Joint Research Centre Research Articles

Integrating the SDGs into Urban Regeneration: A Madrid Nuevo Norte Case Study Using an Adapted Voluntary Local Review Framework

While the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have emerged as the preeminent sustainability framework across various spatial scopes, the reporting and assessment of new urban developments and regeneration projects often remain tethered to sustainability frameworks that lack direct alignment with SDG targets. This paper proposes a framework to integrate SDG reporting within urban regeneration initiatives. This approach leverages existing resources, such as the Joint Research Center’s (JRC) European Handbook for SDG Voluntary Local Report (VLR) and UN-Habitat’s Global Urban Monitoring Framework (UMF), to report potential contributions towards SDG progress. The framework is validated through the case study of Madrid Nuevo Norte (MNN), one of the largest urban regeneration projects currently developed in Europe, located in the northern district of the Spanish capital and encompasses the regeneration of a 3.2 million square meter area. The methodology evaluates MNN potential contributions through a set of indicators based on input–output/outcome–impact framework to track the causal pathways arising from MNN activities. This paper presents an analysis of the methodological framework developed for the MNN SDG report during the project-planning phase, with a focus on evaluating the framework’s capacity to accurately estimate the project’s contributions to the SDGs.

The effects of RT-qPCR standards on reproducibility and comparability in monitoring SARS-CoV-2 levels in wastewater

Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is widely used for monitoring viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), in wastewater. Various materials, including plasmid DNA, synthetic nucleic acids, PCR amplicons, genomic DNA, and cDNA, are currently used for SARS-CoV-2 quantification by generating standard curves. We assessed three common standards on quantifying SARS-CoV-2 RNA across nine wastewater treatment plants in Finland, as part of the national wastewater surveillance effort. We pairwise compared RT-qPCR results from 148 wastewater samples, using both IDT (#10006625, IDT, USA) and CODEX standards (#SC2-RNAC-1100, CODEX DNA), and 179 samples using both IDT and EURM019 standards (#EURM-019, European Commission, Joint Research Centre) in our assessment. Amongst the tested standards, the CODEX standard consistently yielded more stable results than either the IDT or EURM019 standards. We found that SARS-CoV-2 levels were higher with the IDT standard (4.36 Log10 GC/100 mL) compared to the CODEX standard (4.05 Log10 GC/100 mL). Similarly, quantification using the IDT standard was higher (5.27 Log10 GC/100 mL) than values obtained with the EURM019 (4.81 Log10 GC/100 mL). SARS-CoV-2 RNA quantified with IDT and CODEX standards exhibited stronger concordance (Spearman’s correlation rho median of 0.79) compared to those quantified with IDT and EURM019 standards (rho median of 0.59). This study highlights the significant impact of standard material selection on SARS-CoV-2 RNA quantification, emphasizing the need for harmonization in standard material.

Lake water storage changes and their cause analysis in Mongolia

Lake is an important water resources in Mongolia, which has undergone a large variation in past decades. However, it is still challenging to monitor long-term changes in lake water storage (LWS) due to the lack of lake level monitoring and long-term satellite altimetry data for Mongolian lakes. According to the Advanced Land Observing Satellite Digital Elevation Model (ALOS DEM) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) dataset, we estimated the LWS changes of 55 Mongolian lakes (> 10 km2) from 1991 to 2020. The results showed that the LWS increased by 40.24 km3 from 1991 to 1997, especially for northwestern Mongolia with 31.47 km3. However, the LWS decreased by 32.44 km3 from 1998 to 2010, and the lakes in the northwestern and southern decreased by 20.24 km3 (62%) and 7.38 km3 (23%), respectively, and then the LWS continued to decrease by 10.22 km3 from 2011 to 2020. The precipitation was the primary cause of lake change, which could explain 45.13% of LWS change based on Generalized Linear Model, followed by temperature (26.33%) and irrigated area (16.72%). Analyzing the changing characteristic and driving mechanisms of LWS can provide a scientific basis for local water resources management and planning.

