The Cefic-LRI Workshop 2025 brought together researchers and stakeholders for two days of exchanges focused on advancing chemical safety through cutting-edge science. Researchers shared progress from Long-Range Research Initiative (LRI) projects addressing both human and environmental health, with a strong emphasis on practical applications and regulatory relevance.
A recurring theme throughout the workshop was the need to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and regulatory acceptance. While new methods are emerging rapidly, the process for integrating them into regulatory frameworks remains slow and complex, a challenge the participants are eager to overcome.
The workshop featured projects on a broad array of topics, including:
- Dermal exposure of microplastics
- Environmental risk assessments of micro- and nano- plastics
- Modelling frameworks and open-source tools for chemical assessment
These presentations showcased innovative approaches while highlighting the importance of transparency, data accessibility, and methodological harmonisation.
Guest speaker Rita Araujo from the European Commission’s Directorate- General for Research and Innovation also fed into discussions with a presentation on EU-funded research and science to policy needs on micro- and nano- plastics for human health.
The workshop culminated in an interactive session on the One Health approach, underscoring the value of cross-cutting collaboration and scientific dialogue.
One key message echoed throughout exchanges: what we learn in one area should inform others. Ensuring projects build connections between environmental and human health domains is not only useful but increasingly necessary, especially in the context of One Health.
The One Health approach aims to change how chemical assessments are done as it interconnects human, animal and environmental health. It will require interdisciplinary input, and integrated risk assessments. Key actions coming from discussions exploring opportunities, challenges, and actionable next steps included:
- Revisiting and clarifying the definition of One Health or considering terms like One Safety or Integrated Assessment to capture its scope as it pertains to chemicals
- Explore population-level protection goals, ecosystems, and biodiversity implications in safety assessments.
- Promote open discussion of existing data tools to ensure wider community awareness.
The One Health framework provides a compelling path forward, demanding collaboration, innovation, and systems thinking to meet the complex challenges of modern chemical safety. Cefic-LRI’s future research projects will aim to explore these gaps.
List of presentations and projects:
- B26 – DERM – Dermal Exposure, a Review of current knowledge on the uptake of Micro-and nano-plastics, Emily Christopher, IOM (Institute of Occupational Medicine)
- ECO55 – Assessing the Impact of Sample Collection on Microbial Population and Validity Criteria in the OECD 309 Surface Water Mineralisation Test, Simon Gutierrez, Ricardo
- ICC – Biodegradation test methods based on increased cell concentrations, Amelie Ott, ICCS (International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety)
- ECO64 – POLY-DEG-SOLve – Applicability and improvements of OECD (bio)degradation testing for water-soluble polymers, Boris Meisterjahn, Fraunhofer IME
- ECO54 – Developing a tiered modeling framework in support of risk assessment of chemical substances associated with mobility concerns, Alessandro Sangion, ARC Research and Consulting
- ECO58 – Comprehensive Additive Release and Bioaccessibility Model for Risk Assessment of Micro- and Nano- plastics in the Environment, Lee Ferguson, Duke University
- EU-Funded Environment & Health Research, Dr. Rita Araújo, Unit D2 Health Innovations and Ecosystems, European Commission
- ECO57 – μPLANET – Microplastic Long-Range Transport Assessment and Estimation Tools, Todd Gouin, TG Environmental
- ECO59 – FRAGMENT-MNP: Modelling fragmentation of micro- and nano-plastics in the environment, Sam Harrison, UKCEH
- ECO60 EMIFACT-MNP: EMIssion FACTors for Micro and NanoPlastics, Sam Harrison, UKCEH
- ECO56 and ECO68 – UTOPIA: Development of a Multimedia Unit World Open-source Model for Microplastic, Matt MacLeod, Stockholm University
- ECO61 HERA-MP – Establishment of a Holistic Environmental Risk Assessment for MicroPlastics in the terrestrial environment using the study of environmentally relevant particles, Karsten Schlich, Fraunhofer IME
