Strengthening global health security: EU Framework Contracts signed for a wastewater sentinel system

The European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) has signed new framework contracts under the EU4Health programme to enhance the monitoring of pathogens and pollutants in wastewater, a crucial step in establishing an early warning system for future pandemics. These contracts, divided into three Lots, will support the development of a global sentinel system, enabling the rapid detection of emerging health threats. 

The wastewater framework contracts aim to provide supplies, equipment and services to measure pathogens and pollutants of emerging concern in untreated wastewater samples at strategic locations known as super-sites. This sentinel system will facilitate the exchange of data and ensure a swift response to potential health crises. 

Lot 1: Provision of supplies, equipment and delivery/dispatch services 

On 12 March 2025, a single framework contract was signed for a duration of four years, with a maximum ceiling of €7,200,000. This contract will provide sampling and packaging materials, equipment for wastewater samples collection and analysis, and dispatch services to transfer samples from the super-sites to the analytical facilities identified in Lots 2 and 3. 

See the award notice for more information. 

Lot 2: Measurements of pathogens by PCR, WGS/NGS measurements and Shotgun Metagenomics in untreated wastewater samples 

Multiple framework contracts in cascade were signed on 27 May 2025, for a duration of four years and a total financial support of €18,800,000. These will focus on the analysis of untreated wastewater samples by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene-sequencing (whole genome sequencing (WGS)/next generation sequencing (NGS)) and by study of complex microbial ecosystems through sequencing of entire microbial communities by Shotgun Metagenomics. 

See the award notice for more information. 

Lot 3: Measurements of pollutants of emerging concern in untreated wastewater samples 

Contracts under lot 3 were signed on 27 May 2025, for a duration of four years and a total financial support of €6,000,000. These will provide measurements services by the application of multi-residue extraction and analytical procedures based on mass spectrometric techniques for the detection and quantification of selected pollutants of emerging concern.

See the award notice for more information. 

Background 

EU4Health is the fourth and largest of the EU health programmes. The EU4Health programme goes beyond an ambitious response to the COVID-19 crisis to address the resilience of European healthcare systems. The programme provides funding to national authorities, health organisations and other bodies through grants and public procurement, contributing to a healthier Europe. HaDEA manages the vast majority of the total EU4Health budget and implements the programme by managing calls for proposals and calls for tenders.