Exploring the connection between EU-funded research and methodological approaches: insights from a retrospective analysis

BackgroundOver the last two decades, substantial investments have been directed towards supporting fundamental and applied research in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), breast cancer (BC), and prostate cancer (PC), which continue to pose significant health challenges. Recently, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission (EC) conducted a retrospective analysis to examine the major scientific advancements resulting from EU-funded research in these disease areas and their impact on society.MethodsBuilding upon this analysis, our subsequent investigation delves into the methodological approaches—both animal and non-animal models and methods—employed in AD, BC, and PC research funded under past EU framework programs (FP5, FP6, FP7, and H2020), and explored the notable research outputs associated with these approaches.ResultsOur findings indicate a prevalent use of animal-based methodologies in AD research, particularly evident in projects funded under H2020. Notably, projects focused on drug development, testing, or repurposing heavily relied on animal models. Conversely, research aimed at clinical trial design, patient stratification, diagnosis and diagnostic tool development, lifestyle interventions, and prevention—outputs with potential societal impact—more frequently utilised non-animal methods. Advanced investigations leveraging imaging, computational tools, biomarker discovery and organ/tissue chip technologies predominantly favoured non-animal strategies.ConclusionsThese insights highlight a correlation between methodological choices and the translational potential of research outcomes, suggesting the need for a reconsideration of research strategy planning in future framework programs.

Coupled computational fluid dynamics and computational thermodynamics simulations for fission product retention and release: A molten salt fast reactor application

This study presents a computational capability for fission product retention and release in two-phase, multi-species systems representing Molten Salt Reactors (MSR) with coupled thermal-hydraulics and fuel coolant chemical behaviours. This is demonstrated through four simulated cases centred on the proposed Molten Salt Fast Reactor (MSFR). This is achieved by two-way coupling the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code OpenFOAM and the Computational Thermodynamics (CT) code Thermochimica, using the Joint Research Centre Molten Salt Database (JRCMSD). Local chemical equilibrium is assumed, implying that chemical kinetics are predominantly governed by mass transport. Four simulations address normal operating conditions, exploring: (i) dilution of fission products injected within the molten salt coolant, (ii) molten salt coolant evaporation rate, (iii) release of radioactive gaseous species, (iv) shifts in the UF4/UF3 ratio, and (v) comparison of vapour pressures of gaseous species. The influence of temperature-dependent viscosity on retaining fission products, compared to consistent values, is also discussed. The feasibility of integrating CFD with Thermochimica showed promising results, broadening insights into multiphysics systems and setting the stage for its application in more intricate scenarios.

Economic valuation of changes in ecosystem services of 77 Ramsar wetlands in West Asia over 37 years (1984–2021)

Summary In the West Asia region, the vulnerability of Ramsar Convention wetlands due to unsustainable utilization driven by water scarcity continues to grow. Here, a global surface water product generated by the European Joint Research Centre was used to assess changes in surface water in 77 wetlands listed under the Ramsar Convention over a 37-year period (1984–2021). By combining this product with a quantitative valuation model, estimates were made of the economic value of the ecosystem services provided by these wetlands, enabling the determination of the economic losses resulting from any reduction in surface water. We show that 20% (7550 km2) of permanent surface waters in Ramsar sites have disappeared or are no longer classified as permanent. Based on this, USD 106 billion of the economic value of wetlands ecosystem services have been lost. Additionally, 33% (12 100 km2) of seasonal surface waters in these wetlands have experienced a decrease in area. Iran and Iraq account for 90% of water losses, primarily in 34 wetlands (30 in Iran and 4 in Iraq). These findings underscore the urgent need for water management policies and conservation strategies in the West Asia region.

