The Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) is a European Union-wide research and innovation initiative that aims to develop next-generation chemical risk assessment methods to protect human health and the environment. This program supports the European Union’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the “zero pollution” ambition of the European Green Pact.
Human health risk assessment is a process that estimates the nature and likelihood of adverse effects on people, animals and environment exposed to hazards in contaminated environmental media, both now and in the future. This process includes four main steps:
- Hazard identification: determining whether exposure to a specific agent may cause adverse health effects.
- Dose-response assessment: Analyzing the relationship between the magnitude of exposure and the likelihood of adverse effects.
- Exposure assessment: Estimate the intensity, frequency and duration of human exposure to the agent.
- Risk characterization: Integrate the information from the previous steps to describe the nature and magnitude of the risk to human health.
This systematic approach enables regulatory agencies and policy makers to make informed decisions to protect public health and the environment.
The initiative aims to advance chemical risk assessment in Europe, with a strong focus on sustainability and the transition to safer and less polluting substances. It promotes a comprehensive approach that addresses the long-term effects of chemicals on human health and the environment, promoting innovative, collaborative, and preventive methods.
Main objectives of PARC:
- Modernize chemical risk assessment:
- Develop advanced methods and innovative tools to assess the long-term risks of chemicals.
- Prioritize the transition to safer and more sustainable chemicals.
- Preventive and proactive approach:
- Anticipate emerging risks from chemicals before they cause negative impacts.
- Encourage practices that reduce chemical contamination from the outset.
- European collaboration:
- Bring together key actors, including national risk assessment bodies, research centers, universities, industry and policy makers.
- Facilitate the exchange of data and knowledge between European countries for a more coordinated and effective risk assessment.
- Support for public policies:
- Provide sound scientific evidence to inform EU regulatory and policy decisions.
- Contribute to the implementation of legislation such as REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals Regulation) and the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive.
PARC’s key focus areas:
- Identification of emerging risks: Detecting new chemicals or product combinations that may pose health or environmental risks.
- Substitution of hazardous substances: Promoting the development of less toxic and more sustainable alternatives.
- Integrated assessment: Adopt a holistic approach that considers both human health risks and environmental impacts.
- Methodological innovation: Include advances such as artificial intelligence-based models, in vitro approaches (without the need for animal testing) and human biomonitoring data.
Funding and Participation:
- PARC is funded in part by the EU’s Horizon Europe research program and by contributions from participating countries.
- It involves more than 200 organizations from over 20 countries, including research institutes and regulatory agencies.
In short, PARC is a collective effort to improve chemical risk management in Europe, driving sustainability, innovation and scientific cooperation to ensure greater protection of health and the environment.
