08 Chemical Threats at PoE

This includes actions for preparedness in relation to chemical threats at points of entry

Objective:

to address health threats posed by chemicals at points of entry, through increased awareness of and adherence to the requirements set out in EU Decision 1082/2013 on Serious Cross Border Threats to Health and the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005. Guidance and training material for ports, airports and ground crossings will be produced to support EU MS in planning, preparing and coordinating action for response to cross-border chemical health threats.

Tasks:

Detailed information will be gathered on the roles and responsibilities of EU MS organisations related to chemicals at points of entry.
Two workshops will be organised to identify gaps, opportunities and raise awareness on best practices for chemicals at all points of entry. For further details on the workshops, see Table 8.
Information obtained from these workshops will be used to develop training materials for EU MS to train staff on chemical safety and preparedness for chemical incidents at points of entry.
A guidance document detailing the management of chemicals and chemical incidents at ports and ground crossings will be produced. It will detail obligations for chemical preparedness and action under EU Decision 1082/2013 on cross-border threats to health and will reinforce the EU MS requirements concerning preparedness, detection, assessment, notification and reporting of chemical incidents.
A tool to assess chemical preparedness at points of entry, in line with IHR core capacities, will be piloted. In addition to piloting and evaluating the assessment tool at ports, tools for airports and ground crossings will be produced.

Assessment tool for chemical preparedness at ports, airports and ground crossings.
Guidelines for dealing with chemical preparedness at ports, airports and ground crossings.