European Highlights, Research, Innovation, Education, Entrepreneurship
EuChemS 2020 General Assembly
The 2020 EuChemS General Assembly meeting took place on Thursday, 24 September 2020. Representatives from EuChemS Member Societies and Supporting Members attended the first ever EuChemS General Assembly meeting held online, including the voting session.
The meeting was chaired by Pilar Goya, EuChemS President.
Read more about it here!
Meet newly elected EuChemS Executive Board members
Renáta Oriňaková, Christophe Copéret and Artur Silva were elected to the EuChemS Executive Board by the 2020 General Assembly which was held online on 24 September. Their mandate starts on 1 January 2020.
EuChemS congratulates them and warmly welcomes them.
Meet newly elected EuChemS Executive Board members here!
Horizon Europe: trilogue negotiations on the budget are still on the agenda
On 6 October 2020, the German Presidency of Council of the European Union, the European Commission, and the ITRE Committee started together another round of negotiations for Horizon Europe’s budget. The 2021-2027 multiannual budget is being paired with a temporary scheme running from 2021 – 2024, which is aimed at supporting the European Union’s recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
The Members of European Parliament (MEPs) demanded additional funding: at stake is the multiannual budget for Horizon Europe, but also for the Erasmus+ programme. Following the cuts announced in July 2020 (the European Commission reduced Horizon Europe’s budget to €80.9 billion), MEPs rejected all deal proposals that did not include a budget increase.
Read the full article here.
EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability: towards a safer and greener future
On 14 October, the European Commission adopted the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. This strategy is part of the European Union’s zero pollution ambition by 2050, as announced in the European Green Deal.
With this plan, the European Communication fully recognises the role of chemicals to achieve green transition and its benefits for human well-being, but also strengthens regulations on the most hazardous and harmful chemicals. The EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability establishes concrete actions for a safer and greener future.
Read our full debrief here.
2020 Nobel Laureates in Chemistry
On 7 October 2020, the Royal Swedish Academy of Science announced that Emmanuelle Charpentier (French) and Jennifer A. Doudna (American) are the 2020 Nobel Laureates in Chemistry for developing the CRISPR-cas9 genetic scissors. Due to the current environment and environment of COVID-19, an online version of the traditional Nobel Awarding Ceremony will be held this year.
Together, they recreated the CRISPR-cas9 genetic scissors in a test tube. They also simplified the scissors’ molecular components, so they were easier to use. With the development of this method for genome editing, « researchers can change the DNA of animals, plants and microorganisms with extremely high precision. » Their discovery will contribute to new cancer therapies and may be used in the future to treat inherited diseases.
Read the full article here.
Latest ECHA Committee
The European Chemical Society attended the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) online meeting of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in September which addressed several pressing issues. Significant topics were discussed, including the new interpretation of the Judgment of the General Court of 7 March 2019 REACH — Commission Decision authorising the use of lead sulfochromate yellow and of lead chromate molybdate sulfate red –Article 60(4) and (5) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 — Examination of the lack of availability of alternatives — Error of law. RAC also discussed applications for authorisation, other restriction proposals and harmonised classification and labelling.
Consultations & Roadmap
European Commission Public Consultations and Roadmaps
A number of consultations and roadmaps put forward by the European Commission are currently open:
- ‘Industrial pollution – European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (updated rules)’
Roadmap
Deadline: 26 October 2020 - ‘EU Green Deal (carbon border adjustment mechanism)’
Public Consultation
Deadline: 28 October 2020 - ‘EU Action Plan Towards a Zero Pollution Ambition for air, water and soil’
Public Consultation
Deadline: 29 October 2020 - ‘Sustainable products initiative’
Roadmap
Deadline: 2 November 2020 - ‘Fluorinated greenhouse gases – review of EU rules (2015-20)’
Public Consultation
Deadline: 29 December 2020
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) public consultations
A number of consultations put forward by ECHA are currently open.
You can take a look at them here.
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) public consultations
A number of consultations put forward by EFSA are currently open.
You can take a look at them here.
Fundings, Nominations & Awards
European Chemistry Gold Medal 2022
The European Chemistry Gold Medal aims to reward the exceptional achievements of one scientist working in the field of chemistry in Europe.
You can submit a nomination here.
2020 EuChemS Lecture Award
Each year, EuChemS celebrates the major achievements of a junior scientist working in chemistry.
You can submit a nomination here.
2020 EuChemS Award for Service
EuChemS Award for Service 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.
You can submit a nomination here.
2020 EuChemS Historical Landmarks Award
The EuChemS Historical Landmarks Award, which aims to celebrate the important link between history, cultural heritage and chemistry, is open to submission.
You can submit a nomination here.
International Award Committee for the EuChemS Lecture Award (IACL)
The call for the International Award Committee for the EuChemS Lecture Award (IACL) is now open.
You can submit a nomination here (please scroll down to the Submission form “Jury Nomination for the International Award Committee for the EuChemS Lecture Award (IACL) 2020”).
EuChemS Events
In the current environment and status of COVID-19, some events recognised by EuChemS are being postponed or cancelled.
EuChemS Events calendar is being updated on a regular basis.
If you planned to attend an event, you can check more about it here.
The value is on circularity - Webinar
5 November 2020
Online
Visit the website!
2018 EuChemS Lecture Awardee - Webinar
13 November 2020
Online event
Visit the website!
Read the full BNU newsletter here
EuChemS aisbl - Rue du Trône 62, 1050, Brussels, Belgium; www.euchems.eu. Produced for EuChemS by Nineta Hrastelj, Laura Jousset and Jelena Lazić. 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 © 2020 EuChemS
Céline Wittwer, SCS
19.10.2020