In order to help members of the personnel who may need assistance, the Organization has decided to set up individual tax consultation sessions with the French tax authorities (Service des Impôts des Particuliers (SIP) de Valserhône) to answer questions on income tax matters in France.
These consultations will take place on the Meyrin site, on Friday 17 April 2026 and will be run by ten representatives of the SIP. The sessions will require pre-booking an appointment via this portal.
There are a limited number of time slots available, so we recommend you sign up early.
Please note that these meetings will be in French. Should you need any assistance with the language, we advise you to ask a French-speaking colleague for help.
For any questions regarding these meetings, please contact SIPTax.support@cern.ch.
ehatters Thu, 03/26/2026 - 14:32 Byline HR department Publication Date Thu, 03/26/2026 - 14:32As nature awakens and we embrace the joys of spring, it’s important to remember that ticks are also becoming active. These tiny parasites can pose serious health risks by transmitting infections such as Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). While Lyme disease is treatable with antibiotics, TBE is rarer, with up to 12 000 cases reported globally each year, but can be prevented with vaccination. The TBE vaccine is recommended for anyone, including children, living in or travelling to high-risk areas. In Europe, these areas include Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden.
If you find a tick on your body, visit the CERN Medical Service infirmary for safe removal and expert advice.
For more information on ticks, tick-borne diseases, vaccination options and prevention tips, visit the dedicated Medical Service webpage: hse.cern/ticks.
roryalex Wed, 03/25/2026 - 11:51 Byline Medical Service Publication Date Wed, 03/25/2026 - 11:49CERN’s vast site hosts a variety of buildings and installations, as well as diverse groups of people, from seasoned personnel to first-time visitors. Fire safety measures are implemented to protect this diverse population, but also CERN’s costly infrastructure and the environment. Ensuring safe evacuation is a priority in this context, with building layouts designed to facilitate quick, orderly exits. But even the best infrastructure relies on effective human response.
A recent planned evacuation of most of the Main Building complex (R1 and Buildings 500, 503, 61, 62, 63 and 64, but not 60) offered valuable insights in this respect. At 2.07 p.m. on a cold and cloudy afternoon, sirens blared. While the sirens were loud and clear and the fire doors and lifts responded as designed, human behaviour varied. Many of the approximately 220 people who were present evacuated to the assembly point. However, half of them hesitated before starting to move, some left the building but stayed near the exits, eight re-entered the building and ten entered during the alarm. Two of the emergency exits in the Main Building complex were obstructed by equipment. Thanks to individuals taking the lead, notably restaurant staff, who acted as emergency guides, the evacuation finally got under way. The event highlighted the importance of keeping exits clear and of being familiar with procedures, as well as the power of leading by example in emergencies.
We all play a role in ensuring that CERN is a fire-safe place: make sure that you know and understand the applicable evacuation procedures and that you are aware of the nearest emergency exits and assembly points, and communicate this information to newcomers and visitors. Further, CERN regularly organises planned evacuations like the one mentioned above. They prepare us all for real emergencies: treating every drill as if it were real can make the difference between confusion and calm in a crisis.
If you see blocked exits or unsafe practices, speak up and inform your TSO or DSO. To find out more about fire safety in general, consult the dedicated Fire Safety Risks webpages. If you have specific queries about fire safety, reach out to the Fire Safety Engineering team: hse-fset@cern.ch.
Safety first. Safety always.
