EU Regulation Research Articles

Emergency preparedness in healthcare systems: the “policy-effect” of COVID-19

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted that health services preparedness is crucial. Indeed, effective planning enables streamline operations, optimized resource allocation, and transparent communication during crises. Within this context, our analysis aims to assess EU countries’ healthcare systems preparedness, by policies analysis and capacity factor analysis, and relationship with COVID-19. We reviewed policies regarding influenza, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and climate change in EU countries, using a web-screening of national and international authorities and institutions. Furthermore, we performed a factor analysis on WHO’s States Party Self-Assessment Reporting (SPAR) and evaluated the results using an iterated principal factor analysis with promax rotation. Few countries updated their policies after the pandemic, particularly regarding influenza plans. Italy stands out as an exception, having updated its national plan in 2021, while other countries maintain pre-COVID plans. Regarding AMR, only few countries, including Sweden, Netherlands, Malta, Germany, Spain, Belgium, and France, updated their plans post-pandemic, while Estonia and Romania lack plans entirely. Addressing the climate crisis and its impacts on health and healthcare resilience, all EU countries aligned with the EC regulation on climate action through National Energy and Climate Plans in 2023. Moreover, EU countries had average preparedness level of 75.77 (SD: 8.23), calculated on SPAR 2022, with significant disparities. Three major factors contribute to preparedness levels: planning, service delivery, and specific subtopics (e.g. food safety, radiation, infectious diseases). Our findings reveal the complexity of preparedness, showing diverse approaches across countries, despite EU regulations and WHO guidelines. International collaboration is crucial to standardize policies and enable countries to leverage successful examples, improving public health outcomes. Key messages • Health services preparedness, underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic, is crucial for effective planning and crisis management. • The analysis demonstrates varying levels of preparedness across EU countries, with differences in policy updates and adherence to international guidelines.

Disability-adjusted life years 19 former socialist economies in the European region, 1990-2019

Abstract Background Within the Western Balkan Strategic Partnership Project (Work Package 4: Use of Population Health Metrics for Enhanced Surveillance), we conducted a study to describe health progress in 19 former socialist economies (FSEs) in Europe from 1990 to 2019. Our metric of choice was age and sex-standardized rates per 100,000 population of total disability-adjusted life years (ASR-DALY). Methods We applied joinpoint regression with extracted ASR-DALY data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation result tool. The annual per cent change (APC) and average annual per cent change (AAPC) from 1990 to 2019 were analyzed in 19 former socialist economies (FSEs) in Europe, including Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH), Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine. Results The ASR-DALY decreased in Estonia (APC1994-1997= -5.2%, p = 0.034; APC2013-2019= -0.7%, p = 0.07), Latvia (APC1994-1997= -6.3%, p = 0.03; APC1997-2007= -1%, p = 0.001; APC2007-2011= -3.9%, p = 0.01), BH (APC1995-1998= -13.3%, p = 0.041; APC1998-2019= -0.5%, p = 0.004), Bulgaria (APC1997-2000= -2.5%, p = 0.022), Lithuania (APC2007-2010= -4.9%, p = 0.018), North Macedonia (APC2007-2011= -1.9%, p = 0.023, APC2011-2019= -0.5%, p = 0.005), Czechia (APC2014-2019= -0.6%, p = 0.014), Moldavia (APC1998-2007= -0.6%, p = 0.06), and Ukraine (APC1995-2008= -0.5%, p = 0.035). Slovenia performed the best amongst the FSEs (ASR-DALY2019: 16677.51 for women, 21985.95 for men and 19134.73 for both sexes), Ukraine the worst (ASR-DALY2019: 26154.88 for women, 47983.60 for men and 35852.17 for both sexes). Conclusions Except for Ukraine, all FSEs in the European region achieved health improvement. The most common was a three-year decline in ASR-DALY. Health policy changes, investments in health care, and harmonization with EU regulations were among the factors contributing to improved population health in the FSEs. Key messages • Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only FSE in Europe with a continuous 24-year decline in total ASR-DALY. • Reducing total ASR-DALY significantly in a three-year time frame is possible.

