The JRC manages a number of Knowledge and Competence Centres in priority policy areas. The knowledge and competence centres facilitate knowledge management and promote new collaborative working methods.

Earth observation is the gathering of information about planet Earth’s physical, chemical and biological systems via remote sensing technologies, usually involving satellites carrying imaging devices. Earth observation is used to monitor and assess the status of, and changes in, the natural and man-made environment. 

The Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Centre (DRMKC) aims at enhancing the EU and Member States resilience to disasters and their capacity to prevent, prepare and respond to emergencies through a strengthened interface between science and policy. 

Get a taste of what we do here at the Joint Research Centre

The EU Reference Laboratory for alternatives to animal testing (EURL ECVAM) is active in the development, validation and promotion of non-animal approaches primarily in the areas of regulatory testing and biomedical research.

These activities are carried out in accordance with the EU Directive on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.

EURL ECVAM is an integral part of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC), the science and knowledge service of the European Commission.

The JRC draws on over 60 years of scientific work experience and continually builds its expertise based on its Directorates, which host specialist laboratories and unique research facilities. Discover this treasure through the photos.

These interactive 360° virtual tours of JRC Laboratories are just great! They offer to anyone who cannot visit the actual laboratory the opportunity to discover what is going on there. You can navigate your way around the lab and activate various features such as info panels, photo galleries and videos.