OECD Harmonised Templates

Description of templates

An OECD harmonised template is a standard format for reporting a summary of the results of a test on a chemical to determine its properties or effects on human health and the environment (e.g., hydrolysis, skin irritation, repeat dose toxicity, etc.). These templates can be used for reporting summary results for testing on any type of a chemical (e.g., pesticides, biocides, industrial chemicals).

The templates are aimed at developers of database systems as they prescribe the formats by which such information can be entered into and maintained in database.  By using these templates, governments and industry will easily be able to electronically exchange test study summary information.  In order for information technology developers to build data entry screens and/or database systems based on the OECD Harmonised Templates which can generate data files that can be imported into other database systems, each template has a corresponding “XML schema” (i.e., a common electronic data export/import format). 

Note: The harmonised templates are merely guides for structuring data entry/database management systems; they are not data entry screens.

Further information on templates can be found under “Frequently asked Questions”.

Templates, XML Schema and documentation included on website

Each OECD template below, which is presented in an EXCEL spreadsheet, lists all of the data elements which could be relevant for a summary of a study as well as the format in which the information should be entered and stored electronically. Instructions are provided for IT developers regarding programming of data entry tools, as well as help texts for subsequent users of these data entry tools.

There are 85 templates on specific endpoints and 85 corresponding "XML Schema"(e.g. acute toxicity to fish template and acute toxicity to fish XML schema) available below, plus one “generic” template.  The file “00-Generic_Fields-01FEB2006-CL.xls” contains a number of fields which are common to all templates and are not repeated in each individual template, but simply referenced. This file also contains explanatory notes regarding the different formats defined for different fields.

For each template and its corresponding XML schema, a "Schematron" has been developed to provide the validation rules that should apply to each template.

Each template also includes “picklists” or drop-down menus in which a user can choose from a number of pre-defined options.  Those picklists which are extremely long are not included in individual templates, but instead are referenced to this Excel file.

All templates contain a number of fields which include a rich text editor. One rich text editor field is provided in the MATERIALS AND METHODS and the RESULTS section in the templates. In addition the fields "Overall Remarks" and "Executive Summary" allow rich text entry. In these fields, the user can enter information on materials and methods, for which no distinct field is available, or transfer free text from other databases. The user can also open a rich text editor and create formatted text and tables or insert and edit any text from a word processing or spreadsheet document, provided it has been converted to HTML format. A number of pre-defined tables and text for executive summaries have been developed and are available below.

OECD HARMONISED TEMPLATES, XML SCHEMA AND RELATED DOCUMENTATION