roryalex Wed, 03/25/2026 - 11:44 Byline HSE department Publication Date Wed, 03/25/2026 - 11:4116–27 Mar | At CERN | Main Building | CERN Staff Association | EN & FR
Nuits blanches exhibition
25 Mar 14:00 | Physics | TH Conference Room & Online | Theory Colloquia | EN
Cosmic structure formation
26 Mar 16:00 | Knowledge Transfer | Online | CERN Alumni | EN
HOPE Networking Event
26 Mar 16:00 | At CERN | IdeaSquare | IdeaSquare Workshops & Events | EN
Review of Medical Physics in Africa
27 Mar 11:00 | Experiments | 222/R-001 & Online | Detector Seminars | EN
A new dimension for ATLAS: The High Granularity Timing Detector
30 Mar–10 Apr | At CERN | Main Building | CERN Staff Association | EN & FR
The Quantum Botijo
31 Mar 14:00 | Physics | TH Conference Room | String Theory Seminars | EN
Polar states in AdS3 holography
31 Mar 20:00 | At CERN | CERN Science Gateway | Public Events | EN
Rising Stars
1 Apr 11:00 | At CERN | Library | Archives, Library & Open Science Events | EN
Meet the author of "Space Times Matter: One Hundred Short Stories About the Universe"
9 Apr 10:00 | Physics | Salle Bohr | QTI Seminars | EN
Formalism for simulating lattice gauge theories coupled to matter on a quantum computer
15 Apr 12:00 | Knowledge Transfer | IdeaSquare | IdeaSquare Workshops & Events | EN
Prototyping at CERN
23 Apr 10:00 | At CERN | CERN Science Gateway Auditorium & Online | Director General | EN & FR
Town Hall
29 Apr 20:00 | At CERN | CERN Science Gateway | Public Events | EN & FR
Hunting the Higgs
7 May 12:15 | At CERN | CERN | Staff Association | EN & FR
54th CERN Relay Race
13 May 16:00 | At CERN | Library | Archives, Library & Open Science Events | EN & FR
Meet the author of "STARBORN: How the stars made us - and who we would be without them"
Save the date: 18 July | At CERN | CERN | Staff Association | EN & FR
CERN Hardronic Music Festival 2026
5 May–24 Nov | Knowledge Transfer | CERN | Knowledge Transfer | EN
CERN Entrepreneurship Academy 2026
4–8 May | Computing | CERN | SC4RC | EN
Sustainability Conference for Responsible Research Computing
20 May | Knowledge Transfer | Lausanne | FameLab | EN
FameLab Switzerland Lausanne Heat
25–29 May | Computing | Chulalongkorn University | CHEP | EN
28th Conference on Computing in High Energy and Nuclear Physics (CHEP 2026)
8–12 Jun | Knowledge Sharing | CERN | CERN IdeaSquare | EN
CERN IdeaSquare Journal of Experimental Innovation Summer School
15–26 Jun | Accelerators | Jūrmala, Latvia | CERN Accelerator Schools | EN
CAS course on Medical Accelerators
19 Jun–2 Jul | Physics | Ostróda, Poland | CERN Schools | EN
European School of High-Energy Physics
22 Jun–28 Aug | Experiments | CERN | CERN NextGen Triggers | EN
CERN STEAM Academy
1–10 Jul | Physics | Bucharest, Romania | CERN Schools | EN
16th International School of Trigger and Data Acquisition (ISOTDAQ 2026)
20 Sep–3 Oct | Accelerators | Peebles, Scotland | CERN Accelerator Schools | EN
Introduction to Accelerator Physics
22 Sep–1 Oct | Knowledge Transfer | Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina | I.FAST | EN
I.FAST 2026 Challenge
This is a curated list of events relevant to the CERN community.
More events are available here: home.cern/events
Indico also shows ALL events happening today, this week and in a calendar view.
If you would like your event to appear on an upcoming Bulletin events list, please contact bulletin-editors@cern.ch
ehatters Mon, 03/23/2026 - 18:42 Publication Date Tue, 03/24/2026 - 11:21
The CERN Relay Race, organised by the Running Club and the Staff Association, will be back on Thursday, 7 May for its 54th edition.
This now legendary race – the first edition took place in 1971 – returns with the same ingredients as in past years, which led to record numbers of participants in 2025: 183 teams and over 1100 runners/walkers in total. The goal of the 2026 edition is thus clear: to beat that record!
The main race will start at 12.15 p.m. in front of Building 40, closely followed by the walkers’ race and the children’s race, which is being organised with the support of the Jardin des Particules.
