SYBERAC webinar opens collaboration opportunities

The SYBERAC project held its inaugural webinar on September 11, 2024, to outline the project's approach and collaborative opportunities for advancing environmental risk assessment (ERA) for chemicals. The event was hosted online, bringing together people from academia, regulatory bodies, industry and NGOs. SYBERAC has formed an alliance to align its activities with related initiatives such as PARC Activity 6.4.4 and PollinERA, focusing on advancing ERA methodologies to support biodiversity and meet the European Commission's Green Deal policy goals.

The webinar featured presentations by Nico van den Brink from Wageningen University, James Williams and Natasha Mølgaard from Aarhus University, and Johan Axelman from the Swedish Chemicals Agency (KEMI). They provided an overview of their respective projects, focusing on objectives, engagement activities, and expected outcomes. Nico van den Brink, who serves as the Project Coordinator for SYBERAC, introduced the project and its goals, while James Williams, presented for PollinERA, elaborated its aim to develop a ‘One System’ risk assessment framework and long-term monitoring scheme for pollinators and pesticides. Johan Axelman presented the PARC Activity 6.4.4 and shared insights from a joint survey targeting risk assessors.

The event was well attended, with participants engaging actively through an interactive survey. We are optimistic about building on the input received, with further events planned to deepen collaboration and refine methodologies and tools for more effective risk assessments.

With a strong emphasis on collective progress, SYBERAC and its partners aim to drive scientific innovation and policy alignment in the environmental risk assessment of chemicals.