Creating impact
The results and outcomes from PlasticTrace will be disseminated through several channels to reach the different stakeholders and different sectors through a number of activities. This will include all from stakeholder meetings and workshops, social media communication to more traditional scientific publications and attending key conferences. Establishing networks both to facilitate internal and external communication. In addition, the methods and technologies resulting from PlasticTrace will be established in the metrological and analytical sector by internal and external training networks. Here we work closely together with existing EU projects (EUROqCHAM, POLYRISK and PlasticFate) and COST actions (PRIORITY). Long term impact is expected through national and international accreditation bodies in which several partners actively participate. The exploitation of the reference materials will also have a long term effect on the quality of the analysis and data of SMPs/NPs for mitigation actions and decision making.
Uptake of project outputs by private & public sector
- End users: Analytical laboratories and service providers for calibrations & consultancy based on new capabilities.
- Industry: Instrument makers, Analytical tool suppliers, Food packaging industry and producers ➜ for Industrial R&D, commercialisation of new tools / techniques;
- EU projects: Several recently started and ongoing EU projects are in large need of methodologies and technologies to measure SMPs/NPs (EUROqCHARM, CUSP cluster, COST action PRIORITY) ➜ New and deepened networks and collaborations;
- Scientific community: Support for researchers at universities and research institutes, including PhD students ➜ Training and collaborations with research community;
- EU Research Infrastructure / Metrological Networks: METROFOOD-RI, FoodMetNet, POLMO ➜ New accreditations in traceability chain;
Tangible influence standards & regulation
- Draft standards & technical specifications: Partners take part in more than 25 standardisation activities, in particular on ISO/TC 147/SC 2/JWG 1 Plastics (including microplastics) in waters and related matrices, CEN/TC 352/WG 1 Nanotechnologies/Measurement and Characterisation and performance evaluation, ISO/TC334 Committee on reference materials, EURAMET TC-MC Metrology in Chemistry, CCQM Organic Analysis Working Group (OAWG), VAMAS “TWA 45 Micro and Nano Plastics in the Environment“;
- New studies/ ILCs: CCQM Organic Analysis Working Group (OAWG), VAMAS “TWA 45 Micro and Nano Plastics in the Environment“;
- EU directives on Microplastics: the Drinking Water Directive (DWD), the Sewage Sludge Directive (SSD), the Environmental Quality Standards Directive (EQSD);