From antibiotic resistance to pandemic preparedness and AI-based diagnostics, RISE runs research projects that address the most pressing challenges in healthcare. Find out more about our ongoing work and how you can get involved.
The development of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics requires the right environment. RISE offers laboratories for biological safety, formulation and analysis, providing the infrastructure needed for everything from early studies to GMP production.
How can artificial intelligence (AI) improve diagnostics? What is needed to combat antibiotic resistance? RISE shares research results and insights that demonstrate how innovation can be transformed into clinical benefits.
Are you planning to bring a medical device to market, develop a vaccine, or implement AI in healthcare? RISE offers the expertise and infrastructure to support you through the development, validation and approval processes.
The ability of healthcare to cope with an ageing population, increasing chronic diseases and threats such as antibiotic resistance and pandemics will determine the future of public health. At the same time, digitalisation and new treatment methods are opening up completely new opportunities – but the path from innovation to clinical benefit requires both cutting-edge technical expertise and regulatory precision.
RISE supports companies, healthcare providers and municipalities throughout the entire development chain. This involves developing safe AI solutions for diagnostics and treatment, developing medicines and vaccines from concept to approved product, and validating medical devices in accordance with European regulations. In the field of infection control, RISE contributes with research and testing methods to combat antibiotic resistance and virus spread, while digital solutions and new working methods help the healthcare and care sector to adapt to future needs.
Is an ageing population a problem or an opportunity? As the Swedish population ages, we need to find new ways to provide healthcare that is as good as or better than it is today.
To ensure that children's toys are safe to use, a wide range of rules and regulations are in place. Among the most comprehensive frameworks is the Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC), supplemented by harmonized standards. The directive sets requirements for toy safety, including chemicals, flammability, general safety, and electrical safety.
Purpose/Benefit:All toys sold within the EU must bear the CE mark. To achieve this, the toy must meet the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive. The products are tested according to harmonized standards to ensure that these requirements are met.
We perform testing of toys in accordance with the SS-EN 71 series, the REACH Regulation, the RoHS Directive, and other relevant regulations.
The requirements in the standards vary depending on which age group the toy is intended for and what type of toy it is.
Method (what/which methods are used to perform the service):Accredited testing according to the SS-EN 71 series and assessments according to the REACH Regulation and RoHS Directive
We offer accredited testing according to the following standards:
In addition to these accredited tests, we also offer assessments and analyses to ensure compliance with:
These services are performed according to harmonized standards to ensure that products meet all applicable safety requirements within the EU.
Our operations include both accredited and non-accredited testing methods. The scope of accreditation is available upon request – please contact us for more information.
Delivery (what does the client get after performed service – e.g. a report, certificate etc.):The result is delivered in the form of a report.
Delivery time:Delivery time varies depending on the product complexity.
Area: Product safety Contact person (Enter one name per field. Activated personal contact pages will appear automatically): Lorena Francini, Forskare
We would like to see photos of your product before we can provide a price estimate for the testing.
Standards:
SS-EN 71-1 (Accredited)
SS-EN 71-2 (Accredited)
SS-EN 71-3 (Accredited)
REACH Regulation
RoHS Directive
Certification and marking: Not applicable Type of service: Testing / Analysis / Evaluation Instrument: Not applicable General area: Not applicable Order information: Questions and orders via toys@ri.se Divison (OLD): Division Materials and Industry Delivery level:Please contact us at toys@ri.se
How can we raise consumer awareness about the risks of direct imports via e-commerce? In this project, we explore how to inform consumers in a fun yet fact-based way using short films.
The number of e-commerce goods directly imported by consumers in the EU has increased significantly in recent years and is expected to continue growing rapidly, benefiting from the current customs exemption for low-value shipments (up to 150 euros). According to EU monitoring data, 4.6 billion such low-value shipments were imported into the EU in 2024. This is nearly double the amount in 2023 (2.4 billion) and more than triple the amount in 2022 (1.4 billion). This corresponds to over 12 million small items per day.
The project will map the risks associated with imported goods such as toys, electronics, and clothing that may contain hazardous chemicals. Unauthorized levels of chemical substances in products or substances banned within the EU can affect both health and the environment. Reports show low compliance with EU standards, especially for online purchases. A lack of information about chemical content leads to improper waste handling, further threatening the environment and public safety.
The project aims to build a cross-sector partnership involving various stakeholders such as authorities, industry organizations, and consumer representatives to reduce the risks of direct imports of consumer products by improving control mechanisms and increasing consumer awareness. A reference group consisting of representatives from authorities and industry organizations will identify high-risk products and target groups.
The initiative will explore how traceability and product content can be managed and will use short films to inform consumers, especially those shopping from drop-shipping companies. The films aim to simplify complex issues and promote safer choices. The project also seeks to establish a neutral platform for continued collaboration and communication. In a future phase, the network will be expanded, broader information campaigns launched, and a platform created to address chemical safety challenges with the goal of supporting a sustainable and chemically safe society.
