Abstract for Plenary Talk 3.1

 

Regulations as a Framework for Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction: Overview of Current Regulations

E. Lechtenberg-Auffarth, Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Dortmund, Germany

Reducing risks for and via the skin is an acknowledged purpose of regulation. For example EU-Directives on chemicals or worker and consumer health and safety make at least reference to dermal risks and their control.

As a prerequisite for measures, directives usually claim for a risk assessment and a risk reduction strategy. Guidance documents have been developed but still need improvement based on deeper scientific insight.

Information systems for hazard and safe use (classification and labelling, SDS) are legally implemented in most countries and may get modified and harmonised by GHS.

The envisaged new European chemicals regulation “REACH” will hopefully improve the data base and the approaches to generate strategies for risk reduction, both for the regulatory and the company level.

Risk management at the company level needs detailed guidance. Supranational guidance is sparse (TGD on directive 98/24/EEC, guidance by industry associations). European national guidance documents can be viewed on the OSHA-database of the European Agency of Safety and Health in Bilbao. Substance - or branch specific recommendations including strategies for medical surveillance are desirable and frequently available on national levels.

Standards set under general product safety regulations or even sub-standard conventions are relevant , e.g., for chromate in leather, testing of gloves and efficacy of skin care products.

 

Content last modified: 3 April 2005

 

Return