European Chemist as a common standard across Europe

As Europe increasingly develops common standards, it is important that the professional competence of those who oversee the maintenance of standards is recognised. EuCheMS, through its standing committee ProchemE maintains schedules of academic qualifications at the levels of full professional, senior technician and junior technician. However, academic qualifications alone have limited value. In providing an acceptable common professional standard, the European Chemist requires experience in the application of knowledge, level of skill, safety and environmental consciousness, sense of responsibility, ability to communicate and level of supervision received. Through the European Chemist designation the chemical societies in EuCheMS have ensured that there is an easily understood title to indicate a high level of competence in the practice of chemistry. The award of EurChem will assist individual chemists who are moving from one employer to another in different member states, receiving equal treatment across the EC.