Deadline: 6 February 2018
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/
New Anti-Infective Agents for Prevention And/or Treatment of Neglected Infectious Diseases
Deadline: 6 February 2018
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/
EIC Horizon Prize for Artificial Photosynthesis
Deadline: 3 February 2021
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/
Innovative and Affordable Solutions for the Preventive Conservation of Cultural Heritage
Deadline: 23 January 2018
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/
Nanoinformatics: From Materials Models to Predictive Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
Deadline: 23 January 2018
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/
Open Innovation Test Beds for Lightweight, Nano-Enabled Multifunctional Composite Materials and Components
Deadline: 23 January 2018
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/
Public Consultation on The Initiative to Limit Industrial Trans Fats Intakes in the EU
The European Commission is 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 present public consultation integrates the targeted consultations with interested stakeholders and national competent authorities already carried out by the Commission and an external contractor which supports the Commission’s work on trans fats. This public consultation is aimed at giving an additional possibility to all stakeholders and individual citizens with a possible interest in trans fats to provide their views on key elements of the Impact Assessment.
Deadline: 9 February 2019
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/
Public Consultation on Pharmaceuticals in the Environment
The consultation seeks views on possible actions to address the risks from pharmaceuticals in the environment and to obtain views and information to support the development of the Commission’s strategic approach to pharmaceuticals in the environment. At EU level, the issue of pharmaceuticals in the environment is only partially addressed in legislation and policy. Practices are further influenced by many other factors, which could be acted upon to leverage more sustainable and prudent management and use of pharmaceuticals, in line with the circular economy.
Deadline: 21 February 2018
Website: https://ec.europa.eu/
Public Consultation on Revision of the EU Regulation on Explosives Precursors
The aim of the public consultation is to gather the views and concerns of all interested citizens, authorities and organisation regarding the EU restrictions and controls limiting the availability of and access to substances which can be used for making home-made explosives. Your input will help the Commission to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the EU policy framework in this area, enhancing protection of EU citizens and security in the EU.
Deadline: 14 February 2018
Website: https://ec.europa.eu/
Evaluation of The Legislation on Medicines for Children and Rare Diseases
The EU Regulation on medicines for rare diseases (‘orphan medicines’) and the Paediatric Medicines Regulation especially for children are intertwined and partly complementary as they both intend to redirect investment in previously neglected therapeutic areas through a scheme of incentives, rewards and obligations. The scope of this evaluation will be focused on the output and results of the two regulations: in what respect have patients’ needs been fulfilled, what have been the societal consequences and what has been the synergy between the two. It will also focus on the cost-effectiveness when providing the incentives and rewards incorporated in the legislation and how they have been used in practice; it will make a cost-benefit analysis, both from a general point of view and per group (patients, industry, payers etc).
Deadline: 8 January 2018
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/
Evaluation of Food Contact Materials
Food contact materials (FCMs) are all materials that come into contact with food including packaging as well as every-day items such as kitchen and tableware and those used in professional food manufacturing, preparation, storage and distribution. Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 (the FCM Regulation) provides that these materials shall not transfer their components into food in quantities that could endanger human health or change the composition, or organoleptic properties of the food. The purpose of this evaluation is to assess whether the current EU legislative framework for FCMs is fit for purpose and delivers as expected.
deadline: 26 December 2017
Website: https://ec.europa.eu/
Commission Publishes Study on The Impacts of REACH Authorisation
The study on the impacts of REACH (registration evaluation authorisation and restriction of chemicals) authorisation indicates that the system is achieving its objectives. The authorisation system is progressively promoting substitution of substances of very high concern (SVHCs) by available alternatives and reducing risks associated with the use of SVHCs.
Source: http://ec.europa.eu/
Patents, trade and foreign direct investment in the European Union
The European Patent Office (EPO) has published a study addressing the role played by Europe’s patent system in promoting technology transfer in the European Single Market. It shows that the fragmented nature of the system imposes limitations on trade and foreign direct investment (FDI), preventing the realisation of the economic benefits which could be expected from a more harmonised system, i.e. unitary patent. Among other, the study highlights that compared with other industries, IP-intensive industries such as analytical instruments, biopharmaceuticals, chemicals, ICT, medical devices and production technologies make a greater contribution to outgoing than to incoming or intra-EU trade and FDI flows.
Source: http://www.epo.org/
2017 Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard
The European Commission has recently published the 2017 Industrial Research and Development (R&D) Investment Scoreboard. One of the main findings shown in this scoreboard is that European Union companies have significantly increased their investments in R&D, rising above the world’s average growth rate. While the world’s top 2500 companies in terms of investment into R&D increased this investment by 5.8% over 2016, companies with headquarters in the EU did so by 7%, with growth driven mainly by the information and communications technology, health and automotive sectors. The analysis also shows that the EU has the most productive companies in Chemicals (in terms of sales/employee) but that the R&D investment has decreased in this essential sector by -0.8%.
Source: http://iri.jrc.ec.europa.eu/
ERC Consolidator Grants: €630 Million from the EU to 329 Top Researchers
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.
Source: https://erc.europa.eu/
Study on Governance and Management Policies in School Education Systems
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/
Erasmus+ in 2016
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 European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018 Takes Off
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 EU Environmental Standards for the Industrial Production of Large Volume Organic Chemicals
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/
How Clean is The Air You’re Breathing Right Now?
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/
Phosphate Additives in Kebab Meat: Commission Proposal Not Vetoed by Parliament
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/
Brexit and the European Parliament: What Does it Mean for Science and Research?
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/
Glyphosate: Five Year Renewal and Reply to European Citizens’ Initiative
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/
Science meets Parliaments
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/
How Has the EU Progressed Towards the Sustainable Development Goals?
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/