Reference Materials for Thermal Conductivity Measurements: European Situation

A reference material (RM), as defined by the International Vocabulary of Metrology (VIM 2012), must be homogeneous, stable, and suitable for use in measurements. Certified reference materials (CRMs) are RMs with documented property values, uncertainties, and traceability. ISO 17034:2018 outlines the requirements for RM producers, ensuring that CRMs meet standards for stability, uniformity, and reproducibility. In Europe, CE marking, from French “conformité Européenne”, which means European conformity, has been mandatory for thermal insulation products since 2002, ensuring their thermal performance is verified by accredited laboratories using RMs like IRMM440 and ERM FC440. Annually, European manufacturers produce over 200 million cubic meters of thermal insulation, necessitating thousands of thermal conductivity measurements daily to maintain CE marking compliance. Key characteristics of Reference Materials include long-term stability, thermal conductivity within specified ranges, and minimal dependence on density, thickness, and applied load. Sample thickness must conform to apparatus specifications, and homogeneity must be quantified. Reference Materials must also have appropriate dimensions, surface smoothness, and manufacturability. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) Geel has produced two Reference Materials, IRMM 440 and ERM FC 440, with specific characteristics to meet these requirements. Both are glass wool fibers with low thermal conductivity and specific density and thickness. The qualification of RMs involves inter-laboratory comparisons to ensure the accuracy and traceability of thermal conductivity measurements. The European market’s organization, including the use of Reference Materials and CE marking, has significantly improved measurement consistency and product quality. This system has led to lower uncertainties in thermal conductivity measurements compared to North America, highlighting the impact of standardized RMs on industry practices. Future needs include developing RMs with lower conductivity and increased thickness to accommodate market trends towards super insulation materials and bio-based components, enhancing energy performance calculations for buildings. This paper will present the process of defining a reference material and how it affects the uncertainty level of the calculation of building energy performance. This level depends on the characteristics of the materials used, their implementation, and external factors, such as the weather, as well as the reference material used for calibration of all European thermal conductivity measurement devices.

Common core variables for childhood cancer data integration

IntroductionData-driven research has improved paediatric cancer outcomes for children. However, challenges in sharing data between institutions prevent the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to address substantial unmet needs in children diagnosed with cancer. Harmonising collected data can enable the application of AI for a greater understanding of paediatric cancers. The main goal of the paper was to analyse the currently used childhood cancer databases to identify a core of variables able to capture the most relevant data on the diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents with cancer. MethodsWe arbitrarily identified different types of existing databases dedicated to collecting data of patients with solid tumours, Umbrella, FAR-RMS; PARTNER; ERN PAEDCAN Registry; INSTRUCT and INRG; the common data elements for Rare Disease by Joint Research Centre. The different elements of the CRFs were analysed and ranked “essential” and “good to have”. Domains that included a group of variables structurally connected were identified. Each variable was defined by name, data type, description, and permissible values. ResultsWe identified six structural domains: Patient registration, Personal information, Disease History, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Follow-up and Events. For each of them, “essential” and “good to have” variables were defined. DiscussionData harmonisation is essential for enhancing integration and comparability in research. By standardizing data formats and variables, researchers can facilitate data sharing, collaboration, and analysis across multiple studies and datasets. Embracing data harmonization practices will advance application of AI, scientific knowledge, improve research reproducibility, and contribute to evidence-based decision-making in various fields.

Advances on the Global Human Settlement Layer by joint assessment of Earth Observation and population survey data

ABSTRACT The Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) project fosters an enhanced, public understanding of the human presence on Earth. A decade after its inception in the Digital Earth 2020 vision, GHSL is an established project of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre and an integral part of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service. The 2023 GHSL edition, a result of rigorous research on Earth Observation data and population censuses, contributes significantly to understanding worldwide human settlements. It introduces new elements like 10-m-resolution, sub-pixel estimation of built-up surfaces, global building height and volume estimates, and a classification of residential and non-residential areas, improving population density grids. This paper evaluates the key components of the GHSL, including the Symbolic Machine Learning approach, using novel reference data. These data enable a comparative assessment of GHSL model predictions on the evolution of built-up surface, building heights, and resident population. Empirical evidence suggests that GHSL estimates are the most accurate in the public domain today, e.g. achieving an IoU of 0.98 for the water class, 0.92 for the built-up class, and 0.8 for the non-residential class at 10 m resolution. At 100 m resolution, we find that the MAE of built-up surface estimates corresponds to 6% of the grid cell area, the MAE for the building height estimates is 2.27 m, and we find a total allocation accuracy of 83% for resident population. This paper consolidates the theoretical foundation of the GHSL and highlights its innovative features for transparent Artificial Intelligence, facilitating international decision-making processes.