The CERN Alumni Network will be taking part in the event thanks to an online relay race challenge: teams composed of CERN alumni from across the globe will be able to run the CERN Relay Race distances in their different locations.
The social part of the event won’t be forgotten, with the participation of various CERN clubs and Staff Association partners that will be presenting their activities, and there will be a professional DJ to liven up the event. As always, runners are more than welcome to participate in fancy dress and to compete in the costume contest.
No doubt the spectators will be out in force cheering all the teams on and the sun will shine, making the 54th edition the best one yet.
Register on the CERN Running Club webpage.
anschaef Mon, 03/23/2026 - 12:58 Byline CERN Running club CERN Staff Association Publication Date Tue, 03/24/2026 - 08:53Due to civil engineering works, the Meyrin inter-site tunnel will be exceptionally closed to traffic from Monday 30 March to Thursday 2 April inclusive.
Thanks for your understanding.
anschaef Fri, 03/20/2026 - 12:50 Byline SCE department Publication Date Mon, 03/23/2026 - 08:50The current geopolitical situation can be unsettling. Ongoing conflicts – whether in Ukraine, the Middle East, or elsewhere in the world – can trigger a wide range of emotions, such as stress, anxiety, sadness, or uncertainty. We want to remind you that support is available for everyone in the CERN community
It’s natural to feel affected by global events, and it’s important to take care of your mental and emotional wellbeing. If you feel overwhelmed, need someone to talk to, or simply want to check in, our Medical Service is here for you, providing all members of personnel with assistance and psychological support. The HR Department and the Users’ Office are also available to address any questions or concerns.
Practical tips for managing anxious times
If you feel the need to talk to a professional, contact us. The Medical Service offers all members of the personnel (MPE and MPA) first-line psychological counselling. In particular, the Medical Service infirmary staff and psychologists, Katia Schenkel and Sébastien Tubau, offer free and strictly confidential counselling to all Members of the Personnel. To make an appointment and to access resources on mental health and wellbeing, follow this link.
Let’s continue to foster a compassionate and understanding environment. If you need help – whether it’s for yourself or you’re concerned about a colleague – please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can navigate this challenging time with care and solidarity.
ehatters Thu, 03/12/2026 - 10:58 Byline Medical Service Publication Date Thu, 03/12/2026 - 10:56Modernisation of rainwater management on the Meyrin site: future work and accompanying measures
In line with the cantonal objectives designed to improve the discharge regime and water quality of the Nant d'Avril, CERN is modernising the way that rainwater is managed on its Meyrin site. A site-specific list of actions is included in the regional wastewater management plan (Plan Régional d'Evacuation des Eaux, PREE) for the Nant d'Avril, which was validated by the Council of State in July 2014.
A hydrological study carried out in 2017 by a specialist engineering firm confirmed the relevance and necessity of structural work to reduce the impact of run-off on the regional water system.
Reinforced infrastructure
Several measures will be gradually implemented on the Meyrin site:
Start of work in the Greinacher car park
Work on the open-air retention basin in the Greinacher car park started on 10 March.
85 parking spaces will be unavailable for the duration of the work, including 56 that will be permanently removed. This is in addition to the spaces that are temporarily unavailable due to the renovation work currently under way on Building 100.
How to access the Greinacher car park during the work. (Image: CERN)Accompanying measures and mobility
A coordinated set of measures is planned to limit the impact of the reduction in the number of parking spaces.
Measures in progress or to follow
Measures under study
The aim of all these measures is to support the CERN community during the work, while also contributing to more sustainable mobility management on the Meyrin site.
Thank you for your understanding.
anschaef Thu, 03/12/2026 - 10:21 Byline SCE department Publication Date Thu, 03/12/2026 - 10:15A hadron collider’s energy reach is defined by the circumference of its tunnel and the strength of its dipole magnets. Next-generation hadron colliders look set to have tunnels more than three times longer than the LHC. Further expansion of the energy frontier depends on the ability of accelerator physicists to increase the strength of the magnets.
