The focus of the work is on the exchange of experience in the implementation of the REACh regulation, in particular on the topics of exposure, persistence, ecotoxicology, toxicology and risk assessment. In addition to industrial chemicals, the working group also focuses on the evaluation of pesticides, biocides and pharmaceuticals, and new research topics are regularly presented.
The Working Group Chemical Assessment assessment met on March 23, 2022 for an Online meeting. The topic was the presentation and discussion of the results of a UBA project to review the OECD test guidelines relevant to environmental assessment with regard to the state of the art in science and technology.
First, Stefan Hahn from the Fraunhofer ITEM in Hanover presented the background, the procedure and the results of the project to determine and prioritize the potential need for updating OECD test guidelines and to create a list of possible measures. The project aims to record and lay down the need. The actual update of the test guidelines or binding update proposals are not part of the project duration. A total of two surveys and a total of 6 workshops were conducted with the participation of the international scientific community. The project met with great interest and the willingness of many experts to participate in the corresponding revisions. A list of possible updates including justifications is now available, as well as an initial classification of the need to revise the respective test guideline. The next steps have been explained.
For this purpose, Susanne Walter-Rohde from the UBA in Dessau presented the official procedure for developing new and updating existing OECD test guidelines. See also the Guidance Document (GD) no. 1 (OECD GD No. 1, 2009, https://www.oecd.org/chemicalsafety/testing/49803789.pdf ). The updating of existing OECD test guidelines requires significant efforts from all member countries, the OECD Secretariat and especially from the LEAD COUNTRY/COUNTRIES due to the necessary international coordination and recognition for the evaluation of chemical assessment .
The next meeting of the chemical assessment working group is to take place in June as a face-to-face meeting, at which the election of the AK board (3 people) is also due. All members are called upon to participate as candidates.
The Working Group Chemical Assessment group met on 16.6.21 for an Online meeting. The main topic were concepts for evaluating the sustainability of the use of chemicals, which were presented in two lectures. First, Dr. Silke Gabbert from RIVM in Bilthoven (NL) the concept of "Essential Use" in the European Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability with first glimpses of challenges and opportunities. In particular, she went into the necessary definitions and criteria for determining "essential use", e.g. of chemical substances themselves and in products. Then Janna Kuhlmann from BUND (formerly EPEA) explained the Cradle to Cradle concept for chemical assessment for the circular economy. The C2C certification of products is graded (bronze to platinum) for the absence of certain substances of concern (restricted substances list) and hazards according to GHS/CLP.
The questions asked by the 18 participants dealt, among other things, with the practical feasibility of the concepts under various ordinances and guidelines, e.g. of biocides and pesticides or electronic scrap. Aspects of evaluating the sustainability of supply chains and contributions to the EU's zero pollution ambition were also deepened.
presidency
dr Marion Letzel
Bavarian State Office for the Environment, Augsburg
deputy presidency
dr Kevin Klipsch
EBRC Consulting GmbH, Hanover
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last modified: 17.01.2023 11:29 H from Translator
