Webinar: ECHA Chem – Examining the data on the ECHA website to help with hazard and risk assessment of chemicals

Webinar Overview

In the second of two sessions exploring ECHA Chem, we will look at the data in depth to help in the assessment of chemical substances to help in the preparation of SDS for the substances themselves and the mixture they may be used in. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) database is perhaps the largest and most comprehensive source of information on substances in the World.

As well as any initial check on classification and key hazardous properties, it is possible to dive in deeper to consider the importance of data and in some cases, confirm whether this is reliable or if there are problems which may lead to questions on the headline details. Examples of flaws in testing may be when poor soluble materials are not correctly assessed for environmental fate and effects, or if metal salts have been properly considered with regard to bioavailability at different pH.

In most cases, the data will be found to be reliable, but we need to know what it means and what we should use. The problem is often not the lack of data, but too much and we need to be selective on what is best for reporting and classification.

So, the challenge is to be able to use the website efficiently to find the information we need, and to be confident that what we have found is indeed reliable. And then the greater challenge is to consider whether the data we have found, and considered reliable, is relevant for the assessment of hazard and risk for our materials.

Key Takeaways

Why Attend?

To be able to make informed decisions on potential hazards of substances used on their own or in mixtures and to be able to manage risk, as well as communicate the findings on SDS, it is essential to be confident in the source of information being used.

Data reliability impacts:

    Our Presenter

Mark Selby, Denehurst Chemical Safety Ltd
Mark originally worked in industry and at a contract testing laboratory before setting up independently at about the time REACH was invented. Mark sat on various groups during the formation of REACH, including REACH Implementation Projects trying to ensure science won over form-filling activities as REACH evolved. Mark has been a training with CHCS for over 20 years and is a consultant with the Chemical Industry Association REACHReady. 

Webinar Chair

Kathryn Tearle
Kathryn Tearle is a Regulatory Affairs Manager at the British Coatings Federation and Vice Chair of the CHCS. Kathryn has extensive knowledge of REACH, CLP and Dangerous Goods Regulations having worked in Emergency Response and as a consultant prior to joining the BCF. Kathryn is a qualified DGSA. At the BCF, Kathryn leads on EU and GB CLP, Supply Chain Communication and SDS, Transport and Dangerous Goods Regulations and anti-fouling coatings and biocides.

Registration
The webinar is free of charge for members of CHCS: please click on the REGISTER button on this web page. 

You will receive an email of confirmation and then an email from GoToWebinar explaining how to join the event on the day.

We are also pleased to offer the webinar free-of-charge to members of BADGP and SCHC (click on the links to see how to register).

If you are interested in attending, but not a member of these organisations, you can JOIN CHCS and then register, free-of-charge. Further webinars on a variety of topics are also being planned.