Olores.org Newsletter December 2023

   Another year is about to come to an end and it is time to take a look at what has happened this year in the world of odour management. As those of you who have been following us for many years already know, we traditionally dedicate a small gap in our daily to-do list to make this summary, which also comes in handy for us to take a look back and see where to focus our efforts for the coming year.

Here is our compilation of news that has happened this year in this area of ours. These might not be the most important news for other odour experts. In fact, in the comments section of this article, you can always include any other news that you think has been relevant this year, and have somehow escaped us. For example, on the topic of odour regulations and standards, we follow several countries around the world but the world is large, and many things escape from our view these days. Ok, so let's move on to the 2023 news round-up.

   The members of AMIGO proposed to celebrate the "Odour Day" in some way. But the first question was, when do we celebrate it? Several dates were discussed, as there are already "Odour Days", for example in the USA, but the history behind it was not known. In the end, the date of December 2nd was proposed as odour day, as the first meeting that led to the publication of EN 13725 took place on that day in 1991,

   The editor of this website missed a couple of talks during a very interesting odour management conference in Germany and spent some time interviewing relevant people. After this, instead of strolling around the fantastic Leipzig Christmas market and meeting some good friends at the Trattoria Dolce Vita, the editor of this website decided to spend the evening editing videos.

   The second presentation of the standard UNE 77270:2023 - Collaborative Odour Maps Construction through Citizen Science, published in October, was held on November 6th at Lleialtat Santsenca in Barcelona, was a resounding success. The event marked a historic moment as the first standard worldwide to incorporate citizen science as a methodological approach for monitoring odour impact was officially launched. Experts and community members who contributed to the development of this innovative standard gathered to celebrate this achievement. This event was recorded and can be watched here (provided you know a bit of Spanish)

   The audience at the event, consisting of both experts and the general public, witnessed the culmination of four years of dedicated work by the group behind the standard's development. The successful launch highlights the increasing recognition of citizen science as a valuable tool in environmental monitoring and governance. The incorporation of public participation in assessing odour pollution is a noteworthy step forward in fostering a collaborative and inclusive approach to addressing environmental challenges.

   The year 2023 is drawing to a close, and what a remarkable year it has been! As we bid farewell to the last 365 days, we reflect on the challenges we've overcome, the lessons we've learned, and the triumphs that have marked our journey.

  In the spirit of joy and togetherness, we extend heartfelt wishes to everyone around the globe. To those celebrating Christmas, may your homes be filled with the warmth of love and the joy of shared moments. For those reveling in the festive spirit of the holiday season, may these days be filled with laughter, gratitude, and the company of cherished friends and family.