Jul 23, 2025 | Meet RISK-HUNT3R
Last June, the third workshop on the ๐น๐๐๐
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๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ European Commission’s took place in Helsinki, at the European Chemicals Agency, as a key step in the EU efforts to move beyond animal testing and embrace methods that are more relevant to human health.
Three working groups presented short- and long-term actions to accelerate the adoption of modern, animal free testing approaches -NAMs- while maintaining high standards in chemical safety.
ASPIS cluster and RISK-HUNT3R partners along with representatives from EU agencies, industry, academia, NGOs and regulatory bodies actively contributed to shaping the outcomes presented, aiming to:
- Promote the progress and official acceptance of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) within regulatory frameworks
- Guarantee high-quality, science-based safety assessments that protect both human health and the environment
- Facilitate a smooth and coordinated transition within the EU regulatory landscape
- Shape final recommendations for the roadmap, which is planned for release in early 2026!
๐ฅ Workshop presentations and discussion are available here:ย Day 1 andย Day 2.
We look forward to further collaboration and shared knowledge to drive the transition to non-animal methods throughout Europe!
Jun 11, 2025 | Meet RISK-HUNT3R
After dedicated efforts behind the scenes, the ASPA-NGRA expert workshop finally took place in Berlin two weeks ago, bringing together a dynamic group of scientists, regulators, and stakeholders for two days of focused, hands-on discussions. The event centered on refining and applying the ASPA workflow within real-world Next-Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA) contexts.
The workshop created a highly collaborative environment, sparking meaningful exchanges on how the ASPA framework can effectively support regulatory decision-making and help accelerate the transition toward a more human-relevant, animal-free approach to chemical safety assessment.
We extend our sincere thanks to all participants for their engagement and expertise, which greatly contributed to the success of the event. Special recognition goes to Mirjam Luijten (RIVM National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) and Matthias Herzler (BfR โ German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) for their leading roles in organizing and shaping the scientific program, along with the local BfR organizing team for their outstanding logistical support.
We are also grateful to our consortium partners for their valuable contributions, including Bob van de Water (Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, University of Leiden), Marcel Leist (University of Konstanz), and our colleagues from the broader ASPIS cluster, Rafael Gozalbes (ONTOX) and John Colbourne (PrecisionTox), who delivered insightful presentations.
The discussions led to the identification of clear follow-up actions, and we are excited to continue advancing this important work in the weeks to come.
Stay tuned for further updates as the ASPA-NGRA initiative progresses.
May 27, 2025 | Meet RISK-HUNT3R, News
After months of preparation, the ASPA-NGRA Workshopย is finally taking place – 27โ28 May at the BfR in Berlin!
Hosted by RISK-HUNT3Rย and co-organised by EFSA, ECHA, OECD, JRC, EPA, NIH/NIEHS, ONTOX, PrecisionTox, and BfR, it will bring together international experts and stakeholders to critically assess the ASPA workflow for NGRA, ensuring it aligns with the emerging needs of regulatory acceptanceย for chemical safety in next-generation risk assessment (NGRA).
ASPAย is the interactive NGRA workflow that guides users through all steps and decisions of a risk assessment process. It aims to drive consistency and reproducibilityย in decision-making and is designed to support regulatory and industry stakeholdersย in the transition towards a safer, animal-free hazard and risk assessment framework.
๐ Learn more about ASPA
We look forward to inspiring discussion, collaboration, and forward-thinking progress.
Stay updated for the workshop outcome!
Apr 14, 2025 | Meet RISK-HUNT3R, News
The RISK-HUNT3R project is very happy to invite you to the third edition of its public Stakeholder Symposium, taking place on 17-18 June 2025 in Helsinki, Finland. The Symposium will provide an overview of the ASPA NGRA workflow and linked case studies, as well as the developed integrative NAM toolbox, to outline the current scientific state of the art in next-generation risk assessment (NGRA) and what is needed.
This event follows the 3rd Conference on the Roadmap Towards Phasing Out Animal Testing for Chemical Safety Assessments, organised by the European Commission on 16-17 June 2025 in Helsinki.
