Dr. Helena Kandarova, ONTOX Deputy Coordinator for Dissemination, Exploitation, Communication, and Data Management, shares an inspiring perspective in her latest editorial for PARCopedia.
Reflecting on the role of collaborative platforms in advancing chemical risk assessment, Helena highlights how initiatives like PARCopedia are driving the transition toward more ethical, efficient, and human-relevant safety testing. She emphasises the crucial role of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in shaping the future of regulatory science.
“As we step further into 2025, the EU research community is pushing the boundaries of innovation, striving to integrate Next-Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA) and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) into regulatory frameworks. Platforms like PARCopedia are not just supporting this transformation; they are becoming essential to it. They provide an open space for experts across disciplines – scientists, regulators, policymakers, and industry – to collaborate, exchange and challenge ideas, and co-create the future of chemical safety assessment.”
Drawing from over more than two decades of experience in developing NAMs for regulatory applications, Helena underscores the importance of engagement beyond scientific advancements:
“Having spent over 25 years working on NAMs for regulatory applications, I know that science alone is not enough to drive real change. What truly makes a difference is open discussion, engagement, and the willingness to bridge the gap between innovation and implementation.”
As President of the European Society of Toxicology In Vitro (ESTIV), Helena also highlights ESTIV’s contributions to fostering scientific innovation, knowledge exchange, and integrating in vitro toxicology within regulatory frameworks.
“The synergy between ESTIV, PARC (Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals), and platforms like PARCopedia is more than just a network—it’s an ecosystem where knowledge is shared, tested, and transformed into practical solutions.”
Looking ahead, Helena invites the scientific community to participate in ESTIV Congress 2026, set to take place in Maastricht from 29 June to 2 July 2026. She encourages all PARC members and the broader community connected through PARCopedia to contribute ideas for scientific sessions and workshops that align with the implementation of NAMs – proposals can be submitted by 1 April 2025.
About the PARC and PARCopedia
Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) aims to develop next-generation chemical risk assessment methodologies to safeguard human health and the environment. It aligns with the European Union’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the European Green Deal’s “Zero Pollution” ambition by providing new data, knowledge, tools, expertise, and networks.
PARCopedia is an innovative knowledge management and social media platform created by PARC for the international chemical risk assessment community. It provides expert-driven content, including WIKI-style articles on chemicals, methodologies, regulations, and activities, along with a glossary of key terms, institutions, and legislation. The platform strongly focuses on New Approach Methods (NAMs) and Next-Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA).
PARCopedia is open to all professionals in chemical risk assessment upon free sign-up.
About Helena Kandarova
| Dr. Helena Kandarova is an internationally recognised expert in in vitro toxicology and alternative methods to animal testing. She specialises in the validation and regulatory acceptance of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for the safety assessment of chemicals, cosmetics, and medical devices. Her work has contributed to developing OECD test guidelines and ISO standards in topical toxicity. Helena is the Director of the Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Centre of Experimental Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences (CEM SAV), and Head of the SK-NETVAL Laboratory at CEM. Since 2020, she has served as President of the European Society of Toxicology In Vitro (ESTIV). Previously, she established and led MatTek In Vitro Life Science Laboratories in the EU. Moreover, Helena is also a member of the European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA) Mirror Group, European Academies’ Science Advisory Council (EASAC) Biosciences and Public Health Steering Panel Member, ONTOX Deputy coordinator for dissemination, exploitation, communication and data management, and an Associate Editor for Toxicology in Vitro and Alternatives to Laboratory Animals (ATLA) journal. |
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