Technical Bulletins Research Articles

ICOLD 2023, Gothenburg, Sweden: update on Technical Committee B

This briefing note summarises the background and current progress of ICOLD (International Commission on Large Dams) Technical Committee B, which covers seismic aspects of dam design. It summarises the ICOLD Technical Bulletins, which are currently being drafted and the activities of the technical committee during the 2023 ICOLD annual meeting.

ICOLD 2023, Gothenburg, Sweden: update on Technical Committee C

This briefing note summarises the current progress of International Commission on Large Dams Technical Committee C – Hydraulics for Dams, which provides guidance on new developments in hydraulics for dams. The note includes references to recently completed technical bulletins about to be published and details of one currently being drafted.

ICOLD 2023, Gothenburg, Sweden: update on Technical Committee M

This briefing note summarises the history and current progress of ICOLD (International Commission on Large Dams) Technical Committee M, which covers the operation and maintenance and rehabilitation of dams. It identifies the ICOLD Technical Bulletins completed to date and those which are currently being drafted.

Water consumption in the production process of the sugar-energy industry: case study in the northwest of São Paulo (Brazil)

Brazil is the world's largest producer of sugarcane. The importance of rational, sustainable, and efficient management of resources in the production process of the Brazilian sugar-energy industry is remarkable, mainly related to water use. In this context, the present paper aimed to analyze, in the last decade, the consumption of water in the productive process of Vale do Paraná S/A Álcool e Açúcar plant, in addition to elucidating the technologies implemented in the industrial area that contributed to the reduction of consumption. The methodology adopted consisted of obtaining data and information from bibliographic researches, technical bulletins, and field visits. The sugar-energy plant showed a 34.88% reduction in water consumption in the last decade, obtaining 0.86 m3 ton-1 in 2012 and 0.56 m3 ton-1 in 2021 of processed sugarcane, which can be particularly important in intense periods of drought, such as those experienced in recent years. The main technologies that contributed to this reduction were: the dry cleaning of sugarcane; the use of closed circuits; condensate recovery; water reuse; and the implementation of a flow rate measurement system. The company reached a lower consumption than required for the year 2024, but there is no limit to reduction. In the case of the plant under study, it was observed that special attention should be given to industrial effluents, mainly vinasse, with the possible implementation of more treatment steps before application in the field as fertigation.

BD Rhapsody™ Single-Cell Analysis System Workflow: From Sample to Multimodal Single-Cell Sequencing Data.

Advancements in single-cell sequencing have revolutionized our understanding of complex biological systems such as the immune system and allowed us to overcome limitations in various disciplines of life science research such as oncology, developmental biology, or neurobiology (Perkel, Nature 595. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01994-w , 2021).The BD Rhapsody™ Single-Cell Analysis System enables us to capture multimodal information from thousands of single cells in parallel ("Multiomics") covering mRNA expression levels, protein expression levels, the immune repertoire for T-cell receptors (TCR) and B-cell receptors (BCR), and the identification of antigen-specific T cells and B cells using dCODE Dextramer® (RiO) from Immudex. The system utilizes microwell-based cartridges that allow to capture a broad range of single cells and an imaging device for sample quality control and workflow quality control (including viability and multiplets). The power of Multiomics relies on simultaneously measuring several aspects of single cells, including gene expression and protein abundance, using next generation sequencing (NGS) as a single readout.Here we describe the complete BD Rhapsody™ Single-Cell Analysis System from the sample preparation including different options for the antibody and/or dCODE Dextramer® staining through to the data analysis.For updated protocols, guides, and technical bulletins, please visit the BD Scomix page: https://scomix.bd.com/hc/en-us or the BDB webpage: https://www.bdbiosciences.com/en-eu .

Integrating speed breeding with artificial intelligence for developing climate-smart crops.

