Lisbon, 1 July 2024
When will the EMCDDA become the EUDA?
The EMCDDA will become the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) on 2 July 2024, the day on which the regulation enters into application.
Is it just the name that is changing?
No! The new EUDA mandate grants the agency considerably more power to perform the tasks needed to address current and future challenges related to illicit drugs. With this more proactive remit, adapted to the current reality, the new EUDA will be better equipped to support the EU and its Member States in addressing emerging issues in this field. This will take place in three key areas: monitoring, preparedness and competence development for better interventions.
What are the new tasks the agency will be able to carry out under its new mandate?
The collection, analysis and dissemination of data will continue to be a key task of the EUDA. The new agency will also:
- develop threat assessment capabilities in the areas of health and security, thereby increasing EU preparedness to identify and react to these new threats;
- issue alerts, via a new European drug alert system, when high-risk substances appear on the market (complementing national alert systems and the EU Early Warning System on new psychoactive substances);
- monitor and address poly-substance use, which is becoming increasingly common and may have detrimental health effects;
- set up a network of forensic and toxicological laboratories to foster information exchange on new trends and developments and train national forensic drug experts;
- develop and promote evidence-based interventions and best practices;
- provide research and support, both on health-related issues and on drug markets and drug supply;
- support the independent evaluation and development of evidence-based policies;
- play a stronger international role and support the EU in drug policy at a multilateral level;
- reinforce the role of the national focal points to ensure that Member States are able to provide relevant drug-related data to the agency;
- monitor developments related to the trafficking and diversion of drug precursors and contribute to the implementation of European drug precursors legislation.
How should I pronounce ‘EUDA’?
As EUDA is an acronym, when saying the name you can spell it out letter-by-letter with ‘the’ before it: the E-U-D-A. Alternatively, you can simply say the ‘EU Drugs Agency’, if not using the full name the ‘European Union Drugs Agency’.
Will the agency remain in its current location of Lisbon, Portugal?
Yes, the agency will remain at its current location.
Will the agency’s website address change?
Yes. The agency’s domain name will change from 2 July 2024 and become www.euda.europa.eu
Will links that use the old address still work?
Yes, we will ensure that links using the old address format will still function and be redirected to the new page. However, after 2 July, we will ask people where possible to update any links on web pages which may be pointing to the older domain.
Will staff emails change?
Yes, all staff emails will change and follow the format name.surname@euda.europa.eu. Update your address books but you don’t have to send older emails again — the old addresses will still work for the time being.
Will your social media channel accounts change and will I need to follow you again?
We have been posting on each social media channel where we are present details of any updates or steps to be taken by our followers.
Will the postal address of the agency change?
The agency’s location is not changing but from 2 July 2024, postal correspondence should use the agency’s new name and be addressed to:
European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA)
Praça Europa 1, Cais do Sodré
1249-289 Lisbon, Portugal
Will telephone numbers change?
Telephone numbers will not change.
Will contracts signed with the EMCDDA still be valid or do they need to be re-signed?
All contracts signed with the EMCDDA are still valid once the agency becomes the EUDA.
Will there be a new logo and branding for the agency once it becomes EUDA?
Yes. The agency will have a new logo and visual identity, following the change.
Source – www.euda.europa.eu