ECCSEL ERIC is an integrated European Research Infrastructure (RI) based on a selection of the best research facilities in Europe for carbon capture, transport, utilisation and storage (CCUS). The current over 100 individual research facilities which are part of the ECCSEL ERIC RI are located in 5 countries and are owned by 28 different facility operators. 

ECCSEL ERIC is a distributed RI. The European Commission's definition of RIs is 'Facilities that provide resources and services for research communities to conduct research and foster innovation' (more information from the EU on European RI's). 

Distributed RIs, like ECCSEL ERIC, have the facilities spread over multiple locations, rather than a single site.  The central coordinating office of ECCSEL ERIC is located in Trondheim, Norway and our national partners are industry, research institutes and universities. ECCSEL ERIC brings together and coordinates the activities of national partners across Europe.

RIs are selected by the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) based on their pan-European interest and ability to meet the strategic research needs of European research communities.

ECCSEL has been on the ESFRI Roadmap since 2008 and is since 2018 acknowledged as an ESFRI Landmark.