FAQs

1. What is the HERA Stakeholders Hub?

The HERA Stakeholders Hub is a cooperative space with a matchmaking platform feature, established in response to the 2023 Commission Communication on Addressing medicine shortages in the EU. Its main goal is to foster cooperation among stakeholders in combating health crises and global health threats. This includes researchers, producers, developers, distributors, importers and wholesalers of medical countermeasures (MCMs). The Hub also hosts the Critical Medicines Alliance and Joint Industrial Cooperation Forum (JICF), networks that facilitate coordination among national authorities, industry stakeholders, civil society representatives, the European Commission and EU agencies to mitigate medicine shortages, coordinate actions at the EU level and address vulnerabilities while implementing corrective measures in medicine supply chains.

2. Who participates in the Hub?

The Hub engages national authorities, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the European Commission, members of the Critical Medicines Alliance, the Joint Industrial Cooperation Forum (JICF), industry representatives,  professional organisations and civil society organisations.

3. Who manages and oversees the operations of the HERA Stakeholders Hub?

The operations of the HERA Stakeholders Hub are managed by the European Commission through the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA).

4. Is membership of the Hub open?

Yes, Hub membership is open, and participation is encouraged to foster collaboration and improve business development opportunities.

5. Who can join?

The Hub is open to industry bodies and professionals, researchers, health providers healthcare facilities and other entities involved in health preparedness and medical countermeasure production and development. Membership approval is based on relevance, expertise and contributions to the field.

6. Are non-EU, international stakeholders welcome to participate?

Yes, international stakeholders, including those from non-EU countries and global regions, are welcome to join the HERA Stakeholders Hub. International participation is encouraged to enhance the value and impact of our collective health preparedness efforts. Diverse perspectives and expertise contribute significantly to strengthening our global efforts and advancing our shared goals.

7. How do I become a member?

You can join by filling out the registration request. Your application will be reviewed, and upon approval, you will receive your login credentials to access the platform.

8. Is there a cost associated with joining and participating in the Hub or the matchmaking platform?

Membership of the HERA Stakeholders Hub and the matchmaking platform is free of charge, and there are no costs associated with your participation at any stage.

9. Can start-ups and small businesses also become members of the Hub?

Yes, the HERA Stakeholders Hub welcomes emerging companies and smaller enterprises. The Hub is designed to be inclusive of all members, regardless of their size or stage of development. Whether you are a new company or a small business, you can join and benefit from the Hub’s collective expertise and shared resources.

10. Are there opportunities available for investors in the HERA Stakeholders Hub?

Yes, investors can find various opportunities to support innovative health preparedness solutions. The Hub provides access to insights into a pipeline of companies and entities that showcase their expertise, seek funding, and outline their project proposals.

11. Does the HERA Stakeholders Hub guarantee access to funding or successful collaborations?

The Hub’s objective is to provide a conducive environment and the necessary tools for stakeholders to connect, share knowledge and best practices, and work together. We do not guarantee the outcome of these cooperative efforts. Success ultimately depends on the participants’ engagement and compatibility. While the Hub facilitates access to funding opportunities, securing financial support is not guaranteed and depends on objective factors such as applicant profiles, eligibility criteria and market conditions.

12. How does the Hub support collaborative efforts if success is not guaranteed?

The Hub supports collaborative efforts by offering a variety of resources and tools, such as a space for discussions, the matchmaking platform, and access to members’ expertise. These features are designed to increase the chances of successful collaborations, while the final outcomes depend on the stakeholders’ profiles and compatibility.

13. How can I increase the likelihood of successful collaboration through the Hub?

You can engage actively with other members, clearly define your goals, communicate effectively and leverage the Hub’s resources. Interacting on the matchmaking platform can provide you with further opportunities for effective collaboration.

14. Are any details, documents or information pertaining to the Hub’s activity available to the public?

Information and details of reports, briefs, documents and other types of materials and resources related to the activity of the HERA Stakeholders Hub, including the activity and profiles of its members, are only accessible to Hub members and not available to the public. 

1. Where can I find comprehensive information about data protection, GDPR compliance, and the European Commission’s policies?
2. For detailed information regarding data protection, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) rules, and the European Commission's policies, please refer to our Privacy Statement. This document provides all relevant information in one place, ensuring users have access to complete and coherent details regarding their rights and the handling of personal data. You can also read the privacy policy for websites managed by the European Commission.

