RISK-HUNT3R Final Stakeholder Symposium

Background

RISK-HUNT3R (“RISK assessment of chemicals integrating Humancentric Next generation Testing strategies promoting the 3Rs”) is a large EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation project (2021–2026) aiming to transform chemical risk assessment. It builds on previous flagship initiatives (notably EUToxRisk) and is part of the ASPIS cluster together with the ONTOX and PrecisionTox projects. The project involves a multisector consortium (academia, industry, regulators). It responds to the regulatory and societal demand to phase out animal testing and move towards human-relevant approaches and application of batteries of NAMs for mechanism-based next generation risk assessment. These include amongst others exposure modelling and physiologically-based kinetic models, in silico predictions, advanced cell systems, OMICs and quantitative AOP modelling. In addition, RISKHUNT3R established an NGRA workflows, ASPA, to facilitate the NAM-based safety assessment through step-wise integration of different NAMs data. The applicability of the ASPA for NGRA has been illustrated by using case studies relevant to industrial chemicals, cosmetics and food and feed chemicals.

This final RISK-HUNT3R stakeholder symposium is co-organised by the RISK-HUNT3R community together with EFSA’s Knowledge and Innovation communities (KICs) on New approach methodologies, Environmental Risk Assessment, Biotechnology and Exposure. This symposium aims to discuss key outcomes from RISK-HUNT3R and case studies as success stories to explore NAM integration in next generation risk assessment (NGRA) of chemicals.

The symposium will bring together academics, risk assessors from member state agencies and industry stakeholders to explore and discuss relevant workflows, frameworks and case studies developed under RISK-HUNT3R as well state-of-the-art practice in NGRA. The workshop will also include a poster session where stakeholders can directly interact and network to discuss in detail concrete NAM case studies applied to NGRA of chemicals.

Objectives of the meeting

The symposium aims to explore and discuss relevant workflows, frameworks and case studies developed under RISK-HUNT3R together with state-of-the-art practice in NGRA relevant to industrial chemicals, cosmetics and food and feed chemicals. The workshop will also allow discussion and networking between all stakeholders.

Structure of the meeting

Following a welcome introduction to the RISKHUNT3ER project, NGRA workflows and cases studies will be presented as well as next steps towards validation and implementation of such workflows. A panel discussion will follow and the first day will close with a poster session focused on scientific and implementation achievements of NAMs from RISK-HUNT3R case studies. The second day will focus on state-of-the-art NAM tools for NGRA with specific presentations highlighting exposure modelling, TK modelling and NAMs, in-silico predictions and adverse outcome pathways, qualitative and quantitative hazard interpretation from omics, advanced model systems, AI-driven approaches for NGRA and the use of Ecotox species for human health assessment RA. 

The meeting will close with a discussion on NAM-based NGRA: sustainability and outlook where elements of validation and implementation of NAMs will also be discussed. 

Who should attend?

The meeting is intended for all interested stakeholders with expertise in RA of industrial chemicals, cosmetics and food and feed chemicals as well as in the application of New Approach methodologies (NAMs) in next generation risk assessment including toxicokinetic modelling, OMICs and advanced cell systems. Participation is limited to a maximum of 50 stakeholders including EFSA staff and other experts already identified by EFSA as well as 50 experts from the RISK-HUNT3R community including speakers and other partners. A further selection process will ensure balanced representation across fields of expertise, stakeholder groups and geographical areas.

Organisational details

The workshop will take place at EFSA’s premises in Parma, Italy, from 14:00 to 19:00 on 22 October 2026 and from 09:00 to 15:00 on 23 October 2026. Online participation is not foreseen. Further details will be communicated to selected participants. English will be the language of the event, and no translation will be provided.

There is no fee for participation, however participants are requested to cover expenses related to travel and accommodation. Online participation is not foreseen.

Contact

Do not hesitate to contact the organising committee at events [at] efsa.europa.eu (events[at]efsa[dot]europa[dot]eu) for more information.