Introducing ECETOC

ECETOC (European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals) was established in 1978 as a scientific, non-profit making, non-commercial association and counts as its members the leading companies with interests in the manufacture and use of chemicals. An independent organisation, ECETOC provides a scientific forum through which the extensive specialist expertise of manufacturers and users can be harnessed to research, evaluate, assess, and publish reviews on the ecotoxicology and toxicology of chemicals, biomaterials and pharmaceuticals.

ECETOC's main objective is to identify, evaluate, and through such knowledge help the industry to minimise any potentially adverse effects on human health and the environment that may arise from the manufacture and use of chemicals. To achieve this, ECETOC facilitates the networking of suitably qualified scientists from its member companies and co-operates in a scientific context with international agencies, government authorities and professional societies.

ECETOC is governed by a Board of Administration comprising up to 12 senior executives from member companies. The Board is responsible for the overall policy and finance of the organisation and appoints the members of the Scientific Committee which defines, manages and peer reviews the ECETOC work programme.

The outputs of its work programme are manifested as published reports, papers and specialised workshops. ECETOC also provides scientific representation of manufacturers and users of chemicals via presentations at specialist fora and takes a scientific role in the activities of international organisations and regulatory groups.

ECETOC's purpose is to develop concepts, data and positions which underpin the use of scientific principles in the translation of policy into regulation in Europe: to enable the benefits of chemicals to be realised while protecting human health and the environment.

ECETOC has strong values of science and integrity; it works by establishing objective positions and then moving forward, not backwards from a predetermined view.

ECETOC will be the partner of choice focusing and engaging industry expertise for the European Commission, ECHA, and EFSA in the development of practices and concepts based on science as policy becomes embodied in regulations.

To promote the use of good science in human and environmental risk assessment of chemicals, biomaterials and pharmaceuticals.

ECETOC pursues its vision and mission according to an issue-based science strategy that was launched in 2007 and revised in 2011. It is broken down into 10 science areas (see section entitled ‘Science Programme') that are grouped according to 5 main themes:
• Presence of chemicals in humans
• Presence of chemicals in the environment
• Effects in humans and ecosystems
• Methods
• Science of risk assessment

Toxicology is a scientific discipline involving the study of structure and mechanism related to the toxic effects of natural and chemical agents. Ecotoxicology is concerned with the study of toxic effects on ecosystems. Both disciplines are considered vital elements of the chemical industry's dedication to safety.

A central concept of toxicology is that effects are dose-dependent. The relationship between the dose needed to produce a toxic effect and the likely level of exposure determines whether there is a significant risk of harm. Scientists in industry and government are concerned to make sure that any exposure to chemicals is below the level which could cause damage to health of humans or wildlife. At the same time, the public benefits from the technologies and products produced by the chemical industry. Better understanding of toxicity, serves to benefit and protect both manufacturers and everyday users of chemicals.

ECETOC members collaborate on strategic initiatives such as scientific workshops or task forces, which typically publish their peer-reviewed end findings. Its initiatives look at the presence of chemicals in humans, in the environment, the effects of the chemicals, scientific methods for measuring the above, and the science of assessing the level of risk.

ECETOC also acts as the scientific representative of the chemical industry towards European agencies and competent authorities and collaborates with ECVAM in order to develop alternatives to animal testing methods which ensure the same level of chemical safety.

It supports the chemical industry's long-range research initiative with the selection, monitoring and sometimes carrying out of workshops and also organises workshops on behalf of the chemical industry for some societies of toxicology.

ECETOC played an important role in developing the technical guidance for manufacturers and users of chemicals implementing the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) legislation in Europe. With concerns that re-evaluation of many chemicals for REACH compliance would significantly increase animal testing in mind, ECETOC also undertook initiatives to develop guidance on scientific methods to minimise this.

The overall goal of ECETOC and its collaborating scientists is to promote the most scientific approaches to evaluating the safety of chemical products. The intended outcome is a high level of confidence in the safety of chemical products.