IntroductionIn climate change, breeding crop plants with improved productivity, sustainability, and adaptability has become a daunting challenge to ensure global food security for the ever-growing global population. Correspondingly, climate-smart crops are also the need to regulate biomass production, which is imperative for the maintenance of ecosystem services worldwide. Since conventional breeding technologies for crop improvement are limited, time-consuming, and involve laborious selection processes to foster new and improved crop varieties. An urgent need is to accelerate the plant breeding cycle using artificial intelligence (AI) to depict plant responses to environmental perturbations in real-time.Materials and methodsThe review is a collection of authorized information from various sources such as journals, books, book chapters, technical bulletins, conference papers, and verified online contents.ConclusionsSpeed breeding has emerged as an essential strategy for accelerating the breeding cycles of crop plants by growing them under artificial light and temperature conditions. Furthermore, speed breeding can also integrate marker-assisted selection and cutting-edged gene-editing tools for early selection and manipulation of essential crops with superior agronomic traits. Scientists have recently applied next-generation AI to delve deeper into the complex biological and molecular mechanisms that govern plant functions under environmental cues. In addition, AIs can integrate, assimilate, and analyze complex OMICS data sets, an essential prerequisite for successful speed breeding protocol implementation to breed crop plants with superior yield and adaptability.

Krishikosh: A new dimension of digital repository in agriculture

Krishikosh, a digital repository, is a collection of online resources. It is a large collection of Indian resources in agriculture and allied sectors which is both institutional and discipline wise of Indian National Agricultural Research and Education System (NARES). A large collection of thesis, old and valuable books, institutional publications, technical bulletins, project reports, lectures, preprints, reprints, records, etc. is available in Krishikosh (https://krishikosh.egranth. ac.in/). The repository has been designed using open source software with efficient Integrated Content Management System (ICMS), configured to meet the user requirements of a reliable digital repository. It is a customized digital repository platform where users can upload and manage their content in compliance with the open access policy of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. This is a unique platform for sharing the intellectual outputs of the agricultural fraternity hosted by the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, (IARI), New Delhi. At present over 2,01,000 items are available on the krishikosh platform which includes students research work (>150,000 theses), old and valuable documents since 1948 in all major subjects of Agricultural and allied disciplines. The Krishikosh analytics shows over 1,87,23,710 hits on the website from 175 countries since 2017. The top ten countries visiting this digital platform were India, United States of America, Sudan, China, Russia, Ethiopia, Iran, Philippines, Nigeria and Indonesia. Google analytics, during the COVID 19 lockdown period (April-May 2020) indicates a monthly average hit of 6,93,295 indicating higher users on the Krishikosh repository during this time.

Scientific and technical activity of the Institute of oilseed crops of NAAS to ensure innovative development of the agricultural sector of Ukraine

The results of the scientific, technical and innovative activities of the IOC NAAS for 2016-2020 are analyzed. The studies were carried out as part of the ongoing monitoring of the positioning of the Institute as the originator of oilseed varieties, the implementation of legal protection of the results of research work and as part of marketing research. The results of work on the creation of innovative developments, approbation and implementation in agro-industrial production are highlighted. Currently, among the plant varieties of the Institute, listed in the State Register of Ukraine, there are 31 hybrids and varieties of sunflower, 9 varieties of soybean, 1 hybrid and 7 varieties of winter rapeseed and 2 spring rape, 11 varieties of flax, 8 varieties of Sarepta mustard, 4 varieties of mountain varieties of white mustard. Twenty varieties are represented by rare crops. An analysis of the structure of scientific developments and descriptions of scientific developments created by IMC NAAS over this period shows that the share of scientific developments was created as a result of research in the field of breeding and genetics of oilseeds – 54%, mechanization of technological processes - 25% and agricultural technologies – 21%. Scientific and technical products of the Institute created based on the results of research: collections, source material for oilseeds breeding, varieties, parental components and hybrids of oilseeds, methods, elements of technologies for growing oilseeds and grains for the Steppe zone of Ukraine, physical and mathematical models of technological processes of mechanical and mathematical model of the seed separation process, database of innovative developments, scientific and methodological recommendations, etc. Scientists of the Institute for 2016–2020 published: 6 monographs, 7 scientific and technical bulletins of the Institute of Oilseeds of the National Academy of Sciences, 5 collections of abstracts, 36 publications of a recommendatory nature, 593 publications in Ukraine and abroad. In 2020, IOC NAAS introduced 20 scientific developments – methods, processes, collection samples, parental components, hybrids, varieties, technologies for growing oilseeds, etc. For 2016-2020 the number of objects of intellectual property rights, for which applications were submitted for obtaining titles of protection, amounted to 37 units, 71 titles of title (certificates of state registration, patents) were received. The use of innovative developments of the IOC NAAS allows agricultural producers to receive a significant economic effect.

