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To reduce the exposure of bees and other pollinating insects to plant protection products, ANSES recommended, in its opinion of 23 November 2018, strengthening the national provisions imposing restrictions on product use during periods when crops attract these insects. The Agency is now publishing a new opinion aimed at improving risk assessment methods for marketing authorisation applications. ANSES recommends relying on the EFSA guidance document, in order to better assess the long-term risks for bees and other pollinators. In addition, the Agency stresses the need to set regulatory threshold values for chronic risks at European level, in order to harmonise the criteria used for making decisions on marketing authorisation for products.

Testing of exposure to waves emitted by mobile telephones was modified in 2016 to take changes in models and uses into account. Since then, manufacturers have been required to assess exposure under realistic conditions of use, i.e. when the telephone is placed very close to the body, at a maximum distance of 5 mm. However, many telephones complying with the earlier regulations, and still in use, generate high levels of exposure when placed close to the body. ANSES was therefore asked to assess the possible health effects associated with these exposure conditions. Following its expert appraisal, ANSES recommends that measures be taken to ensure that users are no longer subject to high levels of exposure when telephones are carried close to the body.

Every day, firefighters face an array of risk factors, including exposure to the chemicals usually produced by combustion products during fires, and to biological and physical agents. They also face organisational constraints, such as irregular working hours, and psychosocial hazards, such as exposure to violence. ANSES has examined the health risks associated with the activities of firefighters and reviewed the preventive measures. The Agency is underlining the benefits of centralising health monitoring data. It is also recommending continued medical follow-up for firefighters who have retired from the job, in order to improve knowledge of their health and exposure, as well as to identify the activities with the highest levels of risk. Lastly, it is emphasising the need to take better account of the chronic risks faced by firefighters following exposure during and after firefighting operations.