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Pilot exercise on classifications for chemicals assessed at CoCAM-3
At the third Cooperative Chemicals Assessment Meeting (CoCAM-3) the Secretariat proposed a pilot exercise on the harmonisation of chemicals classification. The purpose is to serve as a small contribution to the work of the UN Sub-Committee of Experts on the GHS to develop a global list of classified chemicals. The approach taken was to select a few chemicals discussed at CoCAM-3 and, based on conclusions agreed in the SIAP, to ask volunteering countries to propose classifications between CoCAM-3 and CoCAM-4. At CoCAM-4 hazard classifications for chemicals selected will be discussed. Several countries have volunteered to take part in this exercise.
Selected chemicals had observed discrepancies in hazard classifications.
This approach has the advantage of: 1) taking/reviewing chemicals that are of interest to several countries because of their generally high production volume, 2) identifying where divergence of hazard classification exist, and 3) using a common dataset and hazard profile agreed by several regulatory authorities to try to resolve these diverging classifications. In case consensus could be reached, this approach could be used in the future as a starting point when trying to develop harmonized classifications at the UN Sub-Committee of Experts on the GHS.
The outcome would:
1) serve the CoCAM to check if the level of details in the SIAP and the formulation of conclusion are adequate for classification, and 2) be analysed and transmitted to the UN in due course after CoCAM-4.