English

Platform tests are usually simple and rapid quality control tests which serve as a basis for accepting, setting aside or rejecting raw milk. Some of the rapid antibiotic residues test kits available in the Kenyan market include: Delvo test Fast BL, Delvo Sulphadiazine Penicillin No Tablet (SPNT), Mtusbio Beta-lactam BLQ Rapid Test Kit and Ringbio beta-lactam, tetracycline, sulfa drugs, BTS 3 in 1 TriTest S. Ndungu Antibiotic residues (NAR) is a colour comparison test that is simple, rapid and does not require electric power in its analysis procedure. This study compared these four rapid antibiotics tests with novel NAR test method in terms of sensitivity and specificity. A total of 28 samples were prepared; 8 milk samples without residues were spiked with milk known to have beta-lactam residues while 10 had no residues and 10 had known beta-lactam (benzyl penicillin) residues. The four analysis methods were carried out as described in their technical bulletins and manuals. For the NAR test, 50 mg of its active ingredient was mixed with 3 ml of milk and colour change observations made. The sensitivity and specificity of the NAR test was found to be 66.7 and 100% respectively while for all the other four tests, sensitivity and specificity was established to be 100% for each. The Kappa coefficient was 0.5882 which indicates moderate agreement, between NAR test method and the other test methods, according to Landis-Koch scale. The odds ratio exhibited positive association between the NAR test and the four methods. NAR test is best applicable at the milk collection routes or farm level before bulking for transportation.   Key words: Antibiotic residues, rapid test kit, beta-lactam, beta-lactamase, NAR test.

Ichthyofaunal diversity of the major Indian rivers: A review

t In the present communication, an attempt has been made to review the ichthyofaunal diversity of the important Indian rivers such as Ganga, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Tapti, Narmada, Yamuna, etc. Secondary data in the form of research articles, technical reports, technical bulletins, books, etc., were reviewed, bulk of which were published by ICAR-CIFRI and a few other institutions. Among these rivers, the fish diversity of the Yamuna, the Gandak, the Kathajodi, and the Tons (Tamas) have been studied for the first time by ICAR-CIFRI. River Ganga was the most frequently studied river while the ichthyofaunal studies of the river Tapti was done in a gap of over 50 years. Similarly, the entire stretch of the river Cauvery was studied after a gap of 28 years. The study highlights the need to explore fish fauna of the whole stretches of the major rivers of India at regular intervals to build a comparable database that might be utilized by the stakeholders for research, planning and management activities. Key words Fish biodiversity, Ganga, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery

Intraregional propagation of Covid-19 cases in Pará, Brazil: assessment of isolation regime to lockdown

Due to the high incidence of COVID-19 case numbers internationally, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of global relevance, advising countries to follow protocols to combat pandemic advance through actions that can reduce spread and consequently avoid a collapse in the local health system. This study aimed to evaluate the dynamics of the evolution of new community cases, and mortality records of COVID-19 in the State of Pará, which has a subtropical climate with temperatures between 20 and 35 °C, after the implementation of social distancing by quarantine and adoption of lockdown. The follow-up was carried out by the daily data from the technical bulletins provided by the State of Pará Public Health Secretary (SESPA). On 18 March 2020, Pará notified the first case of COVID-19. After 7 weeks, the number of confirmed cases reached 4756 with 375 deaths. The results show it took 49 days for 81% of the 144 states municipalities, distributed over an area of approximately 1 248 000 km2 to register COVID-19 cases. Temperature variations between 24.5 and 33.1 °C did not promote the decline in the new infections curve. The association between social isolation, quarantine and lockdown as an action to contain the infection was effective in reducing the region's new cases registration of COVID-19 in the short-term. However, short periods of lockdown may have promoted the virus spread among peripheral municipalities of the capital, as well as to inland regions.

