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Issue 78,
27 October 2011
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Risk Assessment at the European Commission
By Willem Penning, Head of Risk Assessment Unit D5, Directorate-General for Health and Consumers
Hair-dyes, toys, sunscreens containing nanomaterials… Fluoride in drinking water, mercury in energy-saving light bulbs, lead in jewellery… Artificial light, biocides, mobile phones… Ever had health concerns about any of these?
Assessing whether such health concerns could be justified is the job of three Scientific Committees (SCs) at the European Commission. The SCs, managed by the Directorate-General for Health and Consumers, provide the Commission with the scientific basis it needs for evidence-based policy making. Since 1978, the SCs have adopted about a thousand scientific opinions. Most of them have served as the basis for regulations that ensure a high level of health protection for all EU citizens and the environment.
The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), the Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER), and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) focus on consumer products, environmental risks and emerging risks respectively. The Committees operate according to three cardinal principles: excellence of experts and scientific evidence, transparency of the scientific evaluation process and independence of their members.
The SCs review and evaluate the available relevant data to derive conclusions and assess potential risks. More often than not, the SCs consult the public on preliminary conclusions. The current term of office of the three Scientific Committees expires in February 2012. Consequently, the Commission has published a Call for expressions of interest and invites eminent scientists to apply.
Should you be more interested in the activities of the SCs, please visit our dedicated website.
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Health priorities in the Europe 2020 strategy
The Europe 2020 strategy is the EU's growth strategy for the coming decade. In the field of health, it aims to ensure better health for citizens, including healthy ageing, health at work and tackling health inequalities.
Health priorities in the Europe 2020 strategy
The Europe 2020 strategy is the EU's growth strategy for the coming decade. In the field of health, it aims to ensure better health for citizens, including healthy ageing, health at work and tackling health inequalities.
Health Commissioner Dalli urges action on tackling alcohol abuse
The European Commissioner for health and consumer policy addressed the 9th plenary meeting of the European Alcohol and Health Forum in Brussels.
Health Commissioner Dalli urges action on tackling alcohol abuse
The European Commissioner for health and consumer policy addressed the 9th plenary meeting of the European Alcohol and Health Forum in Brussels.
EU measures to improve the lives of patients living with rare diseases
In this video, Commissioner Dalli explains the need for and added-value of EU action in the area of rare diseases.
EU measures to improve the lives of patients living with rare diseases
In this video, Commissioner Dalli explains the need for and added-value of EU action in the area of rare diseases.
Health risks from mobile phone radiation – why the experts disagree
Mobile phones and other digital devices are now a big part of modern life – but are they dangerous?
Health risks from mobile phone radiation – why the experts disagree
Mobile phones and other digital devices are now a big part of modern life – but are they dangerous?
National finalists of the EU Health Prize for Journalists 2011
The national juries across the EU have selected the finalists. Meet them and read their articles in the original language.
National finalists of the EU Health Prize for Journalists 2011
The national juries across the EU have selected the finalists. Meet them and read their articles in the original language.
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Switzerland
Swiss pilot study on stress prevention
Stress and burnout are among the principle costs for Swiss businesses.
Greece
Evidence on health effects of financial crisis in Greece
There are new and clear signs today that health outcomes in Greece have worsened during the financial crisis, especially in vulnerable groups.
France
Measles epidemic: awareness campaign
France is facing a measles epidemic. To promote vaccination, the national institute for prevention and health education (INPES) has launched a campaign via radio, the press and the internet. It targets parents of young children and adolescents, as well as young adults.
Czech Republic
New Czech Health Agenda Portal
The main purpouse of this portal is to inform czech citizens of all Ministry of Health "sub" organizations and their activities.
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Empowering the patient: European Commission wants clearer rules for information on prescription medicines
Patients are increasingly interested in learning more about the medicines they take and want more of a say in how they are treated.
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6th World congress on tissue banking (Barcelona, 9-11 November 2011)
Topics discussed will cover current issues related to tissue banking, particularly the new challenges of paediatric tissue banking.
FEMP 2011 - Men, Men, Sex and HIV (Stockholm, 10-11 November 2011)
The overall objective is to combat the increasing number of cases of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among MSM.
International scientific conference on EMFs and health (Brussels, 16–17 November 2011)
The conference is being organised by the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR).
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Seven ways to reduce infections among people who inject drugs
In recent years, many European countries have achieved substantial progress in preventing drug-related infections.
Seven ways to reduce infections among people who inject drugs
In recent years, many European countries have achieved substantial progress in preventing drug-related infections.
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Risk Assessment at the European Commission
Activities at EU level
Scientific Committees
European Commission - DG Health and Consumers
SCCS- Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
European Commission - DG Health and Consumers
SCHER - Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks
European Commission - DG Health and Consumers
SCENIHR - Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks
European Commission - DG Health and Consumers
EFSA - European Food Safety Authority
ECHA - European Chemicals Agency
ECDC - European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
EMA - European Medicines Agency
EEA - European Environment Agency
News
Join the advisory structure of the scientific committees and database of experts
Deadline for applications is 15 November 2011.
Join the advisory structure of the scientific committees and database of experts
Deadline for applications is 15 November 2011.
European Commission launches new website on the non-food Scientific Committees
The new website offers up-to-date information on all open consultations and calls, scientific opinions, mandates, upcoming events, and much more. A new layout has been designed to give easier access to these documents and show the scientific independence of the Committees.
European Commission launches new website on the non-food Scientific Committees
The new website offers up-to-date information on all open consultations and calls, scientific opinions, mandates, upcoming events, and much more. A new layout has been designed to give easier access to these documents and show the scientific independence of the Committees.
Health Programme Projects
RAPID - Risk assessment from policy to impact dimension
The main aim of the project is to develop methodologies for conducting “full-chain” risk assessment and to implement them in a EU-policy case study.
TRISK - European advanced risk assessors accredited training programme for highly qualified toxicology experts
This project seeks to fill the lack of training schemes and provide opportunities for practical, on-the-job training for young scientists on risk assessment.
Risk ASSETs - Risk assessment and management – European training programme
To promote and facilitate risk-training initiatives and develop a comprehensive risk assessment and management programme.
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