Scientific Committee
The Scientific Committee develops harmonised risk assessment methodologies on scientific matters of a horizontal nature in the fields within EFSA's remit where EU-wide approaches are not already defined. It provides general co-ordination to ensure consistency in the scientific opinions prepared by EFSA's Scientific Panels. It also provides strategic scientific advice to EFSA’s management.
Scientific Committee Members are prominent scientists from across Europe, of recognised scientific excellence with competences spreading across disciplines within EFSA's remit, seniority and prior experience with scientific bodies:
- Risk assessment practice – human health risk assessment, food consumption and exposure assessment, environmental risk assessment, animal health risk assessment, toxicology, microbiology, human nutrition, epidemiology, animal health, animal welfare, human medicine, veterinary medicine, food hygiene, food technology, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, life sciences.
- Cross-cutting scientific issues – statistical approaches in risk assessment, the preparation of guidance for the safety assessment of applications of new technologies in the area of food and feed, the harmonisation of the use of default assumptions in the absence of real data, the safety assessment of botanicals and botanical preparations and the introduction of validated complementary techniques in risk assessment using ‘omics’ technologies, QSAR and mathematical models.
Panel Members
Plenary meetings
Networks
What are EFSA's networks?
EFSA’s networks consist of nationally appointed EU Member State organisations with expertise in the fields covered by the network. Representatives of the Commission and of other organisations (including those from outside the EU) with specific expertise may also be invited to participate in the work of EFSA Networks.
Networks are chaired by EFSA and supported by relevant EFSA units. Their aim is to facilitate scientific cooperation in the field of EFSA’s mission by:
- coordinating activities,
- exchanging information,
- developing and implementing joint projects,
- and exchanging expertise and best practices.
- Decision concerning the establishment and operation of European Networks of scientific organisations operating in the fields within the Authority’s mission(35.46 KB)
Emerging Risks Exchange Network
EFSA networks with Member States, EU and international agencies on exchanging data, methodologies and lessons learnt on emerging risks through its Emerging Risks Exchange Network (EREN).
- Terms of reference last updated: 22 December 2021
- List of members last updated: 20 December 2023
Risk assessment of nanotechnologies in food and feed
The main goals are to facilitate harmonisation of assessment practices and methodologies, enhance exchange of information and data between EFSA and Member States, and achieve synergies in risk assessment activities.
- Terms of reference last updated: 12 November 2021
- List of members last updated: 20 December 2023