Workshop on Biological Threat Detection Standards

Dublin | May 03, 2013 European Defence Agency

On 15 April the European Defence Agency organised a workshop on test and evaluation (T&E) standards for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defence (CBRN) detection under the auspices of the Irish Presidency.

Participants from national ministries of defence, industry and research organisations/universities attended the event which focused on T&E equipment standards for biological threat detection as dealt with in the EDA project T&E BIODIM.

Conclusions of the workshop are:

    The need for standards / harmonisation and common agreed protocols/standards for Test and Evaluation of (B) detection equipment was confirmed;

    The EDA project T&E BIODIM will form the backbone for further developments in this area;

    Civ-Mil synergies are recognised and will be elaborated between the Agency and the European Commission under the European Framework Cooperation;

    Recent EC workshop on Standards Mandate in JRC ISPRA confirmed high priority for test and evaluation/detection standards;

    Common agreed EU protocols/ standards  will create a win-win situation for end-users and industry:

        For end-users in terms of interoperability (mil-mil, civ-civ and civ-mil) and  sensor network capabilities;

        For industry in terms of cost reduction and level playing field and clarity on parameters they are tested against.

    “Live (= real)” agent testing for identification equipment/ procedures is needed.

More information:

• Presentations from the workshop are available for download (EDA workshop TE standards CBRN)
• Project page BIODIM