The Kick-off meeting for this group took place in Brussels on 11 April, attended by 11 representatives from the public research and technology and transport organisations, including 3 from the JRC.
This thematic area is coordinated by Didier Poullain of the CEA, a major French government-funded technological research organization, who also coordinates DG HOME’s Network on Detection of Explosives (NDE).
Because the Thematic Area is broad, the Group’s challenge is to identify points where it is possible to make progress. A unique test, evaluation and certification system for equipment for all non-aviation sectors is seen as attainable only in the very long term. The meeting discussed and refined a draft Work Programme with 5 work packages on: statement of needs for non-aviation explosive detection, technical requirements for detection systems, elements of a European common test methodology, review of existing regulations and framing of recommendations.
The next meeting is proposed for 25-26 September in Brussels.