We advise authorities, promote research and provide education and training in human toxicology

The Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), based in Basel and affiliated with leading Swiss universities, is a national competence center for regulatory toxicology. SCAHT operates at the interface of science, regulation, education, and communication, supporting the Swiss Confederation—represented by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI)—in safeguarding public health. Its core mission is to advance chemical safety assessment by developing and applying human-relevant, mechanism-based methods, known as New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), and to promote their regulatory acceptance.

SCAHT provides expert advice to federal and cantonal authorities, including the Federal Offices for Public Health (FOPH), the Environment (FOEN), and Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (FSVO). The Centre contributes to international regulatory initiatives such as OECD expert groups, the European Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC), and the EU roadmap towards phasing out animal testing. Through its applied research program, SCAHT funds collaborative projects on priority health issues like endocrine disruption and developmental neurotoxicity, and is involved in flagship EU projects such as CHIASMA and ONTOX.

In parallel, SCAHT is deeply engaged in graduate and continuing education, including the coordination of training for Swiss authorities and international stakeholders. It also leads outreach initiatives to foster dialogue between scientists, regulators, and the public. By bridging science and policy, SCAHT plays a key role in the transition to more ethical, efficient, and predictive toxicological testing in Switzerland and beyond.