By Date

Ten new, updated, or corrected Test Guidelines have been adopted by the OECD Council

The new Test Guidelines are: TG 457 and TG 460. The updated Test Guidelines are TG 109, TG 114, TG 229, TG 211, TG 305, TG 455, and TG 405. The corrected Test Guideline is TG 443

New Brochure on food, feed and environmental safety of modern biotechnology: available

This brochure (version: October 2012) presents the activities of the OECD "Working Group on Harmonisation of Regulatory Oversight in Biotechnology" and the "Task Force for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds”.

Test No. 455: Performance-Based Test Guideline for Stably Transfected Transactivation In Vitro Assays to Detect Estrogen Receptor Agonists

Test No. 457: BG1Luc Estrogen Receptor Transactivation Test Method for Identifying Estrogen Receptor Agonists and Antagonists

Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the OECD Clearing House on New Chemicals Parallel Process

This document provides detailed guidance for both new chemical notifiers and jurisdictions who wish to participate in a “parallel process” which enables a company to declare to all affected countries at the time of first notification that it wants them to cooperate and share information. The hazard assessment is developed by the ‘lead’ jurisdiction and then utilized by other participating jurisdictions.

Consensus Document on the Biology of Cucurbita L. (Squashes, Pumpkins, Zucchinis and Gourds)

Harmonisation of Regulatory Oversight in Biotechnology Series: the new issue on the biology of Cucurbita L. species (squashes, pumpkins, zucchinis and gourds) is now available. Given the production and use of these vegetable crops worldwide, this document should be of interest for many readers.

Six Years of OECD Work on The Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials: Achievements and Future Opportunities

This communication outlines the achievements made so far by OECD in addressing the human health and environmental safety implications of manufactured nanomaterials

Revised Consensus Document on Compositional Considerations for New Varieties of Soybean [Glycine Max (L.) Merr.]: Key Food and Feed Nutrients, Antinutrients, Toxicants and Allergens

Novel Food and Feed Series: the revised SOYBEAN document on composition (key nutrients, anti-nutrients, toxicants and allergens) is now available. It replaces the original 2001 document. Given the growing importance of soybean commodities in food and feed worldwide, it should be of interest for many readers.

Guidance Document for Demonstrating Efficacy of Pool and Spa Disinfectants and Field Testing

This Guidance Document describes how applicants could demonstrate that a proposed new pool and spa disinfectant would satisfy the regulator’s efficacy criteria. While meeting the performance characteristics can be expected to satisfy the regulator’s efficacy requirements, the regulator may choose to consider alternative scientific information and argument aimed at satisfying the efficacy criteria.

OECD activities to assist PRTR implementation

An overview on OECD activities to assist PRTR implementation, including the aims of the Task Force on PRTRs, as well as information on the dissemination and use of PRTR data and release and estimation techniques.