International Society of Exposure Science
- ISES Europe
ISES Europe – International Society of Exposure Science Regional Chapter for Europe
The independent European platform for advancing exposure science
MISSION
To integrate exposure science into European regulations and industry practice, and to anchor it in academic research and education, in order to foster innovation and to create a safe and sustainable future for humans and the environment.
SIX KEY OBJECTIVES
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Build a European Programme to generate, assess, exchange, and communicate experimental and model-based exposure data in support of a European Exposure Science Strategy in the 21st century.
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Advance exposure science with focus on closing knowledge gaps, building science-based and operational data and methods, fostering integration and interaction of disciplines involved in exposure science, and anchoring exposure information in decision-making by all stakeholders.
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Provide guidance and recommendations for exposure assessment in science and policy.
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Foster the inclusion of realistic exposure information in risk assessment, alternatives assessment and chemical substitution, high-throughput risk screening, life-cycle assessment, and other regulatory and non-regulatory frameworks and management tools.
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Strengthen the impact of exposure science on human health and environmental policies.
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Support trans-agency and trans-institutional coordination, education, and engaging a broader European stakeholder community including triggering and supporting a European infrastructure to facilitate sharing, generation and dissemination of exposure information.
EXPOSURE SCIENCE IN EUROPE
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What is exposure science? Exposure science in its broadest sense studies the contact between stressors (primarily chemical, biological, and physical agents) and receptors (e.g. molecules, cells, organs, humans, other living organisms, and non-living items like buildings), and the associated pathways and processes potentially leading to negative effects on human health and the natural and built environment.
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Why is ISES Europe needed? The current EU Regulation on chemicals management REACH created a mandate to deliver adequate exposure information to foster the safe use and management of chemicals. Exposure information is also required in other European regulatory frameworks including regulations on plant protection products, biocidal products, construction products, general product safety, classification, labelling and packaging, control of air quality and major-accident hazards, etc. Furthermore, EU strategies to move towards a non-toxic environment by 2050, to strive toward a circular and bio-based economy, and to promote green and sustainable chemistry add extra challenges requiring adequate exposure information. The pertinent need for a European Programme to promote increased generation of exposure information and fit-for-purpose exposure assessment tools followed by independent assessments and use by risk managers and policy makers is our main driver for a Europe Regional Chapter in ISES.