Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks
Encyclopedia
The Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (abbreviated SCHER) is one of the independent scientific committees managed by the Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection of the European Commission
, which provide scientific advice to the Commission on issues related to consumer products.
and ecotoxicity
of chemicals, biochemicals and biological compounds whose use may have harmful consequences for human health and the environment
.
In particular, the SCHER addresses questions in relation to new and existing chemicals, the restriction and marketing of dangerous substances, biocides, waste
, environmental contaminants, plastics and other materials used for water pipe
work (e.g. new organic
substances), drinking water
, indoor and ambient air quality. It also addresses questions relating to human exposure to mixtures of chemicals, sensitisation and identification of endocrine disrupters.
SCHER's scientific advisory procedures are based on the principles of scientific excellence, independence and transparency. The Opinions of the Committees are made available as quickly as possible following a request for advice from the Commission. In addition, the agendas, minutes of plenary meetings and lists of members are published.
For questions concerning the safety of food products, the European Commission
consults the European Food Safety Authority
(EFSA).
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
, which provide scientific advice to the Commission on issues related to consumer products.
Activities
The SCHER provide the Commission with the scientific advice on questions relating to the toxicityToxicity
Toxicity is the degree to which a substance can damage a living or non-living organisms. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a substructure of the organism, such as a cell or an organ , such as the liver...
and ecotoxicity
Ecotoxicity
Ecotoxicity, the subject of study of the field of ecotoxicology refers to the potential for biological, chemical or physical stressors to affect ecosystems...
of chemicals, biochemicals and biological compounds whose use may have harmful consequences for human health and the environment
Natural environment
The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....
.
In particular, the SCHER addresses questions in relation to new and existing chemicals, the restriction and marketing of dangerous substances, biocides, waste
Waste
Waste is unwanted or useless materials. In biology, waste is any of the many unwanted substances or toxins that are expelled from living organisms, metabolic waste; such as urea, sweat or feces. Litter is waste which has been disposed of improperly...
, environmental contaminants, plastics and other materials used for water pipe
Water pipe
Water pipes are pipes or tubes, frequently made of polyvinyl chloride , ductile iron, steel, cast iron, polypropylene, polyethylene, or copper, that carry pressurized and treated fresh water to buildings , as well as inside the building.-History:For many centuries, lead was the favoured material...
work (e.g. new organic
Organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-based compounds, hydrocarbons, and their derivatives...
substances), drinking water
Drinking water
Drinking water or potable water is water pure enough to be consumed or used with low risk of immediate or long term harm. In most developed countries, the water supplied to households, commerce and industry is all of drinking water standard, even though only a very small proportion is actually...
, indoor and ambient air quality. It also addresses questions relating to human exposure to mixtures of chemicals, sensitisation and identification of endocrine disrupters.
Procedures
The SCHER consists of a maximum of 19 members. The members are appointed on the basis of their skills and experience in the fields in question and consistent with this a geographical distribution that reflects the diversity of scientific problems and approaches in the European Union. The experts are appointed for three years, renewable a maximum of three consecutive times. In agreement with the Commission, the Scientific Committees may turn to specialized external experts.SCHER's scientific advisory procedures are based on the principles of scientific excellence, independence and transparency. The Opinions of the Committees are made available as quickly as possible following a request for advice from the Commission. In addition, the agendas, minutes of plenary meetings and lists of members are published.
See also
The Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection also manages two other independent Scientific Committees on non-food products:- The Scientific Committee on Consumer ProductsScientific Committee on Consumer ProductsThe Scientific Committee on Consumer Products is one of the independent scientific committees managed by the Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection of the European Commission, which provide scientific advice to the Commission on issues related to non-food issues.- Activities :The...
(SCCP) - The Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health RisksScientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health RisksThe Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks is one of the independent scientific committees managed by the Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection of the European Commission, which provide scientific advice to the Commission on issues related to consumer...
(SCENIHR)
For questions concerning the safety of food products, the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
consults the European Food Safety Authority
European Food Safety Authority
The European Food Safety Authority is an agency of the European Union that provides independent scientific advice and communication on existing and emerging risks associated with the food chain, created by European Regulation 178/2002....
(EFSA).
External links
- The website of the SCHER
- The Scientific Committees of the Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection