The pan-European “European Plate Observing System (EPOS)” is focussed on Europe and adjacent regions and includes geophysical monitoring networks, local observations (including permanent in-situ and volcano observatories), topographic/surface dynamics information, surface and subsurface geological information, experimental and laboratory data and functions, and satellite data. In 2021 the Swedish Research Council (VR) approved an application for Sweden to join EPOS-ERIC, formally establishing existing collaborations between EPOS and Swedish research infrastructures.

Miljöförvaltningen inom Malmö stad gav RISE uppdraget att identifiera möjligheter att öka kolsänkorna inom kommungränsen. Syftet med den här rapporten är att sammanställa ett brett underlag för klimatarbete med åtgärder som möjliggör en ökning av de lokala kolsänkorna i Malmö stads geografiska område. Genom att uppskatta olika åtgärders potential för kolinlagring, teknisk mognadsgrad och kostnadseffektivitet från ett klimatperspektiv, samt visa på vilka skalor det går att jobba med dessa åtgärder inom kommunen, avses rapporteringen ge en översikt över vilka satsningar som kan göras för att kolsänkorna ska kunna bidra till Malmö stads miljö- och klimatmål. Forskargruppen från RISE har analyserat 18 olika kategorier som har potential att öka den lokala kolinlagringen inom: • de urbana grönområdena, • den urbana infrastrukturen, bebyggd mark och tillhörande mark • rural markanvändning och • övriga möjligheter. I beräkningarna ingår inte klimatpåverkan från insatser som krävs för att genomföra åtgärderna, till exempel avverkning, uppdrivning och plantering av skogsplantor, transport av timmer och förädling av virke. I rapporten tas inte hänsyn till om en ökad användning av mark i en kategori, minskar markanvändning inom en annan kategori.

The bowing phenomenon is so relevant that two projects, EU funded, from 1999 studied it and a European Standard to assess the resistance to thermal and moisture cycles (influencing bowing) has been recently adopted. In particular, according EN 16306: 2013, measurements of bowing and flexural strength should be performed before and at the end of the ageing cycles. Additional non-destructive tests are recommended, but are not compulsory for the standard. Moreover, Annex A of EN 16306 contains guidance on the limit values for the selection of marble types suitable for outdoor uses, especially façade applications. Eleven varieties of marble have been tested by means of this laboratory ageing test. Non-destructive tests such as the measurements of ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), adjacent grains analysis, open porosity, and water absorption have been executed together with the conventional flexural strength test. The results obtained from image analysis on thin sections indicate that the AGA index may not always be correlated with the other tests: amount of bowing, loss of flexural strength, or loss of UPV. Some consideration of the decrease in mechanical resistance and the bowing in relation to the variety of marble tested and the limit values indicated in Annex A of EN 16306 can be noted. It is known that bowing and rapid strength loss occur in some varieties of marble when used as exterior cladding and other exterior applications. Additional conclusions have been drawn: bowing and flexural strength correlate well and can be used to assess the suitability of the marble to be employed in outdoors.

The European Construction Products Regulation (CPR) came into force the 1st of July 2013. Although much in the CPR and the harmonized product standards are clear and concise, some issues are still open for interpretation. In this paper, we give a brief background on the requirements associated with the CPR, from a natural stone perspective. Special conditions, like simplified test methods and responsibility for Factory Production Control, are presented. Finally, the pros and cons with the new CPR, as identified in continuous dialog with the Swedish natural stone industry, are ventilated.