This is one of the hardest problems in applied superconductivity – and exactly the sort of challenge that can inspire spinoff applications, from energy-efficient power transmission in cities to sustainable air travel. This edition’s cover illustrates a high-temperature superconducting cable developed by Amalia Ballarino’s team at CERN in collaboration with Airbus.
Elsewhere in these pages: meet Fermilab’s new director, Norbert Holtkamp; boost into the rest frame of charged particles in a bent crystal; the most important tool you’ve never heard of; a milestone for the HiLumi LHC; an Eiffel honour for women physicists; all you need to know about little red dots; Michael S Turner on the coming revolutions in high-energy physics and cosmology; and much more.
ehatters Thu, 03/12/2026 - 10:12 Byline Mark Rayner Publication Date Thu, 03/12/2026 - 10:06Not all plastics can be recycled in the same way. At CERN, among all types of plastics, only PET beverage bottles are sorted for recycling.
All waste generated at CERN is treated in Switzerland, including waste from sites located in France. Swiss sorting rules therefore apply to all CERN sites.
Recycling depends on the treatment streams available locally. Currently, only PET bottles have a fully operational recycling stream in the region. Other plastics (rigid packaging, flexible plastics, films, trays, etc.) cannot yet be recycled locally.
In addition, the quantities of plastics generated at CERN are very low. Setting up a dedicated collection would require significant logistical resources for limited environmental benefits.
Recycling starts with correct sorting! Remember: at CERN only PET beverage bottles go in the PET bin. All other plastics must be disposed of with “Other waste”.
We all play a role: learn more about the different CERN waste disposal channels on our "What Goes Where?" page. Find out more about the many ways CERN acts to minimise its impact on the environment.
ehatters Wed, 03/11/2026 - 17:57 Byline SCE department Publication Date Wed, 03/11/2026 - 17:552025 was a record year for blood donation at CERN, with three campaigns including one spanning two days. These saw a 25% increase in the number of donors and 36% in the number of donations and we warmly thank all donors for their support.
According to the Geneva blood barometer, blood stocks in the region remain low: CERN’s support as a key contributor (ranking 2nd as the region’s biggest blood donor after the Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève (HUG)) is essential to ensuring availability of blood stocks for those in need, when they need it most. Furthermore, as of 1 February 2026, the criteria for blood donation have changed and certain previous restrictions lifted, meaning that a wider population can donate. In particular, regarding stays in the United Kingdom between 1980 and 1996, the permanent exclusion is lifted and the individuals concerned can once again donate blood, The HUG explain more in this article (in French).
CERN will hold a its first blood donation session of 2026 over two days, on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 March, from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. in collaboration with the HUG in Building 29.
Before coming to the Building 29 donation point, please make sure that:
Save yourself time: pre-book your appointment with OneDoc
The possibility of pre-booking your appointment via the OneDoc platform is made available on this link. Spontaneous donors will be able to come at their convenience without an appointment, mindful that there may be some waiting time on the day.
As a thank you, the HUG will be giving each donor a 10 CHF voucher, to be used on the day of the donation in Novae’s Restaurants 1 and 2 at CERN.
Next blood donation dates for 2026:
We hope to see many of you at the donation point!
anschaef Wed, 03/11/2026 - 14:06 Byline Medical Service Publication Date Wed, 03/11/2026 - 14:00In July 2024, CERN adopted its first Fluorinated Gases (F-Gas) Policy, which formalises its strategy to minimise the environmental impact of its installations and activities that use or contain F-gases, underlining the Organization’s commitment to reducing its direct (Scope 1) greenhouse gas emissions and to contributing responsibly to global climate action.
F-gases are essential to CERN’s cutting-edge research – they are used in a wide range of applications and equipment at CERN, including cooling, particle detection and electrical insulation. But they also come at a cost: F-gases account for some 90% of our direct (Scope 1) emissions. Reaching our ambitious goal of reducing Scope 1 emissions by 50% by 2030 implies that they be responsibly managed at all stages and levels.
To support this effort, CERN has published the F-Gas Policy Implementation Measures and launched a new F-Gas Fundamentals e-learning course and F-Gas Policy implementation: practical guidance webpages.
