We are proud to announce that we just embarked on an exciting new project awarded by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), marking another significant step forward in our commitment to digital innovation in food safety and chemical risk assessment. This activity focuses on transforming how data on pesticide residues in food is managed, enabling more efficient, accurate, and transparent risk evaluations through up-to-date digital infrastructure.
At the heart of this project lies the migration of the EU Processing Factors (PF) database—currently maintained as a static Excel spreadsheet—into the IUCLID 6 platform, a cornerstone of the European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) data architecture. Processing factors, which measure how residue levels vary during food processing, are essential elements in assessing consumer exposure to pesticide residues. Since its creation in 2018, EFSA’s PF database has served as a centralised, verified source of these metrics, assisting with regulatory evaluations and enforcement procedures throughout the EU.
Our work begins with a thorough review and validation of the current dataset, ensuring that each chemical is accurately identified using EFSA’s PARAM coding system and that all relevant data is correct and complete. Next, we will align the PF data structure with the most recent IUCLID 6 formats. The central goal of this effort is to fully transfer the existing database into IUCLID 6, representing a substantial advance toward EFSA’s ambition of building a unified European repository for health and environmental reference values, in accordance with the One Substance – One Assessment (OSOA) framework of the EU’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.
In addition to the initial transfer, we will also manage ongoing updates to the database, incorporating new information generated by EFSA after 2024. This will ensure that the resource remains current, functional, and trusted by its users.
This project is closely aligned with the goals outlined in EFSA’s 2027 Strategy and the broader EU agenda on One Health and sustainable chemical management. By reinforcing data quality and cross-system compatibility, it promotes a more integrated, open, and scientifically sound regulatory landscape. We are honoured to be part of this pivotal initiative. Our contribution not only enhances our expertise in scientific digital transformation but also reaffirms our mission to support European agencies, among others, in achieving their public health and sustainability goals through cutting-edge and pragmatical solutions.
“The greatest value of a picture is when it forces us to notice what we never expected to see” – John W. Tukey