Starting in May 2026, PARC will initiate a new portfolio of strategic projects. These initiatives aim to further advance chemical risk assessment in Europe by integrating new approach methodologies (NAMs), developing advanced toxicological and exposure models, and strengthening the scientific basis for European regulatory decision-making.

Together, these projects reflect PARC’s growing focus on regulatory readiness and implementation, supporting key European policy frameworks, including the European Green Deal ↗, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability ↗, and the One Substance, One Assessment (OSOA) legislative package ↗. By addressing complex and emerging risks across human health and the environment, the projects contribute to safer, more sustainable chemical management in Europe. 

Advancing regulatory-ready methodologies

Several new projects focus on accelerating the uptake of innovative scientific tools into regulatory practice. The project on moving Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) to the regulatory implementation phase strengthens the readiness of AOPs to support evidence-based chemical assessments and the integration of NAMs. In parallel, the project on Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATA) for carcinogenicity develops IATAs for both genotoxic and non-genotoxic carcinogenicity, incorporating cancer-specific mechanisms and the selection of suitable NAMs. Complementing this work, effect-specific risk assessment reviews examine current practices, identify gaps and propose harmonised approaches, using case studies such as neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity and endocrine disruption. 

Strengthening exposure and risk modelling 

A second group of projects addresses critical needs in exposure assessment and modelling. The project on closing data gaps in physiologically based kinetic (PBK) modelling for endocrine-disrupting chemicals improves PBK models by accounting for sex- and life-stage-specific differences, enhancing their reliability for regulatory use. In addition, the refinement and development of PBK models for human risk assessment expands modelling capabilities across different populations and routes of exposure, including children, pregnant women and occupationally exposed individuals. The project on aggregate exposure from multiple sources and settings consolidates methodologies to assess combined exposures across environments, supporting harmonisation of regulatory approaches and modelling practices. 

Addressing emerging and complex chemical risks 

Several new projects focus on substances and exposure scenarios that pose particular challenges for risk assessment. The project on nanomaterials baseline toxicity assessment and guidance for the adaptation of chemical NAMs for nanomaterials develops tiered testing strategies and adapts existing NAMs to the specific properties of nanomaterials. The project on real-life mixtures using human biomonitoring data assesses the health risks of complex chemical mixtures, including PFAS, phthalates and flame retardants, providing evidence to support policies aimed at reducing cumulative exposure. Complementing this work, omics analyses to support the development of IATAs for metabolic disrupting chemicals integrate transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics data to strengthen the assessment of metabolic disruptors and contribute to the development of OECD Test Guidelines. 

Linking chemicals, health and environmental impacts 

The project on environmental burden of disease and health impact of chemicals develops studies and indicators to quantify the contribution of priority chemicals to disease burden. This work supports public health policy by translating exposure and toxicity data into health-relevant metrics, strengthening the interface between chemical risk assessment and population health. 

Supporting regulatory coherence, data sharing and circularity 

Two new projects address cross-cutting regulatory and data challenges. The review of potential inconsistencies in tools, criteria and methods used for risk assessment examines differences across regulatory frameworks, with a focus on soil, water and bioaccumulation, and proposes pathways to improve consistency, transparency and comparability. In parallel, the project on developing chemical information transfer structures to promote product safety and circularity establishes mechanisms to improve information flows on chemicals in products and articles, supporting the development of the Common Data Platform (CDP) under the OSOA initiative.

Collectively, these new projects will generate new tools, data, methodologies and guidance directly applicable in European regulatory contexts. By strengthening links between science, regulation and policy, they enhance Europe’s capacity to manage chemical risks in an integrated, transparent and sustainable manner, reinforcing PARC’s role as a cornerstone of the European chemical safety ecosystem.

Interested in joining? Contact the Coordination Team or the relevant work package or task leaders.

The full PARC project portfolio is available on the PARC website.