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Dear readers, Welcome to the March 2022 issue of the Brussels News Updates (BNU)! This EuChemS monthly newsletter is intended for chemists, policy makers, entrepreneurs and citizens in Europe and beyond who are interested in what’s happening in the world of chemistry. We aim to keep our readers up to date on the latest chemistry and science-policy related news, such as awards, consultations, and various events.
What to expect in this issue:
European Highlights
- A step forward for the establishment of a Global agreement on plastics after EU at UN Environment Assembly
- New sustainable regulatory framework for batteries in the EU
- The EU exceeded its targets to cut greenhouse emissions
- Stricter EU rules on hazardous substances exposure in the workplace
- PFAS compounds in firefighting foams to be banned throughout the EU
- Christian Ehler is the new STOA chair
- Veterinary medical residues in food continue to fall
What's new at EuChemS
- EuChemS Statement on the invasion of Ukraine
- GWB events, a success story: 130+ participants to the EuChemS webinar on Women in Science
- EuChemS supports an open and inclusive European Research Area
Consultations and Roadmaps
- European Commission Public Consultations and Roadmaps
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) public consultations
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) public consultations
Calls for Funding and Awards
- Calls open for EuChemS awards and calls for nominations, MSCA, ERC, Horizon Europe, Erasmus+
EuChemS Events
- The Nitrogen Element – Sustainable food production?
- 10th International Conference on Mechanochemistry and Mechanical Alloying
- 8th European Chemistry Congress (ECC8)
Other Events
- Digital Education Stakeholder Forum
- Science advice under pressure
You are invited to share this newsletter with your network as you see fit! Is there anything that you would like to read about in the next issue of the BNU? Let us know!
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A step forward at UN Environment Assembly towards reducing global pollution The fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) took place from 28 February to 2 March in Nairobi, Kenya. The theme for UNEA’s 5th session was “Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals” and highlighted the crucial role of nature in our lives, addressing the need of protecting and restoring nature, and proposing nature-based solutions to achieve the sustainable development goals in its three complementary dimensions - social, economic, and environmental. Read more about it here.
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New sustainable regulatory framework for batteries in the EU The European Union is working on an updated regulatory framework for batteries. The directive focuses on circular economy – the repurposing, remanufacturing, or recycling of batteries at the end of their life cycles – as well as on a more effective way of categorising and labelling them. Read our full debrief here.
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The EU exceeded its targets to cut greenhouse emissions The European Union has exceeded the objectives set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. The initial aim by 2020 was to reduce emissions by 20% compared to 1990 – this was exceeded by 11%, as estimated data shows that emissions were 31% lower in 2020. While this is certainly good news, longer term predictions are still not wholly optimistic. Read the full article here.
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Stricter EU rules on hazardous substances exposure in the workplace The European Parliament has published the new legislative resolution for the protection of workers from the exposure to carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxins. This updated law entails a significant strengthening for workers’ protection against hazardous substances in the workplace, setting EU-wide occupational exposure limits. Read more about it here.
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PFAS compounds in firefighting foams to be banned throughout the EU In order to prevent further groundwater and soil contamination and health risks for people, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has proposed an EU-wide restriction on all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in firefighting foams. At the request of the European Commission, ECHA investigated the environmental and health risks posed by the use of PFASs in firefighting foams, and after the enquiry, they concluded that an EU-wide restriction is justified as the PFASs risks are currently not adequately controlled and releases should be minimised. Learn more about it here.
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Christian Ehler is the new STOA chair MEP Christian Ehler is the new chair of European Parliament’s Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA), following Eva Kaili. The STOA panel, which he will chair, is tasked with aiding policymaking by independently assessing new technologies. The European Chemical Society (EuChemS) collaborated with STOA on multiple occasions.
Read more about it here.
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Veterinary medical residues in food continue to fall The latest data of the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) shows that in 2020, only 0.19% of the food samples contained residues from veterinary drugs that exceed the legally permitted maximum levels. This is an improvement over 2019’s 0.30% compliancy rate, and the lowest figure of the past 11 years. Learn more about it here.
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EuChemS releases a statement on the invasion of Ukraine
On 24 March, Russia declared war on Ukraine. The effects of the invasion were felt in many areas – and the scientific community is no exception.
The Executive Board of the European Chemical Society has released a statement condemning the invasion of Ukraine and expressing solidarity with Ukrainians. As an international society, EuChemS firmly believes in peaceful, global scientific cooperation, and calls upon leaders of Europe and the world to halt violence.
Read more here.
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GWB events, a success story: 130+ participants to the EuChemS webinar on Women in Science The Global Women’s Breakfast (GWB) is an initiative launched in 2019 by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). The aim is to invite science organisations worldwide to set up breakfasts in celebration of the accomplishments of women in science and to inspire younger generations to pursue STEM careers. The first event of the year for the European Chemical Society (EuChemS) has been its Global Women’s Breakfast, on Wednesday 16 February 2022. This interactive webinar, which was chaired and moderated by Pilar Goya, EuChemS Vice-President, was yet another success: more than 130 participants from 27 different countries joined to network and debate on the topics addressed during this event. Read more about it here.
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EuChemS supports an open and inclusive European Research Area The European Chemical Society (EuChemS) signed the online campaign Stick to Science. This initiative, supported by so far more than 4,000 signatories – including scientific organisations, is a call for a barrier-free collaboration in Europe among researchers. Read more about it here.
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European Commission Public Consultations and Roadmaps A number of consultations and roadmaps put forward by the European Commission are currently open: ________________________________
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) public consultations
A number of consultations put forward by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) are currently open. ___________________________________
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) public consultations
A number of consultations put forward by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) are currently open: |
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EUCHEMS EVENTS CALENDAR
In the current environment and status of COVID-19, some events are being postponed or cancelled. For more details on the upcoming events from the EuChemS Events Calendar, which is being updated on a regular basis, please click here. |
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The Nitrogen Element - Sustainable food production?
26 April 2022
Online
Registration link:
https://bit.ly/3I2CLOU
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10th International Conference on Mechanochemistry and Mechanical Alloying 6 – 10 June 2022
Hybrid: online / Cagliari, Italy
Website:
https://bit.ly/3tXg0Xw
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OTHER EVENTS
Digital Education Stakeholder Forum
Organised by European Commission, Education Area
22 March 2022
Online
Website: https://bit.ly/36aHLnj
Science advice under pressure
Organised by the European Commission’s Scientific Advice Mechanism
27 – 28 April 2022
Online
Website: https://bit.ly/3tRYaFr
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You have received this email because you have subscribed to EuChemS Newsletters as . If you no longer wish to receive emails please unsubscribe You have the right to access, modify or remove any personal data at any time. For more details, please refer to our privacy policy: http://www.euchems.eu/about-us/privacy-statement/. EuChemS aisbl - Rue du Trône 62, 1050, Brussels, Belgium; www.euchems.eu. Produced for EuChemS by Nineta Hrastelj, Laura Jousset, Marton Kottmayer, Anna Robinson and Julieta Cavaglia. This newsletter has been carefully prepared and only contains correct information to the best of EuChemS´ knowledge, however this does not exclude the possibility of existence of incorrect information. EuChemS cannot be liable for the use or misuse of any information, whether correct or incorrect, present at this newsletter. Intellectual property belongs to its rightful owners, always explicitly traceable on each article. Compilation Copyright © 2022 EuChemS
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