Highlights of the JRC 50 years in science

ISSN 1018-5593 EUR 22761

Highlights of the JRC 50 years in science European Commission Joint Research Centre

Luxembourg : Office for Official Publications of the European Communities

JRC 37585

2007 – 26 pp. – 29.7 x 21 cm ISBN 978-92-79-05648-2 ISSN 1018-5593 Catalogue number LB-NA-22761-EN-C

Legal notice Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on its behalf is responsible for any use that might be made of this publication.

© European Communities, 2007

Reproduction is authorised, except for commercial purposes, provided the source is acknowledged.

Printed in Belgium Table of Contents

Foreword ...... 4

Introduction A journey through time – and research...... 5

Signature of the Treaties of Rome ...... 7 The birth of the JRC ...... 7 Part 1 SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS

1957 > 1969 ...... 8 Putting the elements together

1970 > 1979 ...... 10 Shaking up research in Europe

1980 > 1989 ...... 12 Combining forces

1990 > 1999 ...... 14 Growing and energising

2000 > 2007 ...... 18 Preparing for the future Part 2 PARALLEL EVOLUTION: EU & JRC ...... 22 Part 3 PEOPLE AND VISITS ...... 24 Part 4 FUTURE PERSPECTIVE...... 26 Foreword

2007 is the 50th anniversary (1957-2007) of peace, cooperation and prosperity in Europe. This calls for reflection and acknowledgement of what our founding members have achieved and how they achieved it. It is important to consider the integration of new Member States and how we, the EU of today, will shape the Europe of tomorrow.

In 1957, two Treaties of Rome were signed: one to establish the European Economic Community (EEC) and one to establish the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom).

The Joint Research Centre was originally established under the Euratom Treaty. Euratom’s role was to promote 4 nuclear safety and security in Europe and the JRC has been contributing to this aim with its research activities ever since.

Roland Schenkel, The JRC has, however, at the request of its customers, expanded to also embrace other fields important to Director-General of the Joint Research Centre policy making, such as life sciences, energy, security and consumer protection. It has transformed itself from a purely research-driven organisation focussing on nuclear technology and energy to a customer-driven, research-based policy- support organisation. Today, the JRC is deeply embedded in the European Research Area and the EU legislative process.

I invite you to browse through this brochure, taking note of how the Institutes of the JRC in Geel, Ispra, Karlsruhe, Petten and Seville have developed in response to the policy needs of a rapidly developing and evolving European Union.

On behalf of the JRC, I extend my gratitude to our stakeholders and staff and I acknowledge their vision and dedication. We will continue to build on this rich heritage. Introduction A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME – AND RESEARCH

Developments in science and technology impinge of the JRC and the positive impacts these have had on all aspects of our society today, creating new on the everyday life of Europe’s citizens. We begin by opportunities and challenges. The Joint Research showing the moment when it all began, the signing of Centre (JRC) serves European citizens by providing the Treaties that would launch the JRC. scientific and technical support to European policy-makers. The JRC is a Directorate-General of We quickly move to the inauguration of each of the the European Commission, and strives to act as a JRC Institutes and then follow the evolution of the reference centre for research-based policy support in JRC, starting in the 1950s when its focus was on the EU. nuclear research. As we move forward through time, we see how nuclear research evolves from reactor- The JRC comprises seven institutes, which carry development and safety research to the safety of out customer-driven research of direct concern to the fuel cycle and nuclear safeguards (keeping track Europeans. Over the years, the JRC has developed of nuclear materials). We also see how the JRC has 5 special skills and unique tools to use science for expanded its research activities into many other Our mission providing and assessing policy options. Its activities areas of prime concern to European citizens, from To provide customer-driven range from the risk assessment of chemicals to the food safety to renewable energy, from environmental scientific and technical support forecasting of natural disasters, from evaluating protection to internet security. for the conception, development, product safety standards to providing assistance to implementation and monitoring humanitarian crises. Photographs are used to illustrate the physical of EU policies. As a service of the construction and transformation of the JRC, as well as European Commission, the JRC After half a century of developments and some of the tangible outcomes of its work. We will see functions as a reference centre of achievements, the JRC is today an impressive research some JRC staff and learn about some of the important science and technology for the organisation and plays an important role in supporting visits made by well known individuals to the different Union. Close to the policy-making EU policy-makers. Its 50th anniversary is the perfect sites and Institutes of the JRC. A timeline places the process, it serves the common time to look back at the history of the JRC and development of the JRC in the context of the evolution interest of the Member States, celebrate what has been accomplished so far, as well of the EU and shows how the Centre has moulded while being independent of as to reflect on what the future holds. itself in response to European needs, events, social special interests, whether private change and an ever-expanding Union. or national. This brochure is certainly not a complete history of the JRC. Instead, we have selected highlights from each of the last decades to underline the scientific successes In 2007, the JRC comprises seven institutes in five Member States.

GEEL, BELGIUM KARLSRUHE, GERMANY SEVILLE, SPAIN The Institute for Reference Materials and The Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU) helps The Institute for Prospective Technological Studies Measurements (IRMM) validates and develops new to protect the citizen by contributing to the safety and (IPTS) carries out techno-economic analysis to or improved testing methods to ensure that results security of the nuclear fuel cycle, including evaluation support EU policy-making. It does so by researching are reliable. It is one of the largest reference-material of methods to extend the life of fuel and improved science-based responses to policy challenges that providers in the world and a provider of neutron data. waste management for very long-term storage of have a socio-economic dimension, as well as a Its aim is to encourage the use of standards across the spent fuel. scientific or technological connection. EU, for example for testing for contaminants in food, detecting animal infection, identifying genetically PETTEN, THE NETHERLANDS modified ingredients or monitoring radioactivity. The Institute for Energy (IE) provides scientific and technical support for the conception, development, ISPRA, ITALY implementation and monitoring of community policies The Institute for the Protection and Security of related to energy. Special emphasis is given to the the Citizen (IPSC) provides scientific and technical security of the energy supply and sustainable and safe support on EU security policies, particularly in energy production. 6 the areas of global security and stability, border management, transport and energy security, and nuclear safeguards. IPSC also works in the fields of risk prevention and management, antifraud and econometrics.

The Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES) supports policies aimed at the protection and sustainable development of the European and global environment. It covers all environmental sciences, with particular competences in the fields of remote sensing and Earth observation.

The Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (IHCP) carries out research to improve the understanding of health risks in the food chain, chemicals, drugs and biochemical systems in order to support the development and implementation of EU policies in these areas. Signature of the Treaties of Rome

On 25 March 1957, Treaty establishing the high-level representatives from European Atomic Energy Community six countries (Belgium, France, Article 8 Germany, Italy, Luxembourg 1. After consulting the Scientific and Technical Committee, the Commission and The Netherlands) met shall establish a Joint Nuclear Research Centre. This Centre shall ensure that in Rome to sign the Treaty the research programmes and other tasks assigned to it by the Commission on the European Economic are carried out. It shall also ensure that a uniform nuclear terminology and Community (EEC) and the a standard system of measurements are established. It shall set up a central Treaty on the European Atomic bureau for nuclear measurements. Energy Community (Euratom). 2. The activities of the Centre may, for geographical or functional reasons, be carried out in separate establishments.

7 The birth of the JRC

The last five decades have witnessed the inauguration of seven scientific Institutes which, together with the horizontal directorates and the office of the Director-General, make up the present-day JRC.

April 1959 October 1962 September 1994 September 2001 Inauguration of the Ispra Site by the Inauguration of the Petten site (The The Institute for Prospective The former Environment Institute President of the Italian Republic (Ispra, Netherlands) which was named the Technological Studies (IPTS, Seville, and parts of the Space Applications Italy). Institute for Advanced Materials in Spain) was officially inaugurated. Institute were merged to form 1989 and later renamed the Institute the Institute for Environment and May 1960 for Energy (IE) in 2001. October 1998 Sustainability (IES, Ispra, Italy). Inauguration of the Central Bureau The Institute for Health and Consumer for Nuclear Measurements (Geel, April 1965 Protection (IHCP) was established September 2001 Belgium). Pierre Châtenay, President of the (Ispra, Italy). The former Institute for Systems, This would later become the Euratom Commission, inaugurated the Informatics and Safety and parts of Institute for Reference Materials and Institute for Transuranium Elements the Space Applications Institute were Measurements (IRMM). (ITU, Karlsruhe, Germany). merged to form the Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen (IPSC, Ispra, Italy). PART 1 Scientific Achievements 1957 > 1969 PUTTING THE ELEMENTS TOGETHER

Following the Second World War, and in particular the energy crisis AND SO IT BEGAN H I G H F L U X caused by the Suez war in 1957, nuclear energy was seen as one IN A LOW COUNTRY of the main future means of energy generation in Europe. As the 1958 marked the start of the construction of an italian nuclear research In 1957, Dutch authorities decided to nuclear industry started to expand at an unprecedented rate, national establishment at Ispra, Italy. The Ispra-1 establish the Reactor Centre Netherlands authorities in many European countries considered it critical to be able nuclear reactor was completed within a (RCN) in Petten, where they would build to further develop nuclear knowledge: for example, neutron data were year and, in 1959, Italian authorities agreed the High Flux Reactor (HFR) that was to be urgently needed for reactor design, waste management and reactor to pass the site over to the European used for material research. Construction safety calculations. Commission who decided, in July 1960, to started in August 1957. 8 establish part of the JRC (Euratom) at the With a view to achieving this, in 1957 the European Atomic Energy Ispra Site. The Ispra-1 nuclear reactor was In 1962, the reactor became fully Community (Euratom) Treaty was signed by six European countries. then completed and later, in 1962, design operational and the HFR would remain a This called for the European Commission to establish a Joint Nuclear work began for another reactor named focal point for nuclear research for many ESSOR. years to come. Research Centre, and a budget and research activities for the following

years were defined. A series of sites at different locations across These were used for the initial nuclear The reactor was used for research into Europe were taken over by the European Commission. Together, these research themes at Ispra, which were safety, for testing new components and sites would work to research nuclear energy, safety and security. directed towards reactor development fuels for the European civil nuclear power (reactor physics, materials and safety) and programmes, and for performing materials learning more about the fuel cycle. testing.

During the second half of the sixties, nuclear reactor safety had become an issue of increasing importance for the nuclear industry and national authorities. As a consequence, activities in analytical and experimental reactor safety research were started. JRC had laboratories for analytical chemistry since the very beginning. Construction of the HFR reactor, Petten. A CALCULATED DECISION IMPRESSIVE PIN FIRST OF A KIND PRODUCTION Meanwhile, in 1960, the Central Bureau Experiments in Ispra included studies for Nuclear Measurements (CBNM), was The laboratories of the Institute for Too hot to handle on and the development of European established in Geel, Belgium. The CBNM Transuranium Elements (ITU) became A hot cell is a heavily shielded room in prototypes for novel lines of nuclear power specialised in nuclear measurements operational in 1964 and the “hot cells” which radioactive materials can be handled reactors, such as ORGEL (Organique- for isotope analysis and absolute needed for examining irradiated fuels were remotely using robotic or other remote Eau Lourde), with the ORGEL Critical measurements of radiation and neutron used from 1966 onwards. manipulators and viewed through protected experiment (ECO) and the construction absorption, essential in understanding windows. of the reactor experiment ESSOR (Essai how to safely produce nuclear energy. The first plutonium sample to be tested ORGEL). was introduced into a glove box on In 1962, the Van de Graaff (VdG) 10 February 1965. accelerator was installed and, in 1965, the linear electron accelerator The initial results on nuclear fuels were was inaugurated. In addition, mass obtained by the research teams in an 9 spectrometry laboratories were impressively short time. constructed between 1962 and 1963. The most spectacular outcome was the production of 2 100 metallic fuel pins for the French reactor Masurca in Cadarache – this was achieved in just nine months. Manipulating fuel rods – safety precautions. Reactor safety research in ECO. When is a glovebox not for gloves? A glovebox is a sealed container designed to allow a scientist to manipulate objects while being in a different atmosphere. Built into the sides of the glovebox are two or more gloves so users can perform tasks Construction of the Van de Graaff building. inside the box without breaking the seal or damaging their hands.

