Expectations of risk assessors on the work of ICPPR in the context of a new regulation and a new guidance document

Concerns related to risk to honeybees due to exposure to plant protection products (PPP) have increased with time during the last years in public opinion. Based on these concerns, data requirements to address the risk for honeybees have been modified and completed in the latest regulation (Regulations 283/2013 [1] and 284/2013 [2]). Moreover, a new EFSA guidance document was developed in 2013 to address risks to honeybees, bumble bees and solitary bees [3]. Thank to scientific community, knowledge on effects of PPP on bees has also increased during the last few years, but the new data requirements refer to tests for which no guideline exist. The implementation of the EFSA guidance in the next future will also require additional testing to fulfil the requirements and address the risk for the species of concern. ICPPR has been ahead of many method developments related to risk assessment for bees. Its work in the framework of European risk assessment for PPP is still needed as scientific and specialized inputs are absolutely necessary to address new requirements and risk assessment schemes