The quality criteria of the DEMETRA models for regulatory purposes. Specificity, general lessons and future perspectives

DEMETRA started before the publication of the OECD criteria, and this required the development of independent criteria. This chapter discusses the specific criteria, which have been considered within the EC-funded project DEMETRA. Many of these criteria are similar or related to those listed by OECD. In addition to the quality criteria, great attention is dedicated to the context in which the specific model should be used, which involves the inputs and the outputs of the models, and how they can be used. These criteria are considered, which contribute to the discussion of the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) for regulatory purposes, providing the example of the DEMETRA models. Some of the criteria discussed do not necessarily apply to all QSAR models, but only to models for regulatory purposes.