Global information network on chemicals (GINC) and its Asian component

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health and Toxicology
• Information Science and Data Management
• International Public Health Policy

Background:

• The Global Information Network on Chemicals (GINC) initiative was proposed in 1993 to improve global chemical safety management.
• It aims to link international and national organizations involved in chemical safety.
• The project was endorsed by the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) and adopted by the Inter-Organization Program for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC).

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a global information network for the safe management of chemicals.
• To improve information exchange and communication among organizations working in chemical safety.
• To assess the feasibility of the GINC project in the Asia, East Asia, and Pacific regions.

Main Methods:

• Development and implementation of a base support system using Internet/World Wide Web (WWW) technology.
• Hosting of eight project meetings in Tokyo between December 1994 and July 2002.
• Focus on a feasibility study in the Asia, East Asia, and Pacific regions.

Main Results:

• The GINC base support system was successfully implemented at the National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS), Japan.
• The project facilitated discussions and planning through multiple hosted meetings.
• Asia was identified and utilized as the primary region for the feasibility study.

Conclusions:

• The GINC project demonstrates a viable model for global collaboration in chemical safety information exchange.
• Sustained development and maintenance by NIHS, with support from Japan's Ministry of Health and Welfare, were crucial.
• The initiative highlights the importance of international cooperation for effective chemical management.