Energy Commissioner hints at 2030 efficiency target for September
The European Commission released an Energy Security Strategy in May. An energy efficiency target was not included in the strategy; however Commissioner Oettinger indicated that he supports the idea of a binding 2030 target to be proposed in September.
PHARMACEUTICALS
WHO drug resistance resolution approved
The World Health Organization's resolution on antimicrobial drug resistance was approved at the 67th World Health Assembly in May. A global action plan will now be drafted for approval in 2015. Read our response.
EAHP agree new hospital pharmacy standards
Standards comprising 44 statements of practice to guarantee the safe and effective use of medicine were agreed during the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists summit in Brussels in May. Read more.
CHEMICALS
Sweden to sue Commission over EDC inaction
Sweden has stated that it will take legal action against the European Commission over its failure to draw up criteria to test suspected endocrine disrupters. Criteria had been expected in late 2013. Read more.
SIN Producers List updated
Chemsec has updated its SIN Producers List for Investors with information from the second registration phase of REACH. The list includes the companies that currently produce or import SIN List chemicals in the EU.
French National Strategy on EDCs
France has launched a new strategy on EDCs which it hopes will drive the issue at EU level. Measures include: removing BPA from thermal paper, speeding up the detection process in children's toys and reviewing 5 suspected EDCs. Read the strategy (French).
ECHA RAC propose BPA reclassification
The ECHA's Risk Assessment Committee is now supporting the French proposal to reclassify bisphenol A classification from a category 2 to a 1B reproductive toxicant. BPA would then be treated as a presumed human reproductive toxicant that may damage fertility. Read more.
NANOMEDICINE
Evidence of serious illness through nanoparticle exposure
A report in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine has identified a case of serious illness due to contact with nickel nanoparticle powder. A young chemist developed throat irritation, nasal congestion and skin reactions as a result of unprotected contact.
PUBLICATIONS
WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy approved WHO’s Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023 was approved at the 67th World Health Assembly in May. This includes traditional and complementary medicine products, practices and practitioners within its objective of prioritising health services and systems.
Lancet report on health implications of fracking
Lancet has published a reporton the health risks associated with fracking. This follows a workshop attended by scientists, public health professionals and academics at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine workshop in late 2013.
EVENTS
European mHealth Conference 19 June 2014, Brussels
Bringing together top level speakers and stakeholders, this conference aims to generate a cross-sectoral debate on the way forward for mHealth in Europe. Register online.
C2DS Conference 24 June 2014, Paris
This will be held to mark the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Charter for the Environment by the French National Assembly. Registration formto be submitted by 15 June.
NEW MEMBERS
Cork University Hospital (CUH), Ireland
CUH is the largest university teaching hospital in Ireland and is the only Level 1 Trauma centre in the country. The Hospital is working to reduce energy consumption by 33% by 2020 and to minimise the amount and toxicity of waste. www.cuh.hse.ie/
Department of Health Xativa-Ontinyent (DSXO), Spain
DSXO belongs to the Ministry of Health of the Generalitat Valenciana and forms a public healthcare network serving around 210,000 people through 2 general hospitals alongside health centres and clinics in the south of the province of Valencia. www.san.gva.es
MEMBER UPDATES
Jegrelius Institute for Applied Green Chemistry, Sweden
The PVC-free Blood Bag Project, for which Jegrelius is the leading partner, received a monitoring visit from the Commission in April 2014. Learn more about the monitoring process.
CARTIF Foundation, Spain
CARTIF's RESCATAMEproject received the 'Best of the Best' award at the LIFE Award Ceremonyon 4 June in Brussels. This recognised their work on sustainable urban traffic management.
