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Launch of the new OECD Environmental Risk Assessment Toolkit

The OECD Environmental Risk Assessment Toolkit describes the work flow for environmental risk assessment and management of chemicals with links to available OECD material relevant for the different steps in risk assessment and management. This new version of the Toolkit is more interactive and has added functionalities. It will be populated with additional tools and case studies in the future.




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Descriptions of existing models and tools used for exposure assessment: Results of OECD Survey

This document includes a table which summarises descriptions of existing models and tools used for exposure assessment, as well as responses to a 2010 survey – conducted by the OECD Task Force on Exposure Assessment - upon which the table was based. The summary table and the responses are also available in the OECD Environmental Risk Assessment Toolkit (http://envriskassessmenttoolkit.oecd.org/).




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Guidance Document on Assays for Testing The Efficacy of Baits against Cockroaches

This document provides guidance on conducting laboratory tests to determine and assess the efficacy of test substances and/or the effectiveness of test products used as baits for the control of cockroach species in indoor environments.




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Consensus document on the biology of the Brassica crops

This Biosafety Document is intended to supply basic information (biology mainly), useful in environmental risk/safety assessment. Agriculture plant species of Brassica genus are cropped worldwide as oilseeds, vegetables and for other uses.




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Consensus document on composition of new soybean varieties: food and feed nutrients, anti-nutrients, toxicants and allergens

This revised document supplies basic information (compositional considerations, key constituents), useful in risk/safety assessment of food and feed using new varieties of soybean (Glycine max.). This updated publication replaces the original issue of 2001.




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Guidance on Sample Preparation and Dosimetry for the Safety Testing of Manufactured Nanomaterials

This is a guidance on sample preparation and dosimetry, to which special attention should be paid when testing nanomaterials for human health and environmental safety endpoints.




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Report of OECD Workshop on Natech Risk Management (Natural-hazard triggered technological accidents)

This is the report of the workshop on Natural-hazard triggered technological accidents (Natech) that took place 23-25 May 2012. It investigated the specific elements of the prevention of, preparedness for, and response to chemical accidents caused by natural hazard or natural disaster.




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Current Developments/Activities on the Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials

This document provides information on current/planned activities related to the safety of manufactured nanomaterials in OECD member and non-member countries that attended at the 10th meeting of OECD’s Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (Paris France, 27-29 June 2012).




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Malaysia joins OECD agreement on mutual acceptance of chemical safety data

Malaysia has joined the OECD system for the Mutual Acceptance of Data (MAD) in the Assessment of Chemicals, ensuring that its non-clinical safety data related to the protection of human health and the environment will be accepted by all 40 countries adhering to MAD.




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Guidance Document for Exposure Assessment Based on Environmental Monitoring

This document provides guidance for performing an exposure assessment based on environmental monitoring data.It covers topics such as environmental levels and distribution of contaminants, ways of using monitoring data in exposure assessments for differing purposes, the collection of data, quality of monitoring activities, as well as several examples of data compilation in member countries and their use in exposure assessment.




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Guidance Document On Developing And Assessing Adverse Outcome Pathways

This guidance document intends to provide an insight into which pieces of information that are necessary to identify and document an adverse outcome pathway (AOP) and how to present them. The AOP concept has been developed as a means of providing transparent mechanistic justification and weight-of-evidence to reduce uncertainty in the predictions for complex toxicological endpoints.




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Measure pesticide residues in meat, milk, eggs, etc.

This document provides guidance on pesticide residue studies and describes differences in OECD countries in livestock feeding practices and diet composition. The data obtained from these studies allow quantifying the transfer of residues from feedstuff to animal and establishing maximum limits which ensure that these residues do not pose unacceptable risks for consumers.




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Guidance for Assessment of the Efficacy of Baits Against Garden Ants

This biocide document provides guidance on the conduct of laboratory and field tests aimed to assess the efficacy of anti-ants baits for indoor use. A bait contains one or more insecticidal active ingredients combined with food for garden ants.




