Scientific Opinion of the EFSA Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR) on Guidance on dermal absorption

This guidance on the assessment of dermal absorption has been developed to assist notifiers, users of test facilities and Member State authorities on critical aspects related to the setting of dermalabsorption values to be used in risk assessments of chemical plant protection products. It is based onthe opinion on the science behind the revision of the guidance document on dermal absorption (EFSA,2011) to which the guidance refers to in many instances. Basic details of experimental design,available elsewhere, have not been addressed but recommendations specific to performing andinterpreting dermal absorption studies with plant protection products are given. Issues discussedinclude a brief description of the skin and its properties affecting dermal absorption. To facilitate useof the guidance, flow charts are included. Guidance is also provided, for example, when there are nodata on dermal absorption for the product under evaluation. Elements for a tiered approach arepresented including use of default values, data on closely related products,