Efficient structural design is a prerequisite of safe, resilient and sustainable building construction. Local climatic, geographical and geological conditions (e.g. snow loads, earthquakes) affect the performance of buildings in terms of safety and sustainability, having a direct impact on construction cost and quality of life. Such parameters are described through climatic and seismic maps produced at national level based on diverse approaches and data.

In collaboration with international organisations, a JRC scientist defined criteria for the selection of positive/negative control samples to assess developmental neurotoxicity hazard posed by environmental and industrial chemicals.