Learn more about IRISS

IRISS is about building and managing an EU-led, self-sustaining multistakeholder network that enables co-creation of mutually valued outcomes for Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design-materials, processes and products, across society and key value chains.

Who is IRISS?

The IRISS consortium is built of core partners (CPs) and network partners (NPs) [SM1] that represent top components needed to build an EU-led permanent network, which is self-sustaining and international in scope. The components represented are policy: applied research and innovation, industry and research and education. The core partners are already active in relevant Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design-projects that are easily connected to the network.

The involvement of industry in IRISS is also a core part of the project strategy. Six strategic value chains represented by industry associations and other stakeholders are network partners in the consortium: ETP (textiles), EFCC (construction), CLEPA (automotive), EMIRI (energy), INL (electronics) and IPC (packaging) with additional value chains to be included.

Also, the SusChem Regional Networks and the European Technology Platform on Advanced Engineering Materials will ensure provision of policy, applied science, industry and innovation linkage throughout EU and beyond. A key strength is the inclusion of top level nanosafety representatives via University of Birgminham, RIVM and BNN.

How will IRISS work?

The permanent network will promote the uptake and use of Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design in three main ways: compiling SSbD-criteria and guiding principles (WP1), building skills and identifying competence gaps (WP2), and co-creating and regularly updating roadmaps that ensure alignment between research and developement, governance and industry (WP3). Furthermore, a key part of the IRISS strategy is to have targeted mapping of the tools already developed in SSbD, engaging value chains to ensure dialogue, facilitating input and exchanging feedback on the three main activities, and ensuring the outreach to additional value chains (WP4) with the support of communications and community-building work (WP5). These areas form the core content on which the permanent network will be built (WP6).

What is IRISS’ scope?

IRISS will support the implementation of Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design in industry to achieve more sustainable products for society, and contribute to making society safer, more sustainable, non-toxic and carbon neutral. IRISS will be focused on materials in both products and processes, considering the extensive progress to-date in chemicals and nanotechnology fields. IRISS will develop a global permanent network that coordinates and supports all relevant SSbD-activities to maximise wider impacts. IRISS will also liaise with existing initiatives and communities to gain synergy effects. Partners in the IRISS project