To establish harmonized methodologies for the monitoring and assessment of macro-, micro- and nanoplastics in the environment, as well as blueprints for standards and recommendations for policy and legislation, is the ambitious goal of a newly started European project, EUROqCHARM.

More specifically, EUROqCHARM will evaluate existing methodologies for plastic pollution assessments, harmonize them on a European level - with rigorous quality control - and reinforce the European monitoring capacities based on the developed guidelines. The goal is to achieve this for plastic debris, microplastics ànd nanoplastics in freshwater and seawater, in soil and seafloor sediment, in living organisms, and in the air. The project will deliver the necessary and very urgent methodological support that is needed to successfully implement long-term strategies to deal with plastic pollution.

EUROqCHARM unites 15 key actors involved in studying and monitoring plastic pollution in Europe, under coordination of the Norwegian Institute for Water Research. Bert van Bavel, project coordinator from NIVA.

SALT is responisble for knowledge transfer and dissemination of project outputs, including

• Create a project brand identity
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with stakeholders involved at various levels of EUROqCHARM
• Regularly share information through a dedicated website and social media channels
• Disseminate EUROqCHARM outputs and recommendations for overcoming identified gaps and limitations to effective monitoring
• Transfer knowledge of best practices concerning various issues related to plastic pollution monitoring via dedicated events (web and on-site) targeting different audiences. 
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  Read more on euroqcharm.eu →