LabS TECH Network Activities LabS TECH (Laboratories on Science and Technology for the conservation of European Cultural Heritage) - is a Network, among eleven prestigious European institutions working in the field of scientific and technological applications to the study and conservation of Cultural Heritage, established with the aim to promote the sharing of knowledge and resources among the participating partners, and of skills and expertise between their conservation scientists and conservators. This pooling of knowledge and resources creates a “critical mass”, which encourages diffusion of the highest level of research, develops potential new applications and services, and offers opportunities for advanced training of young conservation scientists. At the same time, the establishment of optimum conservation procedures is promoted as well as common agreement as to shared best practice in conservation. Joint Activities JA1 Efficiency and usability of research facilities - (Convenor: J-L Boutaine-C2RMF) JA2 Materials and methods for conservation - (Convenor: M.Matteini -OPD) JA3 Data archiving and dissemination - (Convenor: M.Marabelli-ICR) Coordinated by Prof. B.G. Brunetti INSTM (Interuniversity Consortium on Science and Technology of Materials) - Operative Unit of Perugia, Italy. LabS TECH Network is presently concluding 3,5 years of cooperation, in June However, the Network is renewing and expanding its activities under a new profile and within a new Framework.

EXPANSION OF LabS TECH Network EU-ARTECH - Access Research and Technology for the conservation of the European Cultural Heritage (6 th FP, Structuring the European Research Area Specific Programme, Research Infrastructures Action, Integrated Infrastructures Initiative). The renewed scheme of 13 European infrastructures, the majority of them already involved in LabS TECH, are now cooperating in an Integrated Infrastructures Initiative with the objective to enhance the access to the most advanced resources, to promote the highest level of research and to diffuse good practices in conservation. The III operational modes of EU-ARTECH, launching its activity in July 2004, are: Networking activities on rational use of analytical resources and on materials and methods in conservation have the aim to propose protocols on material studies for meaningful comparisons of results among laboratories, and to promote common strategies for high-quality and durable conservation treatments. Transnational Accesses to advanced facilities, for laboratory and in-situ non-destructive studies on movable and immovable artefacts, have the goal to create a permanent interoperability among institutions, extended to the whole European community of the field. Joint Research activities are devoted to enhance the quality of the offered service and improve the infrastructure performances. The final goal is the structuring of a European research area in science for conservation, with common advanced resources, agreed high-quality practices and homogeneous objectives.