Hello and welcome to the March edition of the Brussels News Updates, the monthly EuChemS newsletter keeping you up to date on the latest chemistry related science-policy issues, news and upcoming events and awards.

The main action for EuChemS this month is the 3rd European Employability Survey (ESEC3). All chemists and chemical engineers are kindly invited and strongly encouraged to answer the survey before 31 March. Their feedback is key for designing better future landscape for chemists in Europe when it comes to employability, skills, education and overall quality of life of citizens in Europe. Furthermore, EuChemS is preparing to answer the European Climate Pact consultation of the European Commission and we are getting ready for our coming events, such as celebrating EuChemS 50th anniversary and the 8th EuChemS Chemistry Congress (ECC8).

You can read the full newsletter online here.


European Highlights, Research, Innovation, Education, Entrepreneurship

ESEC3 - The 3rd employment Survey for European Chemists
The 3rd Employment Survey for European Chemists of the European Chemical Society (EuChemS) is open until 31 March 2020. This survey is open for all chemists and chemical engineers. Participation in this Europe-wide survey will help build a broad yet precise picture of the employment and salary situation of chemists and possibly reveal other cross-cutting issues.
EuChemS invites you to complete the questionnaire and to share it here.

EuChemS is preparing to answer European Climate Pact consultation
On 4 March 2020, the European Commission presented a proposal to implement the European Climate Law in order to enshrine in legislation the EU’s political commitment to become the first neutral continent by 2050. Simultaneously, the Commission announced the launch of a public consultation to gather input from various stakeholders in order to shape the European Climate Pact.
EuChemS is preparing to answer the survey and is taking this opportunity to ask for input in order to provide feedback and suggestions regarding the European Climate Pact initiative to the European Commission.
Read the full article and complete EuChemS survey here.

ECHA launched the EU Chemicals Legislation Finder
The EU Chemicals Legislation Finder (EUCLEF) is the European Chemicals Agency – ECHA’s new online service to access an overview of 40 pieces of EU chemicals legislation. This online service was launched on 11 March and is free to access.
The purpose of EUCLEF is to offer organizations a better understanding on their obligations across different UE laws, by compiling them in one place. It includes legislations on occupational health and safety, environment, product control and many more. EUCLEF also comes with a dedicated regulatory advice service that helps companies on the content of different legislation and related regulatory obligations. Read more here.

EuChemS 2020 annual meetings
EuChemS is getting 50 years old this year. We will celebrate our birthday on 3 July in Prague, exactly on the date and at the place where it was originally founded. Read more about it here.

EuChemS 8th Chemistry Congress – ECC8
The 8th EuChemS Chemistry Congress (ECC8) is getting closer. ECC8 is organised by the Portuguese Chemical Society (SPQ) and with the support of the Portuguese Electrochemical Society (SPE), and will take place from 30 August to 3 September in Lisbon, Portugal. Registration is possible until 15 August 2020.
The theme of 8th EuChemS Chemistry Congress is ‘Chemistry the Central Science’, focusing on the central role of chemistry at the interfaces with biology, material and environmental sciences, both for the progress of humankind and for the solution of fundamental problems of modern societies. As of today, 8 plenary lectures were announced and confirmed for the scientific program. Read more here.

EuChemS attended the debate “Towards Gender Equality in Science: Are We on the Right Track?”
On 6 March, EuChemS attended the debate “Towards Gender Equality in Science: Are We on the Right Track?” organized by the Spanish Scientists in Belgium (CEBE). The event took place in Brussels, Belgium. The speakers were Nellie Konijnendijk, Human Ressources advisor equality at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Professor Flora de Pablo, researcher at the Center for Biological Investigation for the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Daniel Pérez, researcher at the quantum technology lab of Chalmers University and Tania Van Loon, President of Belgian Women in Science (BeWiSe). Read more there.


Consultations & Roadmap

Consultations for 'Food Safety - list of substances in food prohibited or permitted under scrutiny (hydroxyanthracene derivatives)'
Deadline: 1 April 2020
You can take a look at it here.

Public consultation on the active substance Carbon dioxide
Deadline: 20 April 2020
You can take a look at it here.

Consultation on 'Europe's beating cancer' plan
Deadline: 07 May 2020
You can take a look at it here.


Fundings, Nominations & Awards

EuChemS Chemistry Congress fellowship scheme
The aim of this grant is to support early career researchers (bachelor, masters and PhD student) actively attending the EuChemS Chemistry Congresses.
Deadline for submitting applications: 31 May 2020.
Click here to submit your application.

Call for Elected Members of the EuChemS Executive Board
The call for nominations for three (3) vacancies for elected members of the EuChemS Executive Board is open. 
Click here to submit your nomination.

Call for European Young Chemist Award (EYCA)
The aim of  EYCA is to showcase and recognize the excellent research being carried out by young scientists working in the chemical sciences.
Click here to submit your application.


EuChemS Events

7PYCheM
20 – 22 May 2020, Bragança, Portugal
Website: bit.ly/2x3wvr6

MMM School 2020
17 – 19 June 2020, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Website: bit.ly/2TUcLzk 

AIM 2020 Advanced Inorganic Materials
25 – 26 June 2020, Bari, Italy
Website: bit.ly/3d8lhCD


OTHER EVENTS

Annual Conference on EU Law in the Food Sector 2020
14 – 15 May 2020, Brussels, Belgium
Website: https://bit.ly/2IOpE7L

ICSD 2020: 8th International Conference on Sustainable Development
09 – 10 September 2020, Rome, Italy
Website: https://ecsdev.org/conference/8th-icsd-2020


Read the full BNU newsletter here

EuChemS aisbl - Rue du Trône 62, 1050, Brussels, Belgium; www.euchems.eu. Produced for EuChemS by Nineta Hrastelj, Alex Schiphorst and Marta Kucza. This newsletter has been carefully prepared and only contains correct information to the best of EuChemS´ knowledge, however this does not exclude the possibility of existence of incorrect information. EuChemS cannot be liable for the use or misuse of any information, whether correct or incorrect, present at this newsletter. Intellectual property belongs to its rightful owners, always explicitly traceable on each article. Compilation Copyright © 2019 EuChemS


David Spichiger, SCS
19.03.2020