 5 December 2019
Caparica, Portugal
Website: https://bit.ly/2lKzgIw
15th International Conference on Polysaccharides-Glycoscience (15th ICPG)
15th International Conference on Polysaccharides-Glycoscience (15th ICPG)
13 – 15 November 2019
Prague, Czechia
Website: https://bit.ly/2meEo7Z
6th MS Food Day Conference
6th MS Food Day Conference
25 – 27 September 2019
Camerino, Italy
Website: https://bit.ly/2MsrM8T
4th EuChemS Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry (EUGSC-4)
4th EuChemS Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry (EUGSC-4)
22 – 25 September 2019
Tarragona, Spain
Website: https://bit.ly/31FLLES
13th Students‘ Congress of SCTM
13th Students‘ Congress of SCTM
19 – 21 September 2019
Skopje, North Macedonia
Website: https://bit.ly/33M6x7M
Just 2 weeks left to submit a nomination for the European Gold Medal Award
There are now just two weeks left to submit your nomination for the next Gold Medal awardee. Submissions can be made here.
EuChemS opens calls for three of its awards
The call for submissions for three major EuChemS awards were opened on 1st September.
First off, the EuChemS Historical Landmarks Award, which aims to celebrate the important link between history, cultural heritage and chemistry, is open to submission until 31 December 2019. The Award was first run last year with two awardees being selected: the Ytterby Mine in Sweden, and the industrial soap-making complex of ABEA on the island of Crete in Greece. Find out more about the award and enter your submission here.
Each year, EuChemS celebrates the major achievements of a junior scientist working in chemistry. The winner, awarded a statuette, is also invited to give a lecture at the next European Chemistry Congress or the major conference of a EuChemS Professional Network. Everything you need to know about the award and how to submit available here. Deadline: 31 December 2019.
EuChemS also aims to acknowledge the outstanding commitment of an individual to fostering chemistry and molecular sciences in Europe, as well as to the goals of EuChemS. If you know somebody who has made a difference for Chemistry in Europe and for EuChemS’ image and activities, submit your nomination here. Deadline: 31 December 2019.
European Partnership for clean hydrogen (Horizon Europe programme)
European Partnership for clean hydrogen (Horizon Europe programme)
The European Commission has launched an initiative which aims to help create a clean hydrogen sector in Europe that is strong, innovative and competitive and fully capable of supporting and enabling the energy transition outlined in the Commission’s Communication ‘A Clean Planet for All’.
If you would like to contribute to an EuChemS response, please drop us a line.
Deadline for feedback: 6 November 2019
Horizon Europe Co-design 2021-2024
Horizon Europe Co-design 2021-2024
EuChemS has already submitted its response, but you can also respond in a personal capacity to the European Commission’s consultation on the priorities of Horizon Europe. Deadline: end of September.
Website: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/HorizonEurope_Codesign_2021-2024
European Chemicals Agency warns of no-deal Brexit effects on downstream users
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is urging companies to seriously prepare for a no-deal Brexit scenario, due to take place on 31 October 2019. The warning encourages downstream users especially, who may rely on supply chains originating from a UK-based REACH registration to prepare for the eventuality of a no deal, which would make the UK a ‘’third country’’ and registrations by UK manufacturers and importers in some cases become void. More information about the possible disruptions to supply chains and registered substances is available here.
The European Food Safety Agency publishes latest report on pesticide residues in food
The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has published its annual report on pesticide residues in food. The study, which analysed some 88,000 samples in Europe found that 96% of food samples were found to be free of pesticide residues or to contain traces that fall within legally allowed levels. Two fun infographics have been prepared where you can check the results per food or per country. For the longer read, click here.
Study reveals that collaborative dynamics for research networks are on the rise between EU countries
A study in the Journal of European Planning Studies has shed light on the growing integration between EU countries on research networks. The study analysed the first four years of Horizon 2020 as well as its two predecessor programmes, the Sixth and Seventh Framework Programme. The findings suggest that EU-15 (older EU members) and EU-13 (newer EU members) have increased collaboration, with specific organisations fulfilling a ‘bridging function’. Nevertheless, EU-13 countries continue to be much more engaged in research activities within the programmes that are considered less complex. The study will likely boost views that the future framework programme Horizon Europe should play a greater role in encouraging cross-border collaboration and in bridging the innovation and research gap between EU member states. You can access the study online here.