Initial reflections on a way forward to update the REACH Annexes in relation to endocrine disruption properties – OPEN FOR FEEDBACK UNTIL 16 NOVEMBER

The European Commission is looking for comments on its intention to update REACH data requirements for identifying and assessing endocrine disruptors (EDs). The Competent Authorities for REACH and the CLP Expert Group on Endocrine Disrupters recently published their initial reflections on the update of the REACH Annexes to include data requirements on endocrine disruption (Annex […]

Implementing Regulation (EU/2020/1435) on the duties placed on registrants to update their registrations along with proposed deadlines under the EU REACH Regulation

Article 22(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH regulation) places a responsibility on registrants (whether individual registrants or the lead registrant and other members of a joint submission) to update their registrations without undue delay with relevant new information and submit them to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Information counts as ‘new’ if the registrant […]

The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (EC- JRC) tender to collect and organise mechanistic knowledge related to the toxicological effects on target organs observed in animal models after repeated exposure to chemicals

In recent years, considerable progress has been made towards promoting the development, validation, acceptance and use of alternative approaches to animal experimentation in life sciences. A range of alternative methods have been validated and accepted by regulatory bodies across the world. However, the validation and acceptance of animal alternative methods allowing to assess systemic toxicity […]

Alternatives to the use of vertebrate animals in ecotoxicity testing – Progress so far

There is a growing need for alternatives to the use of vertebrate animals in the hazard assessment of chemicals. Many regulatory frameworks, including REACH (e.g., the European Union’s regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals), stipulate that vertebrate tests should be conducted only as a last resort. Nevertheless, there is still a […]

SCCS Guidance on the Safety Assessment of Nanomaterials in Cosmetics

The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) published in November 2019 an up-to-date revision of the existing Guidance on the Safety Assessment of Nanomaterials (NMs) used in Cosmetic Products (SCCS/1484/12). The discussion to revise the Guidance on safety assessment of NMs started in May 2017 within a dedicated SCCS working group and aimed at providing key recommendations for safety of NM used in cosmetics including data requirements.

Endocrine disruptors – Recent policy developments and recommendations in the EU

In recent years, the Commission has taken steady actions and acted against EDs in line with the different requirements laid down in the relevant legislation. However, substances with endocrine disrupting properties are subject to case-by-case regulatory action on the basis of the general requirements of the legislation.

Adopting New Approach Methodologies (NAM) in the next generation risk assessment (NGRA)

The term “new approach methodologies” (NAMs) has been emerged as a descriptive reference to any non-animal-based approaches that can be used to provide information in the context of chemical hazard and risk assessment. These new approaches include integrated approaches to testing and assessment (IATAs), defined approaches for data interpretation, and performance-based evaluation of test methods.