Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CBRNE STNDS 2017 (ERNCIP CBRNE STANDARDS 2017 and 2018 – support to Mandate 487)

Teaser

The primary aim of this project is to improve the detection of CBRN-E substances in Europe by enhanced cooperation among European research laboratories, advancing common technology standards or detection processes. This goal will be achieved through four work packages, each...

Summary

The primary aim of this project is to improve the detection of CBRN-E substances in Europe by enhanced cooperation among European research laboratories, advancing common technology standards or detection processes. This goal will be achieved through four work packages, each addressing a specific CBRN-E issue. These work packages will be formed around an ERNCIP thematic group, which will undertake pre-normative assessment on the topics identified as having a priority need, driven by the current security threats faced in the EU.
The proposed thematic groups for this CBRN-E Standards project are:
• Chemical & biological risks to drinking water – Water Security Plan
• Radiological and nuclear threats to critical infrastructure – remote expert support & novel detection technologies • Risk assessment and mitigation of explosive threats against structures and soft targets
• Vehicle screening against explosive and weapons threats at checkpoints – CEN Workshop Agreement.
In order to provide oversight across all these work packages, there will also be a management work package covering the ERNCIP Office’s specific activities which will oversee all the other work packages.
Each thematic group will undertake pre-normative assessment to identify the current issues associated with the topic, and what options might exist for further harmonisation activities that would improve the security of the EU, and/or help the EU market for security products.
In some cases, this may lead to recommendations for specific harmonisation activities, such as changes to existing standards, or even proposals for new standards. Other possible paths that could be identified include a CEN/CENELEC workshop agreement; recommendations for further research, recommendations for EU policy, or even recommending that no further activity is justified.

Work performed

\"The work performed in the framework of this project is articulated around 4 thematic groups. The output of each of the thematic groups is listed hereby:

1) Thematic group on Chemical & Biological Risks to Drinking Water:

The group has produced the work programme which was approved by ERNCIP office. In the framework of this work-programme and the activites of the group the Water Security Plan and the technical questionnaire on the availability and suitability of online monitoring techniques to detect variations in water quality caused by contamination was reviewed in September 2017. This envisaged Water Security Plan was presented on 8 March 2018 in Brussels during the Community of users event. The Group’s coordinator emphasised the security aspect in drinking water supply, and promoted and justified the envisaged Water Security Plan, as stand-alone guidance for tackling security issues. The Group is now finalising its report on “Practical Guidelines of the Requirements of Continuous On-Line Water Quality Monitoring System in Drinking Water Supply Systems”, to be published in September 2018.

2) Thematic Group on Radiological and Nuclear Threats to Critical Infrastructure:

The group produced the work programme which was approved by ERNCIP office. An interim report on the technical aspects of novel radiation detection methods, has been produced, and will be published in August 2018. This covers recent development on gamma-ray detectors, neutron detectors, source localisation methods, photo-sensors and data acquisition. The report “After-action Analysis of the Magic Maggiore Workshop on Expert Support and Reachback\"\", was published in December 2017. This joint JRC/ GCINT (Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism) workshop held in March 2017 had helped raise awareness and build commitment towards technical reachback in the event of a radiological incident. This report of post-workshop activities paves the way for the identification of the next steps towards development of European capabilities for nuclear security and in more general, for CBRNE security.

3) Thematic Group on Resistance of Structures against Explosive Effects (formerly Protection of Structures against Explosive Effects):

The group produced the work programme which was approved by ERNCIP office. The scope of this Group has been extended and now includes the risk assessment for building protection and testing of windows and facades by arena testing, also known as far-field testing. The focus of the Group has been on expanding the cadre of experts, particularly to gain experience of dealing with the standardisation processes. For the risk assessment part, potential additional experts were identified. The special workshop in Ispra on June 12-13 sought to extend the Group with experts in the new areas. Several experts in the field of testing of windows and risk assessment concerning explosive loading presented their expertise and their ideas for future research work, leading to enlargement of the thematic group.

4) Detection of Explosives and Weapons in Secure Locations Thematic Group:

The objective of this work package was to instigate a CEN workshop agreement on EU-level guidance for vehicle screening at secure locations. ERNCIP Office has sought to identify new subject-matter experts willing to lead and work on developing the identified guidance for detection of explosives and weapons, including alternative work programme options, in place of developing a CEN workshop agreement for vehicle screening, in line with the theme of detection of weapons and/or explosives.

Discussions have been held internally within the JRC, including the Transport/Border Security work at Geel; with national authorities with security responsibilities (French national civilian and military centre for CBRN-E training; KEMEA, Greece; CIP Directorate, Malta.); and with members of CEN Technical Committee 391, Societal and Citizens Security.

While there is much interest and\"

Final results

The work packages set out to fill the standardisation gaps that have been identified during the first two Phases of the M/487 work, especially standards for explosives detection; testing methodologies to assess performance of detection equipment; standards for sensors and sensor data; and interoperability standards between detection equipment, and end-users in analysis labs. New standards aim at fostering the development of innovative, competitive and interoperable security solutions which will improve the competitiveness of the European security industry.

Website & more info

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