OECD Member countries share the burden of the investigation of the over 5000 high production volume chemicals they produce or import in order to determine whether there is a need to undertake further work to clarify and/or manage their potential risks.

Each country, often with the chemical industry, collects information, carries out testing, and assesses the results for a portion of these HPV chemicals. After co-operative initial hazard assessments are agreed by experts, Member countries agree to the hazards of these chemicals to human health /environment with information about exposure and recommendations on any actions to be undertaken.

The results of this work and all of the background information are made available world wide through UNEP chemicals and through links to other relevant web sites.

The chemical industry plays an important role in providing data and initial assessments to the programme via Member countries, avoiding duplication in this sector as well as among governments. The HPV chemicals programme in undertaken in co-ordination with national, regional and other international chemicals programmes.

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