Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ERNCIP CBRNE STDS 16 (ERNCIP thematic group activities in 2016 supporting development of Mandate 487 for standards in security)

Teaser

The threat of malicious use of dangerous substances for terrorist purposes is still with us. Recent attacks have involved weapons and explosives, and terrorist organisations are proclaiming their desire to also use Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive...

Summary

The threat of malicious use of dangerous substances for terrorist purposes is still with us. Recent attacks have involved weapons and explosives, and terrorist organisations are proclaiming their desire to also use Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRN-E) weapons. One way of reducing the risk from malicious use of CBRN-E substances is to improve the capability to detect these substances.

The aim of this project is to advance common technology standards that will improve the detection of CBRN-E substances in Europe.

In summary, the main objectives were:

1. To identify the requirements for harmonisation of real-time systems monitoring for CB threats in drinking water, as part of a water security plan.

2. To raise awareness on the benefits of information sharing with remote experts (reachback) for response to nuclear security events

3. To support the development of European robotics/RN detection trials using the Group’s work on RN scenarios.

4. To identify the feasibility of enhancements to existing CEN standards for testing the resistance of windows and glazed facades to explosive effects

5. To propose EU standardisation activities to mitigate the risk of explosives and weapons attacks at secure locations with low to medium throughput.

6. To investigate the opportunities for EU standardisation and other support activities that will best support user needs for mitigating the risk of explosives and weapons attacks at secure locations with high throughput (e.g. large sporting and entertainment events) and at public places/mass transportations locations (with no secure perimeters).

Work performed

\"The overall goal of this project, i.e. to advance common technology standards to improve the detection of CBRNE substances has been achieved, through contributions from all four thematic groups. Highlights include:

1. Proposals for a guidance related to a Water Security Plan to protect drinking water have been validated at a Water Safety and Security workshop.
2. The First Committee Draft for the list-mode data format standard (IEC 63047) was accepted by IEC Technical Committee (TC) 45 “Nuclear Instrumentation” in October 2016, with a forecast publication date of March 2019.
3. The CEN TC33 WG1 has agreed to review standards for testing the resistance of windows EN 13123 and EN 13124.

The project has primarily been undertaken by networks of volunteer European experts, assembled by ERNCIP in the form of four Thematic Groups. Each Thematic Group is led by a Coordinator organisation, appointed by ERNCIP on the basis of its European standing as a recognised authority in that area. Other experts are recruited from EU organisations that have a recognised expertise in the subject matter. The four thematic groups that undertook this work in 2016 were:

- Chemical and biological risks to drinking water thematic group (Water TG)
- Radiological & nuclear threats to critical infrastructure thematic group (RN TG)
- Resistance of structures to explosive effects thematic group (Structures TG)
- Detection of explosives and weapons at secure locations thematic group (DEWSL TG).

WATER TG:
The initial focus of the Water TG was consultation on the outline proposals for a Water Security Plan, produced in 2015. Three separate surveys were issued for:
- the consultation of water utility operators, EUREAU and other national water-related associations;
- technical parameters targeted at sensor manufacturers
- National government authorities responsible for security of drinking water.

The results from these were consolidated into conclusions for the next steps in harmonisation. These proposals were discussed at the \"\"Water Safety and Security\"\" Workshop organised jointly by ERNCIP and DG HOME, held in December 2016 in Brussels, with the aim to improve coordination among science, policy-making and operators.

The feedback from the workshop was incorporated into the final proposals for a guidance related to a Water Security Plan to protect drinking water, to be progressed in 2018 and 2018.

RN TG:
The First Committee Draft for the list-mode data format standard (IEC 63047), produced by this TG, was accepted by IEC Technical Committee (TC) 45 “Nuclear Instrumentation” in October 2016, with a forecast publication date of March 2019.

In 2016, the TG therefore focussed on raising awareness within EU Member States on the benefits of information sharing, between remote experts (reachback) for detection of, or response to, nuclear security events.

A major trial on the use of the latest robotics technology for detection of RN events was undertaken at ELROB, Eggendorf, Austria in June 2016, with the RN scenario organised by the RN TG members, based on the Group’s work on RN scenarios. This event greatly increased the interaction between the RN community and the robotics specialists, and identified the opportunities from further contact.

STRUCTURES TG:
Consultative meetings were held with some national contact points of CEN TC33, and with the relevant ISO committee (ISO TC160), to discuss the feasibility for enhancements to existing experimental standards for testing the resistance of windows and glazed facades to explosive effects. TC33 WG1 has agreed to start the review process of EN 13123 and EN 13124 standards, with the support of the ERNCIP TG.

DEWSL TG:
The priority of the Group in 2016 was the follow-up of the Phase 1 Report, validated at a workshop in December 2015. This report made many recommendations regarding the actions that should be taken at EU level to improve the capabilities of detecting explosives and weapons at secure\"

Final results

The advancement of common technology standards to improve the detection of CBRNE substances is being achieved.

A new standard is well underway for the list-mode data format for the new class of digital radiological detectors, with a forecast publication date of March 2019. This will enable other benefits to be now progressed, including wider use of common technical expert centres in the event of a nuclear incident (reach back), with benefits of safety to front-line responders and faster information gathering. To support this, a combined ERNCIP/ Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) workshop is planned in 2017 on information sharing in the event of a nuclear incident.

One of the key recommendations made by the DEWSL TG to improve the detection of explosives and weapons at secure locations by producing guidelines for vehicle screening will now be progressed in 2017 with the intent to produce these guidelines in the format of a CEN Workshop Agreement.

The proposals for guidance related to a Water Security Plan to protect drinking water, validated at the recent Water Safety and Security workshop will now be progressed in 2017 and 2018 so that tangible assistance can be provided to water utility operators.

Website & more info

More info: https://erncip-project.jrc.ec.europa.eu/.