ECCSEL is a hallmark of world-class experimental research pertaining to CO2 capture and storage techniques (CCS). In recognition of the pronounced urgency of CCS and the growing demand for improvements along the CCS chain, ECCSEL established a cluster of highly-advanced European research laboratories, test facilities and sites dedicated to CCS, thus forming a pool of distributed European key laboratories. It acts in the interest of the European scientific community to remain in the forefront of advanced CCS research and it supports the industry in strengthening its base of knowledge and technical know-how.