These resources will give all personnel involved with F-gases the tools to:
The F-Gas Fundamentals e-learning course is mandatory for all personnel handling F-gases, i.e. those involved in:
This isn’t just about compliance – it’s about resilience. With F-gases becoming scarcer and more expensive, and with CERN’s research depending on them, adapting quickly is essential. Embracing better management, mitigation strategies and alternative solutions helps make CERN’s science sustainable.
anschaef Wed, 03/11/2026 - 11:59 Byline HSE unit Publication Date Thu, 03/12/2026 - 11:5710 Mar 11:00 | Physics | 222/R-01 & Online | LHC Seminars | EN
Closing the gap in compressed SUSY searches at ATLAS
11 Mar 14:00 | Physics | TH Conference Room & Online | Theory Colloquia | EN
Modern theory of nuclear forces
12 Mar 16:30 | Knowledge Transfer | Council Chamber & Online | CERN Colloquia | EN
Ignis/Axiom-4 Mission: from launch to landing - Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski
16–27 Mar | At CERN | Main Building | CERN Staff Association | EN & FR
Nuits blanches exhibition
17–19 Mar | At CERN | CERN | CERN Smart Mobility | EN & FR
Mobility Week 2026
17 Mar 10:30 | At CERN | Online | CERN Service Management Forum | EN & FR
9th CERN Service Management Forum
17 Mar 16:00 | At CERN | Main Auditorium & Online | LHC Career Networking Events | EN
LHC Career Networking Event 2026
18 Mar 14:00 | Physics | TH Conference Room & Online | Theory Colloquia | EN
A Unified Approach to the Self-Force Problem
20 Mar 11:00 | Experiments | 13/2-005 & Online | Detector Seminars | EN
Design, Performance and Status of the CMS MIP Timing Detector
20 Mar 14:00 | At CERN | Online | Micro-Talks | EN
Words That Work: Communicating with Confidence and Kindness
20 Mar 18:00 | At CERN | Restaurant 1 | Novae | EN & FR
Spring Vibes Party - Flower Power
25 Mar 14:00 | Physics | TH Conference Room & Online | Theory Colloquia | EN
Cosmic structure formation
26 Mar 16:00 | Knowledge Transfer | Online | CERN Alumni | EN
Review of Medical Physics in Africa
31 Mar 20:00 | At CERN | CERN Science Gateway | Public events | EN
Rising Stars
23 Apr 10:00 | At CERN | CERN Science Gateway Auditorium & Online | Director General | EN & FR
Town Hall
29 Apr 20:00 | At CERN | CERN Science Gateway | Public events | EN & FR
Hunting the Higgs
Save the date: 18 July | At CERN | CERN | Staff Association | EN & FR
CERN Hardronic Music Festival 2026
4–8 May | Computing | CERN | SC4RC | EN
Sustainability Conference for Responsible Research Computing
20 May | Knowledge Transfer | Lausanne | FameLab | EN
FameLab Switzerland Lausanne Heat
25–29 May | Computing | Chulalongkorn University | CHEP | EN
28th Conference on Computing in High Energy and Nuclear Physics (CHEP 2026)
8–12 Jun | Knowledge Sharing | CERN | CERN IdeaSquare | EN
CERN IdeaSquare Journal of Experimental Innovation Summer School
15–26 Jun | Accelerators | Jūrmala, Latvia | CERN Accelerator School | EN
CAS course on Medical Accelerators
19 Jun–2 Jul | Physics | Ostróda, Poland | CERN Schools | EN
European School of High-Energy Physics
22 Jun–28 Aug | Experiments | CERN | CERN NextGen Triggers | EN
CERN STEAM Academy
1–10 Jul | Physics | Bucharest, Romania | CERN Schools | EN
16th International School of Trigger and Data Acquisition (ISOTDAQ 2026)
This is a curated list of events relevant to the CERN community.
More events are available here: home.cern/events
Indico also shows ALL events happening today, this week and in a calendar view.
