A JRC-run project and a dedicated application are bringing together scientists from across the EU and its neighbourhood to monitor and map litter floating from rivers into the seas.

The observation activity supports the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the EU's policy framework for the protection of the marine environment which aims to achieve good environmental status of the EU's marine waters by 2020. Although the work has already started, stakeholders are encouraged to join the network and monitor their own areas of concern.

The European Commission has announced plans to overhaul the way in which companies are taxed in the single market, delivering a growth-friendly and fair corporate tax system. JRC scientists have supported the package with a macroeconomic impact analysis of the proposals.

Further information: Commission proposes common corporate taxation across the EU

The JRC, in its competence as the European Reference Laboratory (EURL) on Heavy Metals in Food, organised an inter-comparison study for the determination of total arsenic and inorganic arsenic in rice. The participants were National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) and official food laboratories in the EU Member States. The study revealed that improvement in performance is still necessary.