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Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastic particles in water: EURM®-060
Get PDFEURM®-060 is a reference material (RM) that, upon reconstitution, provides polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastic particles in a water matrix. It was produced in accordance with ISO 17034:2016 and ISO 33405:2024.
EURM-060 contains microparticles made from pristine PET polymer; PET was selected due to its common application for plastic bottles, commonly used for drinking water. Pristine PET was purchased as a powder with an upper particle size of 300 µm. The material was milled and the particles (with an equivalent diameter smaller than 50 µm size) were partly removed by sonicated wet-sieving. The RM is available as a set consisting of one 10 mL amber glass vial with PET particles embedded in a freeze-dried NaCl carrier, one glass bottle containing 950 mL of deionised water and one amber glass bottle containing 60 mL of 0.1 % Triton X-100 surfactant solution.
Between-unit homogeneity was quantified and stability during transport and storage was assessed in accordance with ISO 33405:2024. The homogeneity and stability were assessed towards both the mass concentration and the number concentration of the PET particles dispersed in water.
Uncertainties related to homogeneity and stability were estimated in accordance with ISO 17034:2016 and ISO 33405:2024.
The material is intended for quality control and assessment of method performance.JRC.F.6 - Reference Material
A powerful tool for the wide-screening of organic contaminants in citizen science initiatives: Development and validation of a SBSE GC-QToF-HRMS method
Get PDFIn the framework of “The Gems of Water” citizens’ engagement activities, a new methodological approach was studied. The report presents the development and optimisation of a method for wide-screening of organic apolar pesticides in surface waters using Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction (SBSE) coupled with Gas Chromatography-Quadruple Time of Flight-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (GC-QToF-HRMS). The report describes the optimisation of water extraction and instrumental parameters for around 200 pesticides. Calibration curves, limits of detection, and limits of quantification were determined. The method was optimized through reproducibility and recovery tests, as well as isochronous stability testing. Different passive and active extraction modalities were investigated. Based on the obtained results, most suitable parameters among those tested were selected to improve the methodology employed for measuring of pesticides in water samples. The report concludes that the method developed herewith has the potential to be applied in citizen science initiatives for water quality monitoring.JRC.D.2 - Ocean and Wate
Interpretation of EU Regulation 2022/1426 on the Type Approval of Automated Driving Systems
Get PDFIn 2022, the European Commission adopted the first worldwide legislation concerning the type-approval of the Automated Driving Systems of fully Automated Vehicles, opening the road to their introduction to the European market. The EU, in this way, becomes the first market in the world where this new generation of vehicles can be placed with a complete and unambiguous legislative framework.
In order to define the conditions for the type-approval of vehicles operating without the presence of a driver, the EU Regulation 2022/1426 introduces a series of completely innovative elements that both industry and the Approval Authorities of the European Member States have the task to operationalise.
The European Commission has launched in 2022 the process of drafting an interpretation of some among the most innovative aspects of the Regulation. At the beginning of the 2024 the first interpretation document was published (ref. JRC136417) to ensure the establishment of as harmonized as possible practices across the EU.
The present report is an addendum to the firs interpretation document which includes some guidance and interpretation material concerning the Safety Management System (SMS) and Remote Management.
It has been drafted with the active contribution by the experts who compose the Automated and Connected Vehicles sub-group of the Working Group on Motor Vehicles (MVWG-ACV).
In its final form, the report is composed by two parts. A first part of technical interpretation of the regulatory text and a second part composed by two appendixes providing examples and relevant resources to support the operationalization of different aspects of the legislation.JRC.C.4 - Sustainable, Smart and Safe Mobilit
The CEMS Hydrological Data Collection Centre Annual report 2023
Get PDFThe Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) Hydrological Data Collection Centre (HDCC) is responsible for the collection, quality control, harmonisation and internal distribution of hydrological observations (river discharge, water level and reservoir variables) for both the CEMS European Flood Awareness System (EFAS) and the Global Flood Awareness System (GloFAS). The Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission is the entrusted body overseeing the management, technical implementation and evolution of the CEMS EFAS and GloFAS. Ghenova Digital is the designated contractor responsible for implementing the operational functionalities of the CEMS HDCC.
This report contains an analysis of the hydrological data collected throughout 2023, alongside a description of the data-collection and quality-control protocols employed. In 2023, the CEMS HDCC onboarded two new data providers and expanded the number of stations providing near real-time and historical hydrological data for both the European domain (CEMS EFAS) and the global domain (CEMS GloFAS). In 2023, 52 data providers delivered near real-time discharge and water level data to CEMS EFAS, for a total of 2,634 hydrological stations. Additionally, throughout this year the number of stations in the CEMS GloFAS database increased by 675, bringing the total to 3,216. In 2023, the processes for collecting and validating reservoir data within the European domain were implemented. Five institutions provided reservoir data and characteristics, contributing data from 88 reservoir stations to the HDCC database.
