1st Workshop on International Harmonisation

First EuroMix Workshop on the International Harmonisation of Approaches to the Risk Assessment of Combined Exposure to Chemicals

The EuroMix consortium organised the first of a series of workshops to discuss international harmonisation of approaches to the risk assessment of combined exposure to chemicals over 20-21 October 2016. The workshop was held at the Hammersmith Campus of Imperial College London, the partner tasked with coordinating this activity within EuroMix. The 15 participants at the workshop encompassed wide geographical and regulatory coverage, with scientists from several continents (Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Australasia, Africa) and authorities (EFSA, OECD, JRC, US EPA, APVMA (Australia), FAO, RIVM, BfR) present.

The focused discussions covered a number of the key scientific issues that will need to be resolved to enable international harmonization of the approaches used. Aspects included the importance of explicit and transparent problem formulation, which categories of chemicals should be covered, what is meant by co-exposure, what factors (biological and/or exposure) should determine assessment groups, the role of detailed information on adverse outcome pathways/modes of action and how this might be obtained, whether there was a need to address the possibility of synergy, and probabilistic exposure assessment, including the need for common reporting formats.

Participants identified a number of areas where there was general agreement and those areas where further discussion would be necessary before harmonisation would be possible. The conclusions of the workshop will contribute to developing the agenda for the 2nd workshop in the series, to be held 17th May, 2017.

harmonisation-ws1b-oct-2016

Participants at the First EuroMix Workshop on the International Harmonisation of Approaches to the Risk Assessment of Combined Exposure to Chemicals, 20-21 October, 2016. Hammersmith Campus, Imperial College London.

here is the report of “EuroMix First Workshop on International Harmonisation on the Risk Assessment of Combined Exposures to Chemicals”.