(Ed/nc) The current global coronavirus crisis has brought biological risks and the necessity to prepare for pandemics to the fore. But the mitigation of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) risks and threats has already been part of the European Commis- sion’s activities for over a decade. In 2009 the Commission present- ed its first EU CBRN Action plan for 2010-2015, which was followed in 2014 by the “Communication on a new EU approach to the detec- tion and mitigation of CBRN-E risks”. In 2017 a new EU CBRN Action plan was presented, building upon the work launched in the EU with the first Action Plan and addressing emerging threats.
Excerpts from the 2014 communication:
“[T]he threat from CBRN materials and explosives remains high and is evolving. […]
The EU debate on radicalisation recently intensified. Latest reports suggest that of particular concern are returnees from Syria. Some of these and other radical- ised individuals, having access to and working in sensitive areas might use their insider knowledge to strike against critical infrastructures, such as a waterpurification plant, or they may disable railways electrical power supplies. Such insider threats may have transnational impacts and therefore also pose threats to EU security. […] While work at national level continues to play a vital role in the fight against terrorism, a robust, better designed, and proportionate strategy to anticipate and deter future CBRN-E risks at EU level is needed, including tackling illegal methods of production, handling, con- cealing and storing these materials. It is therefore important to adopt a proactive approach and to put effective, propor- tional safeguards in place, including prevention, preparedness and response measures at EU level, while respecting fundamental rights. […]
A new approach to the detection and mitigation of CBRN-E risks
The objectives of this Communication are to better assess the risks, to develop countermeasures, to share knowledge and best practices, test and validate new safeguards with the ultimate goal of adopting new security standards. […]
Better detection
[…] The Commission will
- support further short-term trials for practitioners in order to improve detec- tion … ultimately leading to creation
- of an EU approach to public events security
- review and build on the gap analysis on the detection of explosives
- carry out a gap analysis on the detec- tion of CBRN materials
- prepare analytical papers and over- views of CBRN and explosives threats and risks indifferent areas of public security, including transport to support policy
- organize and support more actions deal- ing with the issue of insider threats […].
Using better research, testing and validation
[…] The Commission will
- continue to ensure that research takessecurity policy needs into account …
- further support CBRN-E research,testing and validation activities, and progress towards appropriate detec- tion standards adapted to each type of environment…
Training, awareness and capacity building
[…] The Commission will
- further develop training tools, encour-age the sharing of best practices and develop guidance materials to support practitioners with state-of-the-art training, in particular helping law en- forcement practitioners improve their detection practices …
- continue to raise awareness of the limitations of explosives detection equipment …
- address the human factor risks by promoting a programme to ensure that those who operate detection equip- ment are well trained and motivated, and improve communication between industry, security service providers and Member States through workshops and tools and improve the level of security
- ensure CBRN risks are taken properly into account in the development of the European Emergency Response Capacity
- closer links with training and exercises provided in the framework of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism should be explored […].
Promote more lead country initiatives and work with industry
[…] The Commission will
- proactively engage with stakeholders and organise meetings with Member States’ representatives on CBRN-E affairs to better handle prevention, pre- paredness and response measures;
- set up a platform for the exchange of information between the Commission, Member States and other stakehold- ers, and organise regular workshops on the research needs of end-users;
- continue to help Member States put forward lead country actions under one or more of the actions in the CBRN or explosives action plans. The Commission will in particular encour- age initiatives that address detection issues.
The external dimension
CBRN-E threats know no borders, as shown by the SARS and bird-flu (H1N1) viruses […]. Threats from commercial and homemade explosives, such as the 2010 Yemen cargo bombs, are anoth-
er example of external threats that go beyond EU borders. For this reason, we need to build relationships with, and sup- port preparedness and detection meas- ures, in third countries to ensure that we can adequately protect the EU. […]
Conclusions
With the innovation and opportunism shown by terrorists seeking to inflict damages using CBRN-E materials, the EU needs to adopt a more proactive approach to detecting CBRN-E materials. This new step by step approach includes considering each threat and environ- ment, using better research, testing
and validation, promoting awareness building, training and exercises while engaging all stakeholders. With this ap- proach, the Commission believes it can play an active role at EU level in helping Member States and other important actors to make Europe a safer place for its citizens. […]”
