Micro-organisms play a fundamental role in the environment. Yet their role is the result of complex biogeochemical processes by consortia of micro-organisms and the function of individual species is not clear in many cases. This publication provides an overview of the current situation and relevant developments in environmental microbiology.

In 2011, Brazil joined OECD’s Mutual Acceptance of Data (MAD) system ensuring that its chemical safety test data will be accepted by all 40 countries adhering to MAD. Originally limited to data developed in Brazil on pesticides, biocides and industrial chemicals, it now also includes veterinary products, feed additives, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, sanitizers, wood preservative and treatments of effluents and natural ecosystems.

The new version of the IOMC Toolbox for Decision Making in Chemicals Management provides a set of interactive features allowing governments to use it as a platform for collaboration among ministries, agencies, and other stakeholders such as industry. Users can save their information, add comments, and share and discuss issues with colleagues and partners.

Today the OECD marks the end of a seven year experimental testing programme, investigating 11 commercially viable nanomaterials across 110 chemical tests. The results were co-ordinated across 11 countries with tests and data generated from government agencies, universities, research institutions and businesses. Over 780 studies on the specific properties of nanomaterials were undertaken.

The OECD eChemPortal, a web portal which offers comprehensive information on chemical substances, has been updated to offer better access to chemical classifications according to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).

The OECD/UNEP Global PFC group has published two new reports to support efforts in the framework of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) to improve information sharing at a global level on perfluorinated chemistries.

The OECD has published fundamental and guiding principles to facilitate the application of QSAR methods to the risk assessment of chemicals. The main focus is on the critical role of mechanistic consideration in improving various (Q)SAR approaches and possible integrative approaches of combining chemoinformatics and bioinformatics.

This new document focuses on the evaluation of test methods applied to determine the physico-chemical properties of different types of nanomaterials.

Results of a joint pilot project of the OECD and the UN Sub-Committee of Exports on the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (UNSCEGHS) including a report of the results of the pilot and non-biding proposed classifications for three substances.

The Decision-Recommendation on the Co-operative Investigation and Risk Reduction of Chemicals revises and replaces a 1991 Decision-Recommendation of the Council. The Decision-Recommendation is composed of two parts: Part A focuses on the development of harmonised hazard and exposure assessment methodologies for chemicals and Part B focuses on risk prevention and reduction.

This guidance document was originally published in 2012 and updated in 2018 to reflect new and updated OECD test guidelines, as well as reflect on scientific advances in the use of test methods and assessment of the endocrine activity of chemicals. The document is intended to provide guidance for evaluating chemical using standardised test guidelines.

This paper reviews and compares five case studies on quantification and economic valuation of benefits in cost-benefit analyses (CBAs) of regulating phthalates, mercury, PFOA (perfluoro-octanic acid) and its salts, NMP (1 methyl-2-pyrroloidine) and formaldehyde. The case studies had all been carried out as part of the SACAME project, and the purpose of the present paper is to draw out cross-cutting findings from these studies.

On 6 November 2018, the OECD was awarded the Silver Award in the research category at the 2018 Global Chemical Leasing Award for its report on the Economic Features of Chemical Leasing.

This document outlines various approaches and methodologies for the assessment of risks from combined exposures to multiple chemicals. The document draws from approaches and experience in the regulatory context, and presents elements to consider in the assessment.

The OECD releases a video tutorial on how to find GHS information in eChemPortal through the substance search and how to search by GHS classification. Currently 11 databases provide GHS information, independent of whether the classifications have undergone a review by a regulatory body or intergovernmental organisation or are based on self-classifications by the producers or importers.

The first report is a synthesis from a Workshop on Approaches to Support Substitution and Alternatives Assessment, which discussed approaches used to support alternative assessments and substitution. The second report is a Cross Country Analysis of Approaches to Support Alternatives Assessment and Substitution of Chemicals of Concern that describes a list of approaches developed across countries and by different stakeholders.

This report outlines the customisation opportunities for IUCLID version 6. It also gives an overview of what IUCLID offers to regulatory bodies and industry as a key application to record, store, maintain and exchange data on chemicals. IUCLID is used in a variety of countries and regulatory contexts, therefore the report describes to which extent it is customisable to facilitate the management of chemical data across these contexts.

On 11 February 2019, the OECD organised a webinar to learn and discuss new methodologies on liver models for induction, clearance and toxicity. The speakers presented the benefits compared to existing methods in place, the types of chemicals tested, the results obtained, the transferability and economic aspects for routine testing, and any known limitation to the technologies and their applications.

GHSTS is a standardised set of technical specifications for assembling electronic files for pesticide registration in a predefined manner. Once assembled according to the GHSTS, the dossier files can be transferred from a business to a regulatory authority and can be used in a regulatory process. Version 2.0 includes improved lifecycle management of documents over a series of submissions for one pesticide (or other) regulatory action.

Policy instruments can be applied to improve the sustainability of plastics, including regulations, market-based instruments, information and voluntary tools. The report reviews the use of these instruments, provides good practice examples, such as product taxes and charges, eco-design standards, extended producer responsibility and environmental product labels, as well as discussing opportunities for their future applications.

Latest releases: AOPs are the central element of a toxicological knowledge framework, promoted by member countries through OECD, built to support chemical risk assessment based on mechanistic reasoning. Seven New AOPs have now been published.

The Chemical Safety and Biosafety Progress Report is released every eight months. Its purpose is to provide an update on the projects, events and activities. Information on new publications as well as dates and venues of upcoming events and meetings are given.

