NEWS

09.07.10
OECD supports metals-specific approach to chemicals management

OECD member states have agreed unanimously to discuss a minerals and metals sector approach to chemicals management developed by ICMM and Eurometaux.

The proposal introduces metals-specific concepts and effects datasets for evaluating the health and environmental hazards of chemicals – as outlined in ICMM’s trademark publications, MERAG and HERAG. The development of this methodology has until now been driven by the requirements of the REACH legislation in the European Union but this program will assist in broader uptake.

The new global initiative will be launched in early 2011 with a Science Exchange Workshop hosted by OECD to discuss metals-specific assessment principles.

Industry will work with the OECD and metals commodity associations to develop a complete plan of action, culminating in a full-data submission program in 2012.

OECD members strongly supported the proposed program with enthusiastic backing from the US and Canada in particular, where discussions on the MERAG concepts have already been used in the design of national guidelines.

Australia, Japan and the European Commission were also vocal in their support – with calls to ensure that the program involves as many metals as possible to assist with both environmental and human health challenges in national assessment frameworks.

“Great news for the metals sector after years of effort,” said Peter Glazebrook from Rio Tinto. He went on to praise the growing consensus “that inorganics should be assessed differently to organics. This event is a milestone.”

The OECD plays a significant role in chemicals management, by screening effects data sets for relevance and quality under their globally recognized program. These data sets become a worldwide reference for all OECD countries implementing national legislation on chemicals management.

Other countries that have signed the MAD agreement (Mutual Acceptance of Data), including China, Indonesia, Brazil, Russia and South Africa, are also subject to these guidelines.

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