Surface water monitoring from 1984 to 2021 based on Landsat time-series images and Google Earth Engine

Dynamic monitoring of surface water bodies is essential for understanding global climate change and the impact of human activities on water resources. Satellite remote sensing is characterized by large-scale monitoring, timely updates, and simplicity, and it has become an important means of obtaining the distribution of surface water bodies. This study is based on a long time-series Landsat satellite images and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, focusing on Anhui Province in China, and proposes a method for extracting surface water that combines water indices, Bias-Corrected Fuzzy Clustering Method (BCFCM), and OTSU threshold segmentation. The spatial distribution of surface water in Anhui Province was obtained from 1984 to 2021, and further analysis was conducted on the spatiotemporal characteristics of surface water in each city and three major river basins within the province. The results indicated that the overall accuracy of water extraction in this study was 94.06 %. Surface water in Anhui was most abundant in 1998 and least in 2001, with more distribution in the south than in the north. Northern Anhui is dominated by rivers, while southern Anhui has more lakes. Permanent surface water with an inundation frequency of above 75 % covered approximately 4341 km2, accounting for 32.03 % of the total water, while seasonal water with an inundation frequency between 5 % and 75 % covered about 6661 km2, accounting for 49.15 % of the total water, others were considered temporary surface water. By comparing our results with the global annual surface water released by the Joint Research Centre (JRC), we found that our study performed better in extracting lakes and rivers in terms of completeness, but the extraction results for aquaculture areas were slightly less than the JRC dataset. Overall, the long-term surface water dataset established in this study can effectively supplement the existing datasets and provide important references for regional water resource investigation, management, as well as flood monitoring.

Surface water area dynamics of the major lakes of Ethiopia (1985–2023): A spatio-temporal analysis

Ethiopian lakes face multiple ecosystem threats from human and natural factors, including climate change. The long-term dynamics of water surface area in many lakes remain unknown. This study presents the first comprehensive account of major Ethiopian lakes’ long-term water surface area dynamics, providing essential information for prioritizing hydrological conservation strategies. We extracted the time-series water surface area of the lakes from Landsat images in the Google Earth Engine (GEE), using the Modified Normalized Water Index (MNDWI) and machine learning (Random Forest) methods. Random Forest (RF) outperformed MNDWI across many lakes, especially when water body spectral characteristics became complex. A comparison of the results with the Joint Research Center (JRC) Global Surface Water Mapping Layers showed a good agreement. Long-term water surface area dynamics showed both common and distinct trends. Common trends included: (a) similar recession and expansion periodicities despite lakes being in different climatic zones, (b) an increase in the inter-annual variability of water area after 2000, and (c) a common abrupt point in time (2000/2001). Distinct trends included: (i) long-term decline in five lakes (Abiyata, Langano, Shalla, Chamo, and Hayq), (ii) expansion in three lakes (Ziway, Hawassa, and Abaya), and (iii) non-homogeneous long-term trends in two lakes (Tana and Hardibo). These common and distinct trends show the interplay of climate phenomena and lake-specific factors. Climate factors govern inter-annual lake area change (decreasing/increasing) and recession and expansion cycle periods. The magnitudes of changes and recovery rates after each change cycle vary based on lake-specific factors. We recommend prioritizing conservation efforts for lakes with high water storage degradation risks, as indicated by significant water loss over the historical period and persistent long-term declining trends. This includes Abiyata, Chamo, Shalla, Langano, Hayq, and Hardibo, in order of priority.

Determination of long half-life radioisotopes by mass spectrometry techniques in NORM materials

This work proposes a new approach for the analysis of radionuclides in NORM-type solid materials included in a European-level intercomparison test (Environmental Radiation Monitoring, REM2020), provided by the Environmental Radiation Monitoring group of the Joint Research Centre (JRC). The measurement techniques employed are inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), using both quadrupole analyzer-equipped instruments (Q-ICP-MS) and high-resolution instruments with magnetic sector analyzer (HR-ICP-MS), and atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES).Initially, the samples undergo microwave digestion using EPA methods adapted to the environmental matrix, yielding a nitric acid solution suitable for subsequent chemical analysis.Isotopes 40K, 235U, 238U, 230Th, and 232Th have been quantified due to their relevance from both radiological and environmental perspectives. An additional advantage of the proposed method is that besides determining concentrations and activities, it is also possible to ascertain the isotopic relationships of the radionuclides present in the samples, thereby determining whether the radiation originates from natural or anthropogenic sources.

