The fifth round of the Brexit negotiations started earlier this month, and in a speech made at the European Parliament, EU´s Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier stated that “Our attitude will remain resolutely constructive because we want to succeed. We want to build an ambitious and lasting partnership with the United Kingdom – which will become a third country on 30 March 2019, as was its choice – in trade, but also in security and defence or research and innovation.” Earlier in 2017 EuCheMS has informed Michel Barnier about the position of the chemistry community on Research and Education Without Borders After Brexit, urging the negotiators to retain as strong as possible a relationship between EU and UK researchers.
Source: http://europa.eu/

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) discussed the EU risk assessment of the herbicide glyphosate, in the light of the so-called “Monsanto Papers”, with experts in a public hearing which took place on 11 October. Glyphosate is a widely used, but highly controversial plant protection product and the active substance in Monsanto’s weed killer Roundup. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) concluded that glyphosate is safe, while the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified it as “probably carcinogenic to humans”.  At the hearing, MEPs discussed with experts the scientific basis for the risk assessment of glyphosate and the alleged influence of industry representatives on this assessment in the US and the EU. The hearing took place against the background of the ongoing debate over the renewal of glyphosate’s license in the EU (expiring by the end of 2017). EuCheMS and MEP Pavel Poc organised a workshop on this topic earlier this year, its conclusions can be consulted here.
Source: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/

EU Member States have recently approved new standards on resources and emissions which will help national authorities to lower the environmental impact of around 3 500 large combustion plants. The new specifications were developed through an inclusive, transparent and evidence-based process involving Member States, industry and environmental non-governmental organisations. The specifications set, for the first time at the EU level, limits for the emissions to air of mercury, hydrogen chloride and hydrogen fluoride from the combustion of solid fuels in LCPs. They also tighten the existing emission limits for pollutants including sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x).
Source: https://ec.europa.eu/

Solar-Driven Chemistry is a visionary concept that aims to create chemical reactions by using the energy from the sun in order to guarantee the welfare of future generations. In the follow-up of EuCheMS white paper on Solar-Driven Chemistry, EuCheMS is organising a meeting on 16 October with European national funders and EU officials in order to promote this topic as a EU-wide priority. EuCheMS will also be presenting this topic at the EU Pavilion at COP23, 6 – 17 November, Bonn. COP (conference of parties) is the annual meeting organised by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Source: www.euchems.eu