Collaborative efforts of the Joint Action PreventNCD and the WHO Europe to protect children from harmful marketing

Abstract Control and counter the effects of advertisements and online marketing is one of the policy actions that will be explored within the JA Prevent NCD that has the overall aim to “reduce the burden of cancer and other NCDs and common risk factors, both at a personal and societal level, and support member states by taking a holistic approach for the prevention of cancer and other NCDs, through coordinated action”. The work that will be building on the JA Best-ReMaP sustainability framework recommendations to improve the effective implementation of policies to reduce harmful marketing of unhealthy food, would at the same time comprehensively address also tobacco and alcohol maketing. Thirteen different countries are involved in the work package on regulation and taxation that has the overall objective to “improve compliance, coherence, wider implementation and enforcement of fiscal and regulative measures targeting major NCD-risks factors.” This includes a broad range of tasks from mapping existing policies and frameworks, accumulating knowledge on health taxes and fiscal policies, promoting the use of joint nutrient profile models, assessing the impact of labelling on products to create healthier behaviors, supporting the implementation of policies to reduce the impact of harmful marketing, strengthening regulations towards hazardous substances and developing monitoring indicators for policies for prevention of NCD. An overview of the concrete collaborative actions to support the implementation of the marketing regulation will be given: (1) on JA work with the MSs and especially presidency countries, to allow for the discussions on the development of the EU regulation for reduction of the harmful marketing; (2) on the EU stakeholders positions regarding marketing regulation; (3) on the collaborative actions in scaling up the KidAd app. (5) the development of an algorithm to detect alcohol, tobacco and nicotine-containing products will be jointly developed and piloted.

Communication of EU agricultural antibiotic use policies to farmers & implications for public health

Abstract Background It is estimated that by 2050, ten million people will die each year from antimicrobial resistant infections. AMR is driven by the improper use of antimicrobials, particularly in agriculture. 73% of the antimicrobials sold globally are used in food-producing animals. Problem EU regulations 2019/6 and 2019/4 on veterinary medications and medicated feed require behavior change by farmers to reduce their antimicrobial use. While this is welcomed by public health professionals, the response of the farming community is more complicated, as these regulations exist within the complex context of the global food system and current political unrest between farmers and the EU. Given the influential role of agricultural media for farmers’ decision making, it is critical to understand how AMR and associated public health and EU policies are being communicated to farmers and how the views of specific stakeholders including farmer representative organizations, veterinary bodies and government regulators are being represented. To examine this problem, a case study content analysis of three major agricultural newspapers in Ireland is undertaken. Results Preliminary results suggest that AMR and AMU have been covered in the agricultural media with specific coverage on these EU policies. This includes negative coverage, with key terms such as “threatens”, “risk”, or “warns”, as well as potentially positive views (e.g. “hope”). Preliminary results also suggest that the agricultural media might be a useful source to identify the farming community’s concerns and reactions to EU policy, for example calls by farmer representative bodies for the national government to intervene. Lessons Public health professionals must recognize the important role of farmers in addressing AMR. Evaluating how EU policies on AMR are represented in the agricultural media can help to better understand how this public health issue and its solutions are being communicated to these important stakeholders. Key messages • Public health professionals must recognize the importance of animal health and the role of farmers in addressing the AMR problem. • It is critical to evaluate how EU policies on AMR and associated One Health issues are communicated to non-public health professionals.

Waste Bread as Raw Material for Ethanol Production: Effect of Mash Preparation Methods on Fermentation Efficiency

The issue of managing waste bread is a global concern, with significant environmental and the economic implications. The utilisation of waste bread for bioethanol production, employing energy-saving technology, could prevent these consequences and reduce the consumption of traditionally used fossil fuels. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the type of waste bread (wheat and wheat–rye sourdough) and the mash preparation method on the results of alcoholic fermentation and the concentration of selected congeners in the distillates. The highest fermentation efficiency (96% of theoretical) was achieved for both types of bread through the utilisation of the pressureless starch liberation method combined with simultaneous saccharification and fermentation. The separate saccharification of starch resulted in lower process efficiencies (from 85.75 to 88.60% of theoretical). The application of the native starch hydrolysis method (without starch activation) for the fermentation of wheat bread-based mashes exhibited a higher efficiency (87.85% of the theoretical) than that observed for the wheat–rye bread-based mash sample (83.74% of theoretical). All of the obtained spirit distillates exhibited a low concentration of methanol (≤300 mg/L alcohol 100% v/v) and comply with the requirements of the EU regulation for ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin (rectified spirit).