Can innovation contribute to a better life for people while also creating a sustainable society? Innovation expert Dennis Pamlin explains why we need to abandon the 'fossil-free typewriter tactic' and innovate with people at the heart of it. Seniortorget in Umeå is a prime example of this approach in action.
Much of the innovation taking place today is about finding ways to continue with business as usual. Perhaps this is because humans are evolutionarily programmed to seek security and predictability, or because short-term incentives in the form of quarterly reports and terms of office set the framework. Is it possible to innovate for a better future where people live as good a life as possible, rather than driving innovation with the aim of reducing the damage we cause to the climate and health?
"Today, we look back at innovation. We look at what we have and try to make fossil-free versions of the same thing. Instead, we need to look at how we can live better lives and avoid emitting greenhouse gases. Sweden is very poor at this; we are still talking about who is reducing their emissions the most", says Dennis Pamlin, innovation expert at RISE, and continues:
"Cutting emissions isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's definitely not enough. It doesn't really encourage the kind of innovation we need to make sure everyone can live a good life. We often jokingly refer to this as the 'fossil-free typewriter tactic' to illustrate why it is pointless to create new versions of technology that is fundamentally outdated or no longer meets people's real needs."
Contributing to flourishing lives for all requires human-centred innovation work. In the Flourishing Lives 4 all project, RISE is working with partners such as the OECD, the Swedish Energy Agency and the UN Climate Change Global Innovation Hub (UNFCCC) to investigate what is needed for eight to twelve billion people to live flourishing lives on a flourishing planet.
Cutting emissions is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is definitely not enough.
So what does human-centred innovation look like in reality? In parts of Africa and Asia, small-scale solar cell systems have enabled people in areas without electricity grids to access electric lighting, charging and digital services. It did not start as a climate project, but as a way to give people better living conditions. At the same time, the project led to reduced emissions, better health (through reduced inhalation of soot from kerosene lamps) and a stronger economy.
Sweden also has international leaders in human-centred innovation. In Umeå, Seniortorget combines digital platforms, physical meeting places, intergenerational programmes, rural collaboration and preventive health strategies. These programmes demonstrate measurable benefits for both well-being and the climate in Umeå.
"Seniortorget has been in existence since 2021, when the elderly care administration in Umeå Municipality created the concept together with senior citizens. Seniortorget is a place that, through internal and external collaboration, offers information and inspiration that contributes to the health and enrichment of the lives of Umeå's senior citizens", says Camilla Jägerving Isaksson, development strategist at Umeå Municipality and responsible for the development of the Seniortorget concept, and continues:
"It is remarkable how naturally new ideas and initiatives arise that benefit not only senior citizens, but society as a whole."
One example is that participants and staff from Aros Film, which is a daily activity within disability care in the municipality of Umeå, contribute with equipment and live broadcast production. Through this collaboration, more seniors can take part in the lectures that are offered, while the participants from Aros Film get to develop their skills and be a valuable resource in the organisation.
"We are proud that the concept has now spread and is available in several municipalities. There is considerable interest both nationally and internationally."
The initiative in Umeå has so far led to the avoidance of emissions equivalent to approximately 355 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents through the promotion of healthy lifestyles and target group-specific services. Reduced healthcare needs and increased use of digital tools lead to less travel. Seniortorget has also created 399 Flourishing Life Years (FLY) for participants, partly by reducing loneliness and increasing participation in social activities.
"If these solutions can be exported, it will be even more interesting. Even with cautious assumptions, the concept developed in Umeå has the potential to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 50 million tonnes and contribute to 10 million years of healthy life," says Dennis Pamlin.
Several Swedish cities have set themselves the goal of achieving a fair transition that will lead to a better life for their residents. There are also many examples from around the world of when such synergy effects occur. It is about so much more than reducing carbon dioxide emissions, even though it is easy to start with what is understandable and tangible, says Maja Manner, Business Development Manager for Urban Transition at RISE.
As more cities and companies place people at the centre of innovation and also involve shell companies with their sights set on international expansion, Sweden can become an exporter of solutions that both reduce emissions and create prosperous lives.
"We hope that more people will join us on this new journey of innovation towards a future that is not just less bad, but much better for both people and the planet," says Dennis Pamlin.
During the UN Climate Change Conference COP30 in Brazil, RISE presents a report: “Cities Delivering Flourishing Lives on a Flourishing Planet – How cities can support flourishing lives for an ageing population while avoiding emissions with an expanded climate and innovation agenda”. The report highlights the municipality of Umeå and Seniortorget as a world-leading example of how medium-sized cities can drive systemic innovation and create added value for the climate and society.
