Brussels, 05/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 5 May, the European Commission adopted a communication on improving the detection within the EU of explosives and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials (CBRN-E) to prevent them from ending up in the hands of terrorists.
The Commission is also proposing to step up its research and carry out awareness activities. “Terrorist attacks such as those in Madrid, London, Moscow and at the Boston Marathon illustrate the high level of innovation of attackers, and the relative ease with which some CBRN-E materials and components can be obtained”, the Commission states.
The communication aims to ensure more effective detection procedures, in order to provide a better response to insider threats, “for instance through improved vetting procedures of personnel involved in the whole supply chain of explosives and CBRN-E materials”. It suggests testing equipment used to detect CBRN-E materials or light, portable electronic devices (non-intrusive detection methods used in trains and metros). The Commission aims to use “better research, testing and validation” as part of the Horizon 2020 programme, by increasingly translating the results of research activities into useful commercial products. The communication also looks at awareness and training with, for example, a “handbook for airport protection of civilians, carried out within the EU AirPol police network”, to be published by the Commission in the second half of 2014. It also intends to create a discussion platform with the industry and the main stakeholders concerned. The communication refers to support efforts outside the EU. The Commission aims to “support preparedness and detection measures in third countries where appropriate, in particular through technical assistance, training, and sharing of information and best practices”. (SP)