1. How does the Hub ensure compliance with EU competition rules?

The Hub is designed to facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders in a manner that is fully consistent with EU competition rules. However, it is the responsibility of each user to ensure that their individual actions and behaviour comply with these rules. Users are required to observe and comply with all applicable EU competition laws during their use of the Platform, including in any communications, interactions, or collaborations with other users. For details, please refer to the Terms and Conditions document.

2. How are competition laws applied to non-EU entities using the HERA Stakeholders Hub?

The Hub is designed to facilitate interactions among stakeholders from across the globe in a manner that respects EU competition rules. Users must adhere to these rules, regardless of their geographical location, and ensure that their activities on the platform do not infringe EU competition laws.

3. Can sharing information on the platform lead to anti-competitive practices?

Yes, sharing certain types of information can raise competition law concerns. Users are advised to exercise caution when sharing sensitive commercial information, such as prices, discounts, costs, sales, production volumes, commercial strategies, expansion plans, investments, customer lists, or any other information concerning important elements of a firm's strategy or commercial plans. Users are responsible for ensuring that their information sharing complies with EU competition laws and regulations. The European Commission encourages users to engage specialised independent counsel to ensure that their activities on the platform are compliant with these laws.

4. What is the ‘ethical wall’ procedure and how does it relate to the Hub?

To prevent the improper exchange of sensitive information between individuals or departments that could create conflicts of interest or raise competition law concerns, users are advised to implement ’ethical wall’ procedures within their organisations. This means establishing clear internal barriers to ensure that any sensitive or confidential data and information related to competitions is restricted to those with a legitimate need to access it for the lawful use of the Platform. Users must ensure that their organisation's internal procedures are in place to prevent the exchange of sensitive information and to maintain the confidentiality of any information shared on the platform.

1. What features does the Hub offer?

The platform offers a range of features including collaborative spaces, access to resources, event calendars and registration options as well as a news feed on the latest developments in health preparedness.

2. What functions are available through participation in the HERA Stakeholders Hub?

Involvement in the HERA Stakeholders Hub:

• facilitates connections with partners across diverse sectors of the supply chain, improving health preparedness in the EU;
• enables manufacturers to expand capacities and establish new business partnerships;
• offers a user-friendly matchmaking platform with tagging functions for efficient networking;
• allows companies to explore participants, send invitations, schedule meetings and exchange ideas;
• gives opportunities to express interest in funding through HERA Invest;
• supports broader matchmaking events organised by the Commission, ensuring compliance with EU competition and data protection laws.

3. Can registered members of the HERA Stakeholders Hub access or view the workspaces dedicated to the Critical Medicines Alliance (CMA) and the Joint Industrial Cooperation Forum (JICF)?

The members of the HERA Stakeholders Hub cannot access the workspaces dedicated to the CMA and the JICF unless they are approved members. However, members of the Hub can see upcoming events, documents, and any relevant information and materials that CMA and JICF members choose to make visible to all Hub members.

4. Is it possible to become a member of the Critical Medicines Alliance or the Joint Industrial Cooperation Forum?

Yes, membership of the Critical Medicines Alliance is open to interested, eligible applicants. You can apply for membership through Inform HERA. For the Joint Industrial Cooperation Forum, the call for membership and acceptance of new members is organised on a periodic basis. Requests for participation will be reviewed during this process.

5. What resources are available to help users navigate the Hub?

 A detailed user manual and a set of guidelines will soon be available to support your navigation on the platform.

1. What security measures are in place to protect sensitive information?

We employ security measures such as SSL encryption, multi-factor authentication, regular security verifications and access controls to protect sensitive information on the platform.

2. What should I do if I suspect a security breach?

If you suspect a security breach, please report it immediately to our support team at  HERA-STAKEHOLDERS-HUB@ec.europa.eu. We will investigate it and take the necessary actions to secure the platform.

1. How can I provide feedback on the platform?

We value your feedback and are always looking to improve. You can provide feedback through My HERA or by contacting us directly at HERA-STAKEHOLDERS-HUB@ec.europa.eu.

2. Are there opportunities to suggest new features or improvements?

Yes, we encourage members to suggest new features or improvements. Please submit your suggestions through My HERA, and we will review them for potential implementation.

1. Who can I contact for technical support or assistance?

For technical support or assistance, please contact our support team by email at HERA-STAKEHOLDERS-HUB@ec.europa.eu. We are available to assist you.

1. How do I register my organisation on the portal?

In order to register your organisation on the portal, you will first need to set up an EU Log In. Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to register for the EU Log In and instructions for how to register your organisation.