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General European Highlights


Priorities for the Dutch Presidency of Council
The Netherlands, which will be holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first semester of 2016, is giving a central place to science within their Presidency priorities, namely within the priorities “Europe as an innovator and job creator”, and “Forward-looking policy on climate and energy”. The Dutch Presidency will also look into how the impact of investment on science and society can be magnified by improving the dissemination of and access to scientific knowledge (i.e. by practising open science and promoting open access), making the results of publicly funded research publicly available. A conference on this topic will take place in April in Amsterdam.
 Source: http://english.eu2016.nl/
 
Dutch Presidency Discussed in the European Parliament
The European Parliament´s Committees discussed the priorities of the Dutch Presidency of the Council of the EU earlier this month.
At the Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE), the Dutch state secretary for education, culture and science, Sander Dekker, said the Dutch Presidency would encourage member states to invest more in research and innovation, through a smart regulatory framework, made attractive to researchers with an "open science with open access" approach.
While welcoming this agenda, MEPs highlighted the need for adequate funding for European research and competitiveness-boosting programmes.
Source: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/
 
National Emissions of Air Pollutants: Council Agrees Its Position on New Limits
On 16 December 2015 the Council agreed on a general approach for the proposed Directive to reduce national emissions of certain pollutants (the so called new NEC Directive). This agreement, reached during the Environment Council meeting, will serve as a basis for negotiations with the European Parliament on this file.
This legislative proposal reviews the annual caps per country for emissions of certain air pollutants, introducing new reduction commitments from 2020 to 2029 and from 2030 onwards. The aim is to further address the health risks and environmental impacts posed by air pollution, as well as to align EU law with international commitments (following the revision of the Gothenburg Protocol in 2012).
Source: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/
 
What´s Next for Standards
Recently, the European Commission adopted the 2016 Annual Union Work Programme (AUWP) for European standardisation. The AUWP identifies the main objectives of European standardisation in relation to the Commission priority to create new jobs and boost growth in the EU. The programme a) sets out the objectives for the international dimension of European standardisation in support of EU legislation and policies; b) Indicates the European standards the Commission will request from the European standardisation organisations (CEN, CENELEC, ETSI) and defines the specific objectives and policies these standards support; c) Proposes actions for greater involvement of all stakeholders in the standardisation process (industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, consumers, environmental organisations and trade unions); and d) Emphasises the need to better link research and innovation activities with standardisation. This should enable a timely start of standardisation activities and contribute to improving the competitiveness of European businesses, including SMEs.
Source: http://ec.europa.eu/growth/

New ERC Vice-President
After being elected in December last year, Professor Klaus Bock, a chemist, started his term as a Vice-President of the European Research Council (ERC) on the 1 January 2016. As one the three Vice-Presidents, Prof. Bock is in charge of the domain Physical Sciences and Engineering and is a member of the ERC Board. Klaus Bock, who holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Technical University of Denmark, is a member of the ERC Scientific Council since February 2013.
Source: https://erc.europa.eu/

The European Union Leading in Renewables
The European Commission has recently published a brochure making the case for the use of renewable energies. Among other points, this brochure mentions that through the identification of strategic priorities and specific actions, supported by collaboration between research institutes, academia and industry, it has been possible to leverage public research funding to deliver dramatic results: in one year, the total investment in Europe for research and innovation in four renewable energy technologies was around 3.8 billion euro. The EU contribution stimulated 1 billion euro from national budgets and 2.6 billion euro from corporate funding. Moreover, European companies hold today 40% of all patents for renewable technologies and are leading in key sectors.
Source: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/
 
Innovative Communication for Innovative Science
Two innovative projects to promote the results of ERC - funded research have just been launched.
ERC=Science² is a pan - European communications campaign focusing on popular scientific themes that It will highlight outstanding ERC projects and researchers through a set of innovative channels and materials. ERCcOMICS will bring together comics artists and ERC grantees to produce webcomics illustrating key scientific achievements. The comics will be paired with interviews with ERC grantees, documentaries on their projects and interactive content. Science exhibitions and comics festivals, as well as public talk sketching and contests for students will be used as platforms to popularise ERC-funded research.
Source: https://erc.europa.eu/
 
