United Nations Earth Summit+5 - Harmonization of Approaches to the Assessment of Risk from Exposure to Chemicals

EARTH SUMMIT+5
Special Session of the General Assembly to Review and Appraise
the Implementation of Agenda 21
New York, 23-27 June 1997
PROGRAMME FACT SHEETS

Harmonization of Approaches to the Assessment of Risk from Exposure to Chemicals

Responsible Organization(s) A coordinated project of the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) with other international partners.

Description Harmonization is defined as an understanding of the methods and practices used by various countries and organizations so as to develop confidence in an acceptance of assessments that use different approaches. It further involves a willingness to work toward convergence of these approaches or methods. This will result in efficient use of resources and consistency among assessments.

Issues addressed To increase the number and availability of international assessment of chemicals as the basis for risk management decision-making.

Objectives The goal of this project is to harmonize approaches to risk assessment through increased global understanding focusing on specific issues and to strive for agreement on basic principles.
Achieving harmonization of approaches will afford a number of opportunities including a framework for comparing information on risk assessment, an understanding of the basis for exposure standards for specific chemicals in different countries, progress toward common classification and labelling schemes for hazardous chemicals, savings of time and expense by sharing information leading to a potential non-requirement to repeat assessments, and credible science.

Results achieved A Steering Committee to provide guidance and direction for the work has been established and a number of scientific workshops have been convened. An issue which impacts all aspects of the work is the consistent, harmonized use of terminology and an IPCS/OECD project on the harmonization of Chemical Hazard/Risk Assessment Terminology has been initiated.

Lessons learned Harmonization of risk assessment approaches cannot be dictated; it will be the result of a process that promotes interaction and communication.

Financing WHO, National Government.

Contact Dr. M. Mercier, Director IPCS
World Health Organization,
1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
Tel: (41-22) 791-3589;
Fax: (41-22) 791- 4848

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Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Comments and suggestions: esa@un.org
Last updated 1 November 1997

	Harmonization of Approaches to the Assessment of Risk from Exposure to Chemicals
	Responsible Organization(s)	A coordinated project of the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) with other international partners.
	Description	Harmonization is defined as an understanding of the methods and practices used by various countries and organizations so as to develop confidence in an acceptance of assessments that use different approaches. It further involves a willingness to work toward convergence of these approaches or methods. This will result in efficient use of resources and consistency among assessments.
	Issues addressed	To increase the number and availability of international assessment of chemicals as the basis for risk management decision-making.
	Objectives	The goal of this project is to harmonize approaches to risk assessment through increased global understanding focusing on specific issues and to strive for agreement on basic principles. Achieving harmonization of approaches will afford a number of opportunities including a framework for comparing information on risk assessment, an understanding of the basis for exposure standards for specific chemicals in different countries, progress toward common classification and labelling schemes for hazardous chemicals, savings of time and expense by sharing information leading to a potential non-requirement to repeat assessments, and credible science.
	Results achieved	A Steering Committee to provide guidance and direction for the work has been established and a number of scientific workshops have been convened. An issue which impacts all aspects of the work is the consistent, harmonized use of terminology and an IPCS/OECD project on the harmonization of Chemical Hazard/Risk Assessment Terminology has been initiated.
	Lessons learned	Harmonization of risk assessment approaches cannot be dictated; it will be the result of a process that promotes interaction and communication.
	Financing	WHO, National Government.
	Contact	Dr. M. Mercier, Director IPCS World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland Tel: (41-22) 791-3589; Fax: (41-22) 791- 4848