Unit Safety of Chemicals

• Toxicological assessment of chemicals
• Risk assessment of chemicals for consumers (together with Unit 34)
• REACH coordination in the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment
• Identification of substances of very high concern (SVHC) under REACH
• Proposals for the harmonised classification and labelling of dangerous substances on the EU level within the context of the CLP Regulation (EC No. 1272/2008)
• Proposals for restriction measures for the production and use of substances under REACH
• Dossier and Substance Evaluation as well as evaluation of Testing Proposals for substance registrations under REACH
• Toxicological assessment of nanomaterials (REACH, OECD WPMN)
• Support for German members of the Committees for Risk Assessment and Socioeconomic Analysis as well as in the Member State committee at ECHAshort forEuropean Chemicals Agency
• Support for the national REACH-CLP Helpdesk at the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA)
• Further development of EU chemical legislation (REACH, CLP, REACH Test Method Regulation (EC No 440/2008), including their annexes and guidance documents)
• Participation in international bodies (EU, OECD, WHO/IPCS) for the (further) development of test methods, testing strategies and toxicological assessment concepts
• Supervision of research activities  in relation to improved risk assessment of chemicals

The assessment of chemicals also comprises the toxicokinetics and metabolism of chemicals, further toxic effects like neurotoxicity or specific organ toxicity, the mode of actions underlying the toxicity of substances and findings observed in humans. Assessment covers as well information on structure-activity relationships and the use of computer-supported aids for the modeling of toxicity and physico-chemical properties. By submitting substance dossiers to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHAshort forEuropean Chemicals Agency), the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment proposes classification and labelling or restrictions on the production or use of substances with hazardous properties, and identifies substances of very high concern (SVHC) for the authorisation process under REACH.

The unit develops proposals for the improvement of toxicological assessment concepts, testing strategies and test methods for chemicals, and participates in national and international bodies (EU, OECD, WHO/IPCS).

In addition, the unit is also involved in the assessment of substances that are of particular interest or risk assessments which are subject of international discussion (e.g. acrylamide, bisphenol A, formaldehyde, nanomaterials, perfluoro compounds).

The unit cooperates closely with the Federal Environment Agency (UBAshort forGerman Environment Agency) and the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), which houses the "Federal Chemicals Office" as the national coordination centre on questions of chemicals safety.