MEED Workshop Series: Progress and Key Outcomes
This page is dedicated to Eurometaux members who are not MEED sponsors but wish to stay informed about the overall progress of the project. Below, you will find a brief summary of the main themes of the workshops held so far.
2022 01 31- 11 02 01 Workshops 1 and 2
The inaugural MEED Sponsors Committee met in 2022 for two days of workshop that provided a comprehensive overview of the MEED project, its objectives, and progress to date. Participants explored the project's role in addressing regulatory challenges, particularly the Mixtures Allocation Factor (MAF) and the Zero Pollution Action Plan (ZPAP).
Key updates were shared on exposure assessments, scientific research, and advocacy strategies, alongside discussions on the sponsorship framework, budget planning, and next steps. The meeting also outlined upcoming workshops and data collection efforts, ensuring alignment with regulatory timelines.
Attendees actively engaged in setting project priorities, emphasising the importance of broad stakeholder participation to strengthen a science-based response to evolving policy requirements.
2022 05 10- MEED Workshop 3
The third MEED follow-up workshop provided sponsors and participants with key updates on ongoing projects addressing the Mixtures Assessment Factor (MAF) and Inorganic Priority Contributing Substances (I-PCS). The final MAF 2 project report was shared, highlighting the identification of key substances contributing to potential mixture risks in aquatic and soil compartments. Additionally, participants were reminded to provide feedback on interim reports related to metals mixtures and metals-organics interactions. The workshop also facilitated discussions on refining risk assessments and improving regulatory approaches for metals under REACH. A poster summarising MEED’s structure and early outcomes, presented at the SETAC workshop, was included, reflecting strong interest from the regulatory community.
2022 06 21 - MEED Workshop 4
This fourth workshop focused on advancing key aspects of the metals’ mixtures and regional exposure projects. Discussions covered the refinement of the metals’ mixtures testing phase (Project 4), the review of regional exposure data collection (Project 1a), and the development of a survey to estimate prospective emissions (Project 2). Sponsors were provided with response-to-comments documents, workshop slides, and an outline of upcoming tasks, including data collection efforts and expert engagement. The session also highlighted the next steps, with a follow-up workshop scheduled for 21 September to refine testing methodologies for both metals and metals-organic mixtures. Sponsors were encouraged to provide input on key scientific questions, ensuring the robustness of the experimental design.
2022 09 21 - MEED Workshop 5
The fifth MEED workshop focused on Project 1A and 1B, presenting updates on regional ambient metals concentrations across different environmental compartments. The discussion aimed at refining exposure assessments for metals and inorganics, contributing to MISA updating obligations, MAF input assessment, ZPAP, and WFD compliance.
2023 01 31 to 1st of February - MEED Workshop 6
The sixth workshop delivered key updates on the progress, financial status, and strategic direction of the MEED programme. Participants reviewed milestones achieved in 2022 and outlined priorities for 2023, ensuring alignment with regulatory developments. Discussions focused on key projects, including the municipal sewage treatment plant (STP) study (Project 2), the regional ambient exposure assessment (Project 1), and the metals-organics mixture effects study (Project 4).
The workshop highlighted advancements in data collection and analysis, particularly in refining exposure estimates for metals in water, soil, and sediments. A new methodology using Waterbase datasets was introduced to identify relevant metal-organic interactions, shaping a targeted testing approach for potential mixture effects. Next steps included finalising exposure reports, refining metal-organic testing methodologies, and preparing for upcoming workshops to assess findings.
Additionally, sponsors were briefed on upcoming engagements, including planned SETAC Europe presentations and a dedicated session with RIVM to exchange insights on mixtures assessment for metals. The European Commission’s evolving stance on the MAF was discussed, reinforcing the importance of MEED’s role in developing a scientifically robust alternative approach for metals.
2023 04 18 - MEED Workshop 7
The seventh MEED sponsor workshop focused on the regional sediment assessment (Project 1a), part of the broader effort to update EU regional exposure levels for water, soil, and sediment based on monitoring data. Unlike water and soil, no single EU-wide sediment dataset exists, requiring a country- or region-specific approach. Several datasets, including Foregs, Norman, Burton, EU-AVS, and national sources, were reviewed, covering at least 15 metals, including I-PCS metals.
Key discussions included data validation, statistical handling, and trend analysis, particularly using the Flemish sediment dataset, which integrates long-term monitoring, biological data, and ecotoxicity assessments.
Next steps include expanding datasets, refining trend analyses, and updating conclusions ahead of the next MEED workshop on 2nd of April. Sponsors are encouraged to share additional national sediment monitoring data and STP metal concentration records to support ongoing assessments.
2023 05 02 - MEED Workshop 8 on Ecorelevance held at SETAC
The workshop, held during SETAC Dublin, focused on the Ecorelevance project, which aims to develop a toolbox for assessing the impact of metals emissions on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The session provided an overview of key methodologies, including ecological risk calculation tools, conventional biomonitoring methods, and molecular biomonitoring approaches, to support metals mixtures assessments.
2023 06 26 - MEED Workshop 9
The ninth MEED sponsor workshop provided key updates on ongoing projects, focusing on regional exposure assessments, wastewater treatment plant emissions, metals mixtures, and ecorelevance methodologies. Discussions covered refinements to the I-PCS identification process, final assessments of aquatic, soil, and sediment data, and the STP study’s conclusions on municipal wastewater emissions. The session also built on insights from SETAC Dublin, advancing the Ecorelevance project to refine tools for assessing metals’ impact on biodiversity. Updates on metals and metals-organics mixtures set the stage for further refinements in the coming workshop scheduled on 30 August
2023 08 30 - MEED Workshop 10 - Ghent meeting
The tenth MEED sponsors workshop held in Ghent marked a significant step forward in assessing mixture effects and ecological relevance for metals regulation. The first results of the testing program from Project 5 provided concrete insights into how metals interact in mixtures, while Project 4 focused on planning the testing phase for metals with organics. A major milestone was the launch of a pilot case under Project 3, aimed at helping companies demonstrate compliance with mixture assessment rules. Additionally, Project 6 saw an important update with Rare Earths input in the I-PCS report, ensuring a more comprehensive dataset for regulatory discussions. With clear progress across multiple fronts, the workshop reinforced MEED’s position as a critical initiative for shaping science-based metals regulation.
2024 04 19 - MEED Workshop 11
The eleventh workshop focused on the financial status and future funding needs of the program. Sponsors reviewed the 2023 financial results and acknowledged the upcoming budgetary demands for 2024 and 2025, particularly due to the launch of the metals-metals and metals-organics testing phase and the Ecorelevance project.
Discussions highlighted the importance of securing VLAIO funding for the Ecorelevance project.
2024 10 17-18 – MEED Workshop 12 - Oostende
The twelfth MEED sponsor workshop took place over two days in Oostende, covering financial updates, project progress, and regulatory integration.
Day 1 focused on MEED’s financial status and project updates, with discussions on metals and metals-organics mixtures (Projects 4 & 5) and how to incorporate mixture risk into regulatory frameworks.
Day 2 highlighted Project 3 (Ecorelevance – AQUADIVERS), providing new insights into metals' impact on biodiversity. The Mesocosm study presented progress on MAF validation, followed by a session on next steps for administration and communication.
For technical information about the project, please contact us at meed@eurometaux.be
Last page update: 27 February 2025