1. Wiktor WOJTAS European Commission DG Home Affairs
Action Plan to enhance preparedness against CBRN security risks 29 January 2019
Wiktor WOJTAS
European Commission
DG Home Affairs

2. Evolving chemical threat
Improvised chemical device intended to release highly toxic hydrogen sulphide
Direct instructions from Syria: an Islamic State operative in Syria provided advice and send read-to-assemble elements of the bomb

3. Chemical Hydrogen Sulfide Deaths
Japan Statistics
2007 = 27 deaths
2008= 517 deaths (6 months)
ISIS DIRECTED (Tarek Khayat)
Conviction - pending
1)IED explosive and chemical
2) Chemical Hydrogen sulphide

4. Salisbury attack, 4 March 2018
- Poisoning of Sergei (a former Russian military officer and double agent for the UK's intelligence services) and Yulia Skripal
Novichok – a series of nerve agents developed by the Soviet Union and Russia between 1971 and 1993
Not a terrorist attack -> an example how easily chemical agents can be used
June Amesbury poisonings – one person dead

5. Immediate EC actions to address the chemical threat
1. Develop a common list of chemical substances posing a particular threat, as a basis for further operational action to reduce their accessibility and enhance capabilities for their detection.
2. Set up a dialogue with private actors in the supply chain to work together towards measures to address developing and evolving threats from chemicals that can be used as precursors.
3. Accelerate a review of threat scenarios and an analysis of existing detection methods to improve the detection of chemical threats, with the aim of developing operational guidance for Member States to step up their detection capabilities.
4. Raise awareness among first responders, in particular law enforcement and civil protection personnel, to enable them to recognise early signs of a chemical attack and react appropriately.

6. Cologne ricin plot, June 2018
Ricin – a toxin of biological origin (castor beans)
Video tutorial online
Purchases online from other Member States
Sief Allah Hamdei

7. Sardinia, November 2018
a Palestinian man with links to the Islamic State
cousin arrested in September on suspicion of plotting to poison Lebanese army
planned to put ricin and anthrax in town’s water supply system

8. 2017 Action Plan to enhance preparedness against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear security risks
"credible indications suggesting that terrorist groups might have the intention of acquiring CBRN materials or weapons and are developing the knowledge and capacity to use them"
"technological developments which
might be exploited by terrorists for malicious
purposes"
"potential of CBRN attacks features
prominently in terrorist propaganda"

9. A more coordinated and focused approach
Reducing the accessibility of CBRN materials
2. Ensuring a more robust preparedness for and response to CBRN security incidents
3. Building stronger internal-external links in CBRN security with key regional and international EU partners
4. Enhancing our knowledge of CBRN risks

10. OBJECTIVE 4: ENHANCING OUR KNOWLEDGE OF CBRN RISKS
4.1 Creation of an EU CBRN security network
4.2 Harnessing the benefits of EU security research
“ensuring that research activities respond to the operational needs in the area of CBRN”
- Support the dissemination and take-up of research results
- Identify further research needs and address emerging CBRN threats (UAS or biohacking)
- Encourage harmonisation through standardisation and certification for CBRN security products and systems (testing of CBRN detection , ERNCIP to develop CEN Workshop Agreements)

12. Any Questions? Thank you!