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Risk Analysis including MAHB and NEDIES

Objective

Specific Objectives:
1. To maintain and update major accident reporting systems;
2. To perform risk and accident analysis at European level and to assist in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of European directives;
3. To draw and disseminate lessons learnt, guidelines and recommendations to partners in Member States and Candidate Countries;
4. On the basis of the above, to improve disaster and accident prevention, preparedness and response for technological and natural hazards;
5. To participate in the relevant networks in the framework of the European Research Area, and to establish a scientific and technical reference network for EU policy in the field and to contribute to research integration in the area;
6. To perform training particularly for Candidate Country authorities and industries. Anticipated milestones and schedule Two meetings of the Plenary group of the European Expert Group on Land-use Plan: March and September 2003. Reporting of MARS and SPIRS information at the Committee of Competent Authorities responsible for the Seveso II Directive: May and October 2003. Reporting of MARS information to the OECD: November 2003. Delivery of ARIPAR 3 to Candidate Countries and Member States: June 2003. Editing and Web publication of "disaster forms" derived from lessons learnt reports collected by NEDIES: June 2003. Delivery of the "Seveso" substances database to Member States: June 2003. Delivery of a "state-of-the-art" document on flood disasters management: October 2003. Delivery of a "state-of-the-art" document on natech disasters: December 2003. Draft directive on the transport of dangerous substance in pipelines: December 2003.
Planned Deliverables:
A managed and updated Major Accident Reporting System (MARS) for DG ENV, for Member States, for OECD and for UN/ECE. A managed and updated Seveso Plant Information Retrieval System (SPIRS) for DG ENV and Member States, including the development of rapid risk assessment ranking tools for societal and environmental risks and the analysis of SPIRS establishment-related data. Developed, validated and disseminated specialised tools for risk analysis and management for area risk (improvement of ARIPAR); land-use planning; evaluation of the triggering capacity of technological accidents by natural disasters. Managed Community Documentation Centre for Industrial Risk (CDCIR) including a continuously updated interactive web-based application. Management of the European Expert Group on Land-use Planning. This group comprises experts for Member States, research organisations and industrial federations with the aim of producing prescriptive guidance for the harmonised implementation of land-use planning in relation to industrial establishments. The first steps are to develop harmonised databases for frequency failure rates and accident scenarios.

Management of the "Mutual Joint Visit" programme. This activity promotes information and methodology exchange between Member State Inspectors to ensure a uniform application of the Seveso II Directive in each country. Support to DG ENV in the preparation of a draft directive on the transport of dangerous substances in pipelines.

On the spot support to DG ENV following some major event (e.g. the pyrotechnics accident in Enschede and the explosion of the ammonium nitrate establishment in Toulouse). Development with the European Chemical Bureau of a database of "Seveso" substances by creating a direct link with the ECB's classification and labelling database. Support to the Candidate countries in their efforts to conform to the acquis communautaire. Training of competent authorities in the area of risk assessment, the use of ARIPAR, SPIRS, MARS etc. the training of industry through workshops organised by CEFIC/TAIEX (4 to 5 workshops annually).

Management and updating of the Natural and Environmental Disaster Information System (NEDIES) strengthening its role as a common repository of lessons learnt and disaster reduction methods. Organisation of an expert meeting on fire accidents. Organisation of two thematic workshops: - on socio-economic impact of disasters and - on natech disasters. Production of lessons learnt reports from fire accidents and about socio- economic implications of disasters. Elaboration of a "state-of-the-art" document on natech disasters, in collaboration with the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR).
Summary of the Action:
The action covers the work of the Major Accident Hazards Bureau (MAHB) and the work of the Natural and Environmental Disaster Information Exchange System (NEDIES). MAHB supports the implementation and monitoring of Community policy on the control of major hazards and the prevention and mitigation of major accidents, chiefly the Seveso II Directive. It plays a pivotal role in the scientific, follow-up actions, which result after the occurrence of any major accident, including the formulation of amendments to the relevant legislation. For example, the Seveso II Directive is currently being amended to take account of the accident in Enschede involving the storage of pyrotechnic substances, the cyanide spill in Baia Mare, and it will surely be re-assessed in light of the Toulouse Accident and in particular with respect to land-use planning. MAHB also supports the formulation of related forthcoming legislation (e.g. directive concerning the carriage of dangerous chemicals in pipelines). MAHB maintains and updates the Major Accident Reporting System (MARS), analysing accident reports and extracting and disseminating the "lessons learnt" to competent authorities, industry and the safety research community in general. MAHB also has developed and manages within MARS a major accident reporting system for the OECD countries and for the UN/ECE convention on the effects of major accidents with transboundary effects. MAHB maintains and further develops the mapping of establishments containing hazardous substances with the SPIRS system and it also manages the Community Documentation Centre on Industrial Risk (CDCIR). NEDIES supports the Community action programmes on Civil Protection by making available validated information on natural disasters and technological disasters not falling under the Seveso Directive and not considered for its possible amendment. The data delivered mainly concerns prevention, preparedness, response and information given to the public. Principal aims of NEDIES include the publication of lessons learnt reports from the management of natural and non-Seveso disasters and the preparation of guidelines and recommendations to face future disasters. Focus will be given to the development of an area dedicated to the dissemination of information to the public (within the NEDIES website), to the investigation of the domino effect in natural disasters, natech disasters and socio-economic implications of disasters. Both activities are involved in the "Enlargement Programme" and strong links exist with the Candidate Countries giving them assistance with the environment acquis. Rationale The safety of the citizen in Europe faces a continuing challenge from a wide range of disasters and emergencies, arising both from natural and technological hazards. For policy-makers to cope effectively with such emergencies requires careful planning and management, which must draw on a consolidated body of experience and analysis. The Major Accident Hazards Bureau (MAHB) has the specific remit to give independent scientific and technical support to the Commission to ensure the successful implementation and monitoring of EU policy on the control of major hazards and the prevention and mitigation of major accidents. The Natural and Environmental Disaster Information Exchange System (NEDIES) will ensure that the experience available throughout Europe in the management of natural and environmental disasters is shared, assessed, and systematically exploited. MAHB and NEDIES will also be used as a basis for further research in the area. To this end it is also planned to investigate the domino effect in natural disasters, and to study the interrelationship between natural and technological disasters (natech disasters) and analyse the socio-economic consequences of disasters.

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Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen
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Via E. Fermi 1
I-21020 Ispra
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