The new bio-composite materials are used for different products such as canal bank protection elements and as façade building elements. The framework is based on European environmental risk assessment guidelines, and it includes four key steps: (i) hazard identification, (ii) dose–response modelling, (iii) exposure assessment and (iv) risk characterisation (i.e. assessment). As part of the first step, laboratory leaching tests were carried out to evaluate the potential release of specific chemical substances such as heavy metals and resin compounds into the aquatic environment. Laboratory test results were then used as input data to evaluate the risk of potential leaching into surface water. A deterministic model was used first to identify the chemicals exceeding the guideline threshold. Subsequently, a stochastic model was applied to evaluate the uncertainties of the input data. Concerning canal bank protection element, the risk analyses were conducted for four alternative bio-composite materials made of different ingredients, two