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TA7.HLO2 - To support the European Research Area through knowledge transfer and training

TA7.HLO3 - To provide Commission services with sound advice on measurement issues in various stages of the policy cycle

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER FOR MEASUREMENT ISSUES IN EUROPEAN LEGISLATION - FROM DEVELOPMENT TO IMPLEMENTATION -
Many services within the Commission develop legislative acts which involve measurement issues (e.g. food, health, environment, agriculture, customs). A common approach on how to handle technical measurement issues in relation to those files (e.g. what needs to be measured, how to define the required quality of the measurements, how to specify the decision criteria when measuring close to legal limits) however, has not been established. There are documented cases which show that unclear formulations constitute severe technical barriers to the implementation of the legislation or results in considerable negative economic impact. The Commission Communication of 2010 on “Smart Regulation in the EU” (COM(2010)543) states that implementing existing legislation properly and amending it in the light of experience is just as important as coming forward with new legislative proposals. Because of the unique position of the JRC, i.e. having the required scientific-technical competence and at the same time being part of the Commission, it is possible to provide the EC services with independent advice in these matters and also to interact closely, timely and pro-actively.
In addition, as EU legislation is eventually implemented via national actors, the availability of competent staff in the member states is key also in matters of measurement. The new legislative framework 765/2008/EC and 768/2008/EC strengthens the role of accreditation which underlines the importance of training. Hence, the Life Long Learning programme TrainMiC® that focuses on training of member state laboratory staff in measurement issues when implementing ISO/IEC-17025 in chemical and bio-analysis will continue to address the needs of practitioners in Member States. This will be linked amongst others to Enterprise and Industry DG, Enlargement DG priority areas and to the Europe 2020 flagship New skills for Jobs (COM(2010) 682 final). In addition, the development of appropriate education in measurement science in Europe in this matter will also be fostered so as to secure that youngsters can enter the job market with appropriate skills. Initiatives are organised in such a way that the Europe 2020 flagship initiative Youth on the Move (COM(2010) 477 final) is supported.
AVIATION SECURITY AND DETECTION OF EXPLOSIVES
EU policy making on security issues require often the provision of scientific/technical support and advice concerning measurement, testing and standardisation. Topical examples are within the EU Programme on Critical Infrastructure Protection (COM(2006) 786), the EU Action Plan on "Enhancing the Security of Explosives" (COM(2007) 651), the EU CBRN Action Plan on Strengthening Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Security in the European Union (COM(2009) 273), and EU regulation on Aviation Security (Regulation (EC) 300/2008, (EC) 272/2009 and (EU) 185/2010. More specific examples of measurement, testing and standardisation activities include the testing of new technologies and equipment for the detection of explosives, the development of common EU standards for detection of explosives, the development of testing standards for aviation security, the development of detection methods in the context of CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) and the establishment of performance standards accepted by member states for these methods. The action will provide the needed measurement and standardisation support, based on specific expertise in measurement and testing (in chemistry, physics, analytical sciences, measurement technologies and standardisation).

In 2012, progress on the following multi-annual goals will be reached:

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER FOR MEASUREMENT ISSUES IN EUROPEAN LEGISLATION - FROM DEVELOPMENT TO IMPLEMENTATION -

Activities will focus on harmonisation of the approach to handle measurement and standardisation issues inside Commission services. This will be done through the provision of desk-based technical assistance to Directorates-General (a one-stop-shop approach). An active communication channel, the Commission's inter-service coordination group 'Measurement Standards for European Legislation', already exists today and offers a platform to discuss and promote these processes with the various Commission services represented. Awareness and training for Commission staff will be organised in line with the framework of 'Better Regulation' (COM (2005) 97; 2003/C321/01).

Other activities will deal with knowledge transfer and harmonisation of knowledge regarding measurement issues in EU policies:

1) The Life Long Learning programme TrainMiC® will be further developed to train member state laboratory staff in measurement issues when implementing ISO/IEC-17025 in chemical and bio-analysis. This activity hence supports amongst others the implementation of the EU legislative framework on accreditation (765/2008/EC and 768/2008/EC) and is part of the Collaboration Agreement with the European Accreditation (EA). It will be linked to the priorities of Enterprise and Industry DG and the Enlargement DG (Mediterranean Charter for Enterprise and the European Neighbourhood Policy) and made available via the Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument of DG Enlargement, TAIEX.

2) Via the accredited initiative EUROMASTER 'Measurements in science', the development of appropriate education in measurement science will be fostered so as to secure that young scientists can enter the job market with appropriate skills. General awareness concerning measurement science at school level will be raised through various initiatives e.g. young scientist award contests.

3) Innovative learning tools (virtual learning environment) will be used to enable a flexible and targeted knowledge transfer. The potential of broadening use of the tools and transfer of knowhow gained will be explored, e.g. in the development of continuing training for the chemical industry in general and more widely to support skills development as a contribution to the Agenda for New Skills and Jobs.



AVIATION SECURITY AND DETECTION OF EXPLOSIVES

1. Aviation Security
In relation to aviation security, the Commission is defining legally binding technical specifications and performance requirements for various types of detection and screening equipment used at EU airports. Also, corresponding European conformity testing methodology (CTM) standards are anticipated, in view of facilitating mutual recognition of nationally approved or certified equipment. This action supports the relevant policy DGs and stakeholders by reviewing specifications and performance requirements, and by developing CTMs together with memberstate experts. Participation is also foreseen in the Commission 2013 Liquids Working Group (2013-LWG) to support the process of developing appropriate and concrete steps in view of meeting the 2013 deadline for the implementation of the Regulation on screening of LAGs, (EC) 272/2009.

2. Explosives Detection
In the field of explosives detection, the action contributes to the development of common EU standards for detection of explosives in order to ensure the comparability of results and to provide the basis for an anticipated certification procedure. A part of the activities will form a thematic group within the ERNCIP - the European Reference Network for Critical Infrastructure Protection, which is lead by the JRC institute IPSC. As the activities of the ERNCIP include the testing of new technologies and equipment for the detection of explosives, the action will study the feasibility of developing an in-house JRC CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives) laboratory with related equipment and measurement technologies.
The action will further develop, host and maintain a database containing specifications of commercial explosives produced and sold in the EU. This database aims to be a tool primarily useful for EU member states authorities, the explosives detection community, for the work of bomb disposal units and for forensic investigations. The action is also actively involved in the Standing Committee on Precursors, SCP.