Publication of report on Category approaches, read-across, (Q)SAR

An accepted practice for the assessment of human health and environmental safety of chemicals is the use of models and analogues to fill data gaps for specific endpoints either for single or multiple chemicals that share structural similarities, and/or comparable reactivity or similarities in metabolism in mammals, fish and other organisms.  For example, this approach is acceptable, with limitations, in preparing dossiers for REACH, and it supports efforts for reducing animal testing.  The OECD has published guidance on the formation and use of chemical categories for data gap filling.  An ECETOC Task Force recently produced TR 109: High information content technologies in support of read-across in chemical risk assessment; a project that has highlighted methods for read-across.

With the plethora of models and guidance growing for both human health and the environment, it would be prudent to identify recommended practices.  Additionally, the 2013 and 2018 REACH deadlines are pending; these deadlines require lower volume producers and importers to submit chemical safety assessments.  A report describing recommended practices in this area would be useful in supporting industry‘s risk characterisation and prioritisation activities across all sectors. To this end, an ECETOC Task Force of industry and regulatory experts on categorisation methods, read-across and the use of (Q)SAR in risk assessment has prepared Technical Report No. 116: Category approaches, read-across, (Q)SAR.