Cefic’s Long-Range Research Initiative Celebrates 25 Years of Pioneering Chemical Safety & Sustainability

Since its launch in 1999, Cefic’s Long-Range Research Initiative (LRI) has pioneered independent, transparent, and high-quality research to address pressing societal challenges, including environmental emissions, persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity (PBT), human biomonitoring, and advancing alternatives to animal testing. On this occasion, LRI has released an anniversary book which traces the programme’s journey in advancing chemical safety by showcasing its achievements. The book also highlights the programme’s vision for the future.

Over 25 years, LRI has transformed ambitious ideas into actionable solutions, delivering tools, methodologies, and insights trusted by industry, academia, and regulatory bodies worldwide. These efforts have delivered tangible impacts— advancing chemical safety assessments. The programme has awarded approximately 90 million euros to address European public health strategy priorities.

Key achievements include the funding of over 250 projects, the development of 25+ tools and databases, and substantial contributions to global regulatory standards like OECD test guidelines. These efforts have improved risk assessment, contributed to alternatives to animal testing, and aligned with EU sustainability goals.

Looking ahead, LRI remains steadfast in its core objectives, which aim to:

• Understand exposure to chemicals;
• Investigate the effects of exposure to chemicals on human health and environment;
• Develop tools and approaches to improve chemical risk assessment.

Future work will aim to address biodiversity, advancing safety and sustainability assessment to support the digital and green transitions, and innovating methodologies for complex substances. LRI will continue its commitment to transparent and cutting-edge research, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.