PARCopedia is steadily expanding as a hub for knowledge sharing and collaboration in chemical risk assessment, now counting 1,260 registered users from across Africa, the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. With 62% of members affiliated with PARC and 38% joining independently, the platform has become a space that connects academia (39%), national authorities (30%), the private sector (22%), NGOs, European and international organisations and other institutions.

The past months have brought important developments. The PARCopedia Editorials have established themselves as a space for reflection and exchange, with six contributions ↗ from guest editors on topics ranging from collaboration and innovation to global policy initiatives. A recent editorial ↗ by Prof. Dr. Ellen Fritsche highlights how science, policy, and regulation are increasingly working hand in hand to shape the future of chemical risk assessment in Europe.

New features are also strengthening the platform: the launch of kaNGRAroo ↗, a dedicated search engine for Next-Generation (Environmental) Risk Assessment, offers users fast and efficient access to curated publications and data from the PANDA database. PARCopedia’s knowledge base also continue to expand through the PARCopedia Wiki ↗, which now includes new articles on acrylamide, arsenic, cadmium, chromium VI, lead, and mercury, drawing on HBM4EU content.

To further strengthen participation, a brainstorming exercise was conducted from 1 May to 15 June 2025 to identify opportunities for enhancing the use and impact of PARCopedia. The results, published in September 2025 ↗, set clear priorities for the next development phase: improving usability, reinforcing community links, and ensuring that the Wiki grows in quality and relevance. The exercise underlined two interconnected fronts for PARCopedia’s future: continuously adapting its technical foundation to user needs and deepening its role as a collaborative knowledge hub.

As part of this effort, the PARCopedia team is now working on improving the platform’s social network features with a refreshed look and enhanced functionality. These upgrades are planned to be implemented over the coming weeks and months, and they aim at creating a smoother and more engaging user experience. Members are encouraged to stay tuned for updates and take full advantage of the new opportunities for interaction once they go live.

PARCopedia is entering an exciting new phase: every contribution helps turn the platform into a richer, more dynamic space for collaboration. Together, we can make PARCopedia the go-to hub for advancing innovation in chemical risk assessment.