European Professional Biologists - The need for professional recognition

As Europe increasingly develops common standards, it is important that the professional competence of those who oversee the maintenance of standards is recognized. Academic qualifications alone have limited value. In providing an acceptable common professional standard, the European Professional biologist 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.

By introducing the European Professional biologist designation the biological societies in ECBA have ensured that there is an easily understood title to indicate a high level of competence in the practice of biology. The award of EurProBiol will assist individual biologists who are moving from one employer to another in different member states, receiving equal treatment across the EC. Benefits of membership include: European professional biologist status: the professional qualification for bio-scientists is recognized throughout Europe. It demonstrates a high level of attainment in biological experience, personal integrity, professional attributes and academic qualifications.

Designatory letters: Membership gives an important edge in a competitive environment and the designatory letters EurProBiol are a visible acknowledgement of knowledge, skills and experience.

Mobility: The European Professional Biologist title is a single pan-European professional title which has an entry requirement agreed by the national biological associations and is intended to form the basis of a mutual recognition system embracing other continents This title should therefore assists the free movement of biologists between countries.

Representation: ECBA speaks as the voice of European biologists, promoting biology and representing the views of bio-scientists in the commercial world, in academia and in the political arena. The expertise of 15 societies with a large combined membership is drawn together to respond to a range of life science issues on which the ECBA is consulted.

Influence: ECBA provides a powerful link between the bioscience community, Governments and industry. It provides members with the opportunity to contribute to papers aimed at influencing policy decisions at European level.

Networks: The active network of European biological societies is important in the cohesion of bioscience and strengthens the impact of responses. This network provides mem bers with access to a wide source of information and support as well as providing the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with biologists from the wider biological community at workshops and other events.

Publications: Members receive a regular newsletter updating them as to events in Europe and activities within member associations. ECBA also publishes reviews of workshops, which are available to members, and provides access to reports on key issues effecting biologists.