Biosafety and the Environmental Uses of Micro-Organisms

Micro-organisms play a fundamental role in the environment. Yet their role is the result of complex biogeochemical processes by consortia of micro-organisms and the function of individual species is not clear in many cases. This publication provides an overview of the current situation and relevant developments in environmental microbiology.

Biosafety and the Environmental Uses of Micro-Organisms - Conference Proceedings

Micro-organisms play a fundamental role in the environment. Yet their role is the result of complex biogeochemical processes by consortia of micro-organisms and the function of individual species is not clear in many cases.

This publication provides an overview of the current situation and relevant developments in environmental microbiology, as well as its potential application, which covers: use of micro-organisms for

Addendum Number 2 to the OECD Guiding Principles for Chemical Accident Prevention, Preparedness and Response (2nd ed.) to Address Natural Hazards Triggering Technological Accidents (Natechs)

An addendum to the OECD Guiding Principles on Chemical Accident Prevention, Preparedness and Response to address Natural Hazards Triggering Technological Accidents (Natech) Risk Management has just been published. The addendum consists of a number of amendments to the Guiding Principles and the addition of a new Chapter to provide more detailed guidance on Natech prevention, preparedness and response.

Substitution of hazardous chemicals

As interest in the substitution of harmful chemicals continues to grow in industry, NGOs and the public sector, organisations are seeking guidance on the selection of appropriate methods and tools. OECD is responding to this need.

More about OECD Test Guidelines

This page explains the background to the OECD Test Guidelines, the reason for their development, their applicability and how they can be accessed.

Guiding Principles for Chemical Accident Prevention, Preparedness and Response

The objective of these Guiding Principles is to set out general guidance for the safe planning, construction, management, operation and review of safety performance of hazardous installation in order to prevent accidents involving hazardous substances and, recognising that such accidents may nonetheless occur, to mitigate adverse effects through effective land-use planning and emergency preparedness and response.

Related Documents

• OECD-Leitprinzipien für die Verhinderung, Bereitschaft für den Fall und Bekämpfung von Chemieunfällen
• Hungarian Translation of the OECD Guiding Principles for Chemical Accident Prevention, Preparedness and Response
• Korean Translation of the OECD Guiding Principles for Chemical Accident Prevention, Preparedness and Response
• Principes directeurs de l'OCDE pour la prévention, la préparation et l' intervention en matière d'accidents chimiques
• Czech Translation of the Guiding Principles for Chemical Accident Prevention, Preparedness and Response
• Principi Guida dell’OCSE per la prevenzione, la preparazione e l’intervento nei casi di incidente chimico
• Chinese Translation of the Guiding Principles for Chemical Accident Prevention, Preparedness and Response

OECD biotechnology newsletter updates

OECD major events and activities relating to biotechnologies: latest developments are updated biannually in this Newsletter.

Guidance Document for Describing Non-Guideline In Vitro Test Methods

This guidance is intended to harmonise the way non-guideline in vitro test methods are described. This should in future facilitate an assessment of the relevance of test methods for biological activities and responses of interest, of the quality of data produced, irrespective of whether these tests are based on manual protocols or assay protocols adapted for use on automated platforms or high-throughput screening systems (HTS).

Children’s Health

Children can be more vulnerable than adults to chemicals. Considering global concern for children’s health, the OECD has been working to bring together knowledge and experiences to reduce risks to children’s health from chemicals.

The OECD QSAR Toolbox

The OECD has released Version 3.3 of the QSAR Toolbox. It contains many new features and functionality improvements, including the DART (Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity) model, among others. In addition, the QSAR Toolbox 3.3 contains updates of six databases (including ECHA CHEM), new QSAR models for explosive property and phototoxicity calculations, bug fixes and many other usability improvements.