The European Chemical Administration (ECHA) has released a new report on "Key Areas of Regulatory Challenges for 2023", which identifies areas that require research to protect humans and the environment from hazardous chemicals. It also emphasizes the need for new methods to support the shift away from animal testing.

Helsinki, November 15, 2023- In order to further improve the chemical safety of the European Union, scientific research needs to provide data related to chemical regulation. In order to enhance the regulatory relevance of scientific data, ECHA has identified the following areas as research priorities.

1. At present, there is a lack of specific and sensitive testing methods for identifying the hazards of key biological effects: developmental and adult neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and endocrine disruption

2. Chemical pollution in the natural environment (bioaccumulation, impact on biodiversity, exposure assessment);

3. Stay away from animal testing (read REACH, stay away from fish testing, mechanical support for toxicological studies (such as carcinogenicity))

4. New information on chemicals (polymers, nanomaterials, analytical methods supporting law enforcement)

Mike Rasenberg, Director of ECHA Hazard Assessment


ECHA believes that in order to achieve the ambitions of the European Green Agreement and the EU Chemical Sustainable Development Strategy, we need more scientific research with regulatory relevance.

There is an increasing need for new testing methods that do not rely on animals, as well as a better understanding of the toxicological patterns of certain hazardous chemicals. Without scientific progress, it is impossible to generate necessary data without conducting animal testing, while protecting health and the environment.

We encourage the scientific community to seize this opportunity and collaborate with us to contribute to a safer Europe

background

The European Partnership for Chemical Risk Assessment (PARC) is Horizon Europe's next seven year EU wide research and innovation program aimed at promoting research, sharing knowledge, and improving skills in chemical risk assessment.

The role of ECHA in PARC is to ensure that funded scientific research can address current challenges related to chemical risk assessment and add value to the EU's regulatory process.

The key areas of regulatory challenge reporting can be seen as an evolving research and development agenda aimed at supporting and incentivizing the Chemical Risk Assessment Partnership (PARC) and the broader research community. The list of research needs is not exhaustive. The next update of the report is expected to take place in the spring of 2024.