Soil Mission Calls (2023) are open

Under Horizon Europe, the European Commission funds research and innovation in order to protect and restore soils in Europe and beyond which is in line with the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”.

The call for proposals for 2023 is open until 20 September 2023. This includes 9 topics: Discovering subsoil; prevent & combat desertification; soils in spatial planning; soil friendly practices in horticulture; bringing communities & citizens closer to soil; digital technologies to monitor nutrients/chemical and biological stressors to soils; carbon farming in living labs; Co-creating solutions for soil health in living labs; soil pollution processes.

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ECHA publishes PFASs restriction proposal

The details of the proposed restriction of around 10.000 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are now available on ECHA’s (European Chemicals Agency) website.

The proposal was prepared by authorities in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden and submitted to ECHA on 13 January 2023. It aims to reduce PFAS emissions into the environment and make products and processes safer for people.

ECHA’s scientific committees will now start evaluating the proposal in terms of the risks to people and the environment, and the impacts on society.

A six-month consultation is planned to start on 22 March 2023. An online information session will be organised on 5 April 2023 to explain the restriction process and to help those interested in participating in the consultation.

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NICOLE News

the NICOLE Foundation was officially created on 2 February 2023. After establishing the necessary process steps, the Foundation Board will work on marketing as well as project, volunteers and donors search.

The NICOLE Spring Workshop 2023 on showcasing the ‘state of the art’ of site characterization and sustainable land management tools and practice will take place on 11 & 12 May in Paris, France. The call for abstracts on presentations and posters on research and development projects, new innovative approaches and case studies as well as learning lessons is open until 17 March 2023:

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EUGRIS News

New documents on EUGRIS, the platform for European contaminated soil and water information:

Eugris news January 2023