Construction of the ITU in 1963. 1970 > 1979 SHAKING UP RESEARCH IN EUROPE

The public debate in the 1960s had DIFFICULT TIMES RESPONDING RAPIDLY GOING SOLAR coined two new terms – ‘technology gap’ and ‘brain drain’. The 1970s began The JRC entered into a very difficult The beginning of the decade saw The direct conversion of sunlight into period when the Council could not reach investigations related to the safety of fuel electrical energy was first demonstrated with growing concern over the widening immediate agreement on a new multi- used in “fast reactors” (more efficient than by Edmund Becquerel more than 150 years gap in R&D efforts and achievements annual programme after the second five- conventional nuclear reactors). ago. The European Solar Test Installation between Europe and, most notably, year period (1963-1967). The JRC was left (ESTI) has the primary objective of the US. The overly-fragmented in a situation where new initiatives proved The JRC’s Institute for Transuranium providing the scientific and technological research efforts in Europe sparked the difficult and where much imagination Elements undertook a series of basis for a sound and credible assessment need to increase European research was needed by those who, fortunately, experiments looking at how dense fuels, of all aspects of photovoltaic energy. It continued to trust that the JRC could like uranium-bearing carbides and nitrides, assists both policy makers and industry, collaboration and coordination. 10 find a new future and a fresh approach increase in volume during the reaction and provides scientific input to standards to continue its activities in the service of process. organisations and national agencies. Over Europe. The competences vested in the the past 30 years, ESTI has developed into staff, alongside the fine – and sometimes Extensive analyses were used to work out one of the worlds leading laboratories for even unique – equipment situated at all the ideal conditions for the fabrication and photovoltaic reference measurements. four JRC sites, would prove to be a solid irradiation of the carbide and nitride fuels In 2004, ESTI became the world’s first foundation for the future. A new era was needed for the fast reactors. laboratory to obtain accreditation for the finally initiated for the JRC early in the calibration of photovoltaic devices. next decade (1973), fostered by the new In order to develop safety measures, European developments that began to research also focused on discovering how appear at that time. fuels would react if there was a severe core meltdown.

ITU fire experiment in a glove box. NOT JUST NUCLEAR SEEING THROUGH THE HAZE

In response to new policy priorities, the JRC The JRC used its experience in high Building on its many scientific disciplines, began to broaden its scope of research, temperature materials in the previous such as chemistry, the JRC began to branching out from the nuclear field into decade to inspire a fresh approach and develop new competencies. These gave other areas. It continued to strengthen, undertook other programmes and projects, rise to different kinds of environmental build on and expand its existing including the evaluation of new hydrogen- research, including work on air pollution capabilities. This led to programmes on based technologies. and its effects on citizens. The JRC launched renewable energy (notably solar energy), projects involving the collection and informatics, and materials research. analysis of data on chemical substances and their possible impact on the environment.

The JRC also started to develop remote The Ispra solar house – also useful in winter time. sensing from space which could be used for studying pollution and monitoring 11 agriculture and natural resources. Research on remote sensing applications started in the 1970s.

BACK ON TRACK

The JRC work areas were formalised individual programme where national from 1973 onwards in the multi-annual representatives provided guidance for research work programmes adopted by the research and ensured the transfer the Council, including resource allocation, of research results throughout the which facilitated orderly long-term Community and Member States. planning of research and finances. A general advisory committee of national Once again, it became possible to representatives was established over the plan and implement new experimental entire JRC. This was later strengthened facilities and equip the laboratories to and transformed into a governing board meet novel requirements. A committee and then, in the following decade, into the of experts was established for each Board of Governors, as we know it today. 1980 > 1989 COMBINING FORCES

During the 1980s, there was SUPER COLLABORATION SHINY AND NEW widespread debate across the European Economic Community on how research Together with the Commissariat à l’Énergie Surveillance programmes at Petten had This included an increase in the production Atomique (CEA), during the eighties the revealed that the vessel in the High Flux of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosis, and technological development Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU) Reactor (HFR) – used for testing nuclear therapy, and pain treatment. Nowadays, activities could strengthen industrial launched the experiment SUPERFACT. The fuels – was becoming brittle and needed to hospitals could not imagine working competitiveness in the Community. aim of the CEA and ITU scientists was to be replaced. without nuclear medicine and, every day, This led to the launch of industry- prove the feasibility of “transmutation”, many thousands of patients around Europe related programmes and improved reducing the radioactivity of waste by The detailed design phase for the new are treated with radiopharmaceuticals collaboration between industry and transforming long-lived radio-isotopes vessel took two years, accompanied by an from the HFR. The production of radio- into short-lived once. This involved assessment of future needs to determine isotopes was outsourced to an industrial research. 12 carrying out an irradiation experiment on which specialised equipment should be company, the operations were handed over At the same time, the multi-annual nuclear fuel in the Phenix fast reactor in installed at the same time. Finally, the to the Nuclear Research and consultancy programmes adopted by the European Marcoule (France). The ITU was in charge of dismantling began in early 1984, followed Group (NRG) and the JRC uses the reactor Council called for better research aspects relating to the fuel, while the CEA by cleaning, inspection and an overhaul today for research into the reduction of performed the feasibility studies and the of the reactor and storage pools. The new radioactive waste and the safety of future results. To achieve these, the JRC was irradiation. Together, the two organisations reactor was fully installed in October 1984. reactor designs. increasingly invited to work more performed the post-irradiation closely with national research bodies. examinations and interpreted the findings. Other important work by the HFR includes Nuclear safety remained heavily on the the operational safety of current reactors, minds of the public – and high on the The experimental data gained through also with regard to Eastern Europe. The scientific agenda. these irradiation experiments were HFR is a safe and highly reliable multi- an important element in the debate purpose reactor which will undoubtedly launched in France on the treatment of continue to play a key role in nuclear and the end products of the fuel cycle and the nuclear-medicine research in the future. possibility of transmutation. For these studies, the ITU, based in Germany, was the first non-French institute to get the Irradiation “CEA Prize”, which is awarded annually The replacement of the reactor pressure vessel Irradiation is the process by which an item in 1984 paved the way for new irradiation and is designed to help a research team, possibilities. is exposed to radiation energy in the form department or institute. of waves or particles. ENHANCING REACTOR SAFETY OBSERVING THE EARTH PRIORITY TO THE PEOPLE F R O M S P A C E In the aftermath of the Three Mile Island of the installed safety and emergency JRC participated in the first European accident in 1979 and the Chernobyl cooling systems in LOCA conditions. The In the late eighties, the JRC started the Informatics Network, a far-reaching disaster in 1986, the Loop Off-Normal results have been used for the further Monitoring Agriculture with Remote telematics network which offered users Behaviour Investigations (LOBI) project, development and verification of computer Sensing (MARS) project, which has access to databases throughout European launched in 1974, gained increased models and codes applied by licensing developed, tested and implemented new countries. international interest in the field of reactor authorities for the reactor safety analysis. methods and tools specific to agriculture safety research. The project focused on the After termination of the LOBI experiments, using remote sensing. experimental and analytical investigation the results were placed on the web for of reactor safety problems, and in worldwide access. MARS is able to provide statistics on crops particular on assessing the performance and yields in any given area, contributing towards a more effective and efficient management of the Common Agricultural LOBI Project - Testing facility. Policy. 13

