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The OECD chemicals testing programme
No.2
N3
THE OECD CHEMICALS TESTING PROGRAMME
Early in 1978, five technical expert groups were established within the OECD "Chemicals Testing Programme". These expert groups have the task to help prepare the technical basis for the international harmonization of the control of chemicals. In particular, these expert groups were called upon to select such properties of chemicals whose knowledge would contribute significantly toward the assessment of the potential hazard of chemicals to man and the environment. They were to subsequently describe laboratory test methods suitable to investigate chemicals in general, and in particular, new chemicals on the market. In addition, recommendations were to be made with respect to optimizing step by step approaches to testing new chemicals. The following five OECD expert groups were established: - Physical Chemistry Degradation/Accumulation - Ecotoxicology - Long-Term Toxicology - Short-Term Toxicology In according with their working mandate, these expert groups will report to the 0ECD Chemicals Group at the end of 1979. It is to be expected that these reports will contain - relevance of individual physical-chemical and biological properties to the hazard assessment of chemicals synoptic reviews of test standards recommended methods (individual Test Guidelines) appropriate literature references - recommendations for further work - preliminary suggestions for certain parts of the overall hazard evaluation of chemicals. In addition to the five technical groups, an 0ECD expert group was established in early 1978 to consider hierarchical approaches toward the testing and evaluation of chemicals. In establishing this group it was felt that such hierarchical approaches may be necessary when considering international harmonization of the control of chemicals, since already today some 45.000 "old" substances are on the market and several thousands are entering commerce yearly world-wide and complete testing of all these chemicals seems unpractical. It is to be expected that the 0ECD will publish the results of these expert groups in 1980. -
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F. Schmidt-Bleek
N3
THE OECD CHEMICALS TESTING PROGRAMME
Early in 1978, five technical expert groups were established within the OECD "Chemicals Testing Programme". These expert groups have the task to help prepare the technical basis for the international harmonization of the control of chemicals. In particular, these expert groups were called upon to select such properties of chemicals whose knowledge would contribute significantly toward the assessment of the potential hazard of chemicals to man and the environment. They were to subsequently describe laboratory test methods suitable to investigate chemicals in general, and in particular, new chemicals on the market. In addition, recommendations were to be made with respect to optimizing step by step approaches to testing new chemicals. The following five OECD expert groups were established: - Physical Chemistry Degradation/Accumulation - Ecotoxicology - Long-Term Toxicology - Short-Term Toxicology In according with their working mandate, these expert groups will report to the 0ECD Chemicals Group at the end of 1979. It is to be expected that these reports will contain - relevance of individual physical-chemical and biological properties to the hazard assessment of chemicals synoptic reviews of test standards recommended methods (individual Test Guidelines) appropriate literature references - recommendations for further work - preliminary suggestions for certain parts of the overall hazard evaluation of chemicals. In addition to the five technical groups, an 0ECD expert group was established in early 1978 to consider hierarchical approaches toward the testing and evaluation of chemicals. In establishing this group it was felt that such hierarchical approaches may be necessary when considering international harmonization of the control of chemicals, since already today some 45.000 "old" substances are on the market and several thousands are entering commerce yearly world-wide and complete testing of all these chemicals seems unpractical. It is to be expected that the 0ECD will publish the results of these expert groups in 1980. -
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F. Schmidt-Bleek