Inspiring Young Scientific Minds
A website to assist science teaching through inquiry has been developed in order to instil a deeper understanding and appreciation sciences.
The portal has been developed through the EU-funded Strategies for Assessment of Inquiry Learning in Science (SAILS) project, which has sought to support secondary level teachers in adopting inquiry-based science education.
These resources and materials are now freely available to science teachers interested in building their competence in assessing inquiry skills in the classroom.
Source: http://cordis.europa.eu/news/
 
From Brain Drain to Brain Gain
There is a long history of emigration from Southeast European countries, resulting in large communities residing abroad that are usually referred to as SEE diaspora. Regarding scientific diaspora and brain drain, the governments in the region - being aware of related challenges for the overall economies – have recently undertaken a number of initiatives to address the issue. These include several measures, from creation of directory databases, “knowledge networks,” and discussion forums to the provision of visiting and post-doctorate fellowships. Several concrete examples of these policies can be read in the link bellow.
Source: https://wbc-rti.info/in_focus

 

Funding Updates and Awards

EU Sustainable Energy Award
Are you promoting energy efficiency or renewable energy? Apply now for an EU Sustainable Energy Award. Awards are available for one or more of these categories: consumers, public sector, businesses and the Citizens’ Award.
Deadline: 22 February 2016
Website: http://www.eusew.eu/

Emerging Technologies Competition
The Emerging Technologies Competition is the Royal Society of Chemistry’s annual innovation initiative, turning promising ideas into commercial reality. Now in its fourth year, the competition brings cutting edge science to the real world for the benefit of society.
Deadline: 14 March 2016
Website: http://www.rsc.org/competitions/

Pathways Towards the Decarbonisation and Resilience of the European Economy in the Timeframe 2030-2050 and Beyond
Deadline: 8 March 2016
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/research/

Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue Platform to Promote Innovation with Nature to Address Societal Challenges
Deadline: 8 March 2016
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/research/
 
New solutions for Sustainable Production of Raw Materials
Deadline: 8 March 2016
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/research/
 
Raw Materials Innovation Actions
Deadline: 8 March 2016
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/research/
 
Raw Materials International Co-operation
Deadline: 8 March 2016
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/research/
 
ERA-NET Cofund on Raw Materials
Deadline: 8 March 2016
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/research/
 
IMI 2 - Call 7
Deadline: 18 March 2016
Website: http://www.imi.europa.eu/

Consultations and Roadmaps

Preparation of a New Renewable Energy Directive for the Period After 2020
The objective of this survey is to consult stakeholders and citizens on the new renewable energy directive (REDII) for the period 2020-2030, foreseen before the end of 2016. The bioenergy sustainability policy, which will form part as well of the new renewable energy package, will be covered by a separate public consultation.
Deadline: 10 February 2016
Website: https://ec.europa.eu/energy/

Inception Impact Assessment on the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA)
The proposal for PRIMA Joint Programme submitted in 2014 focuses on the development and application of innovative solutions for food systems and water resources in the Mediterranean basin. Two hundred million Euros have been committed for the initiative over a 10-year period starting in 2018.
Source: http://ec.europa.eu/

Public Consultation on the Mechanisms Developed by Companies to Secure Their Supply Chains and Thereby Protect Their Intellectual Property
The European Commission (DG GROW/Joint Research Centre) has decided to launch a public consultation on the mechanisms developed by companies to secure their supply chains and thereby protect their Intellectual Property (IP). This initiative is part of the Follow the Money strategy, which was announced in the European Single Market Strategy (adopted on 28 October 2015) in view of preventing IP infringing products and services from penetrating the on- and off-line markets.
The results of the consultation will allow for the mapping and the promotion of best practices as well as the elaboration of EU supply chain integrity scheme(s) composed inter alia of a "due diligence toolbox" for the attention of IP intensive companies.
Website:   https://ec.europa.eu/

Public Consultation on the Active Substance Propoxycarbazone-Sodium
The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has published a public consultation on the active substance propoxycarbazone-sodium.
Deadline: 14 February 2016
Website: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/

