ISSEP

The Scientific Institute for Public Services (ISSeP) is a Public Research Organisation carrying in-situ measurement of environmental data since 1990.

ISSeP has a legacy of over 100 years of research and expertise in environmental monitoring in Wallonia. It is the worthy successor to the Mining Institute (1902-47), the National Institute of Coal Industries (INICHar-1947-67), and the National Institute of Extraction Industries (INUEx-1967-90). The Institute supports administrations and private companies in risk assessment and environmental metrology, with networks for air, waters, soil, waste, sediments, and ionizing radiations.

By characterising the environment through regulatory, normative and technical observations as well as comparing data, ISSeP supports the regional and local authorities in making the right decisions when it comes to environmental policies. ISSeP is also distinguishable for its benchmark laboratory, the only one in its field in Wallonia. ISSeP provides all those involved in the public and private sectors with an independent, transparent, and impartial public service.

Since 2016, a new unit integrates in-situ and Earth Observation data in environmental decision making. Current studies within the Remote Sensing and Geodata Unit focus on land cover/use monitoring, change detection, risk assessment and geodata integration. Earth Observation data processed include satellite, aerial and RPAS data. The unit participates to international project in Europe and Africa. Finally, ISSeP is a member of the Copernicus Relays Wallonia and organizes, with the Spatial Cluster Skywin, the Earth Observation Working Group (GTEO) gathering numerous institutions from the Walloon EO ecosystem.