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(Q)SARs: Guidance documents and reports

Four new tutorials are available that provide illustrated examples for the use of the functionalities of the Query tool , the AOP workflow for Skin Sensitization, the information form the ECHA CHEM database and the capability to analyse tautomeric structures. The examples cover both human health (skin sensitisation) and environmental (acute aquatic toxicity to fish) endpoints.




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The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) database of completed chemical reviews is now searchable in eChemPortal

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) database of completed chemical reviews including (in some cases) detailed risk assessment reports addressing human health and the environment. A review, initiated from new concerns, may lead to the reconsideration of the registration of agricultural and veterinary chemicals in the marketplace if potential risks to safety and performance have been identified.




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Co-Operation on Risk Assessment: Prioritisation of Important Issues on Risk Assessment of Manufactured Nanomaterials - Final Report

This document follows on from a report entitled Important Issues on Risk Assessment of Manufactured Nanomaterials [ENV/JM/MONO(2012)8]. This report identified a range of issues which the WPMN considered important in risk assessment and which should be addressed in the future. It summarised results of a survey which was circulated to delegations of the WPMN, methodologies used to analyze the survey, and the identified priorities.




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Low-level presence of transgenic plants in seed and grain commodities: Environmental risk/safety Assessment, and availability and use of information

This Biosafety document aims to serve as an aid to risk assessors and regulators; providing guidance on handling the aspects of an environmental safety assessment, accessing and using information in situations of low-level presence (LLP) of transgenic plants in seed and grain commodities.




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Emission scenario document for wood preservatives

The OECD has published a revision of the 2003 Emission Scenario Document on Wood Preservatives to take into account the experience gained in working with the 2003 ESD. The document has been totally restructured, emission scenarios have been updated and new, niche scenarios have been added. The document is an essential tool for Member countries working in the area of biocidal products assessment.




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OECD’s chemical hazard assessment programme to shift focus

The OECD is to review its chemical hazard assessment programme with the aim of providing a more specialised service for member countries from 2015.




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Consensus document on compositional considerations for new varieties of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus): Key food and feed nutrients, anti-nutrients and toxicants

This document supplies basic information useful in the risk and safety assessment of food and feed using new varieties of oyster mushroom: compositional considerations, key constituents (nutrients, anti-nutrients and toxicants). It is issued in the Novel Food and Feed Safety Series.




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Consensus document on the biology of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.)

This new document is available as a tool for environmental safety assessment of new varieties of sugarcane derived from modern biotechnology. Given the large production of this crop worldwide, its biosafety will be an important issue for many countries.




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Ecotoxicology and Environmental Fate of Manufactured Nanomaterials: Test Guidelines

This document includes the conclusions and recommendations resulting from a workshop that addressed the ecotoxicology and environmental fate of manufactured nanomaterials, and in particular the applicability of existing OECD Test Guidelines (TG) related to these topics. A number of TG developments are underway at OECD as a follow-up to these recommendations.




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Report of the OECD Seminar on Indicators for Integrated Pest Management

This report describes an OECD seminar that brought together regulatory authorities, industry representatives and other stakeholders to discuss how to measure the uptake, adoption and implementation, as well as the impact, of Integrated Pest Management. Integrated Pest Management, a term used to describe strategies that promote the safer and more sustainable use of pesticides, is high on the agenda in many regions of the world.




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Pesticide compliance and enforcement: new website

Safeguarding people’s health and the environment through responsible marketing and use of pesticides in agriculture relies on regulation, and compliance with this regulation. OECD have launched an online resource to help regulators in different countries share their experiences and best practice and to act as a portal for information on pesticide compliance and enforcement.




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Integrated pest management: new website

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in agriculture is high on the agenda in many countries. IPM is about promoting the sustainable use of pesticides in the context of challenges including climate change, increasing demand for food, feed and fibres and pest resistance. OECD has launched the IPM Hub, an online focal point for information on Integrated Pest Management.




