The main aim and objective of the Action is to develop a collaborative and multi-disciplinary network of
international scientists and experts with competences on issues related to micro and nanoplastics,
with specific targets of health and environmental concerns.
To achieve the main objective , the following specific objectives shall be accomplished:
Sharing the state-of-the-art based on the competences and know-how of the participants about the
multifaceted N/MPs issues, as monitoring, sampling, extraction, analytical protocols, studies of the
interactions with biome, definition of remediation and recovery strategies.
Coordinating inter-laboratory studies and joint projects involving European and International researchers
of representative critical classes of materials/goods with relevant interest for the stakeholders (for example:
fractions of fragments, specific matrices, etc.).
Comparing and to assess models for experimental data fitting simulations to understand the crucial
factors and their effects on the analysis results, and assessment of the related software/algorithms used for
data analysis; exploring the possibility to exploit chemometrics tools and machine learning algorithms.
Assessing sampling, extraction and sample preparation methodologies and protocols, highlighting
advantages, disadvantages, and possible applications in the different environmental compartments.
Coordinating the European Expert:
– to establish a reference Committee to assist decision-makers, stakeholders, citizens that face N/MPs
issues;
– to improve theoretical and practical knowledge;
to favor access to available EU infrastructures and eventually to propose new specific facilities;
to collaborate with experienced research groups and companies.
Supporting the Standardization Bodies and the Metrological Institutes in the identification of the most
critical issues and to the development of standard and technical reports.
Favoring the cooperation among the private and public organizations to foreseen novel solutions for the
plastic removal.
Collecting the scientific results related to N/MPs and organizing them in an open access database, and
disseminating research achievements and the Action activities to the general public
Project funding:
COST actions
Project results:
COST activities allow all participating members to benefit from the experience and knowledge of already established centers of excellence, laboratories, scientific networks. Joint activities will build certain bridges between all those involved, e.g. facilitating standardization, laboratory procedures, targeted methodologies, support in a given area. COST operational tools, such as working group meetings, internships, summer schools and open access to real information, will facilitate the progress and development of new knowledge and scientific fundamentals, enable the activation of targeted activities and achieve maximum effect, giving impetus to new challenges. All participating parties benefit from the knowledge and experience of the COST network, both individually and at the network level. COST activities will also effectively connect representatives of the academic community, metrology institutions and industrial companies, which will allow strengthening European research and innovation capacity.
Period of project implementation: 2021-10-19 - 2025-10-18
Project partners: Austria, Denmark, Malta, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom, Albania, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Estonia, Suomija, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Turkey, Czech Republic, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland
