Screening Information Dataset
Encyclopedia
A Screening Information Dataset (SIDS) is a study of the hazards associated with a particular chemical substance
or group of related substances, prepared under the auspices of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD). The substances studied are High Production Volume (HPV) chemicals, that is chemicals which are manufactured or imported in quantities of more than 1000 tonnes per year for any single OECD market.
The list of HPV chemicals is prepared by the OECD Secretariat and updated regularly. As of 2004, there were 4843 chemicals on the list. Of these, roughly 1000 have been prioritised for special attention, and it is for these chemicals that SIDS are prepared, usually by an official agency in one of the OECD member countries with the collaboration of the UN
International Programme on Chemical Safety
(IPCS).
The procedures for investigating the risks of an HPV chemical are described in the OECD Manual for Investigation of HPV Chemicals. The initial stage is the collection of existing information (either published or supplied by manufacturers) on the chemical. If the existing information is insufficient to make an assessment of the risks, the chemical may be tested at this stage to collect more data. The initial report of the investigation is discussed at a SIDS Initial Assessment Meeting (SIAM), which includes:
The SIAM can either accept the draft report or call for revisions (including further testing). Once the comments and discussion of the SIAM have been taken into account, the report is published by the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP).
The possibility of new testing to complete the study is what distinguishes SIDS reports from similar studies such as Concise International Chemical Assessment Document
s (CICADs). In this sense, SIDS are similar to European Union Risk Assessment Reports (RARs). The distinction is that the SIDS programme is specifically aimed at HPV chemicals, while the chemicals selected for EU RARs are chosen more on the basis of a hazard profile and so include chemicals with much lower production volumes.
Chemical substance
In chemistry, a chemical substance is a form of matter that has constant chemical composition and characteristic properties. It cannot be separated into components by physical separation methods, i.e. without breaking chemical bonds. They can be solids, liquids or gases.Chemical substances are...
or group of related substances, prepared under the auspices of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is an international economic organisation of 34 countries founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade...
(OECD). The substances studied are High Production Volume (HPV) chemicals, that is chemicals which are manufactured or imported in quantities of more than 1000 tonnes per year for any single OECD market.
The list of HPV chemicals is prepared by the OECD Secretariat and updated regularly. As of 2004, there were 4843 chemicals on the list. Of these, roughly 1000 have been prioritised for special attention, and it is for these chemicals that SIDS are prepared, usually by an official agency in one of the OECD member countries with the collaboration of the UN
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
International Programme on Chemical Safety
International Programme on Chemical Safety
The International Programme on Chemical Safety was formed in 1980 and is a collaboration between three United Nations bodies—the World Health Organization, the International Labour Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme to establish the scientific basis for safe use of...
(IPCS).
The procedures for investigating the risks of an HPV chemical are described in the OECD Manual for Investigation of HPV Chemicals. The initial stage is the collection of existing information (either published or supplied by manufacturers) on the chemical. If the existing information is insufficient to make an assessment of the risks, the chemical may be tested at this stage to collect more data. The initial report of the investigation is discussed at a SIDS Initial Assessment Meeting (SIAM), which includes:
- representatives of OECD member countries;
- experts nominated by the IPCS, the OECD Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC), Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) and environmental organizations;
- representatives of companies which produce the chemical;
- secretariat staff from OECD, IPCS and UNEP Chemicals.
The SIAM can either accept the draft report or call for revisions (including further testing). Once the comments and discussion of the SIAM have been taken into account, the report is published by the United Nations Environment Programme
United Nations Environment Programme
The United Nations Environment Programme coordinates United Nations environmental activities, assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices. It was founded as a result of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in June 1972 and has its...
(UNEP).
The possibility of new testing to complete the study is what distinguishes SIDS reports from similar studies such as Concise International Chemical Assessment Document
Concise International Chemical Assessment Document
Concise International Chemical Assessment Documents are published by the World Health Organization within the framework of the International Programme on Chemical Safety...
s (CICADs). In this sense, SIDS are similar to European Union Risk Assessment Reports (RARs). The distinction is that the SIDS programme is specifically aimed at HPV chemicals, while the chemicals selected for EU RARs are chosen more on the basis of a hazard profile and so include chemicals with much lower production volumes.
External links
- List of Screening Information Datasets (SIDS)
- Chemical Safety page of the OECD Environment Directorate
- International Programme on Chemical Safety
- SIDS available through the Chemicals Branch of UNEP