Ongoing Task Force

Population relevance for NTOs per EU Endocrine Disruption Criteria – Expert Group

Context
Technical guidance is still missing in response to EU scientific criteria for the determination of endocrine disrupting (ED) properties (ECHA & EFSA, 2018), to identify whether observed adverse effects are relevant at the (sub)population level for non-target organisms (NTOs).

Objectives
The objectives of this Expert Group are as follows:

  • Develop guiding principles to establish which endocrine mediated adverse effects and their magnitude are relevant at the population level for vertebrates as non-target organisms (NTOs).
  • Maximise rapid scientific progress via demonstration of approaches through case studies, i.e. identify whether population relevance assessment for EDs can be done in a scientific way that brings confidence in the assessment process.
  • Further EU regulatory acceptance under PPPR, BPR, REACH by providing readily worked out methodology as basis for next revision to the EFSA/ECHA guidance on identification of endocrine disruptors.

Timeline
A kick-off meeting took place in November 2022. A manuscript is in preparation, with the support of a Scientific Writer. It is expected to be submitted to a peer reviewed journal in Q1 2024.