Rapid Classification of Milk Using a Cost-Effective Near Infrared Spectroscopy Device and Variable Cluster-Support Vector Machine (VC-SVM) Hybrid Models.

Removing fat from whole milk and adding water to milk to increase its volume are among the most common food fraud practices that alter the characteristics of milk. Usually, deviations from the expected fat content can indicate adulteration. Infrared spectroscopy is a commonly used technique for distinguishing pure milk from adulterated milk, even when it comes from different animal species. More recently, portable spectrometers have enabled in situ analysis with analytical performance comparable to that of benchtop instruments. Partial Least Square (PLS) analysis is the most popular tool for developing calibration models, although the increasing availability of portable near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has led to the use of alternative supervised techniques, including support vector machine (SVM). The aim of this study was to develop and implement a method based on the combination of a compact and low-cost Fourier Transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectrometer and variable cluster-support vector machine (VC-SVM) hybrid model for the rapid classification of milk in accordance with EU Regulation EC No. 1308/2013 without any pre-treatment. The results obtained from the external validation of the VC-SVM hybrid model showed a perfect classification capacity (100% sensitivity, 100% specificity, MCC = 1) for the radial basis function (RBF) kernel when used to classify whole vs. not-whole and skimmed vs. not-skimmed milk samples. A strong classification capacity (94.4% sensitivity, 100% specificity, MCC = 0.95) was also achieved in discriminating semi-skimmed vs. not-semi-skimmed milk samples. This approach provides the dairy industry with a practical, simple and efficient solution to quickly identify skimmed, semi-skimmed and whole milk and detect potential fraud.

The complex relationship between geo-blocking and territorial licences viewed through the two prisms of copyright law and competition law

ABSTRACT The article critically evaluates the controversial technology i.e. geo-blocking, through two related prisms, digital copyright (in particular, audio-visual services) and, EU Competition Law. Two EU Regulations are key to this analysis: the Portability Regulation and the Geo-blocking Regulation. Compellingly, there are both contradictions and tensions between these two Regulations when it comes to copyright-protected services. The discordant legislative provisions are not the sole quandary; the General Court’s ruling in the Groupe Canal + case is generally anti-geoblocking in tone. By ruling against absolute territorial protection in the context of pay-TV licences, the General Court indirectly challenges the geo-blocking clauses in the aforementioned licences. While the CJEU annulled the General Court’s decision on grounds of proportionality, concerns relating to the fate of geo-blocking clauses in licensing agreements still prevail. An analysis of the two contradictory Regulations and the Groupe Canal + judgment suggests an apparent diminishing role for geo-blocking technology in the context of copyright-protected audio-visual services. However, vigorous lobbying efforts by the audio-visual sector introduce an element of uncertainty, meaning that the rescission of the copyright carve-out in the Geo-blocking Regulation is not a foregone conclusion by any means.

A County-Level Analysis of the Economic Performance in Romania and Bulgaria Using Hierarchical Algorithms

The EU Regional Competitiveness Index 2.0 measures a region’s ability to provide an attractive environment for businesses and residents to work and live. According to this indicator, countries in the southern and eastern regions of the European Union are reported to have the lowest values. As it measures the performance of NUTS-2 regions, it was desired to study the problem in more detail, reaching the NUTS-3 level. Thus, within the current research, Romania and Bulgaria are studied by means of a county-level analysis of the economies of the two states established through the prism of the labor market, the field of health, transport, enterprises, tourism, education, and research. Through eight indicators, a series of maps designed to present the situation of the two states was illustrated, and the investigation continued with a cluster analysis carried out by the implementation of hierarchical algorithms. During the course of the current study, a classification and a ranking of the counties of the two countries were performed to determine the areas with the best or, in contrast, the poorest performance.

