[National and international regulations, practical implications, classification of mutagenic substances]

Various regulations have been established in order to allow an assessment of the mutagenic hazard of chemicals. The required procedures in member countries of the European Community, in the U.S.A. and in Japan are reviewed. Their purpose is the classification and labelling of the products as well as their commercial preparations. In the Community, mutagens are ranked in 3 classes. The various criteria used for classification of mutagens are exposed. On account of the multiplicity of criteria, a case by case approach by multidisciplinary experts is advised.