Since its implementation, PARC’s Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) has been activated twice and demonstrated its agility by addressing two critical challenges: emerging needs of PFAS restrictions ↗ and an alarming rise in urinary concentrations of a harmful phthalate metabolite, MnHexP.

PARC’s RRM is designed to swiftly address urgent chemical risk assessment challenges outside its predefined priorities. By enabling action within 45 days of request submission, the mechanism helps protect human and environmental health.  

Case 1: PFAS restrictions in consumer products

The first activation came in October 2023, when Sweden’s Governing Board Representative flagged the need for robust methods to detect PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) ↗ in consumer products. With stricter regulations on PFAS emerging, reliable testing is essential to ensure compliance. PARC quickly responded by incorporating the request into its ongoing projects. By next year, proof-of-concept methods will be ready, paving the way for a larger initiative to build a network of specialised laboratories. This effort aims to equip Europe with the tools it needs to monitor PFAS effectively in the years ahead.

Case 2: Rising MnHexP levels in urinary concentrations

In February 2024, a joint request from the European Environment Agency (EEA) ↗ and European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) ↗ highlighted an increase in MnHexP, a metabolite of the endocrine-disrupting ↗ compound Di-n-hexyl phthalate, found in European urine samples. The spike, particularly evident in children from Germany and adults in Denmark, raised urgent questions about its sources and health implications. The EEA and ECHA turned to PARC to investigate the extent of exposure and potential sources of MnHexP across Europe, focusing on children and adults. In response, a new project was launched, combining biomonitoring and source-tracking techniques to uncover exposure routes. The results, expected by March 2025, will shed light on the extent of exposure, feeding into EU regulatory decisions.

Both cases underscore PARC’s commitment to safeguarding health through science-driven, responsive action. These projects not only tackle current challenges but also strengthen Europe’s capacity to monitor and regulate hazardous substances in the future.