Using problem formulation for an efficient, fit-for-purpose risk assessment of microbial plant protection products

Anne K. Steenbergh; Gertie Arts; Peter A.H.M. Bakker; Wietse de Boer; Debora C.M. Glandorf; Mechteld M.S. ter Horst; Rob de Jonge; Willem Jan de Kogel; Jürgen Köhl

doi:10.1186/s12302-025-01062-4

Using problem formulation for an efficient, fit-for-purpose risk assessment of microbial plant protection products

Anne K. Steenbergh^*
, Gertie Arts
, Peter A.H.M. Bakker
, Wietse de Boer
, Debora C.M. Glandorf
, Mechteld M.S. ter Horst
, Rob de Jonge
, Willem Jan de Kogel
, Jürgen Köhl

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

The safety of the use of microbial plant protection products (PPP) is assessed before the products can be placed on the market. Due to large differences amongst microbial PPP a case-by-case approach is needed for this assessment. We propose to use the problem formulation approach based on pathways to harm to tailor the assessment to individual microbial PPP and to harmonise this approach when possible. The steps in problem formulation are described and examples are given of how the approach can be used for case-by-case assessments of microbial PPP. We also describe which other elements are needed to fully optimise the risk assessment of microbial PPP and how our approach fits in with the current EU regulatory framework and ongoing activities.

Original language	English
Article number	24
Pages (from-to)	1-14
Number of pages	15
Journal	Environmental Sciences Europe
Volume	37
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-025-01062-4
Publication status	Published - 8 Feb 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2025.

Funding

Partly funded by Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, The Netherlands under BO-43-102.01-010. We acknowledge financial support from the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (BO-43-102.01-010).

Funders	Funder number
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature
Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature	BO-43-102.01-010

Keywords

Microbial plant protection products
Problem formulation
Risk assessment

Access to Document

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s12302-025-01062-4Final published version, 2.68 MBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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abstract = "The safety of the use of microbial plant protection products (PPP) is assessed before the products can be placed on the market. Due to large differences amongst microbial PPP a case-by-case approach is needed for this assessment. We propose to use the problem formulation approach based on pathways to harm to tailor the assessment to individual microbial PPP and to harmonise this approach when possible. The steps in problem formulation are described and examples are given of how the approach can be used for case-by-case assessments of microbial PPP. We also describe which other elements are needed to fully optimise the risk assessment of microbial PPP and how our approach fits in with the current EU regulatory framework and ongoing activities.",

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AU - Arts, Gertie

AU - Bakker, Peter A.H.M.

AU - de Boer, Wietse

AU - Glandorf, Debora C.M.

AU - ter Horst, Mechteld M.S.

AU - de Jonge, Rob

AU - de Kogel, Willem Jan

AU - Köhl, Jürgen

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AB - The safety of the use of microbial plant protection products (PPP) is assessed before the products can be placed on the market. Due to large differences amongst microbial PPP a case-by-case approach is needed for this assessment. We propose to use the problem formulation approach based on pathways to harm to tailor the assessment to individual microbial PPP and to harmonise this approach when possible. The steps in problem formulation are described and examples are given of how the approach can be used for case-by-case assessments of microbial PPP. We also describe which other elements are needed to fully optimise the risk assessment of microbial PPP and how our approach fits in with the current EU regulatory framework and ongoing activities.

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KW - Problem formulation

KW - Risk assessment

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Using problem formulation for an efficient, fit-for-purpose risk assessment of microbial plant protection products

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

Keywords

Access to Document

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