CISAP – International Conference on Safety & Environment in Process & Power Industry

Overview

CISAP (International Conference on Safety & Environment in Process & Power Industry) is a recurring technical conference series promoted by AIDIC, the Italian Association of Chemical Engineering, focusing on safety, risk assessment, and environmental protection in process and power industries. Previous editions (e.g., CISAP 11 in 2024) have gathered researchers, plant operators, regulators, technology providers, and consultants to discuss accident prevention, process safety management, functional safety, and emerging regulatory and ESG requirements.

As of the latest information published by AIDIC, detailed arrangements for the next CISAP edition (dates, venue, and hosting city in 2026 or later) have not yet been announced on the official congress calendar. Given that CISAP 11 took place in Naples in September 2024 and no CISAP 2026 listing appears in the AIDIC congress schedule, any previously listed 2026-06-14 event in Torino should currently be treated as unconfirmed and not scheduled.

Visitors can, however, expect the next CISAP to maintain its established profile as a technical, peer-reviewed conference with plenary talks, parallel technical sessions, poster presentations, and industrial case studies dedicated to high-hazard industries and process safety culture. For professionals, CISAP matters because it provides an integrated view of safety and environmental performance across design, operations, maintenance, and management systems, helping organizations align with European and international regulations and with best practice in process safety engineering.

It serves as a networking hub between academia and industry, enabling technology transfer on topics such as quantitative risk assessment, consequence modelling, functional safety, human factors, and digital tools for risk management. Participation typically supports continuing professional development for engineers, HSE managers, and safety specialists, and often results in publication of peer-reviewed contributions in conference proceedings or partner journals.

Even though the upcoming edition’s logistics are not yet defined, CISAP remains a reference point in Europe for those responsible for managing major accident hazards, environmental impacts, and sustainable, safe operation of chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and power facilities.

What to Expect

At CISAP, participants can expect a highly technical, peer-reviewed program focused on safety and environmental protection in the process and power industries. Previous editions, such as CISAP 11 in 2024, have followed a structure that is likely to continue in future editions: plenary and keynote lectures from recognized experts, parallel oral sessions organized by thematic tracks, and poster sessions for emerging research and work-in-progress. The scientific content typically covers a wide spectrum of process safety and environmental topics, including quantitative risk assessment, consequence and dispersion modelling, explosion and fire dynamics, functional safety, safety integrity levels (SIL), industrial hygiene, environmental impact assessment, and integrated management systems for safety and environment. Delegates can also expect presentations that connect regulatory frameworks (such as EU Seveso/COMAH legislation and related national implementations) with practical approaches to compliance and risk reduction at plant level. Case studies from chemical, petrochemical, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, and energy production facilities are a key component, offering lessons learned from incidents, near misses, and improvement initiatives. Human and organizational factors, safety culture, training, and leadership in high-hazard operations are frequently addressed alongside digital innovations such as real-time monitoring, advanced analytics, and decision-support tools for risk management. While CISAP is predominantly a technical conference rather than a large trade fair, participants often find opportunities for networking and collaboration with peers from industry and academia. Informal discussions during coffee breaks, poster sessions, and any organized social events support the creation of new research partnerships and industrial collaborations. Technology and service providers may sponsor sessions or exhibit specialized solutions (for example, software for risk modelling, fire and gas systems, safety instrumentation, and consulting services), giving attendees a concentrated view of the state-of-the-art in process safety technologies. Attendees should also anticipate formal conference proceedings or special issues in partner journals, offering a chance to publish their work and to access a curated collection of new research and applications in process and power industry safety and environmental management.

Who Should Attend

CISAP is intended for professionals and researchers whose work involves safety, risk, and environmental management in the process and power industries. This includes process, chemical, and mechanical engineers who design, operate, and maintain chemical, petrochemical, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, and energy facilities where major accident hazards and environmental risks must be controlled. Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) managers, risk engineers, safety officers, and plant managers responsible for implementing safety management systems and ensuring regulatory compliance will find the conference particularly relevant. Regulators, inspectors, and representatives of competent authorities who oversee implementation of major hazard and environmental legislation can benefit from updated scientific knowledge, insights into industrial practice, and dialogue with practitioners and researchers. Academic researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students in chemical engineering, safety engineering, environmental engineering, and related disciplines are another core audience, as CISAP offers a platform to present research results, receive feedback, and build networks that may lead to joint projects and publications. Consultants and technology providers supplying risk assessment services, safety instrumentation, monitoring and control systems, and modelling or simulation tools will also find value in CISAP’s specialized audience and technical depth. For organizations pursuing continuous improvement in process safety, environmental performance, and ESG objectives, participation can support professional development, benchmarking, and strategic planning around emerging risks, technologies, and regulatory trends. In summary, CISAP is suited to anyone with decision-making or technical responsibilities in process safety, environmental protection, and risk management in the process and power sectors, including both experienced practitioners and early-career professionals seeking deeper expertise and professional networks.

Why It Matters

CISAP is significant because it focuses explicitly on the intersection of safety and environmental performance in high-hazard process and power industries, an area where failures can lead to major accidents, loss of life, and long-lasting environmental damage. The conference provides a platform where cutting-edge research, advanced methodologies, and practical experiences are systematically shared and scrutinized by peers, helping to close the gap between academic knowledge and industrial practice. By doing so, CISAP contributes to the continuous improvement of process safety and environmental protection beyond what is mandated by regulation alone. The event matters for organizations operating chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and power facilities because it addresses the full lifecycle of risk: from conceptual design and hazard identification through to detailed engineering, operations, maintenance, decommissioning, and land-use planning around major hazard sites. Topics such as quantitative risk assessment, consequence analysis, barrier management, and human and organizational factors provide delegates with tools to strengthen their safety management systems and decision-making processes. Insights from case studies and incident analyses help organizations avoid repeating past failures and understand how technical, organizational, and cultural factors interact in real accidents. CISAP also plays a role in shaping and supporting regulatory and policy evolution. By bringing together regulators, industry, and researchers, it enables informed discussion on the implementation and future development of frameworks such as the EU Seveso Directive and related environmental and occupational safety legislation. This multi-stakeholder dialogue helps ensure that regulations remain grounded in scientific evidence and practical feasibility, while industry gains a clearer understanding of regulatory expectations and best practices. For individual professionals, CISAP supports continuing professional development and recognition within the safety and environmental engineering community. Presenting at the conference, publishing in its proceedings, and engaging with peers can enhance technical credibility and career progression, particularly for engineers and researchers specializing in process safety and risk analysis. In an era where ESG performance, resilience, and sustainability are increasingly scrutinized by investors, regulators, and the public, CISAP provides knowledge and networks that help organizations integrate robust safety and environmental strategies into their broader business and sustainability goals. Even when the next edition’s dates and venue are not yet defined, the continuity of the CISAP series and its association with AIDIC signal that it will remain one of the reference events in Europe for those committed to advancing safety and environmental protection in the process and power sectors.