Sea Breeze Front and Outdoor Thermal Comfort during Summer in Northeastern Brazil

Characterizing the behaviour of the sea breeze phenomenon is the foremost factor in the reduction in the heat stress and the achievement of the pleasant environment in coastal cities globally. However, this seminal study shows that the Sea Breeze Front (SBF) development can be related to an increase in outdoor thermal discomfort in a northeastern Brazilian city during summer. We explored the relationship between SBF and thermal comfort conditions using in situ meteorological observations, the SBF identification method, local climate zones (LCZs) classification, and the Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) thermal comfort index. SBF days and Non-SBF days were characterized in terms of weather conditions, combining meteorological data and technical bulletins. SBF days included hot and sunny days associated with the centre of the Upper Tropospheric Cyclonic Vortices (UTCV). In contrast, Non-SBF days were observed in UTCV’s periphery because of cloudy sky and rainfall. The results showed that the mean temperature and PET in the SBF days were 2.0 °C and 3.8 °C higher, respectively, compared to Non-SBF days in all LCZ sites. The highest PET, of 40.0 °C, was found on SBF days. Our findings suggest that SBF development could be an aggravating factor for increasing heat stress of the people living in the northeastern coast of the Brazilian city, after SBF passage.

American tegumentary leishmaniasis in Brazil: a critical review of the current therapeutic approach with systemic meglumine antimoniate and short-term possibilities for an alternative treatment.

Meglumine antimoniate (MA; Glucantime®), the 80-year-old first-line systemic treatment for all forms of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) caused by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis and Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, is highly toxic, presents adverse side-effects and may not attain clinical and parasitological cure. This critical review examines the necessity for intramuscular/intravenous administration of MA, the alternatives to this approach, and the possibilities of developing affordable, accessible and non-toxic drugs or new delivery methods. PubMed searches were performed using the terms 'cutaneous leishmaniasis' or 'American tegumentary leishmaniasis' in combination with 'meglumine antimoniate' or 'N-methyl glucamine' or 'drug repositioning' or 'nanotechnology'. Searches covered a period of 20years of peer reviewed journals and technical bulletins. We explored the mode of action, pharmacokinetics, toxicity and efficacy of MA, evaluated the progress of ATL therapy in Brazil, and examined the potential of drug repositioning and nanotechnology in accelerating the introduction and/or optimisation of an alternative treatment. The evidence suggests that ATL therapy will continue to rely on systemic MA in the foreseeable future even though an intralesional subcutaneous route has evolved over the last 10years. The chances of developing a novel drug for ATL or a new mode of delivery of MA are low. While MA nanocarriers afford a promising approach, this technology is still in its infancy. A more immediate solution would be the production of a bioequivalent of miltefosine, an efficacious oral agent no longer protected by patent. Development of a contemporary treatment requires governmental commitment in bringing together private and public sectors.

ASHP Guidelines on Handling Hazardous Drugs.

ASHP published its first guidance on hazardous drugs (HDs) in 1983 as part of the 1983–84 ASHP Practice Spotlight: Safe Handling of Cytotoxic Drugs.[1][1],[2][2] This was followed by technical assistance bulletins in 1985 and 1990 and the ASHP Guidelines on Handling Hazardous Drugs in 2006.[3][3

Weather, Climate, and Narrative: A Relational Model for Democratizing Risk Communication

Abstract There is growing evidence that the frequency and magnitude of extreme weather events may be increasing in conjunction with climate change. This means that many communities will encounter phenomena, such as extreme storm surge events, never before experienced by local residents. The tragic effects of Typhoon Haiyan on the city of Tacloban, Philippines, in November 2013 were attributed, in part, to the inability of routine technical bulletins to communicate the unprecedented nature of the predicted storm surge. In response, the authors construct a relational model of risk communication that suggests that narrative messages that simulate direct face-to-face communication may be more effective in spurring action. Conducting a postevent target audience study in the city of Tacloban, the authors tested the relative effectiveness of narrative-based versus technical message designs on residents who chose not to evacuate during the typhoon. Results show increased effectiveness of the narrative design vis-à-vis intent to evacuate, self-relevance and vividness of the message, and perceived authority of the message source. The study also explored factors behind noncompliance with evacuation advisories. The research supports the relational model, which captures insights from recent research on evacuation and emergency preparedness for extreme hazard events. It supports a broader effort to democratize risk communication and, in so doing, increase people’s sense of agency in preparing for these events.

