Harmonisation Activities

HARMONISATION ACTIVITIES

	Quantity
	NICNAS participates in two international programs related to the safety assessment and risk management of existing chemicals. These are the IPCS Concise International Chemical Assessment Document (CICAD) activity, and the OECD’s Screening Information Data Set (SIDS) Program. A description of these programs is provided in Appendix 08. One IPCS CICAD meeting and two OECD SIDS meetings were held during 2003-04. The number of chemical assessments presented at these forums, and the number approved following peer review of the assessments by member countries, are shown in Table 12, along with four-year trend data. This year saw an increase in both the numbers of chemicals assessments agreed to at these forums (124) and the number reviewed by NICNAS (61), compared to the previous three years.
	In 2003-04, NICNAS sponsored a group of six chemicals known as Hydrotrope Surfactants for assessment under the SIDS Program. The sponsorship was a joint sponsorship with an industry consortium. NICNAS collected information from Australian industry on the use and exposure to these chemicals for the assessment, and reviewed the hazard assessment prepared by the industry consortia. The final draft assessment report will be considered at the 19th SIDS Initial Assessment Meeting (SIAM) in October 2004. In 2003-04, NICNAS continued assessment work on perfluorinated chemicals such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). This work was conducted in parallel with related OECD activities such as the completion of the OECD hazard assessment of PFOS (which NICNAS contributed to by way of expert peer review).
	NICNAS prepared a questionnaire on behalf of the OECD on production, import, and use and exposure information on PFOS and PFOS-related substances, PFOA and other perfluoroalkyl sulfonate (PFAS) chemicals which may be used as alternatives to PFOS. The results of the questionnaire will be analysed by NICNAS and are scheduled for presentation at the 37th OECD Joint Meeting of the Chemicals Committee and the Working Party on Chemicals, Pesticides and Biotechnology. Additionally, NICNAS published information on reported essential uses identified to date for PFOS in Australia and sought information from States and Territories on PFOS waste disposal options. A compilation of the advice from States and Territories is scheduled for publication in 2004-05. NICNAS continues to liaise with international regulatory bodies regarding the issue of PFOA and telomers that degrade to PFOA. Top of Page
	Efficiency
	Co-operative international activity on existing chemical assessment helps to avoid duplication of efforts between countries in testing chemicals for the fulfilment of various national and regional requirements and international commitments. Where they are available, and as part of standard good practice, international assessments are consulted and utilised when they are relevant to NICNAS’s chemical assessments. Participation in international assessment programs improves the effectiveness of our assessments by ensuring that our assessments are of world standard, incorporating the latest scientific knowledge and developments in assessment methodology.