STRONGER TOGETHER

JRC research collaboration has taken many forms contributing, for example, to Europe-wide nuclear fusion programmes through its materials research and working with other European organisations in carrying out remote sensing from space. Public benefits were enhanced through JRC - Ispra was a partner in pioneering European informatics networks. many projects, such as the launch of the European Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances in 1987, which made data available on over 10 000 chemical substances. Following the Chernobyl disaster, a databank was compiled to store information from all over Europe on environmental radioactivity. 1990 > 1999 GROWING AND ENERGISING

In this decade, the JRC further SORTING THE PAPE SOUND ADVICE developed its work in areas such as FROM THE PLONK ON CHEMICAL RISKS environmental impact and nuclear At the end of the eighties, many cases sugar has been added. Information is then In 1993, the European Chemicals Bureau energy, and focused heavily on of wine fraud were uncovered. These entered into a central database, managed (ECB) was established within the former public health, safety and security. It involved the sugaring and watering of by BEVABS, which is today part of the Environment Institute, today part of the also moved into entirely new fields, wine, as well as false claims concerning IHCP. IHCP. reflecting the developments of the authenticity. To protect consumers from time: for example, at the end of the such misleading practices, in 1993 the The JRC’s role in food and drink expanded The ECB hosts major EU databases on nineties, food scares such as BSE (‘mad European Commission established the widely in this decade and, in 1998, chemicals and provides scientific and European Office for Wine, Alcohol and the Institute for Health and Consumer technical advice for the development cow disease’) and dioxin contamination 14 Spirit Drinks (BEVABS) at the JRC. Using Protection (IHCP) came into fruition. The of EU policies on dangerous chemicals. led to the creation of the Directorate- magnetic resonance, scientists are able to IHCP performs activities in support of food This includes significant input into the General for Health and Consumer identify where a wine is from and whether and feed legislation. implementation of the new chemical Protection, separating the issue of food legislation REACH, which came into force safety from that of industry and the in early 2007. In particular, the ECB is environment. managing and preparing the technical guidance documents for use by the For the JRC, this meant the creation of chemicals industry and the Member State the Institute for Health and Consumer authorities. This has enabled a smooth Protection (IHCP). start to the policy and the establishment of the fully operational European Agency in Furthermore, the need to address Helsinki, in June 2008. new policy challenges involving both a socio-economic and a scientific or technological dimension, led the JRC to establish its Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS). MERGING INSTITUTES, FIGHTING POLLUTION BRANCHING OUT STOP THE SMUGGLERS BROADENING RESEARCH In 1997, the European Commission set In a bid to discover more about climate Since the early 1990s, there have been In the mid-nineties, the Safety Technology up the European Integrated Pollution change and its impact on our society, the numerous instances of illicit trafficking Institute (STI) and the Institute for Prevention and Control Bureau (EIPPCB). project TRopical Ecosystem Environment of many types of nuclear materials Systems Engineering and Informatics (ISEI) The bureau helps to implement EU rules observation by Satellite (TREES) was worldwide, including materials suitable for merged to form the Institute for Systems, aimed at preventing or reducing pollution initiated in 1991. Its aims were to develop producing nuclear weapons. In ongoing Informatics and Safety (ISIS). During this from industrial sources, and achieving techniques to enable the creation of a efforts to assist in preventing this, the process, new lines of research also opened integrated control of their emissions global tropical forest inventory, to detect JRC has put a team of nuclear forensic in non-nuclear domains where the JRC’s and consumption of energy, water and and monitor deforestation, and to set experts on standby at all times to respond expertise could be applied. This included raw materials. It produces guidelines for up a comprehensive Tropical Forest immediately to any seizure of nuclear monitoring and anti-fraud, analysing EU Member State authorities to follow Information System. It has, among other material in the EU. A first analysis is then the safety and security of chemical in setting emission limits for industrial things, provided unique insight into the delivered to the appropriate authorities installations, and assessing transport processes. ecosystems of Africa, Central and South within 24 hours of a sample arriving at the systems and infrastructures. America and Southeast Asia. Institute of Transuranium Elements (ITU). 15 The analysis reveals the nature of the Later, ISIS would join with part of the material and the associated radiological Space Applications Institute to form the hazard. A subsequent, more detailed Institute for the Protection and Security of analysis then provides clues on the origin the Citizen (IPSC), while the Environment of the material, date and location of Institute (EI) and another part of the Space production and its intended use. Applications Institute (SAI) amalgamated to form the Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES).

Collecting samples for nuclear forensic analysis.

Waste from a Polish copper mine: an issue for EIPPCB. E N G U A R D JOINED-UP THINKING A FLOW OF INFORMATION SUPPORT NEAR AND PHARE

In support of the International Safeguards In order to get the best research results In 1997, the JRC started activities on flood From 1991, the JRC has provided assistance Authorities, the JRC played an important and share best practices, the JRC headed hazard and flood damage assessment. to the European Commission in supporting role in developing tools and methodologies a series of international networks, which A model was designed to simulate flood the transition in Eastern countries to verify that nuclear material intended for focused on nuclear issues. With public events (LISFLOOD) in order to understand – under the TACIS Programme, for New electricity production could not be diverted concern over the safety of ageing plants, more about their impact. Flood extent Independent States, and the PHARE for use in clandestine activities. the JRC continues to provide impartial mapping, achieved by SAR (Synthetic Programme, for Central Eastern European technical advice on matters such as the Aperture Radar), was evaluated for its Countries. The JRC helped specifically with It was also responsible for setting up operational safety of reactors. efficiency in assessing flood damage the nuclear safety programmes in these – and is now running – specialised – vital in allowing authorities to initiate an regions, in areas such as operational laboratories for monitoring the flow of appropriate response. safety, waste management, technical nuclear material at reprocessing plants in support and results dissemination. France and the UK. Today, LISFLOOD has evolved into an early- 16 warning system for floods in major river The JRC built and operates a Performance basins in Europe. It is able to predict floods Laboratory (PERLA) in Ispra for the between three and five days in advance, COMMUNITY ACQUIS research, development and testing of contributing to damage prevention and non-destructive analysis equipment saving lives. Launched in 1999, the JRC’s Enlargement for nuclear safeguards. This lab is also Programme was designed to promote used for training of Euratom and IAEA collaboration with Candidate Countries’ (International Atomic Energy Agency) scientists, to help them integrate into inspectors. the European Research Area and take up the Community Acquis. The programme includes workshops, training courses and temporary stays for visiting scientists.

