The European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (ECETOC), based in Brussels, is a scientific organisation dedicated to advancing the science of chemical risk assessment. By bringing together experts from academia, industry, and regulatory bodies, ECETOC works to translate scientific developments into approaches that can be used in regulatory and decision making contexts.
Within the CHIASMA project, ECETOC supports the coordination of validation efforts and acts as a link between model developers and end users. ECETOC contributes its experience in framework development and in structuring scientific dialogue across disciplines and stakeholder groups.
A key focus of ECETOC’s role is to help ensure that the validation of new in vitro models is aligned with the needs of those who will use them in practice. This includes supporting the organisation of discussions and workshops that bring together scientific, technical, and regulatory perspectives early in the process.
CHIASMA is of particular interest to ECETOC as it contributes to the development of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), which are central to the transition away from animal testing. The project also addresses how such models can support Safe and Sustainable by Design objectives, helping industry move towards more sustainable production and product portfolios.
From ECETOC’s perspective, CHIASMA brings together complementary expertise, from experimental science to digital tools, and structures it into approaches that can be used in practice. This reflects ECETOC’s role as a science broker, facilitating the translation of scientific advances into frameworks that support regulatory and industrial decision making.
““CHIASMA shows how different communities can come together around a shared objective, with clear goals, constructive discussions, and a strong willingness to work towards solutions that are both scientifically robust and usable in practice.”
[Blanca Serrano, Secretary General ECETOC]
Early interactions within the project have reflected this collaborative approach, with focused discussions and strong engagement across partners, creating a solid basis for progressing complex scientific and methodological questions. The work at ECETOC is led by Blanca Serrano, Secretary General, together with Lucy Wilmot, Director of Science, and Andrea Salvadori, Director of Communication and Events. Together, they bring experience in risk assessment, framework development, and multi stakeholder collaboration, which feeds directly into ECETOC’s role in the project.
