TR 133-1 – The ECETOC Conceptual Framework for Polymer Risk Assessment (CF4Polymers)

This Technical Report presents the Conceptual Framework for Polymer Risk Assessment (CF4Polymers) developed by the European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (ECETOC) Polymers Task Force (TF). Based upon a review of the state-of-the-art polymer grouping and risk assessment (RA), the CF4Polymers provides basic guiding principles to be considered in assessing potential ecological and human health hazards and risks posed by polymer products to facilitate consistency. The work of the TF was motivated by the versatility and complexity of polymers, that are generally not present as mono-constituent substances, but as complex polymer products consisting of the polymeric substance (polymeric macromolecules), intentionally added substances (IAS; e.g.stabilisers) and non-intentionally added substances (NIAS; e.g. impurities). Further, polymer products can change their form during different life cycle stages. For these reasons, conventional RA approaches for chemicals may need to be modified for polymers.

Technical Report No. 133-1
Brussels, May 2019
ISSN-2079-1526-133-1 (online)