If you would like your event to appear on an upcoming Bulletin events list, please contact bulletin-editors@cern.ch
ehatters Tue, 03/03/2026 - 14:22 Publication Date Tue, 03/10/2026 - 14:20The French post office located on the Prévessin site (building 866- R-C06) will close on 27 March 2026.
This decision was taken by La Poste due to the operating costs of the office and its low level of use. Those wishing to send postal items may visit the post office in Prévessin-Moëns or the one in Saint-Genis-Pouilly.
anschaef Wed, 02/25/2026 - 11:54 Byline FAP department Publication Date Wed, 02/25/2026 - 11:5126 Feb 14:00 | Physics | TH Conference Room & Online | Theory Colloquia | EN
A physics community where everyone can thrive? Why is this important, what might it look like, and how might we build it?
26 Feb 16:30 | Physics | Main Auditorium & Online | CERN Colloquia | EN & FR
Towards a Future Flagship Collider at CERN — The European Strategy for Particle Physics
2 Mar 14:00 | Experiments | Main Auditorium & Online | LHCC - Open Sessions | EN
165th LHCC Meeting - OPEN Session
3 Mar 11:00 | At CERN | Online | Archives, Library & Open Science events | EN
Library Science Talk - Technology, Community, and Consortium: The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF)
5 Mar 20:00 | At CERN | CERN Science Gateway | Public events | FR
Collision(s)
6 Mar 16:00 | Accelerators | 774/R-013 & Online | BE Seminars | EN
Design and validation of a micrometric and adaptable calibration bench for Frequency Scanning Interferometry sensors
17–19 Mar | At CERN | CERN | CERN Smart Mobility | EN & FR
Mobility Week 2026
17 Mar 10:30 | At CERN | Online | CERN Service Management Forum | EN & FR
9th CERN Service Management Forum / 9ᵉ Forum "CERN Service Management"
17 Mar 16:00 | At CERN | Main Auditorium & Online | LHC Career Networking Events | EN
LHC Career Networking Event 2026
20 Mar 14:00 | At CERN | Online | Micro-Talks | EN
Words That Work: Communicating with Confidence and Kindness
20 Mar 18:00 | At CERN | Restaurant 1 | Novae | EN & FR
Spring Vibes Party - Flower Power
31 Mar 20:00 | At CERN | CERN Science Gateway | Public events | EN
Rising Stars
29 Apr 20:00 | At CERN | CERN Science Gateway | Public events | EN & FR
Hunting the Higgs / La quête du Higgs
4–5 Mar | Computing | Main Auditorium | CERN openlab | EN
2026 CERN openlab Technical Workshop
13–17 Apr | Physics | CERN | CPOD | EN
16th Workshop on Critical Point and Onset of Deconfinement
4–8 May | Computing | CERN | SC4RC | EN
Sustainability Conference for Responsible Research Computing
20 May | Knowledge Transfer | Lausanne | FameLab | EN
FameLab Switzerland Lausanne Heat
25–29 May | Computing | Chulalongkorn University | CHEP | EN
28th Conference on Computing in High Energy and Nuclear Physics (CHEP 2026)
8–12 Jun | Knowledge Sharing | CERN | CERN IdeaSquare | EN
CERN IdeaSquare Journal of Experimental Innovation Summer School
15–26 Jun | Accelerators | Jūrmala, Latvia | CERN Accelerator School | EN
CAS course on Medical Accelerators
19 Jun–2 Jul | Physics | Ostróda, Poland | CERN Schools | EN
European School of High-Energy Physics
22 Jun–28 Aug | Experiments | CERN | CERN NextGen Triggers | EN
CERN STEAM Academy
1–10 Jul | Physics | Bucharest, Romania | CERN Schools | EN
16th International School of Trigger and Data Acquisition (ISOTDAQ 2026)
This is a curated list of events relevant to the CERN community.
More events are available here: home.cern/events
Indico also shows ALL events happening today, this week and in a calendar view.
