OECD Chemicals Programme

The OECD Chemicals Programme was established by an OECD Council Decision in 1971 and has been gradually expanded to include topics such as biotechnology and nanomaterials. Its main objectives are precautionary protection of the environment and human health based on cutting-edge scientific evidence and the harmonisation of procedures and regulations in the areas of chemicals and biosafety. The programme covers the handling of chemicals, nanomaterials, pesticides, biocides and biotechnology products.

It facilitates an intensive exchange of experience on best practices and promotes common guidelines on chemicals management. These guidelines are drafted by OECD member states with the participation of non-member states, and are binding for all parties to the programme.

The various working parties focus on issues such as the GLP system, OECD testing guidelines, hazard assessment, risk management, chemical accidents and setting up Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRs). Other topics dscussed by the international parties include the Safe and Sustainable by Design approach and advanced materials. Representatives of numerous OECD member states collaborate in the Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN) with the aim of developing internationally agreed methods and strategies for identifying and controlling potential health and environmental risks posed by nanomaterials. The Federal Environment Ministry heads the German delegation to this body.

Evaluating chemicals with regard to their potential risks to human health and the environment is one of the key projects of the OECD Chemicals Programme. Research findings have to be reproducible and comparable. To this end, uniform and recognised test methods need to be applied. The OECD Test Guidelines (TGs), developed in the 1970s by experts from around the globe, serve as a standard in the chemicals sector. These uniform test methods are internationally accepted guidelines that are used to determine the toxicity and behaviour of chemicals in the environment. They are regularly updated thanks to the efforts of many national experts from the OECD member states.

In 1981, the OECD adopted the agreement on Mutual Acceptance of Data (MAD). Its aim was to create a tool that allows test results – originating from research carried out in accordance with OECD criteria – to be recognised in all countries, thus eliminating the need for national authorities to repeat tests. The TGs and the Guidelines on Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), which are to a large extent based on Federal Ministry of Health experience in the testing of pharmaceuticals, have since been the basic pillars of the OECD Chemicals Programme. The Malta Initiative was founded with the objective of amending and, if necessary, adding to the OECD Test Guidelines with a view to nanomaterials.

Once the harmful impact of chemicals has been identified, these risks have to be communicated. The 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro called for a globally harmonised system for the classification and labelling of chemicals (UN GHS). This prompted the OECD to elaborate a proposal containing rules on health and environment risks. In 2001, it became the reference standard for the United Nations. Today, it is the centrepiece of the European Regulation on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, the CLP Regulation (Regulation (EC) 1272/2008).