Projects

The European Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals is one of the projects selected for funding by the European Union's "Horizon Europe" framework programme for the 2021-2027 period. Coordinated by ANSES, this major 7-year project is seeking to develop next-generation chemical risk assessment in order to protect health and the environment.

PARC represents a campaign of unprecedented scale, since it brings together about 200 partners in 28 countries, involving national and European health and safety agencies as well as research organizations. The partnership encompasses all aspects of chemical risk assessment, aiming in particular to: better anticipate emerging risks, better account for combined risks, and underpin the concrete implementation of new orientations in European public policies to safeguard health and the environment in response to important issues for health, the ecology and citizens' expectations.

Main objectives of the project:

•    Develop the scientific skills needed to address current and future challenges in chemical safety
•    Provide new data, methods and innovative tools to those responsible for assessing and managing the risks of chemical exposure
•    Strengthen the networks which bring together actors specialised in the different scientific fields contributing to risk assessment

Main results expected:

•    Establishment of a permanent interdisciplinary network on a European scale to identify and prioritise conceptual, scientific and technical advances and needs in terms of research and innovation
•    Development of joint research and innovation activities reflecting the defined priorities
•    Strengthening of existing capabilities for research and innovation and the creation of new cross-disciplinary platforms in Europe

The research strategy and work programme will ensure that an open and transparent dialogue between scientific and regulatory bodies is promoted, involving all stakeholders.

National Institute of Biology, as an associated partner of PARC, participates in the communication activities of the project (fostering synergies and cooperation with stakeholders, developing appropriate tools for communication and dissemination of project results) and contributes with its expertise to fill the knowledge gaps on the mechanisms of action of priority groups of chemicals such as mycotoxins, bisphenol A analogues and non-genotoxic carcinogens, and contributes to the development of new approach methodologies (NAMs) for the identification of adverse effects of chemicals that will contribute to a more appropriate risk assessment of chemicals.

PARC project activities of the National Institute of Biology are financially supported by the Slovenian Research Agency within the framework of research program P1-0245.

PARC is active also on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn.