Annex A to TOX/2026/04
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Skip the menu of subheadings on this page.This is a paper for discussion. It does not reflect the views of the Committee and should not be cited.
Potential future discussion items – COC horizon scanning
Secretariat
January 2026
From CC/2025/10
COC watching brief of horizon scanning topics
Topics for progression
|
Meeting raised |
Topic |
Status |
|
November 2024 |
Chemicals in Hair relaxers. |
July 2025: Secretariat discussing with OPSS potential consideration. November 2025: Secretariat is having ongoing discussion with OPSS; there is interest in progressing the topic, however the scope requires consideration before a request is made of COC. |
|
March 2025 |
Progression of “A case for change: the challenge to develop a better approach to assessing risk of cancer caused by chemicals”. |
July 2025: Document published. November 2025: Separate discussion paper (CC/2025/09) to review submissions received to date. Need to further consider dissemination and discuss with the smaller group of Members identified in July. |
Topics to be kept under a watching brief or not yet prioritised
|
Meeting raised |
Topic |
Status |
|
November 2024 |
Chemicals in air fresheners used in the home. |
November 2024: Not prioritised to date. Secretariat notes that if prioritised, consideration if required on whether this should sit with COC or other Committees. |
|
November 2024 |
Risk of cancer from the regular use of mouth wash. |
November 2024: Not assessed further at this time. July 2025: Secretariat note – any consideration would require discussion with OPSS. |
|
November 2024 |
AI |
July 2025: COT is holding a workshop on AI in risk assessment alongside the October 2025 meeting. November 2025: COT workshop held in October – background paper provided to COT for discussion is attached at Annex A of this paper (to note this is reserved as it contains pre-publication material); workshop report to follow in due course. |
|
November 2024 |
PFAS |
July 2025: COT subgroup undertaking review of PFAS; Secretariat will explore involvement of COC when relevant. |
|
March 2025 |
IARC 5 year strategy. |
July 2025: Secretariat noted IARC have a medium-term strategy document. The current version covers 2021-2025, with a 2026-2030 in development. With respect to the IARC Monographs an Advisory Group report is available recommending priorities for 2025-2029. |
Topics not considered a priority or outside COC’s remit
|
Meeting raised |
Topic |
Status |
|
November 2024 |
The risk evaluation for tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP). |
November 2024: Not considered a priority and Secretariat notes this is likely to be within COT’s remit if it were to be progressed. |
|
November 2024 |
A reconsideration of car flame retardants. |
November 2024: Not considered a priority and Secretariat notes this is likely to be within COT’s remit if it were to be progressed. |
|
November 2024 |
Human risk of exposure to microplastics and microfibres. |
July 2025: COT has previously published an overarching statement and two substatements on microplastics November 2025: COMEAP has recently published its statement on inhaled nano- and microplastic air pollution. Information on the SETE assessments undertaken to sit alongside this are provided below. |
Topics to be kept under a watching brief or not yet prioritised
|
Meeting raised |
Topic |
Status |
|
November 2024 |
Chemicals in air fresheners used in the home. |
November 2024: Not prioritised to date. Secretariat notes that if prioritised, consideration if required on whether this should sit with COC or other Committees. |
|
November 2024 |
Risk of cancer from the regular use of mouth wash. |
November 2024: Not assessed further at this time. July 2025: Secretariat note – any consideration would require discussion with OPSS. |
|
November 2024 |
AI |
July 2025: COT is holding a workshop on AI in risk assessment alongside the October 2025 meeting. November 2025: COT workshop held in October – background paper provided to COT for discussion is attached at Annex A of this paper (to note this is reserved as it contains pre-publication material); workshop report to follow in due course. |
|
November 2024 |
PFAS |
July 2025: COT subgroup undertaking review of PFAS; Secretariat will explore involvement of COC when relevant. |
|
March 2025 |
IARC 5 year strategy. |
July 2025: Secretariat noted IARC have a medium-term strategy document. The current version covers 2021-2025, with a 2026-2030 in development. With respect to the IARC Monographs an Advisory Group report is available recommending priorities for 2025-2029. |