Interoperability is the key factor in mitigation of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) incidents

In the context of CBRN threats and their countermeasures, the interoperability of joint actions is required. It involves both military and civil entities. In CBRN crisis management, the interoperability results in maintaining common standards, minimization of mistakes; it brings a synergy effect. Therefore, it is important that all actors involved in a crisis situation, use the same terminology and procedures. On the NATO level, there is a standardization agency (NATO Standardization Office – NSO), which initiates, coordinates, supports, or administers standardization activities conducted under the activity of the Committee for Standardization. The NSOpublished the AJP-3.8 doctrine – Allied Joint Doctrine for Comprehensive Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense, a basic strategic document agreed by all NATO countries. It means that it defines very general principles and roles, and its development is constituted by documents of a lower operational and tactical level.

Although the document concerns the military, itis commonly used by civil services. Thanks to this approach, procedural interoperability and efficiency of the entire state security system are ensured. It helps to enhance national and international cooperation, particularly in the light of cross-border CBRN incidents. Recent years show how important these issues are from the point of view of human safety.

The AJP-3.8 doctrine consists of three chapters concerning CBRN threats and hazards, fundamentals of CBRN defence, as well as command considerations for planning and conduct of CBRN defence. The document is permanently updated according to the identified threats. It does not exclude creating independent national, or international industry solutions. However, they have to maintain compliance with the standards resulting from doctrinal documents. The EU SENSE Project on the development of a novel network of chemical sensors will consider the compliance with the abovementioned doctrine when developed to a higher TRL level.