EFSA PPR meeting highlights

The minutes of the 53rd plenary meeting of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR) contained notable updates on two guidance documents.

EFSA guidance on dermal absorption close to finalisation

The EFSA guidance document on dermal absorption is now close to finalisation. In July the scientific opinion on the science behind the revision of the guidance document on dermal absorption was published on the EFSA website together with a report on the outcome of the public consultation that took place in 2010.

The draft guidance and the scientific opinion on the revision are now with the European Commission for comments. The commission is expected to have responded by the end of 2011 at which point the draft guidance will be finalised and published

Delays to the publication of the opinion on the evaluation of the toxicological relevance of metabolites and degradates of pesticide active substances for dietary risk assessment

The deadline for the adoption of the EFSA opinion on the evaluation of the toxicological relevance of metabolites and degradates of pesticide active substances for dietary risk assessment has been extended to 30 June 2012.

Progress has been made on elaboration of adjusted Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) values for acute exposure assessment, on the testing strategy when the TTC values are exceeded, and on the uncertainties affecting the assessment of the toxicological relevance of metabolites and degradates of pesticide active substances.

The opinion will also take into consideration the opinion of the EFSA Scientific Committee to provide preliminary advice about possible human health risks based on the concept of Thresholds of Toxicological Concern.

If you require further information on dermal absorption of plant protection products, on the toxicological relevance of metabolites or degradates, or on any other regulatory matters please contact JSC at +44(0)1423 520245 or enquiries@jsci.co.uk