It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Domenico Cipriano, convenor of CEN/TC 264/WG 41 (“Emissions and ambient air – Instrumental odour monitoring”) within the European Committee for Standardization (CEN).
Domenico was a senior researcher at RSE SpA (Ricerca sul Sistema Energetico) in Italy, where he led the research group on “Monitoraggio Agenti Chimici e Fisici” (Monitoring of Chemical and Physical Agents). An engineer by training (nuclear engineering, Politecnico di Milano), he devoted his career to air quality and emissions monitoring, combining scientific rigour with a commitment to standardisation and practical implementation.
As many of you know, there was an active CEN group working on the standardisation of a procedure to validate the use of IOMS (Instrumental Odour Monitoring Systems) for odour measurements. However, after 20 meetings over six years, the group reached the end of its assigned timeframe without presenting a final draft standard. Domenico Cipriano, took over this role in January 2022.
Domenico had a strong character, which was evident in the discussions he led during the development of this standard. He was highly determined to see the standard succeed and engaged passionately, even when opinions differed sharply. Above all, he believed in the value of this work and invested considerable time and effort into advancing it. The last meeting of WG 41 at which he served as convenor took place online in May 2026 and reviewed the final elements of Parts 1, 2 and 3 of this new standard leaving the path to creating the first European standard for IOMSs.
Domenico played a central role in the “Scuola Odori” (Odour School) webinar series on air quality and odour impact. “Scuola Odori” is a recurring series of free, online Italian webinars focused on air quality and odour impact, jointly organised by RSE and SNPA (the National System for Environmental Protection, which includes ISPRA and the regional environmental agencies, ARPA/APPA). Held annually since at least 2021, the conference brings together experts from multiple ARPAs, RSE and other bodies to address topics such as industrial and diffuse emissions, odour measurement and modelling, regulatory frameworks, and their relationship with ambient air quality. He often served as scientific coordinator and keynote speaker. He regularly introduced the events, presented sessions on odour monitoring methods and standards (including CEN/UNI norms), and contributed technical content linking odour management with ambient air quality across multiple editions from at least 2020 to 2025. His active involvement helped shape the series into a key national reference for SNPA (ISPRA and the ARPAs/APPAs), public authorities, and professionals working on industrial emissions and odour-related environmental impact up to the present day.
His fight against cancer would not stop him doing the things that he loved. So he went on helping coordinating the Scuola Odori, carrying out tasks with the WG41 and he had also the time to co-write a manual on the topic of monitoring emissions.
On behalf of the odour community, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Domenico’s family, friends and colleagues. We are grateful for his dedication and for the lasting legacy he leaves in the field of odour assessment.
(Photo: Domenico at the WG41 meeting in Madrid, September 2025.)
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- The long and winding road of CEN/TC264/WG41 developing a standard for validating Instrumental Odour Measurement Systems
- WG41 meeting on Instrumental Odour Monitoring Systems in Bilbao, Spain
- First Meeting of the CEN group dealing with gas sensors and pattern recognition.
- Re-started the work of the WG41
- WG41 meeting took place in Madrid