Sostenibilidad del Balneario El Rodadero, Santa Marta, Colombia

La sostenibilidad en las dimensiones ambiental, sociocultural y económica; la subsidiariedad, la equidad, la eficiencia en la prestación de los servicios públicos y en la promoción del desarrollo económico local; la transparencia, el compromiso cívico y la ciudadanía, en especial las mujeres y los pobres, al igual que la seguridad de las personas y su ambiente, en conjunto con la unión y asociación de los grupos de interés públicos y privados, en forma vertical y horizontal, se constituyen en los principios de gobernabilidad urbana básicos establecidos por la Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU) (2005). En el ámbito turístico, es la brújula que debe direccionar la conversión de un destino turístico a uno sostenible, complementado con los lineamientos dados en el Programa 21 de la ONU, los Criterios Globales de Turismo Sostenible, la Carta Mundial de Turismo Sostenible +20 y la Organización Mundial del Turismo (OMT). Desde este contexto teórico, se determinan los factores de riesgo que pueden afectar la sostenibilidad del balneario El Rodadero, a partir de la descripción de los indicadores establecidos en la Norma Técnica Sectorial de Turismo- Destinos de Playa -Requisitos de Sostenibilidad (NTS-TS-001-2). Los datos provienen de la observación directa, y de algunos resultados de las encuestas aplicadas a turistas, empresarios, residentes, e informes de investigaciones relacionadas y boletines técnicos.

Dr Yeshwant Laxman Nene: A Legendary Agricultural Scientist and Pioneer of the Asian Agricultural Heritage

Dr Yeshwant Laxman Nene, Former Deputy Director General of ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics) and Chairman Emeritus of the Asian Agri-History Foundation (AAHF) suddenly passed away on 15 January 2018 at his residence in Secunderabad, Telangana state, India. Dr YL Nene was born on 24 November 1936 in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India from where he completed his high school in 1951, and BSc (Agri) degree in 1955. He obtained his Master’s degree in Plant Pathology in 1957 from Government Agriculture College, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. He got PhD in Plant Pathology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA in 1960. He then joined as an Assistant Professor in the College of Agriculture, UP Agricultural University (now GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology – GBPUAT), Pantnagar, Dist. Nainital, Uttar Pradesh (now Dist. Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand) . At Pantnagar he excelled as a plant pathology teacher and a researcher and earned the reputation of being an excellent plant pathology teacher. He solved the mystery of the dreaded khaira disease of paddy in 1965, which was threatening its extinction from the Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh. For his pioneering work on khaira, he was awarded the International Rice Research Prize in 1967 by FAO as part of the International Rice Year (1966) celebrations. His work on viral diseases of warm season (kharif) pulses was recognized internationally. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1966 and Professor and Head in 1969. He was considered a distinguished faculty member at GBPUAT at Pantnagar and was conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Science in 1991 in recognition of the “singular contribution to the cause of agricultural research, education and development”. In 1974, Dr Nene joined ICRISAT as the Principal Plant Pathologist in the Pulses Improvement Program. Here again, he excelled in research and his landmark contribution was resolving the problem of “wilt complex” of chickpea. He developed simple disease-resistance screening techniques for laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions as well as multiple-disease field screening systems for major chickpea and pigeonpea diseases, which are widely used internationally. The most outstanding contributions of the Pulses and later Legume Programmes that he led during 1980-89, were the development of high yielding pigeonpeas, wilt-resistant chickpeas, and high-yielding, disease-resistant groundnut varieties. For these contributions, he was internationally recognized as the world leader in grain legumes research. He was also elected Fellow of the American Phytopathological Society (APS) in 1990. Post-ICRISAT (1996-2018), he devoted fulltime to the work of the Asian Agri-History Foundation that he conceptualized and founded in 1994 to unearth and disseminate information on the history of Asian agriculture. As its Founder Chairman, his outstanding achievements have been in the publication of 11 technical Bulletins on Asian agriculture and starting a quarterly journal of Asian Agri-History. He is wellrecognized world over for his leadership in revitalizing agricultural history in Asia especially India. He was a staunch supporter and promoter of Vedic agriculture through Vrikshayurveda of Surapala and strongly believed in its great potential and relevance for Indian agriculture to rectify the damages of the green revolution such as maintenance of soil health, crop growth and productivity, maintenance of biodiversity and protecting environment and human health. Dr Nene through his dedicated work has earned the reputation of a luminary scientist of modern India and has inspired and mentored many young students, scientists and colleagues during his 57 years of professional career. Needless to say that he will be missed by all of them and also by the Indian agriculture for a very long time to come.

