Analysis of the evidence to support the definition of specific protection goals for terrestrial organisms—Part 1: Proposed strategy

Abstract

The review of the Terrestrial Ecotoxicology Guidance concerns three groups of non-target organisms (NTOs): non-target arthropods other than bees, in-soil organisms and non-target terrestrial plants. Thus, specific protection goals (SPGs) would need to be defined for all these groups. In view of the link between direct and indirect effects, the need to include considerations of indirect effects via trophic interactions when setting SPGs was recognised. This document serves to illustrate the strategy proposed by the Working Group for supporting Risk Managers in the definition of the SPGs. The methodology uses as a starting point previous Scientific Opinions of the PPR Panel where SPG options were comprehensively explored. Following an analysis and synthesis of such Opinions, the Working Group has elaborated further the various options and has identified key aspects requiring further consideration, mainly pertaining to the definition of the magnitude of acceptable effects and the related timescale. To address those aspects a methodology for building multiple lines of evidence is presented.