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Emission scenario document on formulation and application of thermal and carbonless copy paper

This document provides information on the sources, use patterns, and potential release pathways of chemicals used in the manufacture of thermal and carbonless copy paper. It presents approaches for estimating the environmental releases of and occupational exposures to additives and components used in thermal and carbonless copy paper coatings.




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Harmonised method for characterising oleochemical substances for assessment purposes.

The OECD has published a guidance for characterising oleochemical substances. The method presented gives guidance on how these complex substances can be characterised in a way that their composition is accurately and consistently reflected to ensure that substances with the same chemical composition, manufactured in different countries, can be characterised with the same description for hazard assessment purposes.




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Report of the OECD/KEMI/EU workshop on microbial pesticides: assessment and management of risks

A report of the 2013 joint OECD/Swedish Chemicals Agency/European Commission workshop on the assessment and management of risks of microbial pesticides that resulted in 20 recommendations for approaches that could be taken now and areas for follow-up work to be undertaken by OECD or Member countries.




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OECD/UNEP Webinar: Recent developments in alternatives to long chain per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs)

The webinar will specifically be looking at recent developments in alternatives to long chain PFCs. Per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) have been in use since the 1950s as ingredients or intermediates of surfactants and surface protectors for assorted industrial and consumer applications.




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Removal/emission predictions of wastewater treatment for exposure assessment and Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers

This document compiles information on the current methodologies, tools and models and helps readers identify appropriate models/ and methodologies for estimating substance-specific removal/emissions from wastewater treatment systems. It could support efforts to improve these models and tools.




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Consensus document on the biology of cassava

This document is a tool for environmental safety assessment of novel varieties of Cassava derived from modern biotechnology. Cassava is a key staple crop in Africa, Asia and Latin America, this document will be useful to many readers interested in biosafety issues.




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Weight of evidence assessment for the skin sensitisation potential of 4-isopropylaniline

This OECD monograph demonstrates how a chemical hazard assessment that considers and ranks all available relevant information - a so-called weight of evidence approach - can be constructed to conclude on a particular hazard endpoint for a chemical, in this case, skin sensitisation for 4-isopropylaniline.




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Report of the OECD expert meeting on the physical chemical properties of manufactured nanomaterials and test guidelines

This report includes the conclusions and recommendation of an expert workshop on Physical-Chemical Properties of Manufactured Nanomaterials and Test Guidelines organized by OECD’s Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials. The workshop addressed issues relevant to the physical-chemical properties of manufactured nanomaterials from a regulatory perspective point with a view to the need for new or adapted test guidelines.




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Guidance document on an integrated approach on testing and assessment (IATA) for skin corrosion and irritation

This guidance document proposes an integrated approach on testing and assessment for skin corrosion and irritation, in view of replacing the "testing and evaluation strategy" provided in the supplement to OECD TG404 (to be updated), provides information on key performance characteristics of each information source comprising the IATA, and guidance on how to integrate information for decision making for classification and labeling.




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New scoping document on in vitro and ex vivo assays for the identification of modulators of thyroid hormone signalling

This scoping document brings forward relevant in vitro and ex vivo thyroid assays to the attention of OECD member countries, and provide recommendations for their further development/use, and also, to identify aspects of the thyroid signalling pathway that are not covered and would require further attention




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Report of an OECD survey on the assessment of the risks from obsolete pesticides in OECD countries

OECD has published a report of a survey that provides information and recommendations on how to deal with stocks of “obsolete” pesticides in OECD member (and partner) countries. Such pesticides’ obsolescence can arise for a number of reasons including product deterioration, product de-registration, and product revision.




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Report of an OECD survey on risk management/mitigation approaches and options related to agricultural pesticide use near residential areas

This report of a survey collates member countries’ approaches to manage and mitigate the risk of pesticide use near residential areas.




