Scientific cooperation projects (ESCO)

Since 2006 EFSA’s Management Board has encouraged greater cooperation and networking between EFSA and its counterparts in the Member States in order to mobilise pan-European scientific resources.

Following consultations with the Advisory Forum and the Scientific Committee, working groups and networks may be established for carrying out scientific cooperation projects (ESCOs) focused on food and feed safety issues of interest for both EFSA and the Member States. The Steering Group on Cooperation monitors their progress.

Participants in the ESCO projects include national experts proposed by the Member States through the Advisory Forum, members of the Scientific Panels or Scientific Committee and EFSA’s scientific staff. The final outcome of such projects is a report to EFSA’s Executive Director, who may decide to bring it to the attention of EFSA’s Panels and Scientific Committee for information or consideration. ESCO projects do not aim to issue any Scientific Opinion, which remains the task of EFSA’s Panels and Scientific Committee.

Current and past ESCO working groups

• Botanicals
• Emerging risks
• Expert database
• Folic acid
• Isoflavones
• Non-plastic materials
• Risk assessment harmonisation