Regulation of chemicals demands assessment of risks rather than identification of hazards only

Archives of Toxicology 2026 Open access

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Authors: Philip Marx‐Stoelting, Vera Ritz, Matthias Herzler, Carsten Kneuer, Kiara Aiello, S Brescia, S E Escher, Sabrina Feustel, Ellen Fritsche, Jürgen Gebel, E F Kenny, R Landsiedel
+11 more P. Sanders, M Schwarz, Mathias Streitz, E Testai, Bennard van Ravenzwaay, W Waetjen, K Wend, M Wilks, A Luch, Tewes Tralau, Andreas Hensel
DOI: 10.1007/s00204-026-04307-0
Cited by: 4
References: 15

Abstract

This position paper was collaboratively written during the international expert symposium "EU Chemicals Assessment - Risk- or Hazard-based?" that was organised by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) in Berlin on November 27th and 28th 2025. Twenty experts from several institutions and European countries considered the scientific merits of both hazard-based and risk-based approaches to chemical safety assessment. While hazard information is essential, it does not reflect real-world exposure conditions that determine the likelihood of harm. On balance, we support a risk-based approach because it enables more proportionate, transparent and scientifically grounded regulatory decisions.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Chemical Safety and Risk Management Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Publication details

Journal / source
Archives of Toxicology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
100
Issue
3
Pages
1181–1185
Publication date
7 February 2026
Language
EN