Interoperability Testing for Explicit Demand Response in Buildings

The explicit demand response (DR) is a key program for reinforcing the participation of end customers and making the most out of the potential of the smart grid. The DR is a key topic in the field of buildings to make use of the flexibility that they can offer. However, in order to guarantee the correct functionality of a DR system, it is fundamental to perform interoperability tests among the various components/actors. In this paper, we take into consideration the technological solutions suggested in the framework of the DRIMPAC project to enable the DR in buildings. We consider all actors/devices involved in order to reach the objective of executing a flexibility order by an asset. Following a structured interoperability testing methodology created by the Joint Research Centre, we perform interoperability tests regarding all critical links of the full chain of interacting actors to obtain the DR in buildings. The results show that the system functions properly and the benefits from the DR can be exploited. On the other hand, we provide a concrete example of how to apply the interoperability methodology in the field of testing the DR in buildings.

THE TACIT END-OF-WASTE STATUS IS de facto USED IN THE EU AND CRUCIAL FOR THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

For a well-functioning circular economy, recycled materials with a specific purpose, that have a market, and meet the legal requirements for both products and the environment should have an end-of-waste (EoW) status. However, at the EU level, EoW has only been established for certain metals and cullet glass, and implementation at the national level has slowed down. One potential solution is tacit EoW, supported by articles 6(1) and 6(4) of the Waste Framework Directive (WFD), which place responsibility on economy operators with possible oversight by authorities. This discussion paper examines the status of various waste streams in the EU and illustrates that tacit EoW is already widely used in regulation and waste management practices. This includes: - Reuse of waste as a product after preparation (level 2 of the waste hierarchy); - Recycling of materials (level 3 of the waste hierarchy) to produce new products; - Recycling in environmental applications, such as fertilisers, soil conditioners, and growing substrates, as well as backfilling operations; - Energy production from various biomass and wood waste categories. Granting tacit EoW status consistent with level 3 of the waste hierarchy to other materials processed by certified industrial facilities would benefit the circular economy. A first group consists of materials recycled into products that do not come into contact with the environment, which could benefit from immediate tacit EoW, since the four EoW conditions are met. Ten wastes of this group are ranked for priority EoW by the Joint Research Center of the EU.

Determination of derived levels for radioactivity concentrations in foodstuff and environmental matrices at the Joint Research Centre (JRC-Ispra)

Determination of derived levels for radioactivity concentrations in foodstuff and environmental matrices at the Joint Research Centre (JRC-Ispra)

Multidimensional Evaluation Framework for Assessing Cultural Heritage Adaptive Reuse Projects: The Case of the Seminary in Sant’Agata de’ Goti (Italy)

As climate change accelerates, urban areas are becoming increasingly inhospitable, with rising heat island effects and overall unhealthy environmental conditions. In this context, historic villages, due to their proximity to nature and lower population density, can represent a valuable alternative to unsustainable urban areas, providing better quality of life (i.e., through healthier environment, better work–life balance). They are “populated” by historic buildings characterized by high cultural value but are often in a state of abandonment. Nowadays, the adaptive reuse of cultural heritage represents an efficient strategy to adapt it to new needs/requirements and, at the same time, to preserve its historical and intrinsic values for present and future generations. In this framework, this study proposes a multidimensional evaluation framework for assessing cultural heritage adaptive reuse projects, covering all sustainability dimensions and capturing both tangible and intangible values. This framework, consisting of multiple criteria and multidimensional indicators, has been applied to evaluate alternative scenarios related to the regeneration of the abandoned Seminary in Sant’Agata de’ Goti (historic village), Benevento, Italy. In particular, three different scenarios have been evaluated by the SOCRATES (SOcial multi Criteria Assessment of European policies) method, a multicriteria decision method developed by the Joint Research Center (JRC) of the European Commission.

Fostering scientific integrity and research ethics in a science-for-policy research organisation

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) is the European Commission’s in-house science and knowledge service, employing a substantial staff of scientists devoted to conducting research to provide independent scientific advice for EU policy. Focussed on various research areas aligned with EU priorities, the JRC excels in delivering scientific evidence for policymaking and has published numerous science-for-policy reports and scientific articles. Drawing on a scientific integrity statement, surveys among JRC’s research staff, and thematic discussions with JRC’s research leaders, the JRC has developed a comprehensive Scientific Integrity and Research Ethics (SIRE) framework, including instruments, procedures, and guidelines to ensure high standards and independence in its research. Key components of the SIRE framework include a Scientific Integrity Officer, an Editorial Review Board, a Research Ethics Board, and guidelines for responsible conduct of research. This article provides an overview of the JRC’s SIRE framework and how it was developed, emphasising the importance of maintaining independence, integrity, and ethics in scientific research that supports EU policy. The article also discusses potential gaps in the framework and where additional efforts may be needed, comparing with the recent U.S. National Science and Technology Council report on Protecting the Integrity of Government Science.

