SYMPOSIUM : Endocrine Disruptors : accelerating methods validation to improve our protection

5 years of achievements and perspectives of the PEPPER platform

Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are a recognized concern for health and ecosystems. After more than a decade of regulatory progress, the European regulation on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances (CLP regulation) makes them a new hazard class.

High-quality and reproducible methods for identifying EDs are essential for action, but there is a missing link between research and risk management.

Created in 2019 as part of the SNPE (Endocrine Disruptors National Strategy), the Pepper platform (Public-Private Platform for the Validation of Methods for Characterizing Endocrine Disruptors) links research and risk management. It innovates in two ways : by combining the organization and funding of methods validation, and by pooling public and private resources.

At the occasion of its 5th anniversary, Pepper organizes an event to explore validation as a common good, focusing on three areas:

– Organizing validation in Europe: OECD, EU bodies, Member States and stakeholders are invited to share the progress of their work and their approaches,
 – Translating research into tools and methods: players in the field will talk about their experience and expectations,
– Ensuring that the validation of methods is a shared asset in the long term: organizing a pooling of organization and funding to speed up progress.

Meet the Speakers and discover the program!

9 -9.30 am: Welcome coffee


9.30 am: Introduction – Philippe PRUDHON, Chair of PEPPER, Philippe BODENEZ, DGPR, French Ministry of Ecological transition, energy, climate and risk prevention

9.30-11 am SESSION 1 – Validation of methods in Europe, a tool for Endocrine Disruptors policies : challenges and perspectives
Keynote speech, Jordane WODLI, DG ENV, European Commission
Facilitation : Cécile MICHEL, ANSES
• Bob DIDERICH, OECD
• Ofelia BERCARU, ECHA
• Pr Maurice WHELAN, ECVAM/Joint Research Center
• Philippe HUBERT, Pepper
Q&A session

10.45-11 am: Coffee break

11 am-1 pm SESSION 2 – Validation, the missing link to move from research to tools and methods: experience and expectations from the field
Keynote speech, Dr Ella ATLAS, Health Canada, president PEPPER scientific council Facilitation : Dr Sebastian HOFFMANN, SEH consulting
• Dr Michael OELGESCHLAEGER, German Risk Assessment Federal Institute
• Patrick BALAGUER, IRCM/INSERM
• Pr Majorie van DUURSEN, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
• Pr Joelle RUEGG, Uppsala University
• Sjoerd VERKAART, Charles River Laboratories
• Dr Gregory LEMKINE, Watchfrog
Q&A session

1pm-2.30 pm: Lunch buffet

2.30 pm-4 pm SESSION 3 – Validation, a common good: mutualizing resources and organization to accelerate and secure validation in the long term
Keynote speech, Hans MEIJER, Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management Facilitation : Nathalie HOMOBONO, French Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry
• Pr Juliette LEGLER, Utrecht University
• Nina HAMBRUCH, BASF
• Katherine SANTIZO, CEFIC
• Dr Laure GEOFFROY, INERIS
• Alain CHABROLLE, France Nature Environnement
• Tony MUSU, European Trade Union Institute
• Pascal SANDERS, PARC project
Q&A session

4 pm: Conclusion – Philippe PRUDHON, president of