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The joint Substance Data Pool of the German Federal Government and the German Federal States (GSBL) is the 30th database linked to eChemPortal

The Joint Substance Data Pool of the German Federal Government and Federal States (GSBL) is now linked to eChemPortal. Records contain information on physical and chemical properties, on ecotoxicological and toxicological parameters and on environmental fate. They provide descriptions of environmental hazards, health dangers, fire and other technical hazards and give information on relevant chemicals-related legislation.




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Consensus document on the biology of Eucalyptus spp.

This publication is a tool for environmental safety assessment of EUCALYPTUS novel lines. Planted in the tropics and sub-tropics, E. species can be genetically-engineered for resistance to disease/drought/cold/salinity, or lower lignin content. Elements useful to biosafety evaluation are detailed, e.g. Eucalyptus taxonomy, origin, reproduction, genetics, hybridisation, ecology, allergens-toxins, beneficial chemical products, breeding.




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OECD launches its knowledge base on Adverse Outcome Pathways

The OECD is pleased to announce, together with the U.S Environmental Protection Agency and the European Commission Joint Research Centre, the Adverse Outcome Pathway Knowledge Base (AOP KB). This is a web-based platform which aims to bring together all the knowledge on how chemicals can induce adverse effects, therefore providing a focal point for AOP development and dissemination.




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OECD Guidance on the GLP Requirements for Peer Review of Histopathology

This advisory document provides guidance on how pathology peer reviews should be planned, conducted and reported within the context of OECD Good Laboratory Practice.




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OECD encourages the development of non-animal test methods for the detection of thyroid disrupters

The OECD Advisory Group on Endocrine Disrupters Testing and Assessment met on 16-17 October 2014 in Paris to discuss the development and update of Test Guidelines and related documents for endocrine disrupters testing and assessment.




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OECD work on pesticides and sustainable pest management: Vision for the future

A cooperative global approach to the regulation of agricultural pesticides and sustainable pest management. Pesticides are widely used in agriculture and have considerable benefits by contributing to a sustainable production of food and feed. If used improperly or in an inappropriate manner, they also can present unacceptable risks to human and animal health and to the environment.




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Guidance document on elements of a Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTR): Part 1

OECD countries have developed PRTR system to track releases and transfers of potentially harmful chemicals. To improve PRTR system, OECD have analysed common elements (pollutants, sectors) in different PRTR systems, mainly focus on institutional arrangement. This serves as a common framework for different PRTR system, and supporting materials for a country that intends to develop or update its PRTR.




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Guidance Document for Describing Non-Guideline In Vitro Test Methods

This guidance is intended to harmonise the way non-guideline in vitro test methods are described. This should in future facilitate an assessment of the relevance of test methods for biological activities and responses of interest, of the quality of data produced, irrespective of whether these tests are based on manual protocols or assay protocols adapted for use on automated platforms or high-throughput screening systems (HTS).




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Biosafety and the Environmental Uses of Micro-Organisms

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.




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OECD Substitution and Alternatives Assessment Toolbox

This toolbox is a compilation of resources relevant to chemical substitution and alternatives assessments. Alternative assessments are processes for identifying, comparing and selecting safer alternatives to replace hazardous chemicals with the objective of promoting sustainable production and consumption.




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A new guidance is now available to facilitate the ecological risk assessment of organometallic and organic metal salt substances

The OECD has published guidance to facilitate the ecological risk assessment of organometallic and organic metal salt substances. A strategy is presented based on key steps that first consider the fate of these substances in the environment, the identification of moieties of concern, and subsequently the selection of an appropriate path forward to either assess the inorganic moiety and/or the individual substance.




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Expansion of Brazil's scope under OECD agreement on mutual acceptance of chemical safety data

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.




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Safety Assessment of Foods and Feeds Derived from Transgenic Crops, Volume 1

Volume I of this series compiles the science-based consensus documents of the OECD Task Force for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds from 2002 to 2008.