Joint BTS–SETAC UK Workshop

Science Shaping Regulation – Towards Adoption of Animal-Free, Exposure-Driven Approaches in UK Chemical Regulation for Assuring Environmental Safety

In an exciting new collaboration, the British Toxicology Society (BTS) and the SETAC United Kingdom Branch are hosting a joint workshop on “Science shaping regulation – Towards adoption of animal-free, exposure-driven approaches in UK chemical regulation for assuring environmental safety”. The workshop will take place immediately after the BTS Annual Congress (27–29 April) at the VOCO St John’s Hotel on Wednesday, 29 April, from 13:30–18:00 GMT.

Bringing together experts from academia, government, and industry, the workshop will explore how modern exposure science, new approach methodologies (NAMs), and innovative assessment frameworks can shape a more protective, forward-looking UK regulatory system.

Preliminary schedule
Programme
Time Activity
13:30 Arrival, lunch and posters
14:00

Workshop introduction: Geoff Hodges, Unilever/SETAC UK

Presentations to set the scene:

  • Anthony Holmes, NC3Rs/Office for Life Sciences (secondee): "UK progress towards non-animal research and testing - the Government's alternative methods strategy"
  • Luigi Margiotta-Casaluci, King’s College London: "The evolving role of environmental chemical safety assessment: from observation to prediction"
  • Sam Harrison, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, UK-CEH: "Next Generation Environmental Exposure Modelling: Bridging Science and Regulation"
  • Natalie Burden, NC3Rs/BTS: setting the workshop charge: "If we could start from scratch and apply today’s scientific and technological advances, how would we design the most robust and protective environmental safety regulatory framework?" 
14:45

Interactive breakout group discussions on the charge, covering five focus topic areas: 

  • Role of hazard characterisation/NAMs and internal exposure information (facilitated by Natalie Burden, NC3Rs  and Jacob-Joe Collins, Unilever)
  • Role of external exposure/modelling (facilitated by Laura Carter, University of Leeds and Simran Sandhu, Unilever)
  • Incorporation of new science and transparency in decision-making in the paradigm (facilitated by Amy Marriott, NC3Rs and TBC)
  • Translation of a new paradigm to policy (facilitated by Geoff Hodges, Unilever and Emma Marczylo, UK HSA)
  • Role of AI in the new paradigm (facilitated by Tom Miller, Brunel University and TBC)
16:00 Break
16:15 Plenary discussion, including what next steps are necessary to continue these discussions following the workshop, chaired by Tom Miller, Brunel University/SETAC UK.
17:00 Wrap up & poster networking session
18:00 End

This workshop is supported by donations from Unilever and Corteva Agriscience, to meet the cost of running the workshop.

As places are limited and to ensure balanced participation, members interested in attending were encouraged to complete the Expression of Interest form by Friday, 30 January 2026. Following EoI review, SETAC will contact selected participants with registration and abstract submission details.

The workshop directly follows the BTS Annual Congress 2026, held from 27–29 April at the same venue. On the morning of 29 April, BTS and SETAC UK will also co-host a joint symposium on next-generation environmental risk assessment, offering an excellent lead-in to the workshop’s themes and a full day of SETAC UK-relevant scientific exchange. Please view the congress programme online. 

SETAC Full members can benefit from attending the full congress at a reduced registration rate, providing an excellent opportunity to strengthen links across the wider (eco)toxicology community.

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