Images taken during the Elbe flood in August, 2002. Aerial photos © pik-postdam.de

Analysing nuclear materials at the ITU. OTHER OPTIONS SEEING GREEN SAFE AND SECURE MEASURING MICROWAVES STRUCTURES With growing concern over animal welfare In 1992, a project called EcoCentre was set In 1992, the European Microwave Signature and a need to improve the accuracy of in motion by the JRC. It was designed to With the creation of the European Laboratory (EMSL) was inaugurated chemical testing, in 1991 the European demonstrate the feasibility of improving Laboratory for Structural Assessment in Ispra. Specialising in measurement Centre for the Validation of Alternative the environmental impact of an ageing (ELSA) in the early nineties, the JRC started capabilities in the field of microwave Methods (ECVAM) was set up. research infrastructure; for example, by research in the field of earthquake and remote sensing, the laboratory has been reducing site energy consumption through structural engineering. ELSA has since successfully used in other research fields ECVAM, part of today’s Institute for both retrofitting and new, low-energy developed to become the worldwide such as antenna measurements, non- Health and Consumer Protection (IHCP), construction. leader in pseudo-dynamic testing with destructive testing, and detection of buried is responsible for validating methods to substructuring for earthquake simulation. objects, such as landmines. reduce, refine and replace animal testing.

17

The retrofitted Mensa building (Ispra), February 1996. Target calibration in the EMSL microwave laboratory.

GOOD GUIDANCE

The European Laboratory for Structural Assessment, A Board of Governors for the JRC was Ispra (Italy). founded in order to involve Member States in strategic decisions. Comprising top representatives from EU Member States, Candidate and Associate Countries, the Board advises on strategy, work programmes, budget and high-level Alternative testing method at ECVAM. appointments. 2000 > 2007 PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE

Technological advancements were GMO s : CONSUMER CHOICE BETTER TESTING FOR SAFER continuing to develop at an impressive FOOD rate and were enhancing numerous In 1998, the JRC started its activities on detection of genetically modified In 2002, a significant part of the activities Community Reference Laboratories aspects of everyday life across Europe. organisms (GMOs) in food by validation of on food and feed safety and quality was Community Reference Laboratories (CRLs) In this decade, amidst new ways of analytical methodologies in the Institute moved from the IHCP to the IRMM. From are analytical laboratories with scientific producing food, energy and consumer for Health and Consumer Protection (IHCP) 2004, the JRC became a Community and technical expertise in a particular field goods, the safety and well-being of EU and production of certified reference Reference Laboratory (CRL) in various and form an integral part of the European citizens had to remain a priority. materials in the Institute for Reference fields of food control. The JRC increased risk management system. They assist Materials and Measurements (IRMM). the number of CRLs in 2006 and 2007 by the European Commission in meeting the This led to the creation of the European inaugurating four more (to give a total of requirements of legislation: for example, 18 Community Reference Laboratory (CRL) for two in the IHCP and four in the IRMM). the need to detect genetically modified GMOs in food and feed in 2004. organisms or contaminants in food. Their The CRLs ensure that the testing for certain duties include setting up EU-wide standards Besides its activities on control of GMOs in substances is performed to a reliable for testing, training analysts from national food and feed, this CRL collaborates closely standard across the food chain, helping to laboratories and coordinating a network of with the European Food Safety Authority guarantee the safety and quality of food for national reference laboratories. (EFSA) to support the authorisation consumers. The JRC is well recognised for process of GMOs in the EU. the support it has provided in emergencies, The JRC operates six CRLs. These are for: including the Belgian dioxin crisis in 1998, • Feed Additives the BSE crisis, and the 2002 discovery of • Heavy Metals acrylamide in food products. • Mycotoxins • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons • GM Food and Feed • Food Contact Materials

Genetically modified corncob (Bt maize). Sample preparation for verification of food origin. NUCLEAR GENERATION IAM > I E FUELLING THE HYDROGEN CUTTING DOWN ON WASTE ECONOMY The European Union currently imports In 2001, the Institute for Advanced Cogeneration is the use of a heat engine or 50% of its energy and, if the current trend Materials (IAM) was renamed the Institute Two new testing facilities opened in power station to generate both electricity continues, this may increase to 70% within for Energy (IE) underlining its focus on EU Petten, The Netherlands in 2005. They will and useful heat. The construction of the 20 years. One third of the electricity in energy policy development. provide policy-makers and industry with an Ispra cogeneration plant was completed in Europe is currently produced via nuclear independent evaluation of the performance 2003. After an initial period of testing, the fission, so the move to innovative reactor The three main scientific priorities of the of hydrogen and fuel-cell technologies in plant was put into permanent operation in systems holds great promise. new Institute are non-nuclear energy, terms of efficiency, safety, environmental September 2004. It is highly efficient and nuclear safety and nuclear medicine. impact and reliability. The facilities saves around 30% in fuel consumption In 2006, the European Atomic Energy contribute to the development and when compared to traditional technologies Community became party to the harmonisation of test procedures, which and produces fewer greenhouse gases. Framework Agreement for International are needed for the successful take-off of Collaboration on Research and the hydrogen economy, and thus provide Development of Generation IV Nuclear support to sustainable development. 19 Energy Systems (GIF Framework Agreement). The “Generation IV” initiative concerns concepts for nuclear energy systems that can be operated in a manner that will provide a competitive and reliable supply of energy, while satisfactorily addressing nuclear safety, waste, proliferation resistance and public Advanced materials in a laboratory burner rig. perception concerns. The JRC, with its SMOKE SIGNALS strong international dimension, is not only the implementing agent for Euratom Following the forest fires of 2003, the JRC in the Generation IV international forum, worked with the European Commission’s Ispra cogeneration plant. but also participates actively in related Environment DG to establish the European R&D projects. The R&D projects are Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS). focused on fuel development, reprocessing This enables fire risk calculations to be and irradiation testing, fuel-cladding made at EU-level while fire risk forecast interaction and corrosion, proliferation maps are distributed via the internet to the resistance and basic data for fuel, civil protection and forest fire services in reprocessing and waste treatment. Member States. Forest fire devastation in Corsica. FORWARD THINKING MONITORING COMPANIES’ EVOLUTION IN REFERENCE R&D SPENDING MATERIALS The JRC Futures Project was launched in mid-1998. With a 10-year time horizon, Published for the first time in 2004, the Since 1994, when it took over the In May 2004, it launched the ERM® label, Futures identified the major drivers that EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard storage and distribution of all BCR® which is a guarantee of high quality and Europe was to face in the beginning provides information on the top EU and materials from DG Research, the roles is only granted for reference materials of the 21st century: new information non-EU corporate investors in Research and responsibilities of the Institute for that have successfully passed a peer and communication technologies and and Development (R&D). The Scoreboard Reference Materials and Measurements evaluation. biotechnologies, strong environmental has already become a reference document (IRMM) have continued to grow. pressures, the Euro, as well as for evidence-based R&D policy-making. October 2005 saw the inauguration of a enlargement and significant demographic As part of the overall EU strategy to foster The IRMM has developed a large variety of new 1 550 m2 storage building to house changes. private investment in R&D, the JRC uses certified reference materials for industrial, about 600 different materials totalling the data collected in the Scoreboard to environmental and food analysis, as 500 000 samples stored under controlled The Futures Project examined the perform analyses of industrial research well as for biotechnology and health conditions. In 2006, 23 000 reference individual and combined effects of trends and developments. applications. It was the first institute in materials were distributed worldwide. technological, economic, political and the world to produce certified reference 20 social drivers. materials for, among other things, the analysis of GMOs, genetic testing, and pathogens.

