The work of OECD in the harmonization of the testing and control of chemicals

The 24 Member countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have over the past few years reached agreement on several issues relating to the assessment of chemicals. The subjects on which agreement has been reached include guidelines for the testing of chemicals, good laboratory practice, mutual acceptance of data, and data interpretation guides. The agreement on mutual acceptance of data within OECD Member countries ensures that data generated on a chemical in one country (using OECD test guidelines and in accordance with OECD principles of good laboratory practice) will be accepted in other OECD Member countries for purposes of assessment related to protection of human health and the environment. This agreement will reduce repeated testing of the same chemical in different (OECD) countries, will result in more cost-efficient use of test facilities and specialist manpower, and, not least, will result in a significant reduction in the number of animals (and species) used in biological testing. It is hoped that other international organizations, and countries that are not members of OECD, will adopt the same approach. Reference to some other OECD activities intended to facilitate the transfer of information on chemicals between Member countries whilst maintaining proprietary rights and confidentiality is included in this review.