General aspects in developing methods for identifying new and or emerging risks of chemicals threatening human health and/or environment

摘要

This presentation will demonstrate the operational version of the New and Emerging Risks of Chemicals (NERCs)-mechanism to identify new risks of chemicals following unknown exposure routes. Aim To identify new or emerging risks of chemicals for consumers, workers and the environment, the NERC-mechanism links causality between exposure and hazard in humans and the environment and provides regulators with information to optimize policy-making. Methods The NERCs-mechanism filters signals from media, literature and experts covering the environment, workers and consumers. Based on target-specific criteria additional exposure, hazard and policy data are discussed by experts. The data is translated into a risk score varying from 1 (lowest risk) to 25 (highest risk). The risk score prioritizes newly identified risks of chemicals requiring risk management options (RMO) like the derivation of a safety limit, enforcement or inspection, actions taken up by REACH or CLP (e.g. SVHC roadmap or harmonized classification and labelling) or making use or adaptation of other legislation. Results The filtering of a continuous stream of signals resulted into lists (environment, workers and consumers) containing new risks for which appropriate risk management options are being evaluated. This presentation will present 9 identified NERCs; 3 for each respective target and will present the proposed follow-up actions and its outcomes. Conclusions The NERCs mechanism is operational and identifies new or emerging risks of chemicals following unknown exposure routes and provides science-based options for risk management and policy improvement.