Rome, 15 October 2026 – The Società Chimica Italiana (Italian Chemical Society, SCI) and the Federazione Nazionale degli Ordini dei Chimici e dei Fisici (National Federation of the Orders of Chemists and Physicists, FNCF) warmly welcome the final approval by the Council of Ministers of the regulation reforming the profession of biologist, presented by the Minister of Universities and Research, Anna Maria Bernini.

The approved text, incorporating the opinions of the Council of State and the parliamentary committees, introduces an important regulatory clarification that ensures full respect for the roles and competences recognised for the different professions, while safeguarding the specific educational backgrounds and professional expertise of chemists and physicists.

In particular, the new paragraph 3 of Article 31 clarifies that the activities attributed to biologists are listed for descriptive purposes, without prejudice to the competences reserved for other professions under current legislation, while also acknowledging the value of interdisciplinary collaboration.

The Società Chimica Italiana has closely followed every stage of the regulatory process, sharing with the FNCF the concerns that emerged throughout its various phases and strongly supporting the initiatives undertaken by the Federation to protect the professional competences of chemists and physicists.

This collaboration reflects a strong alignment of objectives and a shared vision between the academic and scientific community, represented by the SCI, and the professional community, represented by the FNCF. It is grounded in the conviction that high-quality university education, specialised training and the recognition of specific professional responsibilities are essential prerequisites for ensuring public safety, protecting public health and maintaining high standards in scientific services.

"As the Società Chimica Italiana, we have closely monitored all developments and successive stages of this complex regulatory process from the very beginning, maintaining an ongoing dialogue and a full alignment of objectives with the FNCF," states Luigi Mondello, President of the SCI. "We have strongly supported the efforts of President Nausicaa Orlandi and the Federation, recognising that protecting the professional competences of chemists is not a matter of defending narrow professional interests, but a fundamental principle for ensuring the quality of professional services and the safety of the public. This outcome confirms the importance of close cooperation between the scientific community and the professional sector. The SCI and the FNCF share a common vision centred on education, scientific rigour, the recognition of professional competences and the promotion of chemistry's role in society."

"Specialised university education remains the foundation of professional competences and responsibilities," states Nausicaa Orlandi, President of the FNCF. "We have worked with determination to ensure that the reform respects the specific characteristics of the different professions. The approved text represents an important achievement that recognises the expertise of chemists and physicists and provides greater certainty for citizens, institutions and businesses."

The two organisations emphasise that safeguarding the distinctive characteristics of each profession should not be interpreted as a limitation on interdisciplinarity, but rather as an essential condition for promoting effective and responsible collaboration among professionals with different yet complementary areas of expertise.

The SCI and the FNCF express their appreciation to the Government, the Minister of Universities and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, the Ministry of Health and all the institutions that contributed to identifying a balanced regulatory solution that respects the different professional roles and serves the public interest.

Finally, the Società Chimica Italiana and the Federazione Nazionale degli Ordini dei Chimici e dei Fisici reaffirm their commitment to further strengthening their institutional cooperation, not only to monitor the proper implementation of the new regulation, but also to promote joint initiatives supporting scientific education, professional development and recognition of the fundamental contribution that chemistry and physics make to public health, safety, innovation and the country's development.