Glyphosate: new risk assessment and peer review by EFSA
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), in its risk assessment and peer review thereof for the active substance glyphosate, did not identify any areas of critical concern in relation to the risk it poses to humans, animals or the environment.
Glyphosate is a chemical used in several herbicides, the use of which is strictly regulated in Europe. Currently, the approval period for the use of glyphosate in the EU ends on 15 December 2023. The risk assessment by the Member States and the subsequent peer review by EFSA was carried out as part of the legislative process envisaged for the renewal of the approval of the use of glyphosate in Europe.
In 2022, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) conducted a hazard assessment of glyphosate and concluded that it does not fulfill the scientific criteria to be labeled as a carcinogen, mutagen, or reprotoxic substance. The EFSA incorporated the ECHA's hazard classification and any identified data gaps in its conclusions.
Guilhem de Seze, who leads EFSA's Risk Assessment Production Department, notes that the glyphosate risk assessment and peer review are the culmination of a three-year process involving decisions from scientific experts at EFSA and Member States. This process has involved evaluating thousands of scientific studies and articles, as well as incorporating valuable input from public consultation.
However, the peer review's outcome has sparked outrage among various organizations and associations. They argue that the EU's pesticide authorization system neglects a wide range of independent and peer-reviewed scientific research linking glyphosate to severe health and environmental issues (both EFSA and ECHA primarily rely on sector studies for their assessments).
The European Commission and Member States have received EFSA's conclusions, and it is now their responsibility to decide if glyphosate should remain on the EU's list of approved active substances.
EFSA plans to publish the full conclusions and related documents regarding the peer review and risk assessment on its website. The conclusions are expected to be released by the end of July 2023, with background documents to follow between late August and mid-October 2023.
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