EMBRACE at CBRN-E Summit Europe 2026: Advancing Biotoxin Preparedness
CBRN-e Summit Europe 2026 convened civilian, military, scientific and industry leaders in Lyon on 03-05 February 2026 for three days of discussions on strengthening European CBRNe preparedness.
Professor David Crouch, the Chair of the Biotoxin Task Force (BTF), alongside project partner PUI - Pompiers de l'Urgence Internationale, represented EMBRACE contributing to high-level exchanges on biotoxin mitigation, interoperability, and response coordination.
Converging Doctrines, Shared Challenges
Presentations from France, Italy, the UK, Spain, Switzerland and Greece highlighted a growing convergence of national CBRN doctrines toward a more coordinated European framework. Increased cooperation through HERA and NATO structures is strengthening joint training, preparedness, and multinational response mechanisms.
At the same time, important gaps remain:
- Limited biological data sharing between states
- Inconsistent decontamination procedures and equipment
- Insufficient CBRN specialisation among first responders
- Need for stronger civilian-military operational alignment
These findings closely align with EMBRACE’s mission to support interoperability and long-term collaboration across the European biotoxin community.
Innovation in PPE and Detection
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) challenges were widely discussed, particularly regarding ergonomics, contamination risks during donning and doffing, and operational strain. Innovations in mask design, airflow systems, anthropometric sizing, and integrated communication aim to improve responder safety and performance.
Advances in biological detection technologies — including drone- and vehicle-based systems with real-time data reporting — also demonstrated the rapid evolution of operational tools.
Strengthening the European Biotoxin Ecosystem
The summit confirmed both significant progress and clear areas for improvement, including centralized patient tracking, standardized decontamination procedures, and enhanced data sharing.
For EMBRACE, the discussions in Lyon reinforced the importance of sustaining an active stakeholder network that bridges research, operational response, policy, and industry. Continued collaboration will be essential to translating innovation into practical, resilient solutions for Europe’s CBRNe preparedness.