Technical Note on the quality of DNA sequencing for the molecular characterisation of genetically modified plants.

As part of the risk assessment (RA) requirements for genetically modified (GM) plants, according to Regulation (EU) No 503/2013 and the EFSA guidance on the RA of food and feed from GM plants (EFSA GMO Panel 2011), applicants need to perform a molecular characterisation of the DNA sequences inserted in the GM plant genome. This Technical Note to the applicants puts together requirements and recommendations for the quality assessment of the methodology, analysis and reporting when DNA sequencing is used for the molecular characterisation of GM plants. In particular, it applies to the use of Sanger sequencing and next-generation sequencing for the characterisation of the inserted genetic material and its flanking regions at each insertion site, the determination of the copy number of all detectable inserts and the analysis of the genetic stability of the inserts. This updated document replaces the EFSA 2018 Technical Note and reflects the current knowledge in scientific-technical methods for generating and verifying, in a standardised manner, DNA sequencing data in the context of RA of GM plants. It does not take into consideration the verification and validation of the detection method which remains under the remit of the Joint Research Centre (JRC).

An economic appraisal of the SE(C)AP public interventions towards the EU 2050 target: The case study of Basilicata region

Since 2008, among the European initiatives related to energy efficiency, the Covenant of the Mayors (CoM) has been one of the most important because of the significant engagement of small municipalities. The scope of the study is to understand how adherence to the EU CoM initiative by the municipalities has affected their expenditures in supporting and developing public energy efficiency investments, focusing on the analysis of the SEAPs. Two research questions are posed: firstly, exploring which are the main fields of intervention where municipalities have oriented their action plans on energy efficiency, published in SEAP (these being public lighting, education, and public buildings); secondly, the investment expenditure related to these fields of intervention that result from the first analysis and which are increased after SEAPs approval. The sample consists of 81 SEAPs evaluated and approved by the Joint Research Centre of the EU Commission of the Italian Basilicata municipalities in 2008–2021. The main result is that the education sector exhibits significant incremental changes in investment expenditures for each period, considering that, with reasonable certainty, this depends also on the CoM initiative.

Formation of Information and Digital Competence of the Modern Teacher of the New Ukrainian School

The article examines modern trends in the creation of an informational educational space, the issue of the introduction of information and digital technologies that ensure effective interaction of individuals in society; the essence of the concept of "informational and digital competence" of the teacher of the New Ukrainian School, the structure of the informational and digital competence of the teacher based on integration, namely: technological literacy, deepening of knowledge, creation of means of information provision of the needs of humanity, with the help of technical means; an analysis of international and domestic legal documents regarding the formation of information and digital competence of teachers was carried out. It was determined that in the conditions of the reform of modern education in Ukraine, the formation of the teacher's information and digital competence becomes relevant, and the specific tasks of the development of the educational process during the implementation of the Concept of the New Ukrainian School in general secondary education institutions, where information and digital competence is one of the professional skills of the teacher, are outlined. , the ability to apply information and communication technologies in the educational process of an educational institution, and the ability to receive information and operate it according to one's own needs and requirements in the development of programs, documents, and organization of cooperation. Priorities, technological principles of building an information and educational environment, implementation of effective methods of teaching and access to knowledge, formation of information and digital competencies of the teacher, which is a powerful tool that contributes to the improvement of the process of creation, storage, processing, and distribution of educational materials, intensification of the educational process, increase speed and quality of perception, understanding and assimilation of knowledge by students, as well as joint work with them; the definition of the concept of "information and digital competence" is clarified. The Digital Competence Framework for pedagogical workers is an important tool for the creation of educational standards, assistance in the creation and planning of educational initiatives aimed at increasing the level of digital literacy and the practical use of IT technology tools and services, the development of educational programs by providers of educational services (DigCompEdu), developed European Joint Research Center; their main provisions, the views of researchers regarding the information and digital competence of the teacher, defined according to the professional standard of the teacher, are disclosed because the use of digital technologies in education is currently one of the most important and stable trends in the development of the global educational process.