CEOs and corporate leaders on the lessons they have already learnt — and what happens next

Isis could be seen as a vast and terrifying collective outbreak of the Freudian concept of ‘acting out’

Obama is seeking to scale back US global responsibilities without signalling a retreat

Elected rulers use heavy-handed authority to prevent being toppled by swings in opinion

Whatever his short-term plans, Trump wants a radical tightening of US border policy

Americans resent inquisitions aimed at depriving them of their elected president

The Japanese trading house trusts its history of investment to create new lines of business

Former head of UK Sport has set sights on winning the World Cup

Many media companies still maintain a direct relationship with readers — but few still have access to foyers

Madrid and Barcelona must wait as other areas relax restrictions on restaurants and shopping

In a locked down world, the need to build connections has never been greater, or more physically impossible

The emirate’s economy is especially vulnerable, and may need a bailout from its big brother, Abu Dhabi

Analysts forecast that growth will contract at similar rate to rest of Europe

Valuable insights from Samuel Brittan’s diary during his brief spell in the Department of Economic Affairs

There are not many easily falsifiable theories in macroeconomics, so some prefer the micro side

True equality may not not even be possible in death – Mozart was buried in a paupers’ grave

Science and technology influence living standards but government still has a role

Samuel Brittan considers parallels in pre-election growth under chancellors Osborne and Barber

The police have been far too zealous in dealing with some claims

1. Centre dilutes testing rules as cases rise  Mumbai Mirror
2. Government Tweaks Rules For Testing As COVID-19 Cases Rise. Details Here  NDTV
3. A week into relaxed lockdown, Centre stays on course to open  The Indian Express
4. Mild cases can be discharged without test: Health ministry  Times of India
5. Only ‘Severe’ Covid-19 Patients to be Tested Before Discharge from Hospital as India Braces for Infec...  News18
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1. Inside Salman Khan's Panvel farmhouse: Actor bonds with Jacqueline, Iulia Vantur, and Waluscha - entertainment  Mid-Day
2. Salman Khan on life during the lockdown: This is the longest I have been sitting idle  India Today
3. Tere Bina teaser: Salman Khan romances Jacqueline Fernandez in his ‘cheapest production’. Watch  Hindustan Times
4. Salman Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez share the inspiration behind their upcoming track 'Tere Bina' in the  Times of India
5. Salman Khan reveals lockdown journey and COVID-19 relief initiatives  NEWS9 live
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1. OnePlus slipped to third position in India's premium smartphone segment in Q1 2020, iPhone 11 was the top selling device  gizmochina
2. Samsung releases One UI 2.0 update for Galaxy A20s  NewsBytes
3. Features we want and don’t want from the Galaxy Note 20  SamMobile
4. Leaked Samsung Galaxy A21s render shows a familiar design - GSMArena.com news  GSMArena.com
5. Samsung is Now the Top Brand for Premium Smartphones in India  Gizchina.com
6. View Full coverage on Google News

1. Realme Narzo 10 confirmed to feature MediaTek Helio G80 gaming processor  Hindustan Times
2. Realme Narzo 10 officially confirmed to pack Helio G80 SoC - GSMArena.com news  GSMArena.com
3. Realme Narzo launch tomorrow: Details about new Redmi-competitor  Livemint
4. Realme Narzo 10, Realme Narzo 10A Launch on May 11: Livestream, Specifications, and More  Gadgets 360
5. View Full coverage on Google News

1. Apple iPhone SE 2020 coming soon on Flipkart | BGR India  BGR India
2. Apple iPhone SE 2020 spotted on Flipkart, launch imminent  Livemint
3. Flipkart teases the release of iPhone SE (2020) in India  NewsBytes
4. World’s most ‘popular’ iPhone is a big hit in India  Gadgets Now
5. Excited for the new iPhone? Take our iPhone through the ages quiz  Techradar
6. View Full coverage on Google News

1. Xiaomi's Mi Box 4K Box to go on sale today: Price and other details  Livemint
2. Xiaomi Mi 10 vs OnePlus 8 Pro: A quick comparison of two flagship phones  India Today
3. “Too expensive!”: Does Xiaomi have an image problem in India?  TechPP
4. Mi launches Mi 10 – Key specs and features  NEWS9 live
5. Xiaomi Mi Box 4K to go on sale today in India  Hindustan Times
6. View Full coverage on Google News

1. Gold bonds open tomorrow for subscription when investment demand is rising  Livemint
2. Here's All You Need to Know About Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme Opening on Monday  News18
3. Sovereign Gold Bond opens tomorrow: Issue price fixed at Rs 4,590 per gram; here's all you need to know...  Firstpost
4. RBI fixes Sovereign Gold Bond issue price at Rs 4,590/gm of gold  Hindustan Times
5. Next Sovereign Gold Bond Issue Opens On 11 May: Should You Invest?  Goodreturns
6. View Full coverage on Google News

1. Elon Musk threatens to move Tesla headquarters, factory out of California  Livemint
2. Elon Musk Threatens Removing Tesla From California Over Virus Restrictions  NDTV
3. Elon Musk threatens to exit California over virus restrictions  The Hindu
4. Elon Musk threatens to close Fremont plant and sever ties with California  KTVU San Francisco
5. Tesla’s stock could see new peaks thanks to these 3 catalysts  MarketWatch
6. View Full coverage on Google News