ECETOC was established in 1978 as a scientific, non-profit making, non-commercial association and currently counts as its members 49 of 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.

The Association'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.

Vision

To be the leading European health and environmental sciences organisation enabling the safe manufacture, handling and use of chemicals, biomaterials and pharmaceuticals.

Mission

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

Approach

ECETOC pursues its vision and mission according to an issue-based science strategy that was launched in 2007. It is broken down into 13 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

ECETOC played an important role in developing the technical guidance for manufacturers and users of chemicals implementing the forthcoming implementation of 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.