European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals
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EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR ECOTOXICOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY OF CHEMICALS EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR ECOTOXICOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY OF CHEMICALS ECETOC at a glance 2 Purpose 3 Values 3 Vision 3 Mission 3 Approach 3 Membership 4 ECETOC Member Companies 4 Membership benefits 5 Message from the Chairman 6 ECETOC Board of Administration 7 Report from the Secretary General 8 Science Programme 10 Foreword from the Scientific Committee Chairman 10 ECETOC revises its science strategy 11 Summary of the 2011 Science Programme 12 Highlights of 2011 15 Task forces established 16 Task forces completed 18 Workshops 21 Symposia and other meetings 24 Science Awards 28 Long-range Research Initiative 29 Communication 31 Publications 31 Online communication 32 External Representation 32 Members of the Scientific Committee 34 Members of the Secretariat 34 Finance 35 Abbreviations 36 ECETOC I European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals I Annual Report 2011 I page 2 Introduction Membership Message Board of Report from Science Science Long-range Communication Members of Finance Abbreviations from the Administration the Secretary Programme Awards Research the Scientific Chairman General Initiative Committee Established in 1978, ECETOC is Europe’s leading industry association for developing and promoting top quality science in human and environmental risk assessment of chemicals. Members include the main companies with interests in the manufacture and use of chemicals, biomaterials and pharmaceuticals, and organisations active in these fields. ECETOC is the scientific forum where member company experts meet and co-operate with government and academic scientists, to evaluate and assess the available data, identify gaps in knowledge and recommend research, and publish critical reviews on the ecotoxicology and toxicology of chemicals, biomaterials and pharmaceuticals. ECETOC also provides scientific representation for its member companies through presentations at specialist meetings and by participation in the scientific activities of international agencies, government authorities and professional societies. A non-profit, non- commercial and non-governmental organisation, ECETOC prides itself on the objectivity and integrity of its work programme, the output of which is published in the form of peer-reviewed reports and articles in peer-reviewed journals, or as specialised workshops. ECETOC I European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals I Annual Report 2011 I page 3 Introduction Membership Message Board of Report from Science Science Long-range Communication Members of Finance Abbreviations from the Administration the Secretary Programme Awards Research the Scientific Chairman General Initiative Committee Purpose ECETOC’s purpose is to develop concepts, data and positions which underpin the use of scientific principles in the translation of policy into regulation in Europe: to enable the benefits of chemicals to be realised while protecting human health and the environment. Values ECETOC has strong values of science and integrity; it works by establishing objective positions and then moving forward, not backwards from a predetermined view. Vision ECETOC will be the partner of choice focusing and engaging industry expertise for the European Commission, ECHA, and EFSA in the development of practices and concepts based on science as policy becomes embodied in regulations. Mission To promote the use of good science in human and environmental risk assessment of chemicals, biomaterials and pharmaceuticals. Approach ECETOC pursues its vision and mission through an issue-based science strategy comprising 10 science areas* grouped under 5 main themes (see chapter entitled ‘Science Programme’): • Presence of chemicals in humans • Presence of chemicals in the environment • Effects in humans and ecosystems • Methods • Science of risk assessment *As of 1 January 2011 ECETOC I European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals I Annual Report 2011 I page 4 Introduction Membership Message Board of Report from Science Science Long-range Communication Members of Finance Abbreviations from the Administration the Secretary Programme Awards Research the Scientific Chairman General Initiative Committee At the start of 2012, ECETOC membership comprised the following 43 companies: Associate member company Associate member company Associate member company Associate member company Associate member company Associate member company Associate member company ECETOC I European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals I Annual Report 2011 I page 5 Introduction Membership Message Board of Report from Science Science Long-range Communication Members of Finance Abbreviations from the Administration the Secretary Programme Awards Research the Scientific Chairman General Initiative Committee Membership benefits Manufacturers and users of chemicals (and ECETOC member companies benefit from biomaterials and pharmaceuticals) can being in a position to influence its scientific become either a Full or Associate Member agenda. They can propose subjects to be of ECETOC according to the proportion tackled by its work programme and can have of their turnover derived from chemicals, a representative on its Scientific Committee. (see www.ecetoc.org/membership). Membership of ECETOC demonstrates the Any member company employee can request practical commitment of a company to the a login to the ECETOC members’ site: principles of Responsible Care® via their http://members.ecetoc.org where they can “...represent and active scientific and technical contribution to download any ECETOC report, keep track of initiatives supporting the safe manufacture discussions at Scientific Committee level and promote the and use of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and check the progress of the work programme. biomaterials through good science. European chemical All ECETOC member companies receive The diversity and range of its members’ complimentary printed copies of each new industry’s science expertise are key ingredients for ECETOC’s ECETOC report and are entitled to request achievements in the pursuit of this objective. additional printed versions as and when in its relationships ECETOC’s success depends on member needed. company employees being able to dedicate with European their time to furthering projects within the and international framework of an ECETOC task force. In so doing, member company employees institutions.” benefit from access to a high quality network of scientific expertise and ECETOC is able to leverage this pool of knowledge in order to represent and promote the European chemical industry’s science in its relationships with European and international institutions. ECETOC I European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals I Annual Report 2011 I page 6 Introduction Membership Message Board of Report from Science Science Long-range Communication Members of Finance Abbreviations from the Administration the Secretary Programme Awards Research the Scientific Chairman General Initiative Committee Message from the In 2010, at the Annual Technical Meeting, expertise for the European Commission, other scientific bodies. We have long term, ECETOC revised its strategy including the ECHA, and EFSA in the development of if unofficial, relationships with EUROTOX, mission and vision statements. In this year’s practices and concepts based on science as SETAC, the European Environmental Mutagen report, I would like to comment on how this policy becomes embodied in regulations”. Society, to name a few. translated into practice during 2011. The theme of this statement of the However, we recognise that if our science Prior to this strategy review, the vision was: association’s vision is partnership and co- product is without impact at the level of “To be the leading European health and operation. Since 1996, ECETOC has been European regulation, ECETOC’s relevance environmental science organisation addressing recognised as an “NGO in Official Relations could be questioned by its member the safe manufacture, supply and use of with WHO”. This relationship has just been companies. Consequently ECETOC has chemicals, biomaterials and pharmaceuticals”. reconfirmed by WHO during 2011. Likewise, signed up to ECHA’s transparency register and This vision remains valid, but may be we have always been ready to co-operate with been accepted as an accredited stakeholder. considered to be inward looking and not clearly official organisations and industry associations, We consequently have a Board member identifying the audience for our work. Our as exemplified by our long running partnership serving as ECETOC’s observer at the “Member new vision is much more specific than formerly with the CEFIC “Long Range Research State Committee” and a member of our and now reads: “ECETOC will be the partner Initiative” (LRI). Scientific Committee is an observer to the of choice focusing and engaging industry “Risk Assessment Committee”. ECETOC has always been involved in practical science which would be relevant to regulation. Similarly, we are recognised at the Commission “In 2010, at the This is exemplified by our participation in the and we are consulted for our views on consortia for REACH technical guidance (PEGs scientific issues. This status resulted in us Annual Technical - 'Partner Expert Groups'). Likewise, the being invited to attend an ad hoc meeting development of the targeted risk assessment to discuss the “State of the Science” report Meeting, ECETOC (TRA) tool was specifically