If you would like your event to appear on an upcoming Bulletin events list, please contact bulletin-editors@cern.ch
ehatters Tue, 02/24/2026 - 12:55 Publication Date Wed, 02/25/2026 - 12:53Following the Director-General’s approval on 17 December 2025, the revised Operational Circular No. 11, “The processing of personal data at CERN” (OC 11), entered into force on 1 February 2026. This revised Circular cancels and replaces Operational Circular No. 11 dated January 2019 and its two annexes which came into force on 1 July 2021. This revision marks an important step in the modernisation of CERN’s internal data privacy framework, building on more than five years of experience in the application and interpretation of OC 11.
The changes introduced are not an extensive reform of the existing framework, but a targeted revision that preserves the fundamental principles of OC 11 while clarifying, simplifying and strengthening its application across the Organization.
Objectives of the revision
The revised OC 11:
Key areas of modernisation
Among the various updates introduced, the revision highlights ten key areas where clarification or simplification was most needed.
The scope and applicability of OC 11 have been clarified by excluding purely private processing activities, removing the need to maintain Records of Processing Operations (RoPOs) for such processing. Abolishing the concept of “regular processing” reduces uncertainty for services.
Archiving, scientific or historical research and statistical processing are no longer treated as legal bases but as compatible purposes, which facilitates further processing.
The decision as to whether a Data Privacy Impact Assessment (DPIA) is required now follows a risk-based approach that considers multiple factors and is supported by advisory input from the Office of Data Privacy (ODP). This improves the prioritisation of high-risk processing and reduces unnecessary DPIAs, leading to more efficient use of resources.
The data protection by design principle now clarifies what must be considered when integrating privacy into systems and processes, supporting the selection of appropriate solutions and ensuring that personal data is protected by default.
Personal data breach notifications are now limited to cases involving a high and unavoidable risk and no disproportionate effort, making the process more efficient and proportionate to the actual risk.
The rights in respect of automated decision making now applies only where a decision produces a legal or similarly significant effect, which simplifies the drafting of RoPOs and responses to data subject requests.
Internal data transfers no longer require ODP approval, with consultation sufficing, simplifying processes while fully respecting the ODP’s mandate and its role as an independent advisory body.
For external transfers, responsibilities have been clarified and unnecessary obligations removed, improving understanding for potential suppliers and facilitating cooperation.
At the same time, a more proportionate framework for transferring sensitive personal data enables services to use solutions such as cloud services where appropriate, while preserving accountability.
The framework governing processing by external entities now explicitly distinguishes between CERN acting as a controller and CERN acting as a processor, with clear roles and responsibilities in each case. This aligns the framework more closely with the GDPR, improving understanding for potential suppliers and facilitating contractual relationships and partnerships.
Finally, specific terminology has been introduced for non-compliant processing that directly affects individuals (“grievances”), thereby improving legal and operational clarity, enhancing understanding for the persons concerned and contributing to a reduction in complaints.
Looking ahead
With this revision, CERN confirms its commitment to protecting personal data through a modern framework designed to keep pace with evolving technologies and collaborative research environments, while maintaining a high level of protection and ensuring continuity, clarity and proportionality in practice.
Next steps
The ODP will continue its gradual efforts to update related policies, guidance and operational documentation to reflect the changes introduced by the revision.
To support understanding and implementation, the ODP will also organise information sessions in both English and French, aimed at explaining the key changes in a practical and accessible way. The English session will take place on Thursday, 19 February at 11:00, and the French session will be announced shortly. A factsheet and the slides used during these events will be made available for those who wish to consult them.
In the meantime, and at any stage, individuals and services are encouraged to contact the Office of Data Privacy with any questions or requests for guidance by writing to: privacy.protection@cern.ch.
________
To mark Data Protection Day, CERN, ESA, EMBL, EPO and ESO jointly organised, on 26 January 2026, an informative session on cloud sovereignty. You can watch the recording here (CERN login required).
anschaef Thu, 02/12/2026 - 10:01 Byline Office of Data Privacy Publication Date Thu, 02/12/2026 - 09:58In 2025, CERN launched the Stress Check-up Programme, built on awareness, action and support. This initiative underscored our commitment to fostering a healthy, resilient community by providing tools to recognise, address and manage stress effectively.
