Guidance on ad hoc rapid risk assessment of serious cross-border chemical health threats performed by the SCHEER

This document presents the procedure to be followed by the European Commission Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks (SCHEER) for the provision of ad hoc rapid risk assessments in the case of cross border chemical health threats. 

Decision 1082/2013/EU on serious cross border threats to health lays down rules on how to deal with incidents or alerts of actual or potential serious cross-border threats to health. When a coordinated response at European Union level is required, the Commission shall make promptly available a risk assessment of the potential severity of the threat to public health, including possible public health measures.

The European Commission can provide such a risk assessment in case of chemical incidents by means of the Scientific Committees, with the support of additional experts, as necessary, to ensure the timely and sound risk assessment needed.

The SCHEER has been tasked with coordinating the response in case of cross border chemical health threats to support the Commission. These include both manmade and naturally occurring events (e.g. chemicals released during an incident or during a volcanic eruption) that may have an impact on public health. The rapid risk assessment does not cover the wider effects on the environment.