The constant increasing use of nanomaterials in consumer products prompts the urgency of making available standardised and reliable in vitro test methods for toxicity screening to the scientific community. For this purpose, the determination of the cellular dose, i.e. the amount of nanomaterials effectively in contact with the cells is fundamental for an accurate determination of nanomaterial dose responses.

The overall cereal yield forecast at the EU-28 level of the September bulletin is maintained, and remains below the five-year average, with delays to summer crops harvesting and winter sowing manageable.

Further information: Contrasting end-of-season weather conditions for latest crop forecast in Europe

In close collaboration with scientists from the German Robert Koch Institute, the French ANSES and the Swiss Laboratory SPIEZ, the JRC contributed to the organisation of a proficiency test (PT) to evaluate the ability of European expert laboratories to detect staphylococcal enterotoxin B in milk. Among the methods used by the participants, ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) – based methods demonstrated their efficiency. Results of the PT revealed that there is further room for improvement.