Logo of the Futures Project. Cover of the 2005 Scoreboard. Picking samples for distribution in the storage building for reference materials at IRMM. ISPRA GETS A MAKEOVER MOVING WITH THE TIMES

Between 2003 and 2004, a careful analysis With the growing success of the of the entire Ispra site was performed and Information Society, the JRC started a a decision was taken to concentrate all new line of research in the field of web scientific activities in a central area of the technologies. site, the “science zone”. New buildings are being designed and constructed, The Europe Media Monitor (EMM), starting with the Institute for Environment developed by the Institute for the and Sustainability (IES). The overall aim Protection and Security of the Citizen is to make better use of space, reduce in 2002, is a web intelligence system. fragmentation, and so increase efficiency. It provides a real-time press and media Design concept showing the new science zone monitoring service to Commission cabinets in Ispra. and services, including daily reviews EMM website. TARGETED TREATMENT of press reports from Member States concerning EU policies. News articles are The JRC intends to improve the automatically detected as they appear 21 effectiveness of cancer treatment by across a large number of on-line media radioimmunotherapy, which involves RESISTING CONVENTIONAL sites, and are immediately classified ARE EU POLICIES EFFECTIVE? injecting the patient with a radioactive THEORY according to topic-specific lists of keyword isotope “bullet” to selectively destroy combinations. EMM also provides a Modern econometric and statistical tumour cells. In the past, treatment The JRC contributed to the discovery of breaking news and alerting service. tools are essential for the analysis and mainly involved the use of relatively low the first plutonium compounds exhibiting assessment of key EU policies, such as energy beta-emitters but, more recently, superconductivity, a quantum mechanical growth and competitiveness, the internal isotopes emitting alpha particles have phenomenon leading to zero electrical market and education. Through its been recognised as more effective. JRC resistance when the material is cooled competences in data analysis, modelling, researchers have been looking at ways to below its critical temperature. and information quality, in the 2000s, safely produce and handle these and, in the JRC started to provide support to 2001, the first European clinical trials of The unconventional properties of the the European Commission in the fields such alpha-immunotherapy started. superconducting plutonium compounds of statistics, macroeconomic modelling, are not completely explained by current financial econometrics and sensitivity The JRC is also engaged in Boron Neutron theories. This sparked off extensive studies analysis, social multi-criteria evaluation Capture Therapy (BNCT) treatment, which into the electronic structure of the actinide and knowledge assessment. is designed to damage only cancer cells elements, yielding novel insights into the wherever they are, sparing normal cells nature of superconductivity, magnetism even in immediate proximity to the tumour. and, ultimately, of matter itself. Opening of a source for insertion of plutonium samples. PART 2 Parallel evolution: EU & JRC

