content_image/497206.jpg content_image/497205.jpg
<img src='content_image/497206.jpg'>

## Opportunities: 

<img src='content_image/497205.jpg'>

• Available methods are already well described in the guidance of EFSA Scientific Committee (2019 1 ), which includes several recommendations for future methodological developments. Together with the recent pilot assessments in the area of pesticides and the practical experience gained by other European and international partners, EFSA will have a strong basis to identify all requirements for further guidance and methodological development. All proposals for methodological developments will be collected, prioritised and potential partners for innovative research projects will be identified. 

• The HORIZON 2020 Framework Programme for research has delivered several projects which may be relevant for the risk assessment of combined exposure to multiple chemicals (e.g. EuroMix, Human Exposome Project, HBM4EU and FOODSAFETY4EU). These projects provide a good opportunity to identify most recent methodological developments in this area and will also support EFSA in the identification of possible future developments and innovation projects. 

• Software tools for the assessment of multiple chemicals have been developed in different frameworks and are now available on different platforms (e.g. MCRA Software, EuroMix Toolbox, Danish Mixture Calculator, MYCHIF, BIKE etc). To ensure proper use of the different calculators, all tools will be brought together into a harmonised, well-structured (i.e. modular) and fully transparent (i.e. open source) platform. After deployment of the common platform, new additional modules will be added to address new methodological developments. 

• Over the recent years, EFSA made progress on the harmonised collection of food consumption data and chemical occurrence data in food. These data are adequate for assessing dietary exposure to multiple chemicals because they allow identification of co- occurring chemicals and foods that are consumed simultaneously. Regarding the combined toxicity of multiple chemicals, however, structured data are still limited. To ensure a better access to the relevant toxicological data, EFSA will further expand its OpenFoodTox Database 2 which is currently at EU level the most comprehensive open-access repository of toxicity information. 

• Several national competent authorities have reported the availability of chemical occurrence data in (drinking) water and other data that may be useful for the assessment of non-dietary exposure. This will support EFSA in reviewing availability of relevant occurrence data and identifying needs for further monitoring data in this area. This will need to be considered together with activities planned under the umbrella of environmental risk assessment. 

• The recent pilot assessments on cumulative risk assessment for pesticides (EFSA, 2020a 3 ; EFSA, 2020b 4 ) are a solid basis for the future implementation in this area. Based on this experience EFSA is developing a screening method for a leaner approach in elaborating cumulative assessment groups. The Commission and EFSA will develop an action plan by 

