ECHA publishes updated guidance on use descriptor system

News Alert
ECHA/NA/10/13
Media enquiries: ECHA Press

ECHA is issuing an update of the Use Descriptor Chapter of the Guidance on Information Requirements and Chemical Safety Assessment. The document is now available in the Guidance section of the ECHA website and will assist registrants in preparing their chemical safety report using the forthcoming new Chesar tool.

Helsinki, 26 March 2010 - This guidance includes six pick-lists with standard terms to describe the identified uses in REACH registration dossiers. The same terms can be applied in the title section of exposure scenarios. The update introduces a descriptor element to cover the environment, better explains the practical use of the descriptor system and structures the relationship between the use descriptor system and Tier 1 exposure estimates for workers, consumers and the environment.

The update of the Use Descriptor System (Chapter R.12) is part of an overall update of the Guidance on Information Requirements and Chemical Safety Assessments that results from practical experience in developing in close cooperation with industry the Chemical Safety Assessment and Reporting Tool, called Chesar. This tool will be launched by end April.

In line with ECHA's Guidance consultation procedure, the document was endorsed by the Commission and the Member States Competent Authorities for REACH and CLP after consultation of the Partner Expert Group and the Risk Assessment Committee.

The new release of the Guidance on the Use Descriptor System is currently available in English and is being translated into 21 languages.