The analysis of near real-time data for the European domain revealed noteworthy findings regarding the hydrological conditions observed in 2023.JRC.E.1 - Disaster Risk Managemen
Short-term warming supports mineral-associated carbon accrual in abandoned croplands
No full textEffective soil organic carbon (SOC) management can mitigate the impact of climate warming. However, the response of different SOC fractions to warming in abandoned croplands remains unclear. Here, categorizing SOC into particulate and mineral-associated organic carbon (POC and MAOC) with physical fractionation, we investigate the responses of POC and MAOC content and temperature sensitivity (Q10) to warming through a 3-year in situ warming experiment (+1.6 °C) in abandoned croplands across 12 sites in China (latitude: 22.33–46.58°N). Our results indicate that POC content remains unchanged while MAOC content significantly increases under warming. POC and MAOC content changes are mainly influenced by root biomass and microbial necromass carbon changes, respectively. The Q10 of MAOC is significantly lower than that of POC regardless of the warming or control treatment, suggesting that MAOC represents the most persistent and least vulnerable carbon fraction within SOC. Collectively, the sequestration of stable soil carbon can be enhanced in abandoned croplands under short-term warming.JRC.D.5 - Food Securit
Assessment of the EU Ecolabel criteria for graphic paper and the EU Ecolabel criteria for tissue paper and tissue products
Get PDFThe Commission performed an assessment to verify the continued suitability and relevance of the EU Ecolabel criteria for graphic paper and the EU Ecolabel criteria for tissue paper and tissue products (Commission Decision (EU) 2019/70). The result of the assessment reports that they are still up to date. However, the User Manual needs to be updated to clarify some points that appeared unclear to the respondents of a questionnaire on the subject. The analysis strongly suggests revising the EU Ecolabel criteria set by Commission Decision (EU) 2019/70 in synergy with the development of the ecodesign criteria, which should be based on the knowledge generated by the BREF for the production of pulp, paper and board. The appropriate timing for starting the EU Ecolabel criteria revision will be clearer when the ESPR Work Plan is published (scheduled for March 2025). In the event that pulp, paper and board is not included in the first ESPR Work Plan, the EU Ecolabel criteria could be revised simply based on the knowledge derived from the BREF review.JRC.B.5 - Circular Economy and Sustainable Industr
The GreenComp Community
No full textThe GreenComp community is the community of people and organisations building on the European sustainability competence framework to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes to live, work and act with empathy and care for the planet. It is a participatory community hosted by the Education for Climate Coalition, a flagship initiative of the European Education Area of the European Commission.
The community contributes to the European Commission’s follow-up of the Council Recommendation on learning for the green transition and sustainable development, in particular the provision on the European sustainability competence framework (GreenComp), supporting its dissemination and take-up. It seeks to do so by identifying needs and interests related to sustainability education and by upscaling, supporting and promoting co-created practices and materialsto help learners develop green competences under the umbrella of the Education for Climate Coalition.
This report presents a synthesis of the main actions conducted since the launch of the GreenComp community as well as community resources for community accountability. It can be clustered in the following categories: (1) positioning within the Education for Climate Coalition, (2) community management and facilitation of needs and interests, and (3) community outreach and events.JRC.S.2 - Science for Democracy and Evidence-Informed Policymakin
Research and Innovation supporting the decarbonisation of the European Waterborne Sector
Get PDFThe report provides an assessment of relevant European Research and Innovation (R&I) projects on the decarbonization of the waterborne sector in Europe, specifically focusing on the period from 2020 to 2024. The report analyzes various projects and initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime and inland waterway transport sectors based on the European Commission's Transport Research and Innovation Monitoring and Information System (TRIMIS).
The report highlights the importance of technological innovation, such as alternative fuels and energy sources, digitalization, power and propulsion systems and optimized vessel design in achieving decarbonization goals. It also emphasizes the role played by operational measures and the need for coordination and support measures to facilitate the implementation and adoption of these innovations.
Additionally a qualittaive assessment of some EU funded projects on the topic, identifies the importance of project management, including the need for clear communication, flexibility, and expertise, in ensuring the success of decarbonization projects. The report provides an overview of the current state of decarbonization efforts in the waterborne sector and identifies key areas for further research and innovation.JRC.C.4 - Sustainable, Smart and Safe Mobilit
Microplastics analysis and test materials
No full textThis collection contains data collected and/or produced in the frame of activities towards (i) quantification of microplastics in various matrices (ii) characterisation of microplastic test materials (iii) a better understanding of the effect of microplastics in biological systemsJRC.F.2 - Technologies for Healt
Titanium metal in the EU: Strategic relevance and circularity potential
Get PDFThis report examines the strategic importance of titanium metal for the European Union (EU) economy and explores the potential for increased circularity in its value chain. Recognised as both a critical and strategic raw material under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, titanium is essential for key sectors such as civil aviation, defence, space, and advanced manufacturing. The supply chain faces significant challenges due to geopolitical tensions, resource dependency, and sustainability demands, with a notable gap between global supply and projected demand. Chapter 2 analyses the titanium supply chain, highlighting the EU's reliance on imports and the need for diversification and enhanced domestic capabilities. Chapter 3 focuses on the demand side, detailing the EU's strategic industries that depend on titanium. Chapter 4 delves into the geopolitical dynamics, assessing the EU's position relative to major global players and the impact of Russia’s unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine on the supply chain. Chapter 5 addresses the opportunities and challenges in terms of increasing circularity in the titanium supply chain by identifying drivers and barriers, measuring research and innovation intensity through academic publications and patents, and evaluating enhanced circularity scenarios using macroeconomic modelling. The report concludes, in Chapter 6, with potential policy interventions aimed at strengthening the EU's titanium supply chain, reducing external dependencies, and promoting a transition to a circular economy.JRC.S.4 - Scientific Development Programme