Mapping interpretations of the law in online content moderation in Germany

Content moderation is a vital condition that online platforms must facilitate, according to the law, to create suitable online environments for their users. By the law, we mean national or European laws that require the removal of content by online platforms, such as EU Regulation 2021/784, which addresses the dissemination of terrorist content online. Content moderation required by these national or European laws, summarised here as ‘the law’, is different from the moderation of pieces of content that is not directly required by law but instead is conducted voluntarily by the platforms. New regulatory requests create an additional layer of complexity of legal grounds for the moderation of content and are relevant to platforms’ daily decisions. The decisions made are either grounded in reasons stemming from different sources of law, such as international or national provisions, or can be based on contractual grounds, such as the platform's Terms of Service and Community Standards. However, how to empirically measure these essential aspects of content moderation remains unclear. Therefore, we ask the following research question: How do online platforms interpret the law when they moderate online content?To understand this complex interplay and empirically test the quality of a platform's content moderation claims, this article develops a methodology that facilitates empirical evidence of the individual decisions taken per piece of content while highlighting the subjective element of content classification by human moderators. We then apply this methodology to a single empirical case, an anonymous medium-sized German platform that provided us access to their content moderation decisions. With more knowledge of how platforms interpret the law, we can better understand the complex nature of content moderation, its regulation and compliance practices, and to what degree legal moderation might differ from moderation due to contractual reasons in dimensions such as the need for context, information, and time.Our results show considerable divergence between the platform's interpretation of the law and ours. We believe that a significant number of platform legal interpretations are incorrect due to divergent interpretations of the law and that platforms are removing legal content that they falsely believe to be illegal (‘overblocking’) while simultaneously not moderating illegal content (‘underblocking’). In conclusion, we provide recommendations for content moderation system design that takes (legal) human content moderation into account and creates new methodological ways to test its quality and effect on speech in online platforms.

ESG scoring and financial performance in micro and small enterprises

This paper investigates the influence of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles on corporate financial management within micro- and small enterprises. The primary objective is to assess the impact of ESG integration on the financial performance of these firms. The study commences with a comprehensive review of ESG reporting, underscoring its significance in evaluating corporate performance and ensuring long-term sustainability. A mixed-method approach, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative analyses, is employed to examine data from 200 Slovak companies across various industries. The study explores the correlation between ESG assessments and financial metrics, including Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Sales (ROS). The results indicate an ambiguous relationship between ESG scores and financial performance, implying that while ESG adoption is vital for sustainability, its short-term financial advantages may be limited. Additionally, the paper addresses the challenges encountered by Slovak enterprises in ESG reporting, such as insufficient awareness and the perceived financial burden of compliance. Recommendations include broadening the dataset and extending the temporal scope of the analysis for more robust insights. The paper also advocates for heightened awareness of ESG principles through educational programs and the enforcement of EU regulations on ESG reporting. These findings aim to contribute both to academic discourse and the practical application of ESG principles, thereby fostering sustainable business practices in Slovakia.

Correction to: The Macroeconomic Effects of EU Regional Structural Funds

Correction to: The Macroeconomic Effects of EU Regional Structural Funds

Fulfilling the criteria for CLP classification: the implications for substances under the EU chemicals legislation.

The CLP mandates manufacturers and importers to classify substances and mixtures according to hazard criteria, with notifications submitted to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Substances meeting hazard criteria must be appropriately labelled and packaged to communicate hazards effectively. The CLP establishes hazard classification criteria but does not independently prohibit or restrict the use of hazardous chemicals. Instead, it serves as a basis for regulatory obligations in other specific regulations. This study investigates the regulatory implications of meeting hazard criteria under the CLP across EU regulations and directives listed in EU Chemicals Legislation Finder (EUCLEF). The results show that fulfilling criteria for human health hazard classes trigger regulatory obligations in the highest number of regulations/directives, with carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and reproductive toxicity (CMR) leading to obligations in 19 of 20 pieces of legislation linked to the CLP. Conversely, physical, environmental, and ozone layer hazards are associated with fewer regulations and directives, and lead to fewer prohibitions. The study underscores the pivotal role of the CLP in EU chemical legislation and the need for coherence and consistency across regulations. While regulatory obligations are primarily aimed at substances meeting hazard criteria, the variability in self-classification notifications and limitations in harmonized classification processes were observed. Moreover, the complexity of the regulatory structure poses challenges for stakeholders and policymakers, including inconsistencies, compliance difficulties, and the need for frequent revisions. Addressing these challenges is critical for enhancing regulatory effectiveness and ensuring a more coherent and harmonized approach to chemical management in the EU.