1950s 1970s 1951 The European Coal and Steel Community is established by the six 1970 Franco Maria Malfatti is nominated President of the European founding members: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and Commission. The Netherlands. 1971 The European Commission adopts a decision which stipulates that the 1957 The Treaties of Rome establish the European Economic Community. JRC will diversify its activities beyond nuclear to include non-nuclear 1957 Signing of the Euratom Treaty, which calls for the European Commission technologies and that it will negotiate and conclude research contracts to establish a Joint Nuclear Research Centre and the Central Bureau for with third parties. Nuclear Measurements. 1972 Sicco Mansholt is nominated President of the European Commission. 1958 Louis Armand is nominated President of Euratom and the European 1973 François Xavier Ortoli is nominated President of the European Commission. Commission. 1959 Etienne Hirsch is nominated President of Euratom and the European 1973 The Community expands to include Denmark, Ireland and the United Commission. Kingdom, and develops its common policies. 1959 Inauguration of the JRC Ispra site and construction of the Ispra reactor. 1977 Roy Jenkins is nominated President of the European Commission. 63 1964 1965 1966 196 0 1961 1962 19 1979 First direct7 1 9elections68 1 to the European Parliament. 22 8 1959 196 969 957 195 197 1956 1 964 1965 1 The96 Environmental6 1967 1 9Test68 Laboratory0 opens19 in Petten. 1955 1960s 62 1963 1 1979 1969 71 1954 961 19 197 19 1953 960 1 0 1 72 952 1960 The German government and9 Euratom59 1 decide to construct the Institute 971 1 51 1 58 1 1 97 19 7 19 97 3 50 for Transuranium95 Elements in Karlsruhe, Germany. 1980s 2 1 9 19 56 1 97 19 734 196095 5 The Belgian government and Euratom agree to establish the Central 1981 First Mediterranean enlargement, as Greece joins the Community. 19 4 1 97 95 45 3 1 Bureau for Nuclear Measurements – later renamed as the Institute for 1981 Gaston E. Thorn is nominated President of the European Commission. 19 95 97 2 1 65 5 Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) in Geel, Belgium. 1984 Work commences on production facilities for biological and 11 19 99 1 776 95 1961 The High Flux Reactor in Petten, The Netherlands commences operation environmental reference materials. 7 1 1 1 9 50 9 7 19 for the first time. 1984 The High Flux Reactor in Petten is revamped. 7 7 8 19 1 7 1962 Pierre Chatenet is nominated President of Euratom and the European 1985 Jacques Delors is nominated President of the European Commission. 9 8 7 1 9 9 Commission. 1985 The JRC and the Directorate-General for Research (known then as DG XII) 1 7 9 9 8 1 7 1962 The Van de Graaff accelerator is installed at IRMM. are merged (Commission Decision 85/953/Euratom). 0 98 0 1 0 0 9 1 2 8 9 6 1962 Construction of mass spectrometer laboratories at IRMM. 1986 The Community expands to include Portugal and Spain. 1 81 0 1 1 0 9 9 2 1962 Transfer of the High Flux Reactor from The Netherlands to the European 1988 The MARS (Monitoring of Agriculture with Remote Sensing) project is 8 82 5 2 1 0 1 9 0 7 Communities. launched, providing independent and timely information on crop areas 98 83 2 0 3 1 4 0 1 9 00 2 1963 The Ispra reactor is transferred to the EEC by the Italian government. and yields via emerging space technologies. 9 84 2 6 8 1 03 0 4 98 0 20 1964 The Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU) laboratories become 1989 The fall of the Berlin Wall heralds the unification of Germany. 19 5 2 2 5 8 19 0 00 5 1 86 20 2 operational. 1989 Opening of the Performance Laboratory (PERLA) in Ispra, housing 98 19 001 004 6 1 87 0 2 3 2 98 198 200 200 1965 Inauguration of the Linear Electron Accelerator at IRMM. an extensive collection of renowned nuclear reference materials and 7 1 8 1 999 002 988 989 98 1 01 2 19 1990 97 19 000 20 1967 Jean Rey is nominated President of the European Commission. instrumentation. 89 19 1991 996 19 8 1999 2 90 1991 1992 1 1999932 1 1999943 1 1999954 1 1995 1996 1997 199 1990s 2000s 1990 The new Länder of Eastern Germany join the EU. 2000 Start of refurbishment of the nuclear chemistry building into a non- 1991 Establishment of the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative nuclear one at IRMM. Methods (ECVAM). 2001 The Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen (IPSC) is 1992 The European Microwave Signature Laboratory (EMSL) and European created in Ispra as the Institute for Systems, Informatics and Safety Laboratory for Structural Assessment (ELSA) are inaugurated in Ispra. (ISIS) merges with part of the Space Applications Institute (SAI). 1993 The Treaty of Maastricht establishes the European Union. 2001 The Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES) is created in Ispra. 1993 The JRC establishes the European Offi ce for Wine, Alcohol and Spirit 2001 The Institute for Advanced Materials (IAM) is renamed the Institute for drinks (BEVABS). Energy (IE) in order to refl ect the institute’s changed mission. 1993 The European Chemicals Bureau (ECB) is set up in Ispra. 2002 Euro notes and coins are introduced in the EU. 1994 The Institute for Prospective Technological Studies is established in 2002 The IPSC develops the Europe Media Monitor (EMM), a web intelligence Seville (Spain). system, providing a real-time news monitoring service. 1995 Jacques Santer is nominated President of the European Commission. 2002 A signifi cant part of food safety and quality activities is moved from the 1995 The EU expands to 15 members, now also including Austria, Finland and IHCP to the IRMM. 63 1964 1965 1966 196 0 1961 1962 19 7 1968 1 Sweden. 2004 Ten more countries join the Union: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, 8 1959 196 969 23 957 195 197 1956 1 964 1965 1966 1967 1968 0 19 The JRC and the Directorate-General for Research – known then as Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia. 1955 62 1963 1 1969 71 1996 1954 961 19 197 19 1953 960 1 0 1 72 952 959 1 971 1 DG XII – were uncoupled as two separate Directorates-General. 2004 José Manuel Barroso is nominated President of the European 51 1 58 1 1 97 19 7 19 97 3 50 95 2 1 9 1997 The European Commission sets up the European Integrated Pollution Commission. 19 56 1 97 19 734 955 19 Prevention and Control Bureau (EIPPCB). 2004 The IHCP becomes a Community Reference Laboratory (CRL) for GMOs in 4 1 97 95 45 3 1 19 1998 Creation of the Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (IHCP). food and feed. 95 97 2 1 65 5 11 1999 Romano Prodi is nominated President of the European Commission. 2004 The IRMM becomes the CRL for feed additives authorisation. 19 99 1 776 95 7 1 2004 Ispra cogeneration plants are put into operation. 1 1 9 50 9 7 19 7 7 2005 Completion of a new storage building at IRMM for reference materials. 8 19 1 7 9 8 2005 New hydrogen and fuel-cell testing facilities open in Petten. 7 1 9 9 1 7 2006 The European Commission adopts REACH legislation on the 9 9 8 1 7 0 98 classifi cation of chemicals. 0 1 0 0 9 1 2 8 9 6 1 81 2006 Offi cial inauguration of a CRL for Food Contact Materials (CFM). 0 1 1 0 9 9 2 8 82 2007 Inauguration of a further three Community Reference Laboratories on 5 2 1 0 1 9 0 7 98 83 food-related matters within the JRC (IHCP and IRMM). 2 0 3 1 4 0 1 9 00 2 9 84 2007 The EU expands to take in Bulgaria and Romania. 2 6 8 1 03 0 4 98 0 20 19 5 2 2 5 8 19 0 00 5 1 86 20 2 98 19 001 004 6 1 87 0 2 3 2 98 198 200 200 7 1 8 1 999 002 988 989 98 1 01 2 19 1990 97 19 000 20 89 19 1991 996 19 8 1999 2 90 1991 1992 1 1999932 1 1999943 1 1999954 1 1995 1996 1997 199 PART 3 People and Visits

27-30 September 1960 5 January 1980 19 February 1985 Italian television company RAI visited Euratom at the JRC Visit of Vito Scalia, Italian minister for Scientific Karl-Heinz Narjes, Vice-President of the European site in Ispra. Research and the President of the Council of Ministers Commission, visited the LDFT (Large Dynamic Test of the EC to Ispra. Facility) at the JRC Ispra site.

