SG Corner

'I am delighted to announce that the world's largest research based pharmaceutical company, Pfizer, has become a member of ECETOC. At the same time, I am equally delighted to welcome another new member company, Johnson & Johnson who are a more diversified company...

At the ECETOC Secretariat,the summer got off to a flying start with the annual meetings. This year was particularly intense with a board meeting, the annual general and technical meetings, and a scientific committee all in the space of three days! Despite the logistical strain, it all held together and was beneficial in allowing participants to combine these activities in one trip. Further, as the annual meetings were focussed on updating the strategy, it allowed continuity of thought from one meeting to another. The outcome of these deliberations will go through a final refinement process by the ATM organising committee before being presented to the Board in September.

Part of our ongoing science strategy will be to continue the development of the initiatives concerning pharmaceuticals in the environment, as described in the previous newsletter. These initiatives have attracted enthusiastic support from the pharmaceutical industry and I am delighted to announce that the world's largest research based pharmaceutical company, Pfizer, has become a member of ECETOC. At the same time, I am equally delighted to welcome another new member company, Johnson & Johnson who are a more diversified company, being a major player in consumer products as well as healthcare. In both cases, access to the expertise ofthese two giants will be a great asset to ECETOC.

As all of you reading this will know, the engine room of ECETOC is the Scientific Committee. This is where the continuity of the program is ensured and the quality of the product is controlled. Chairing this eminent group is a challenging task; not for the faint hearted. John Doe has been the Chairman for 4 years and has contributed great energy and vision to ECETOC in the fulfilment of this role. The strategy review has been led by John since the beginning and though he retired from his company at the turn of the year, he stayed on at ECETOC to see the baby born.

John will be missed by all the Scientific Committee and by me personally as I have worked with him in many capacities for nearly 20 years. Taking over the chair of the Scientific Committee will be Dr Fraser Lewis. Fraser is an environmental expert and a skilled leader of meetings, who was also highly instrumental in developing the strategy review. Over the last 3 years we have re-invigorated the portfolio of environmental projects and Fraser's expertise will be invaluable in guiding these activities to a successful conclusion.

To round off the changes that took place at the AGM, Dr. Hans-Juergen Bender of Proctor & Gamble stepped down from the Board of Administration due to his other commitments. We are sorry to see him go and thank him for his valuable input to the Board since 2008. He was replaced by Dr. Petra Hanke-Baier, also of Proctor & Gamble,whose International background in Product Safety & Regulatory Affairs will be a welcome addition to the fields of expertise of our Board members.