Preliminary risk assessment of exposure to 3-monochloropropanediol and glycidyl fatty acid esters from infant formula and baby food products on the Saudi market

3-Monochloropropanediol fatty acid esters (3-MCPDE) and glycidyl esters (GE) are well-identified processing-induced chemical toxicants detected in infant formula and baby foods worldwide. We analysed the levels of 3-MCPDE and GE in infant formula and baby food products available in Saudi Arabia, followed by a dietary risk assessment for exposure to these contaminants in infants and young children from birth to 3 years. Eighty-five commercial infant formulas (n = 35) and baby foods (n = 50) available for consumption by infants and babies purchased from the Saudi market during 2022 were analysed for these contaminants using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. 3-MCPDE and GE were detected in 100 and 80% of the samples, with a mean concentration of 57 µg/kg (range: 2–285 µg/kg) and 30 µg/kg (range: not detected–217 µg/kg), respectively. The highest concentration was found in milk-based formula for infants 0–6 months (285 µg/kg) and the lowest was found in fruit purees (2 µg/kg). Preliminary exposure and risk assessment showed increased exposure to 3-MCPDE for infants exclusively fed infant formula with exposure declining with age due to the introduction of solid foods. GE exposure levels reached 0.8 µg/kg body weight per day, which declined over time with margin of exposure values below 25,000. These results indicate that the levels of 3-MCPDE and GE in infant formula may pose potential risks to infants exclusively fed formula; therefore, adopting EU regulations should reduce the presence of these processing contaminants in essential infant foods.

Corporate Social Responsibility In The EU Regulation

The paper aims to introduce the milestones in the EU regulation on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in general with a special focus on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). EU regulation is introduced based on EU documents and international and Hungarian literature. The debate about CSR began in the 1990s in Europe and after the turn of the millennium several papers, guidelines, and directives attempt to provide a common approach about it. However, CSR relates mainly to big companies still today, smallerfirms can also implement CSR. Despite that research on SMEs’ CSR started after 2000, EU documents already highlighted from the beginning of the 2000s the importance of smaller companies as well, and in 2002 the European Commission drew up a strategy for SMEs. The paper illustrates not only the papers and SMEs’ role but also provides ideas about the sense of the EU regulation on CSR and collects the reasons why couldit be beneficial to have a debate and approach about CSR at the EU level. The paper also presents some information about how the SMEs’ CSR features comply with interview research among SMEs in Győr, Hungary in 2021–2022. It is possible to believe that learning the European approach may contribute to thinking in a more integrated way about how to behave socially responsibly and how to manage social impact.

Comparative Analysis Of Ai Governance In Africa Relative To Global Standards And Practices

Africa as a continent recognizes the need for Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance frameworks. However, despite initiatives like the African Union's Continental AI Strategy, African nations grappled with challenges in formulating comprehensive AI policies, while established global frameworks provided advanced benchmarks for comparison. To address this disparity, this study conducted a comparative analysis of AI governance in Africa relative to global standards and practices. Employing a comprehensive document analysis methodology, the research examined key policy documents, strategic frameworks, and regulatory guidelines across African, European, American, and Asian contexts. The findings revealed that while the African Union demonstrated commitment to coordinated AI governance, African approaches generally lagged behind global benchmarks in comprehensiveness, formalization, and ethical integration. The study identified a notable fragmentation in AI governance across African nations, contrasting with more unified approaches in other regions. African frameworks emphasized leveraging AI for socio-economic development, diverging from the risk mitigation focus seen in EU regulations. The integration of indigenous African ethical perspectives in AI governance frameworks was limited, presenting both challenges and opportunities. Significant disparities in digital infrastructure and AI capacity between Africa and other regions were found to affect governance implementation. The study concluded that despite these challenges, there was potential for Africa to develop innovative, context-specific AI governance models that could contribute valuable insights to the global discourse on responsible AI development. Recommendations included accelerating the implementation of the Continental AI Strategy, prioritizing investment in digital infrastructure, developing Africa-centric AI ethics frameworks, establishing mechanisms for regular benchmarking against global standards, fostering increased collaboration, and implementing AI literacy programs across the continent.

