Assessment Tools under the New European Union Chemicals Policy

A primary objective of the new EU chemicals policy is to shift the burden of proof from authorities having to identify chemical risks to industry having to demonstrate the safe manufacture, use and disposal of chemicals. In this paper the authors present the primary tools necessary for implementing this new strategy: in particular, a chemical safety report that integrates traditional risk assessment elements with a description of risk management measures necessary for the safe use of chemicals throughout their life-cycle. The manufacturer or importer of a chemical should develop this chemical safety report through use of the risk assessment approach in an iterative way until the safe manufacturing and use of the chemical can be demonstrated. Exposure scenarios form the basis of the chemical safety report by providing technical descriptions of the conditions under which a chemical can be manufactured and used safely. In this paper, these scenarios are explained and exemplified as a core tool for communication through the supply chain, necessary for implementing the new policy. Exposure scenarios will be communicated as an attachment to safety data sheets. Finally, a brief outlook is given on the future development and integration of safety and risk assessment tools and other methodologies.