Feb 28, 2025 | Meet RISK-HUNT3R, News
The RISK-HUNT3R consortium meeting in Egmond aan Zee, Netherlands on 10-13 February 2025ย fostered engaging discussions and provided insightful feedback from our Scientific and Regulatory Advisory Board members. Their contributions have helped refine the projectโs case studies and further shape our interactive NGRA workflow – ASPA.
With renewed commitment to collaboration and progress, we look forward to the ASPA-NGRA workshop in May, where we will engage with a wide network of experts to further develop ASPA and explore its application across a wide range of chemicals risk assessment.
See you next time in Helsinki!
Nov 19, 2024 | Meet RISK-HUNT3R, News
RISK-HUNT3R hosts ASPIS satellite meeting on Next-Generation Risk Assessment
On 24 October 2024, RISK-HUNT3R, on behalf of the ASPIS cluster, hosted the satellite meeting โASPA, making next-generation risk assessment happenโ as a precursor to the European Commissionโs 2nd workshop on โRoadmap Towards Phasing Out Animal Testing for Chemical Safety Assessments.โ
The event opened with Bob van de Water (Leiden University) and Mirjam Luijten (RIVM) introducing the ASPA workflow, embodying ASPIS mission and vision for a Next-Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA) framework rooted in new approach methodologies (NAMs). Barira Islam (Certara) followed with a case study demonstrating the integration of in silico and in vitro methods with physiologically based kinetic (PBK) modelling to assess risks from chemicals producing active metabolites. Sylvia Escher (ITEM Fraunhofer) highlighted a prioritization and screening approach to differentiate toxic from low-toxic chemicals, while Ulrika Sahlin (Lund University) addressed uncertainty characterization in NAM-based risk assessments.
The meeting sparked valuable discussions and questions, reinforcing the collective commitment to advancing NAM-based methodologies. A special thank you to our presenters and participants for their contributions to โmaking NGRA happen.โ
For those who could not attend the event in person, our experts have prepared two short videos that provide a comprehensive overview of the background and key findings related to the ASPA presentation. These resources are intended to offer additional insights, allowing for a deeper exploration of the ASPA workflow, and are available on our webpage or YouTube channel.
On 25 October, ASPIS cluster members gathered at a pivotal European Commission workshop dedicated to progressing toward a future of chemical safety assessment without the need for animal testing.
This was theย second European Commission (EC) workshopย on the Roadmap towards phasing out animal testing in chemical safety assessments, held online and in Brussels. This Roadmap initiative is part of the Commissionโs response to the European Citizensโ Initiative (ECI), โSave Cruelty-Free Cosmetics โ Commit to a Europe without Animal Testing.โ The Commission welcomed ECI and is firmly committed to developing this Roadmap, which will set out specific actions and key milestones toward an animal-free regulatory framework.
The workshop provided an essential platform for dialogue among Member States and stakeholders, underscoring recent advancements. Attendees discussed vital elements, including the development, validation, and implementation of non-animal methods, and explored ways to integrate these methods across existing chemical legislation.
Representatives from ASPISโs three projects โย RISK-HUNT3R,ย ONTOX, andย PrecisionToxย โ shared updates on their innovative contributions, highlighting how these efforts support the Commissionโs Roadmap.
Critical contributors to these discussions includedย Mathieu Vinkenย (ONTOX coordinator, Vrije Universiteit Brussel), Martijn Monรฉย (RISK-HUNT3R, Leiden University), Sylvia Escher (RISK-HUNT3R, ITEM Fraunhofer) andย Leonie Muellerย (PrecisionTox, Altertox Academy).
As explained Mathieu Vinken, ONTOX coordinator and ASPIS cluster chair for 2024-2026:
โThe meeting showed again the importance of 3I (interdisciplinary, intersectoral and international) collaboration for full implementation of the 3Rs. ASPIS, and therefore ONTOX, sets an excellent example in this respect. By joining forces between the 3 consortia, a major contribution to the replacement of animal testing in the safety evaluation of chemicals is provided.โ
In closing, the workshop reinforced the collaborative momentum driving NGRA and NAM-based risk assessments forward, paving the way for further progress towards animal-free safety evaluations.
The European Commission aims to release the final Roadmap by the first quarter of 2026, outlining key milestones and essential steps for transitioning to animal-free chemical legislation.