Business Updates

New Legislation Provides Clarification on REACH Joint Costs
The European Commission has adopted a new Implementing Regulation under REACH to clarify the provisions on data-sharing and joint submission of substance registrations, in the run-up to the 2018 deadline for registration of chemical substances.
Experience from the 2010 and 2013 registration rounds showed that clarification was necessary for all companies with REACH registration duties but in particular for SMEs. The new rules, applicable as of 26 January 2016, specify what is understood by "fair, transparent and non-discriminatory" with regard to data cost-sharing in the REACH Regulation. Where a data-sharing agreement already existed before the entering into force of the new rules, parties may waive certain obligations.
Source: http://ec.europa.eu/growth/
 
The Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern for Authorisation Now Contains 168 Substances
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has added five new substances of very high concern (SVHCs) to the Candidate List due to the carcinogenic, toxic to reproduction, persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic, and very persistent and very bioaccumulative properties of the substances. The Candidate List is a list of substances that may have serious effects on human health or the environment. The aim of publishing such a list is to inform the general public and industry that these substances are candidates for possible inclusion in the Authorisation List. Once they are on the Authorisation List, industry will need permission to continue using the substance after the sunset date. Together with the Member States and the European Commission, ECHA is focusing its efforts on the substances that matter most for human health and the environment. The SVHC Roadmap 2020 aims to have all relevant SVHCs on the Candidate List by 2020.
Source: http://echa.europa.eu/

Upcoming EuCheMS Recognised Events

10th European Winter School on Physical Organic Chemistry - e-WISPOC 2016
Bressanone, Italy
31 January - 5 February 2016
Website: www.chimica.unipd.it/wispoc/pubblica/

I Convegno del Grupo Interdivisionale di Chimica per le Energie Rinnovabili - ENERCHEM-1
Florence, Italy
18 – 20 February 2016
Website: http://www.enerchem-1.it/

13th Chemistry Conference for Young Scientists - ChemCYS 2016
Blankenberge, Belgium
16 – 18 March 2016
Website: http://www.chemcys.be/

Bruner Workshop 2016 - Fabrizio Bruner Memorial Workshop on Environmental LC-MS
Urbino, Italy
6 – 8 April 2016
Website: http://brunerworkshop2016.uniurb.it/

11th DA - 11th Delegates Assembly of EYCN
Guimarães, Portugal
26 – 30 April 2016
Website: http://11da.eventos.chemistry.pt/
 

1st European Young Chemists Meeting

Guimarães, Portugal,
26 – 29 April, 2016
http://5pychem.eventos.chemistry.pt

6th EuCheMS Chemistry Congress


Seville, Spain
11 - 15 September 2016
http://euchems-seville2016.eu/

Forthcoming Events

Better Research for Better Health
Brussels, Belgium
21 January 2016
Website: http://europa.eu/newsroom/

FET Open and FET Proactive Info Day
Brussels, Belgium
25 January 2016
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/research

Business Innovation Observatory conference: Disrupting the Future
Brussels, Belgium
25 – 26 January 2016
Website: http://europa.eu/newsroom/

Designing The Path: A Strategic Approach to EU Agricultural Research and Innovation
Brussels, Belgium
26 – 28 January 2016
Website: http://europa.eu/newsroom/

International Conference on Renewable Energy
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
3 - 6 February 2016,
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/research/

Destination Europe
Boston, USA
5 February 2016
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/research/

Antimicrobial Resistance Conference
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
9 – 10 February
Website: http://europa.eu/newsroom/

EIP Water Conference
Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
10 February 2016
Website: http://www.eip-water.eu/start-eipwater2016

February 2016 EuCheMS Newsletter

Some of the highlights are:
  • EuCheMS General Assembly
  • Interview with EUCYS EuCheMS Award
  • EuCheMS Executive Board: Meet the Members

 
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Produced for EuCheMS by Nineta Hrastelj Majcen.
The information given by EuCheMS in this EuCheMS Brussels News Update has been carefully formulated but is necessarily based on information available and consequently EuCheMS does not accept responsibility if it is in any way inaccurate or incomplete. In this respect EuCheMS does not accept any duty of care and will not be liable for any losses or damages arising from inaccurate or incomplete information. EuCheMS acknowledges that a disclaimer cannot restrict liability at law for personal injury or death arising through a finding of negligence.
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