Hazard evaluation and risk assessment must also take into account the effects of substances on foetal development and the health of women and children.

the current reorganisation of the JRC Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (IHCP) will make an important contribution to accelerating the on-going efforts to advance alternative methods, including their validation, via ECVAM. This will involve reinforcement of ECVAM's work through support by other IHCP teams. The IHCP is also developing an integrated testing strategy which will leverage the synergies of many complementary activities within the IHCP and allow a more holistic and effective approach to the question of risk assessment, which is central to the regulatory process, thus avoiding unnecessary internal transmission delays. ...[+++] The integrated testing team will, in 2009, consist of about 85 staff members (including the present 62 ECVAM staff members). As part of its contribution to streamlining the process from scientific validation to regulatory acceptance, IHCP will ensure close and consistent follow-up of the regulatory acceptance process both within the Commission and at the level of the OECD;

strengthening the capacity of the competent civilian authorities involved in the development and enforcement of effective control of illicit trafficking in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials or agents (including the equipment for their production or delivery), including through the installation of modern logistical evaluation and control equipment;

strengthening the capacity of the competent civilian authorities involved in the development and enforcement of effective control of illicit trafficking in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials or agents (including the equipment for their production or delivery), including through the installation of modern logistical evaluation and control equipment;

An ex ante evaluation[9] of the programme highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and multi-disciplinary project teams that will be stimulated through the COOPENER funded projects, as well as the fact that the critical role of energy in development and poverty eradication has been largely overlooked in the recent past.

In developing countries, the risks are clearly higher. This is the consequence of various factors such as the continued use of older and more toxic products, the far less advanced infrastructures and capacity for testing (under local conditions), evaluating, authorising and controlling the use and disposal of pesticides and the unavailability of mitigation measures such as protective equipment.