Events

NEPSI Closing Conference 2024: A Celebration of Collaboration and Progress

On 21 November 2024, the Closing Conference of the European Network for Crystalline Silica (NEPSI) took place at the NH EU Berlaymont Hotel in Brussels. This significant event gathered around 60 participants from across Europe to celebrate achievements, reflect on lessons learned, and discuss the future of this vital initiative promoting occupational health and safety.

Welcoming the Stakeholders

The conference began with a warm welcome address from NEPSI Presidents, Mrs. Florence Lumen and Mr. Sylvain Lefebvre, who set the tone for a day of collaboration and exchange. Their remarks were followed by an inspiring address by Mrs. Maria Luisa Cabral from the European Commission, representing DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion European Commission, representing DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion who underlined the uniqueness of the NEPSI Social Dialogue Agreement and the continuous support of the European Commission. Mrs. Sophie Grenade, speaking on behalf of industriALL, highlighted the importance and value of NEPSI which is a true example of European social dialogue in action. Mr. Andy Price (Sibelco), speaking on behalf of the employers, also shared valuable insights into the role of NEPSI in fostering social dialogue and safety improvements across industries.

Highlights of the NEPSI 2022-2024 Project

The conference provided a comprehensive recap of NEPSI’s activities during 2022-2024, with a special focus on the seven national seminars organized across Europe. These seminars were instrumental in:

Raising awareness of the NEPSI Agreement and reinforcing social dialogue at all levels.
Facilitating the exchange of best practices and demonstrating how NEPSI centralizes and promotes safety initiatives in various countries.
Engaging in meaningful discussions on critical topics, such as the challenges faced by SMEs and young workers.
Sharing technical insights and showcasing real-world improvements in occupational health and safety.
Building a strong network of national NEPSI contact points, including social partners and authorities, to ensure continued cooperation.
Highlighting the importance of national and local campaigns in positioning NEPSI as a key implementation tool of the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive (CMRD).

Voices from Across Europe

Speakers from Hungary, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, and Sweden shared their countries’ perspectives on NEPSI’s importance. Their presentations emphasized how the initiative has helped strengthen workplace safety and foster collaboration among stakeholders at the national level.

Panel Discussion: The Power of Social Dialogue

A key feature of the event was a panel discussion on the theme: “The NEPSI Agreement: An Example of Effective Social Dialogue at EU and National Levels.” Moderated by Sophie Grenade from industriALL, the panel brought together distinguished voices, including:

Marian Tanase (European Commission)
Åsa Dahlfors
Conny Lundberg
Jean-Pierre Damm
Andy Price

The panel underscored the importance of social dialogue in advancing safety and health at work, particularly during times of industry transition. The discussion highlighted NEPSI as a model of collaborative effort that strengthens occupational safety standards while addressing the challenges of modern industrial practices.

A Future Built on Collaboration

The NEPSI Closing Conference was not just a reflection on past achievements but also a call to action for the future. As industries evolve, the principles of collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility that define NEPSI will continue to play a crucial role in ensuring safe and healthy workplaces across Europe.

NEPSI represents a unique partnership between employers and workers committed to minimizing occupational exposure to crystalline silica. By fostering social dialogue and providing practical tools, NEPSI remains a cornerstone of efforts to protect workers’ health and well-being.

National seminars video recap:

NEPSI closing Conference photo gallery:

Save the date – seminar nepsi in action (Poland)

NEPSI in Action final social dialogue went to Warsaw, Poland, on 17 Sep 2024. This was 7th NEPSI in Action Seminar that gathered 50 participants, representing social partners from signatory sectors and representatives of Polish authorities/institutions. Seminar brought us together to learn about the new NEPSI tools and exchange on the interaction on the European social dialogue and the health protection of workers. Dziękuję Polsko!

Photo gallery from the NEPSI in Action in Warsaw:

NEPSI In Action, Warsaw, Poland, video:

Save the date – seminar nepsi in action (Germany)

NEPSI went to Kassel to learn about the German legislation and exchange on good practices. Good discussions and active interaction with the audience made this seminar exceptional.

Read the full report here.

Photo Gallery from the NEPSI IN ACTION Seminar in Kassel, Germany, held on 27 Feb 2024:

Video from the NEPSI IN ACTION Seminar held on 27 Feb 2024, in Kassel, Germany:

Save the date – seminar nepsi in action (SPAIN)

Read the report from the NEPSI In Action Seminar held in Madrid on 24 January 2024 here.

seminar nepsi in action (Italy)

NEPSI in ACTION fourth seminar took place in Rome, Italy on 18 October 2023. Around 80 participants (social partners from signatory sectors and representatives of Italian authorities/institutions) got together to learn about the new NEPSI tools and exchange on the interaction on the European social dialogue and the health protection of workers. Grazie Roma!

Read full report here.

seminar nepsi in action (sweden)

NEPSI in ACTION third seminar took place in Stockholm, Sweden on 30 Aug 2023. Around 35 people (social partners from signatory sectors and representatives of Swedish authorities/institutions) got together to learn about the new NEPSI tools and exchange on the interaction of good practices and Hungarian legislation. Industry representatives were mainly from the mining, cement, concrete and aggregates sectors.

Read the report from the Seminar NEPSI IN ACTION held on 30-08-23.

Seminar Nepsi in action (Budapest)

NEPSI in ACTION second seminar took place in Budapest, Hungary on 20 April 2023. Around 40 people (social partners from signatory sectors and representatives of Hungarian authorities/institutions) got together to learn about the new NEPSI tools and exchange on the interaction of good practices and Hungarian legislation.

Read the report from the Seminar NEPSI IN ACTION held on 20-04-23.

szeminárium NEPSI IN ACTION (Budapest)

Around 80 people attended the seminar in Paris to learn about the new NEPSI tools and exchange on the interaction of good practices and French legislation.

We benefited from the presence and participation of the representation of the European Commission in France, the Directorate-General for Labour, the ANSES, and prevention institutes such as INRS and CARSAT.

The social partners of NEPSI, who were present in large numbers, were keen to highlight their long and joint work, and this was successfully done on 14 February in Paris.

Read the conference report on the NEPSI in ACTION Seminar in Paris.

Environ 80 personnes ont participé au séminaire à Paris pour découvrir les nouveaux outils NEPSI et échanger sur l’interaction entre les bonnes pratiques et la législation française.

Nous avons bénéficié de la présence et de la participation de la représentation de la Commission européenne en France, de la Direction générale du travail, de l’ANSES, et des instituts de prévention tels que l’INRS et les CARSAT.

Les partenaires sociaux du NEPSI, présents en nombre, avaient à cœur de mettre en avant leur long travail commun, ce qui a été fait avec succès le 14 février à Paris.

Lisez notre rapport de conférence sur le séminaire NEPSI en ACTION à Paris.

Découvrez la vidéo complète du séminaire:

SAVE the date – SÉMINAIRE NEPSI IN ACTION (Paris)

2022-11-15 Launching of NEPSI in Action (Brussels)

On 22 November 2022, the new NEPSI in ACTION started dynamically with an opening conference in Brussels. The NEPSI in ACTION Conference brought together over 80 participants, 6 speakers presenting the newly developed tools of NEPSI and 2 round tables with 10 panellists in total.

Read our conference report on the launching of the NEPSI in ACTION Conference.