As we begin 2026, we are pleased to announce four new group sessions. You can secure your place by registering now (14 participants maximum per session):
Further sessions will be organised and their dates published in due course on https://hse.cern/mentalhealth, where you can also find more practical information and resources.
Tailored, on-site interventions for teams are also available on request by contacting infirmary-service@cern.ch.
These group sessions offer practical strategies to help you navigate stress, enhance well-being and build resilience, both at work and beyond.
Individual assessments or sessions can also be booked by contacting infirmary-service@cern.ch.
anschaef Tue, 02/10/2026 - 17:36 Byline Medical Service Publication Date Tue, 02/10/2026 - 17:35On 12 January 2026, CERN’s Medical Service implemented KENORA, a new occupational health management system to modernise and strengthen occupational health monitoring across the Organization, replacing the existing KITRY (medical records) and PLAMED (planning tool). It is based on a single, secure platform and represents a significant step forward in the management of occupational health activities at CERN.
KENORA simplifies data management, automates appointment scheduling and the upload of laboratory results, and enables secure teleconsultations directly through the KENORA application. Compliant with ISO/IEC 27001 and HDS (health data hosting) standards, the system ensures enhanced protection of sensitive information.
Its key features include:
Walid Fadel, Head Nurse at the CERN Medical Service, emphasises its impact: “KENORA enables the full exploitation of available information. This approach allows more precise and targeted monitoring, as well as the implementation of better tailored health prevention and health promotion measures, based on detailed and objective analyses of identified risks and needs.”
The implementation of the new tool is the result of a 1.5-year-long collaboration between the Medical Service, other HSE groups, the Legal Service, IPT, SCE, IT Security, FAP, HR and Data Privacy teams. By reducing administrative burdens and enhancing proactive responses to health and safety challenges, this innovation reflects CERN’s commitment to leveraging technology for improved data accuracy, accessibility and security, setting a new standard in occupational health management.
anschaef Tue, 02/10/2026 - 17:30 Byline Medical Service Publication Date Thu, 02/12/2026 - 08:28Over the coming weeks, you may notice a vehicle equipped with antennas driving slowly on the CERN roads. This is part of the Non-Ionising Radiation Mapping and Assessment (NIRMA) project.
The vehicle is equipped with the TURTLE (Top-mounted Unit for NIR Time-averaged Field Level Evaluation), a mobile unit dedicated to measuring electromagnetic fields in the environment. It does not record images, audio, personal data or vehicle information, and the equipment does not emit any radiation – the measurements are purely passive.
Why is this important? NIRMA ensures the safety of CERN workers, visitors and the public, especially those with active implantable medical devices (e.g. pacemakers). The project is intended to confirm compliance with regulatory limits, identify areas with higher field levels and support preventive measures where needed.
Find out more at https://cern.ch/nirma.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
anschaef Tue, 02/10/2026 - 14:50 Byline HSE department Publication Date Tue, 02/10/2026 - 14:48
Safety is everyone’s responsibility. At CERN, pressure equipment such as vessels, piping and safety accessories is essential for both industrial and experimental activities. However, these systems also pose risks due to the energy they contain and the chemical hazards posed by their contents.
In the interests of the safety of all personnel and installations, it is mandatory that you register your pressure equipment. Proper registration and maintenance prevent accidents, protect people and safeguard our experiments and infrastructure.
If you are or have recently been appointed as a pressure equipment owner, take action now to identify all the pressure equipment under your responsibility and register it in EAM without delay.
Find out more about the responsibilities of pressure equipment owners, along with useful information and guidance as well as the rules applicable to pressure equipment at CERN on the dedicated HSE safety risks webpage (hse.cern/safety-risks/pressure)
Stop. Think. Act. Safety first. Safety always.
anschaef Tue, 02/10/2026 - 14:43 Byline HSE department Publication Date Tue, 02/10/2026 - 14:41