These workshops are recognised and certified within the SETAC Certification of Environmental Risk Assessors Programme.
Ecotoxicology
Our experienced Ecotox team comprises experts in all technical areas to generate a solid registration data package for synthetic and biological products. This includes not only standard but especially higher tier risk assessments, study monitoring (lab and field) and design of higher tier field studies.
Aquatic
Ecotoxicology
The extensive experience in carrying out precise completeness checks, writing report summaries and preparing risk assessments allows RIFCON to offer complete and effective support for dossier submissions. The aquatic ecotoxicology team plans, monitors and evaluates aquatic tier 1 and higher-tier studies and provide tailor-made solutions for product registration. We compile aquatic risk assessments in accordance with current guidance documents and national regulations. For advanced refinement steps, we carry out probabilistic risk assessments (e.g. species sensitivity distributions or modelling). We evaluate and reply to authority requests, compile expert statements and provide sound strategies for a solid aquatic risk assessment.
- Aquatic risk assessment (Deterministic and probabilistic)
- Strategy (Planning & evaluation of aquatic higher-tier studies)
- Endocrine disrupting properties (Regulations (EU) No 528/2012 and (EC) No 1107/2009)
- Dossier preparation (Product and active substance)
- Dossier support (Authority requests / Expert statements)
- Study monitoring (Lab communication / Quotation inquiry / Monitoring services)
- Data analysis (Data gap analysis / CoC and GD compliance / Preliminary assessment / Cost estimation)
Terrestrial
Ecotoxicology
The monitoring of studies by qualified scientists at RIFCON guarantees reliable data sets for your submission. We design, monitor and evaluate standard and higher-tier studies and conduct risk assessments on pollinators, non-target arthropods, soil organisms and non-target plants - all in compliance with current guidance, harmonization documents and national regulations. We have the knowledge and expertise to address any specific issue using tailored field studies. Our detailed checks of completeness support dossier submissions effectively. Our risk assessors have extensive experience in conducting all necessary standard risk assessments as well as higher-tier risk assessments in close collaboration with our terrestrial field experts. We evaluate and reply to authority requests, compile expert statements and provide sound strategies for a solid terrestrial risk assessment.
- Terrestrial risk assessment (Deterministic and probabilistic)
- Strategy (Planning & evaluation of terrestrial higher-tier studies)
- Endocrine disrupting properties (Regulations (EU) No 528/2012 and (EC) No 1107/2009)
- Dossier preparation (Product and active substance)
- Dossier support (Authority requests / Expert statements)
- Study monitoring (Lab communication / Quotation inquiry / Monitoring services)
- Data analysis (Data gap analysis / CoC and GD compliance / Preliminary assessment / Cost estimation)
Terrestrial
Ecotoxicology
The monitoring of studies by our scientists guarantees a reliable data set for your submission. We provide design, monitoring and evaluation of standard and higher tier studies and terrestrial risk assessments on soil organisms, honey bees, non-target arthropods and plants in compliance with current guidance documents and national regulations, addressing the specific issues of your product. Our detailed checks of completeness and report summaries can further support your dossier submissions. In addition, we offer probabilistic risk assess- ments (e.g. species sensitivity distribution or modelling) for advanced refinement steps.
The close cooperation between our teams and the development of up-to-date strategies and solutions in consultation with our clients ensures the successful registration of your plant protection product.
- Check of completeness
- Study monitoring
- Planning & evaluation of higher tier studies
- Deterministic and probabilistic risk assessments
- Dossier preparation
- Expert statements
- Evaluation of authority requests
Wildlife
Ecotoxicology
The wildlife toxicology team at RIFCON provides standard and higher-tier risk assessments for birds and mammals in line with current EU and country-specific requirements. Our wildlife experts are highly skilled ecologists with extensive knowledge on the biology and natural history of farmland species and European and other fauna. This gives our team the ability to provide the best possible solutions in wildlife ecotoxicology. Our experts are familiar with all potential refinement options, and actively bring forward innovative ideas to deliver in-depth exposure assessments. We offer high-quality expert statements and literature surveys on various risk assessment topics, including endocrine disruption as well as amphibians and reptiles. We typically provide effective advice on strategy planning and provide knowledgeable support in any dialogue with authorities. The wildlife ecotoxicology team regularly conducts workshops covering the different aspects of current wildlife risk assessment.
- Bird and mammal risk assessment (Standard & higher-tier, tailor made)
- Strategy (Planning & evaluation of wildlife higher-tier approaches)
- Discussion and presentation of strategies (EU or MS level)
- Endocrine disrupting properties (Regulations (EU) No 528/2012 and (EC) No 1107/2009)
- Dossier preparation (Product & active substance)
- Dossier support (Authority requests / Expert statements / Literature searches)
- Study monitoring (Lab communication / Quotation inquiry / Monitoring services)
- Avian Focal Species Finder (Coming soon)
- Workshops (Customer specific or public)
- Data analysis (Data gap analysis / CoC and GD compliance / Preliminary assessment / Cost estimation)
Effect Modelling
RIFCON offers assessments of the potential effects of plant protection products on non-target species using RIFCON-owned models (specifically spatially explicit individual-based or TK-TD implementations) and other available models. In addition to model development and model applications, RIFCON has the experience to conduct complete risk assessments in which effect modelling approaches can be strategically embedded at higher tiers to provide a consistent and robust registration package that is commonly discussed with Member State authorities.
Effect modelling at RIFCON is conducted by knowledgeable specialists who have considerable experience in model applications and data handling needs within the context of risk assessment. Effect Modelling at RIFCON is closely connected to our Field Department as well as RIFCON’s Ecotoxicology and Environmental Fate teams. These close connections provide a sound foundation for any modelling exercise. Our close cooperation with RIFCON’s risk assessment and field experts also facilitates the development of tailored approaches and specific modelling tools which in turn, benefit greatly from our extensive field and regulatory experience. This makes RIFCON a valuable and unique pillar for the registration process.
On request, our team of skilled model developers can also devise customised modelling solutions for various species of concern. We are keen on the implementation of good modelling practice in daily workflow and on designing feasible environmental scenarios for model application.
We actively seek to share and exchange knowledge and experience via workshops that are conducted either publically or tailored for customers upon request e.g. in-house workshops at authorities.
Our effect modelling workshops are recognised and certified within the SETAC Certification of Environmental Risk Assessors Programme.
- Risk assessments using our population models
- Development of custom modelling solutions
- Introductory workshops for population modelling in regulatory risk assessment
Modelling
RIFCON offers individual based models for small mammals (common vole Microtus arvalis, common shrew Sorex araneus) as well as for the Collembolan Folsomia candida.
The models were specifically developed to realistically reproduce population dynamics of these species. Our small mammal models simulate the dynamic spatial arrangement of home ranges in different habitats. Therefore, such models allow conducting population-level assessments in custom landscapes after applications of plant protection products.
The Collembolan model focuses especially on the dynamic spatial distribution of the individuals and the toxicant, and on density dependent population regulation. In addition, we offer complete risk assessments including higher tier population modelling approaches. Our population modellers cooperate closely with our wildlife risk assessment and field experts to create models that profit from our long scientific, field and regulatory experience. We also offer the development of custom modelling solutions for various species of concern on your request.
- Risk assessments using our population models
- Development of custom modelling solutions
- Introductory workshops for population modelling in regulatory risk assessment
Further information
Avian Focal
Species Finder
COMING SOON
By selecting the relevant crop and zone you will find the respective focal species that should be considered to be appropriate according to the respective reference (all data used is listed below). Each of the search results comprises the focal species, the respective BBCH growth stage and the corresponding reference from which the information was obtained.
