Figure 1: The assessment of toxicological risks is a complex, multistage process followed by risk management measures. New stimuli provided by research are based on the further development of existing methods as well as on the establishment of new methods, such as ‘in silico toxicology’, computer-aided methods of structure-activity relationships and other approaches. Detailed knowledge of the mode of action (toxicodynamics) and the behaviour of xenobiotics in the organism (toxicokinetics) are the basis of solid risk assessment. On the other hand, research also benefits from knowledge gained from processes of risk assessment because of the identification of knowledge gaps and future research necessities.