Latvian Sports Regulation in Transition: Navigating Historical Evolution and Contemporary Development Trends

This comprehensive analysis delves into the intricate realm of sports law and policies in Latvia, exploring the historical evolution, administrative framework, and policy landscapes that shape the country's sports sector. The text highlights Latvia's transition from the Centralized Soviet Model to a more autonomous sports system post-independence, reflecting the nation's historical context and pursuit of sporting excellence. It examines the interaction between EU regulations and internal sports governance, emphasizing the balance between market-regulating rules and legitimate sports governance. The study also discusses recent legislative amendments in response to geopolitical events that has shaken the Eastern Europe, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, showcasing Latvia's proactive approach to safeguarding national interests and ethical standards in sports. Furthermore, insights into the implementation of National Anti-Doping Regulations underscore Latvia's commitment to maintaining integrity in sports. The administrative framework involving various stakeholders, including governmental bodies and non-governmental organizations, is analysed to provide a holistic view of sports policy planning and stakeholder engagement in Latvia. Overall, this research sheds light on the evolving landscape of sports law in Latvia and the country's efforts to promote athletic development, fair play, and good governance in sports. The findings will contribute to a deeper understanding of the factors and forces shaping the sports sector in the country. Keywords: sports law and geopolitics, sports governance, sports policies, EU sports law, Latvia

Antimicrobial Properties of Fennel By-Product Extracts and Their Potential Applications in Meat Products.

Background: Beef burgers are perishable meat products, and to extend their shelf life, EU Regulation 1129/11 permits the use of certain additives. Objectives: However, given the concerns of health-conscious consumers and the potential toxicity of synthetic substances, this study aimed to explore the use of fennel waste extracts as natural preservatives. Methods: This study characterized the bioactive compounds (phenolic content), the antioxidant activity (ABTS+ and DPPH assay), and the antimicrobial properties (against Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereusi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) of different fennel waste extracts (LF, liquid fraction; SF, solid fraction and PF, pellet fraction). Additionally, the potential use of the best fennel extract was evaluated for its impact on beef burger shelf life (up to 18 days at 4 ± 1 °C) in terms of microbiological profile, pH, and activity water (aw). Results: The PF extract, which was rich in flavones, hydroxybenzoic, and hydroxycinnamic acids, demonstrated the highest antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Microbiological analyses on beef burgers with PF identified this extract as a potential antimicrobial substance. The aw and pH values did not appear to be affected. Conclusions: In conclusion, fennel extracts could be proposed as natural compounds exploitable in beef burgers to preserve their quality and extend their shelf-life.

Navigating EU Regulations: Challenges for U.S. Technology Firms and the Rise of Europe’s Generative AI Ecosystem

Navigating EU Regulations: Challenges for U.S. Technology Firms and the Rise of Europe’s Generative AI Ecosystem

Electronic documents and electronic signature as a means of concluding an employment contract

This paper investigates the possibility of using electronic documents and the electronic signature as a means of signing and concluding the employment contract between the employee and the employer. Furthermore, the paper analyzes EU Regulation 910/2014 on electronic documents, electronic identification and trust services, and consequently reflects to the existing legal regulations in the field of electronic documentation and labour law in the Republic of North Macedonia that regulate the form and the manner of concluding the employment contract. Lastly, the paper points out specific existing service providers that offer a technical solution for the use of an electronic signature that can also be used for the purpose of concluding an electronic employment contract.

Determination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in six different fish species from Swiss lakes.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants with bioaccumulation potential, particularly affecting aquatic ecosystems and human health also via fish consumption. There is therefore a need for reliable extraction methods and studies to accurately assess PFAS levels in fish, crucial for understanding bioaccumulation and potential toxicological effects on both fish and humans through consumption. This study investigated PFAS levels in freshwater fish from Swiss lakes, focusing on six common species: Coregonus wartmanni, Cyprinus carpio, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Perca fluviatilis, Salmo trutta, and Squalius cephalus. Utilizing an optimized QuEChERS extraction method, 15 PFAS were analyzed in 218 fish fillet samples using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The results were compared to EU regulations and EFSA guidelines for tolerable weekly intake (TWI), with a specific focus on correlations between fish size and PFAS concentration. Our findings reveal significant PFAS contamination, particularly in Perca fluviatilis with perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) levels often exceeding EU safety limits. TWI, calculated for a person of 70kg body weight and an intake of 200g of fish fillet, is exceeded in 95% of Coregonus wartmanni, 100% of Squalius cephalus, and in 55%, 50%, and 36% of the specimens Oncorhynchus mykiss, Salmo trutta, and Perca fluviatilis respectively. Correlation analysis between PFAS concentration and fish size in 121 Salmo trutta specimens revealed significant positive correlations for perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and a negative correlation for perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA). These results underscore the critical need for continuous monitoring and regulatory efforts to mitigate PFAS exposure risks to both ecosystems and human health.