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Centre for Chemical Safety and Stewardship York launched

The new Centre for Chemical Safety and Stewardship (CCSS) opens in York this week, bringing together a wealth of internationally recognised scientific expertise under one roof.

Part of The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) based at Sand Hutton, the CCSS offers agrichemical and pharmaceutical companies a rare level of capability in Europe.

The CCSS gives companies unparalleled expertise, knowledge and resources at a time when the compliance and regulatory environment is increasingly complex, and societal pressure regarding the impact of chemicals on the environment is stronger than ever.

Around 60 scientists are based at the Centre, offering companies impartial scientific studies and interpretation of legislator constraints and impacts.

They also work with Government departments to provide scientific evidence to inform policy decisions.

Senior environmental scientist at CCSS, Chris Sinclair, said: “The cost to individual companies of registering or renewing licences is in the millions and while they can outsource the low-end laboratory work required to achieve registration or renewal, there is a real gap when it comes to designing and implementing studies for more complex challenges.

“We are unique in that we have the necessary expertise in one place and what’s more, we also have access to the vast pool of additional resource and skill within Fera.

“Over and above that we also develop risk assessment science for regulators and our internationally recognised scientists work with Government departments to inform policy decisions and improve risk assessment.

“The effect of chemicals in the environment is an increasing worry for society at large, and regulations and compliance are becoming more and more complex as a result. We can shoulder some of the pressure that companies are under, and ultimately help to ensure a safer environment for everyone.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Mark Lane .