The idea of building hospitals out of wood arouses both curiosity and scepticism, but the Vinnova-funded project Health in Wood shows that there are great opportunities. In a groundbreaking collaboration between the timber construction and hospital construction sectors, experts have tested the limits of wood as a construction material in healthcare environments. The results challenge old ideas about how the hospitals of the future can be built.
“Almost no one has done this before, but daring to think about wood in a hospital environment opens up completely new possibilities,” says Magnus Falk, project manager at RISE.
Wood offers much more than just sustainability and aesthetic value; it can also change how we build and experience healthcare environments. Through prefabrication, wooden elements can be manufactured elsewhere, quickly assembled on site, and reused, saving both time and resources.
"The low weight of wood makes it possible to build on or expand buildings without extensive foundation work, while improving the working environment thanks to shorter construction times and simpler installations. Imagine wood in entrances, reception areas, or healthcare wards, perhaps combined with concrete or steel. The possibilities are endless," says Kirsi Jarnerö, researcher and project manager at RISE.
It's about breaking old habits. We have to realize that we can't keep doing what we've always done.
Fire safety is, of course, one of the most discussed issues in timber construction. Fire safety is particularly important in hospitals, as they house activities that include the care of inpatients and functions that are critical to society.
The project shows that current knowledge makes it possible to build safely, even in hospital environments. Beams and columns can be dimensioned to withstand fire, and prefabricated modules can incorporate proven fire solutions. The challenge lies more in “mental regulations” and recommendations regarding non-combustible materials than in the technology itself.
“Many people believe that wood is automatically a risk. But today we have good methods for both calculating and limiting the impact of fire. It's a matter of using the right type of construction, the right dimensions, and smart solutions,” says Alar Just, fire researcher at RISE.
Operating rooms, with their sensitive equipment and extremely high vibration requirements, still require hybrid solutions using steel and concrete. But what about intensive care rooms and regular wards? Here, wood can stand on its own – with column-beam frames, stud frames, or cross-laminated timber.
“We see enormous potential in patient rooms and prefabricated modules. It is possible to build quickly, efficiently, and sustainably, while meeting all functional requirements,” says Cristiana Caira, Centrum för vårdens arkitektur (CVA) at Chalmers University of Technology.
“The key conclusions of the project are that the knowledge is there. And that wooden building systems can save both costs and the climate. It’s about breaking old habits. We have to realize that we can’t continue doing what we’ve always done,” says Tomas Alsmarker at Svenskt Trä.
Kirsi Jarnerö concludes:
“We just need to take one step at a time. Don't think of everything in terms of wood, but rather the possibilities of wood in combination with other materials. It's perfect for complex and cramped hospital environments.”
Health in Wood is a Vinnova-funded project that started in May 2023 and ran for 26 months. The project was coordinated by RISE. Other project participants: CVA – Centrum för vårdens arkitektur, Region Västerbotten Fastighet, Södra, Moelven Modulbyggnad, Moelven Töreboda, Masonite Beams, AFRY, Sitowise Sverige, CF Möller Arkitekter, White Arkitekter, ByggDialog, Svenskt Trä and AcouWood.
>> Read more about the project and download the final report
RISE offers advanced research and technical expertise across the entire chain of modern timber construction, from material selection and design to moisture safety, fire, acoustics, and life cycle analysis. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and advanced testing environments, we support the development of sustainable, efficient, and innovative timber construction solutions for the society of the future.
>> Read more about our expertise in timber construction and feel free to contact us
The FreeLIB (Fluorine-free Lithium-ion Batteries) project explores how PFAS and other hazardous fluorinated compounds form and are released during lithium-ion battery recycling and investigates methods to effectively reduce these emissions.
As the demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) continues to grow, so does the need for efficient and sustainable recycling. Recycling enables the recovery of valuable materials such as lithium, nickel and cobalt, while also reducing the overall environmental impact. However, new research shows that the recycling of lithium-ion batteries can also lead to emissions of harmful fluorinated compounds, including PFAS – so-called “forever chemicals” that may pose risks to both human health and the environment.
The FreeLIB project investigates how PFAS and other fluorinated compounds are formed, released and can be controlled during the recycling of lithium-ion batteries. The aim is to develop safer and more sustainable processes for people, the environment and industry.
Fluorine is an essential element in several parts of a lithium-ion battery, including electrolytes, binders and additives that contribute to performance and lifespan. When batteries are recycled, especially through processes involving heat, chemicals or mechanical treatment, PFAS and other toxic substances can form and be released. These compounds may pose risks to workers as well as to the surrounding environment.
FreeLIB aims to:
By combining chemical analysis, practical recycling tests and life cycle assessments, the project contributes new knowledge on how PFAS emissions can be identified and reduced.
FreeLIB provides the industry with a scientific foundation for reducing emissions of fluorinated compounds and adapting processes to future chemical management requirements. In this way, the project supports the development of battery recycling that is both more circular and safer for people, the environment and industry.