Factors Affecting Productive and Reproductive Traits of Indigenous Goats in Nepal

It is important to understand the scientific basis of raising goats to improve production and productivity of goats. This is a review article to document available literature on the effects of non-genetic factors on productive and reproductive traits of indigenous goats in Nepal. The review included journal articles, published reports, technical bulletins, conference proceedings, post-graduate and doctoral dissertations. The study revealed that altitude, season of conception, season of kidding, number of kid at birth, parity, size of doe are the major factors affecting productive and reproductive traits of indigenous goats of Nepal. These factors should be carefully considered to promote the indigenous goat production in commercial scale farming.

ANALISIS KOMITMEN ORGANISASI, KESIAPAN SUMBERDAYA MANUSIA, INFRASTRUKTUR SERTA SISTEM INFORMASI DALAM MENERAPKAN STANDAR AKUNTANSI PEMERINTAH BERBASIS AKRUAL

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the readiness of the Government of Kepulauan Meranti indicated with commitment, human resources, facilities and information systems; to know the constraints in the implementation of Government Regulation No. 71 of 2010 concerning the Government Accounting Standards (SAP) and to determine the acceleration of the implementation of the strategic model of PP No. 71 of 2010 on Government Accounting Standards (SAP). Type of research is descriptive qualitative research. The research was conducted by taking object in Kepulauan Meranti Regional Government. The type of data used in this study is primary data and secondary data. Methods of data analysis using descriptive analysis. Based on the previous data analysis Kepulauan Meranti government readiness is indicated by the commitment, human resources, facilities and information systems can be concluded that the district government integrity is seen from the parameter set categories and human resources for preparedness, readiness and information systems infrastructure is a category quite ready . Constraints in the implementation of Government Regulation No. 71 of 2010 concerning the Government Accounting Standards (SAP), among others, to date preparation LKPD still done manually no special software, the number of HR executive in quantity is not enough, lack Bimtek or training, lack of socialization, existing facilities and infrastructure, but still not sufficient. Acceleration of the implementation of the strategic model of PP. 71 of 2010 on Government Accounting Standards (SAP), among others Accrual-Based SAP Development according to the needs, preparation of Accrual-Based SAP Technical Bulletins as needed, Human Resource Development in the Field of Government Accounting. Keywords: readiness, commitment, human resources, facilities, information systems

Life cycle assessment in the building sector: analytical tools, environmental information and labels

The 57th life cycle assessment (LCA) forum was held on December 2, 2014 to discuss the European and Swiss situation with regard to the environmental assessment of buildings. This conference report presents the highlights of the LCA forum. Several methodological approaches exist to assess the environmental assessment of buildings. In Switzerland, all technical bulletins of the Swiss Society of Architects and Engineers (SIA) related to this topic and most labels and certification schemes rely on the KBOB recommendation 2009/1:2014, which in turn is based on the ecoinvent database. In Europe, the standards on environmental product declarations (EPD) of construction products and buildings and the guide on product environmental footprints published by the European Commission are applied. In Austria, France and Germany, environmental product declarations form an important part of certification schemes of buildings. The European construction product directive names the quantification of the environmental performance as one of the seven basic requirements on construction works. This basic requirement needs now to be embedded into the harmonised technical specifications (such as harmonised European Standards, hEN or European Technical Assessments (ETA)). The situation in Austria, France and Germany illustrates the diversity of European labels, certifications and information schemes even though they all refer to the European EPD standards. France for instance asks for requirements additional to the European Standards, and several labels using different life cycle assessment databases are in operation in Austria. On the other hand, the two main certification schemes in Germany use the same approach, indicators and database. Several initiatives are ongoing or being launched in Europe which try to further harmonise the environmental assessment of buildings and construction materials. The different presentations showed the variety of applications of life cycle-based environmental information in the planning process of buildings, ranging from conceptual decisions to suppliers’ choices, decisions on materialisation up to labelling and certification of built properties. It was concluded that unifying life cycle inventory methodology, environmental indicators and life cycle inventory background databases is most important in view of further harmonisation. At the same time, it was admitted that harmonisation in these areas is difficult if not out of reach.