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About Common Forum
By Joop | April 27, 2006
The COMMON FORUM on Contaminated Land was initiated in Bonn 1994. It started as an informal group of those from national government and agencies in EU Member States who are involved with contaminated land and groundwater issues. In 1996 COMMON FORUM gained a more formal status as initiators of the EU funded CARACAS concerted action on risk assessment for contaminated land. COMMON FORUM was the group of formal country representatives in CARACAS, and this situation continued during the subsequent CLARINET concerted action, which ended in 2001.The publication of the CLARINET reports introducing “Risk based land management” as a central concept in European contaminated land approaches illustrates that EU wide harmonisation can arise if all stakeholders realise the benefits of this, without being forced to do so by a EU directive. COMMON FORUM is now recognised by the EC as an important “stakeholder network” in the development of a EU soil protection policy. It is also recognised by the industry lead contaminated land network NICOLE (Network of Industrially Contaminated Land in Europe) as representing the European regulatory and policymaking community. After the end of CLARINET, COMMON FORUM wanted to keep it’s central position in the soil protection and contaminated land discussion, and succeeded due to the enthusiasm of it’s members. The need for more continuity was growing, as expressed during all meetings since 2001, for many actions to take place between meetings, and for more effective engagement with bodies like the European Commission.
The general objectives of COMMON FORUM are to develop strategies for the management and treatment of contaminated sites and for land recycling with respect to “sustainable resource protection” for contaminated land and groundwater. COMMON FORUM holds regular meetings to discuss important and current issues in these fields. When possible, common views are developed and expertise is offered to the European Commission, relevant stakeholder networks and EU research projects. Many COMMON FORUM members participate in stakeholder groups in EU research projects or participate in discussions at workshops where results of EU projects are presented.
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