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This Guidance describes how to perform hazard identification for endocrine‐disrupting properties by following the scientific criteria which are outlined in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/2100 and Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/605 for biocidal products and plant protection products, respectively. This publication is linked to the following EFSA Supporting Publications article: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/sp.efsa.2018.EN-1447/full

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in gastropods from the Lagoon of Venice, Italy. The visceral coil and the rest of the soft body of organisms (Hexaplex trunculus) sampled at two stations inside the lagoon and three stations on the seaward side were analyzed to evaluate their contamination levels. Preferential accumulation of PCBs and pesticides in the visceral coil (>80%) compared with the rest of the soft body was observed, whereas on average, PAHs showed no preferential partitioning. Differences between levels of organochlorine contaminants in the gastropods highlighted a gradient of pollution from the stations inside the lagoon (PCBs, 45–363 ng/g; pesticides, 4–51 ng/g) to the sea (PCBs, 13–131 ng/g; pesticides, 2–29 ng/g). The possible role of the three classes of contaminants, in addition to that of organotin compounds (OTCs), previously analyzed in the same samples, in causing one of the anatomic modifications because of imposex in this gastropod also was studied. A modeling approach by partial least squares (PLS) in latent variables was applied to explain the penis length of imposex‐affected females with concentrations of organic pollutants. The synergistic role of PCBs, pesticides, and OTCs was evidenced, whereas the contribution of PAHs appeared to be very low.

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Production and Use of Reference Materials CRMs for Trace Elements and Nutrients CRMs for Organic Non‐halogenated Compounds CRMs for Organic Halogenated Compounds Future Needs of CRMs References

Biological invasions are a well-documented driver of marine biodiversity change, yet quantitative frameworks to classify invasion stages and guide management remain limited. In the Adriatic Sea, the Atlantic blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is an invasive alien species (IAS) which is widely distributed, reportedly altering ecosystem function and impacting local socio-ecological wellbeing. In response to these challenges, this study aimed to provide a tool which can assess population structure together with invasion dynamics in order to support management action. A coordinated monitoring programme was conducted through the Interreg Italy-Croatia 2021-2027 “BlueDiversity” project, during which IAS across eight pilot areas were monitored. Ecologically relevant morphometrics and demographics were recorded for individuals captured in the traps. Population structure was investigated in four Adriatic regions focused on coastal-marine areas, including estuaries and lagoons protected under Natura 2000. The four regions include: north, central east, central west and south. Morphometric traits (carapace width, length, thickness and weight), demographic indicators (juvenile-to-adult ratio, sex ratio), and catch-per-unit-effort were integrated into the Composite Invasion Index (CII scales from 0 to 10) to classify populations as Arrival, Establishment, or Expansion. Spatial variation in morphology and demographics revealed invasion-stage patterns consistent with ecological theory. Northern populations were adult-dominated and abundant, reflecting intermediate establishment. Central Eastern populations were dominated by adults and relatively less abundant. In contrast, Central West and southern populations exhibited high juvenile proportions, balanced to female dominated sex ratios, and elevated abundance, consistent with active expansion. These patterns aligned with environmental gradients: nutrient-rich northern systems supported stable populations, whereas warmer, more saline southern regions favored recruitment. These findings demonstrate an integrated morphometric and demographic index which provides a scalable framework to operationalize invasion-stage assessments.