News

As part of the 60th Eurotox Congress, we are presenting the results of the project funded by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) on volatile PFAS in indoor air. The literature contains evidence of the frequent occurrence of fluorotelomer alcohols and N-alkylated sulphonic acid amides in indoor air. 6:2 FTOH and 8:2 FTOH, as well as EtFOSA and EtFOSE as representatives of these two groups, were therefore assessed toxicologically and proposals for guide values were developed during this project. Please visit us during the poster presentations on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, Poster P25-22: “Health-related evaluation of volatile PFAS in indoor air”. We look forward to interesting discussions and scientific exchange. 

The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) has published a new research study on its website, which was conducted by our team.
The study explores the substitution of oximes as antiskinning-agents in paints and varnishes and as curing agents (silane oximes) in sealants. The use of these substances in such product groups is of concern because, during the curing process, oximes are released into the ambient air, posing a potential risk to human health (for example, widely used substances such as MEKO and DMKO are classified as carcinogenic (Category 1B)).

Key findings in brief:
•    In general: Producers confirm that a transition to oxime-free products is, in principle, possible in most application areas.
•    Paints & varnishes: Alternative systems (such as water-based paints or acrylic paints) do not require antiskinning agents but exhibit performance limitations in specific applications.
•    Silicone sealants: Alkoxy, acetoxy, or lactate ester systems, as well as hybrid or polyurethane compounds, are ready for use. They have certain disadvantages in terms of drying time, adhesion, or discoloration in some cases.
•    Research needs: For targeted further development of alternatives, the industry calls above all for legal clarity regarding regulatory requirements.

The full report, including all survey results and analyses, can be found directly on the BAuA website.

At the end of June, the update to the ECHA’s 2022 advice on dose selection for developmental and reproductive toxicity (DART) studies under REACH was published.
When selecting doses for DART studies, a balance must always be struck between animal welfare and the aim of generating data that can be used for classification, labelling and risk assessment. We welcome the clear recommendation that a dose of 1000 mg/kg bw/d represents the upper limit for testing.
Other aspects, which have also been the subject of intense and controversial debate in the past, remain unchanged: for instance, many questions regarding the assessment of the endpoint ‘severe suffering’ remain unanswered. Here, reference is made only to the relevant OECD Guidance from 2002, which itself has not been updated for some time.
The upper limit of 1000 mg/kg bw/d should also be adhered to if, in the absence of clear effects on systemic or reproductive toxicity endpoints in the dams, intra-uterine or postnatal mortality occurs simultaneously in the offspring and the number of offspring in a multi-generation study is clearly reduced. Whether this is appropriate for this type of study is a subject of ongoing debate. 
We are happy to advise you on any questions regarding the planning of your DART studies. 

For many years, FoBiG (in collaboration with the Öko-Institut) has been involved in the development of the "chemicals indicators." Eurostat publishes both the actual datasets and brief descriptions. Within these projects, FoBiG extracts classifications in accordance with the CLP Regulation, which allows for classification into the hazard groups of the indicator system. In a recent episode of Eurostat’s "Stats in a Wrap" podcast series, Jan Oltmanns discusses some aspects of these indicators together with Carla Teixeira (DG Eurostat) and Aleksandra Małyska (DG Environment). The podcast is available here.

Fulfilling information requirements under REACH can be difficult for some types of substances. This is particularly true for carbon-based nanomaterials such as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). FoBiG, together with TSafeE GmbH and TSafeG Co. Ltd. as well as other colleagues, has described the problems in two articles for the journal Environmental Sciences Nano: one on selected aspects of environmental fate and the other on in vitro testing for eye irritation, skin sensitisation and gene mutations in mammalian cells. The articles present the challenges and possible solutions for generating adequate data for the endpoints considered in a regulatory context. 

We mourn the loss of our former colleague Gabriele Häffner, who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on March 24.
We have lost a longtime colleague, friend, and dear companion. Gabriele had been part of FoBiG from the very beginning and helped shape our company from the secretariat, always supporting us with warmth. We are grateful that she was part of FoBiG for so long.

Consumer exposure to chemicals in the EU is currently assessed separately for different products without aggregating exposure from different sources. A new study conducted by FoBiG together with Clariant develops an aggregate consumer exposure and risk assessment methodology that assesses exposure of seven population groups via all pathways. Key input values normalized to body weight are used to reflect population-specific differences. The study demonstrates the feasibility of the methodology by assessing consumer exposure to the antioxidant Hostanox® O 3 via food, drinking water, textiles and defined consumer uses. This study may inform further development of aggregate exposure and risk methods in EU regulatory frameworks.

On March 18, Karin Heine will present a poster entitled “Practical approach to dermal risk assessment for seven reprotoxic substances contained in epoxy resin systems.” Seven reactive diluents from epoxy resin systems were recently classified as reprotoxic (Repro. 1B) based on new test results. The amendments to the Hazardous Substances Ordinance (§ 10a GefStoffV) stipulate that an exposure register must now also be kept for reproductive toxic substances if exposure poses a health risk. In order to assess the risk after dermal exposure to substances that are also skin sensitizers, an assessment of skin absorption for the seven substances and the resulting health risk was carried out. This work was carried out as part of the support for the Epoxy Resin Ingredients Working Group. We look forward to your visit and interesting discussions.

Several times already FoBiG has been involved in a European Commission initiative to develop uniform values for material emissions from construction products into indoor air across Europe (EU LCI values). Five new substances have now been assessed. These are 4-hydroxy-4-methylpentan-2-one (diacetone alcohol), 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD), acetophenone, n- and isopropyl acetate, and isobutyl acetate, of which FoBiG has derived the first two. 
The results can be found here.

We would like to thank you for the pleasant and trusting partnership over the past year and send greetings with a glimpse of the winter park outside our office building. Like the old plane tree in the picture, FoBiG grows and changes with the seasons – yet remains true to itself. Midway through the year, long-time employees Karin Heine and Eva Kaiser took over management from Jan Oltmans, who remains with us as an experienced scientist. With this transition, we’re actively carrying FoBiG’s established ways of working into the future. At the same time, Klaus Schneider stepped down as shareholder of our company. However, we are pleased to have won Anne Bierwisch, Henrike Berkefeld, Melanie Macherey, Stephanie Kraft and Aileen Fiand as new shareholders. This move reflects their intention to take part in shaping our company long term. We look forward to new roles, fresh ideas, and exciting projects in 2026 – and wish you a relaxing break and a happy New Year.

From 31 December 2025, Notifications of Interest (NoI) for the EUPL can be submitted to ECHA. These are a prerequisite for a subsequent application to include a substance in the positive list or to submit a review application in good time before the expiry date of substances already listed. Among other things, the NoI offers you the opportunity to identify partners for a joint application. We are currently preparing the NoIs for several customers and would be happy to assist you with any questions you may have about the EUPL and its technical implementation using the IUCLID software.