JRC CBRN activities: Contribution to the Implementation of the EU CBRN Action and to the CBRN Centres of Excellence Initiative

Within the international security context, the Prevention and mitigation of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) hazards has become an important area of activities. EU is contributing to the international community effort to mitigate the threat and risks associated with these materials. The EU CBRN Action Plan (AP) was adopted in December 2009. The AP aims to strengthen CBRN security throughout the EU. Based on an all-hazard approach, the AP's overall goal is to reduce the threat of, and damage from CBRN incidents of accidental, natural and intentional origin, including terrorist acts. The AP contributes to the implementation of the EU Counter Terrorism Strategy and provides for three main areas of CBRN security work: Prevention, Detection, Preparedness and response. A total of 124 actions are to be implemented by the EU Member States and the EU Institutions. In addition to 25 actions relating to radiological and nuclear security, there are 32 actions covering biological or chemical security. A further 67 actions are horizontal actions in the sense that they apply to more than one area. The implementation of the Action Plan is guided by consultation with national authorities and other relevant stakeholders. The IAEA, Interpol, and Europol are closely associated to the implementation of the Action Plan. Outside EU border, the Instrument for Stability in its Indicative Programme 2009-2011 identifies “capacity building against CBRN threats” as a necessary condition for risk mitigation and preparedness. Effective response to CBRN risk depends on cooperation and co-ordination between all levels of government, response organizations and international partners. An effective strategy to deal with the CBRN threat requires a very high level of co-operation and co-ordination among many different authorities within and among countries. Therefore, the EU launched in 2010 the 'EU CBRN risk mitigation – Centres of Excellence initiative'. The overall scope of the initiative is hence to strengthen the long-term national and regional capabilities of responsible authorities and administrative infrastructures, and develop a durable cooperation legacy in the fight against the CBRN threat. JRC is supporting the EC DG DEVCO in the technical implementation of the CBRN CoE initiative through activities such as the analysis of CBRN needs and project proposals of partner country/region, Preparation of terms of references for selected projects, follow-up and quality control of projects, management of the IT tools (website, databases); as well as communication and coordination between all stakeholders. The JRC has long-standing experience and expertise in the field of nuclear security and safeguards in support to EURATOM, the IAEA and to implementation of EU projects under TACIS (Technical Assistance to Commonwealth of Independent States), Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation and Instrument for Stability. It was logical that JRC have been attributed several RN actions of the EU CBRN AP and also the technical implementation of the CBRN CoE Initiative. In this paper, we will highlight some of the activities of JRC in support to the implementation of the EU CBRN AP as well as the role and activities of JRC under the CBRN CoE initiative.

ABOUSAHL Said;  PALAJOVA Zdenka; 

2015-02-04

Publications Office

JRC82172

1831-9424,   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC82172,   

10.278/13113,