16-17 July 1981 Viscount E. Davignon, Vice-President of the 17 June 1985 Commission of the European Communities, attended Mr. Bertel Haarder, President of the Research Council the inauguration of the new Cyclotron in Ispra. and Danish Minister for Education, was accompanied 24 1965 by Mrs. H. Olsen, Counsellor at the Danish Permanent The President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Representation in Brussels during a visit of the Photo- Heinrich Lübke, visited the Institute for Transuranium Chemistry Laboratory, Electronics Division in Ispra. Elements (ITU), Karlsruhe.

29 October 1984 The Hon. L. Granelli, Minister of Scientific Research in the Italian Government, together with the Committee on Energy, Research and Technology of the European 5 August 1987 Parliament and Viscount E. Davignon, Vice-President The Committee for the European Development of of the Commission of the European Communities Science and Technology (CODEST) delegation visited visited the JRC Ispra site. the JRC in Ispra. 1960s The Federal Minister for Finance, Franz Joseph Strauss, the President of the European Commission, Jean Rey, the Prime Minister of the Land Baden-Württemberg, Hans Filbinger, and the Federal Minister for Research, Hans Leussink, all visited the ITU, Karlsruhe in the 60s. 28-29 September 1987 1990s 11 October 2002 Members of the Social Democratic Group of the Vice-President of the European Commission, Filippo The European Commissioner for Research, Philippe “Deutscher Bundestag” visited the MARK XIII A Maria Pandolfi, visited the ITU in Karlsruhe. Busquin, re-opened the refurbished chemistry installation (fuel gas desulphurisation) in Ispra. building at the IRMM in Geel. 26 November 1990 President of the European Commission, Jacques July 2005 Delors, visited the JRC in Ispra. The European Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potočnik, opened two new hydrogen 22 October 1998 and fuel cell testing facilities at the Institute for Energy President of the European Commission, Jacques (IE) in Petten. 24 November 1987 Santer, visited the JRC in Ispra. Chong Wu Ruan, Vice-President of the Commission of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic 22 September 2000 of China was accompanied by Wang Dan, Ruenzhai Li President of the Italian Republic, Carlo Ciampi, visited and Jianhua Fu, Chinese Embassy of Rome, on a visit the JRC in Ispra. to the JRC in Ispra. 22 November 2000 20 October 2005 President of the European Commission, Romano The European Commissioner for Science and 25 Prodi, visited the JRC in Ispra. Research, Janez Potočnik, in the presence of Stanley Prusiner, Nobel Laureate for Medicine or Physiology, opened the new reference materials storage building at the IRMM in Geel. April 1988 The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed El Baradei, visited the ITU in Karlsruhe.

13 July 1988 Hon. Mario Dido, member of the European Parliament 2001 16 April 2007 and Prof. A. Ruberti, Italian Minister for Scientific Vice-President of the European Commission, Loyola The European Commissioner for Science and Research visited the JRC in Ispra. de Palacio, visited the ITU in Karlsruhe. Research, Janez Potočnik, visited the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS) in Seville. 12 July 2002 The European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Franz Fischler, visited the GMO laboratory at the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) in Geel. PART 4 Future Perspective

Over the past five decades, the Joint Research Centre and Candidate Countries achieve the scientific- As the European Commission’s need for independent, has developed from a body exclusively performing technical basis of the Community body of law and in-house ‘scenario modelling’ in sensitive areas nuclear research, to a customer-driven organisation it has integrated scientists and experts from these continues to grow, the JRC must expand its abilities providing scientific-technical support to policy- countries into its own staff. in the near future. The JRC is also evolving to provide makers. This transformation very much reflects the more support in crisis management, such as damage evolving priorities of the European Commission and Being ‘customer-driven’ means that the JRC is assessment, and anti-fraud activities. the objectives of Member States. constantly evolving, in terms of its working methods, organisation and core areas of activities. The JRC’s The future of the JRC looks bright, with positive The last decade in particular has paved the way for nuclear activities still make up nearly one third of feedback and additional demands from existing the JRC of the future: in 1996, it was established as a its work programme, although these are now mainly customers, as well as the appearance of new 26 Directorate-General, independent from the Research centred on safety and security aspects of the nuclear customers – the European Parliament and the Council. DG. This separated more clearly the Commission fuel cycle. In addition, Member States are more accepting of the services which fund research carried out by third JRC than ever before, revealed in the lead-up to and parties from the JRC, which carries out its own The JRC is beginning to integrate socio-economic agreement of its latest framework programme. Staff research. competences into all its activities, in order to provide at national level have shown strong support for the a more holistic service to its customers and one which JRC’s mission statement and core values, while the JRC Along with this distinction came a review of the way better meets their needs. It tries to anticipate areas has begun to strengthen cooperation with Member in which the JRC was guided in its actions: Member that may require action by policy-makers, and so State organisations dedicated to activities supporting States are involved in strategic decisions of the JRC enters into new fields, such as the health and safety policy-making. through a Board of Governors. assessments of nanotechnology and the coexistence of genetically modified organisms. It seems certain that the JRC will surmount the In 1998, the European Council adopted a new mission challenges it faces in the future, heightening its statement. This refocused the JRC’s activities on the It is able to respond flexibly to emerging priorities, efficiency in meeting customer demands. It will priorities of its customers and underlined its role as including security, energy, maritime policy and continue to guarantee excellence in its work, a reference centre, interacting closely with Member global challenges. Through its participation in calls through benchmarking and competition, and State institutions. for proposals under the framework programmes for will carry on using sound scientific fact to inform research, the JRC updates and develops its knowledge European policy-making. The JRC has responded well to the recent via networking, ensuring it is in a position to provide enlargements of the European Union. It has made state-of-the art service to its customers. efforts to help institutions in the new Member States �������������������������������������������

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15 LB-NA-22761-EN-C Tel.: +39 0332 78 98 89 Fax: +39 0332 78 54 09 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ Brussels: Tel.: +32 2 295 76 24 Fax: +32 2 299 63 22 Ispra: CONTACT Unit Internal and External Communications DETAILS monitoring of EU policies. As a service of the European Commission, the JRC functions as a reference centre of science and technology for the of science and technology as a reference centre the JRC functions of the European Commission, of EU policies. As a service monitoring interests, being independent of special Member States, while interest of the process, it serves the common to the policy-making Union. Close or national. whether private The mission of the JRC is to provide customer-driven scientific and technical support for the conception, development, implementation and development, implementation for the conception, and technical support customer-driven scientific of the JRC is to provide The mission