Since 1998, Dow has voluntarily participated in the High Production Volume (HPV) Chemical Initiative sponsored by the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA).
For “existing chemicals” — chemicals which had already been on the market when regulatory frameworks for new chemical substances were introduced — the ICCA determined that the availability of relevant hazard and risk information merited further improvement. HPV chemicals — chemicals with a production volume greater than 1000 tons a year — warranted special attention because of their association with higher risk.
In response, companies or global consortia have been gathering SIDS data and summarizing the data into SIDS Initial Assessment Reviews (SIARs) and SIDS Initial Assessment Profiles (SIAPs). These documents contain the information in the original SIDS program, with some summaries described in more detail, and most importantly, an exposure assessment. Depending on the compound, the exposure assessment may be quite detailed. The documents are reviewed by governmental representatives under the auspices of the OECD at a SIDS Initial Assessment Meeting (SIAM).
The ICCA’s aim was to complete SIDS information packages for the priority chemicals by the end of 2004. While progress is being made, the chemicals proceeding through the ICCA program are on a slower track — for reasons outside the chemical industry’s control.1
For additional information: ICCA HPV Chemical Initiative.
