Information sources

Associazione Italiana di Protezione Contro le Radaizioni, (AIRP) Italian Radiation Protection Association

c/o ENEA, via Mazzini 2, I-40138 Bologna, Italy
Tel: (+39 51) 498259

CEFIC (European Chemical Industry Council)

Av. E. van Nieuwenhuyse 4, bte 2, B-1160 Bruxelles, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0) 2 676 72 11, Fax: +32 (0) 2 676 73 01
WWW site: http://www.cefic.be/index.htm

The objective of CEFIC is to provide a mechanism for structured discussion of issues affecting chemical companies operating in Europe and to represent the industry's position on these issues in order to contribute to the legislative decision-taking process. The audience for CEFIC's representation is organisations and individuals whose role and authority extend beyond national boundaries and whose decisions have international effect. CEFIC is made up of the national chemical industry federations of 22 countries in Europe and large international companies which are members in their own right.

CEFIC has many contacts with various public/official bodies such as the European Commission, the Council of Europe, OECD, IEA, and the United Nations' organisations and agencies.

CEFIC serves the chemical industry to which it belongs and serves the society in which it operates. Its purpose is to make sure that progress is not impeded by misconceptions and that the substantial benefits which the chemical industry brings to the economy, the standard of living and the quality of life continue to be available without risk to health and the environment. More information is available on the web page including publications.

Chemical Industries Association

Kings Buildings, Smith Square, London SW1P 3JJ, UK
Tel: (+44 171) 834 3399, Fax: (+44 171) 834 4469

Promotes co-operation in the chemical industry. Manages UK Responsible Care Program - industry initiative for improved health, safety and environmental performance. Produces publications.

European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (ECETOC)

Avenue E. Van Nieuwenuye 4 (Bte.6), B-1160 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: (+32 2) 675 3600, Fax: (+32 2) 675 3625

The association co-operates in a scientific context with intergovernmental agencies, governments, health authorities, other public and professional institutions with interests in ecotoxicological and toxicological issues relating to chemicals. Produces information relevant to the protection of human health from exposure to chemicals and the ecological impact of the manufacture, processing and use of chemicals. Publications in the form of reports and monographs are available.

European Environmental Research Organisation - Assessment Unit

PO Box 182, NL-6700 AD Wageningen, The Netherlands
Tel: +31 317 48 27 96, Fax: +31 317 48 49 41
E-mail: office@training-ctr.nl
WWW site: http://www.training-ctr.nl/

The Assessment Unit offers services to government and industry in assessing controversial environmental problems that require in-depth expert judgement before adequate decisions can be made. The EERO Assessment Unit brings together renowned and independent experts working in the relevant scientific and managerial fields. The composition of the group allows a neutral evaluation of the problem the outcome of which is published in a scientific journal under the joint authorship of the experts. The results of previous assessments have been used as a basis for advice to governments, industries or agencies; for establishing policy guidelines, standards and norms; and for initiating research.

European Federation Biotechnology Working Party - Safety in Biotechnology

O. Doblhoff-Dier, University of Agriculture, Institute of Applied Microbiology, Nussdorfer Laende 11, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
Tel: (+43 1) 36006 ext. 6202, Fax: (+43 1) 369 7615
E-mail: doblhoff@boku.ac.at
WWW site: http://www.boku.ac.at/iam/efb/efb_wp.htm

Provides recommendations on the safety aspects of biotechnology with respect to the environment, the public, personnel and products. This includes the identification and monitoring of hazards associated with various applications in biotechnology; and the assessment and quantification of risks. The group meets twice yearly (members include representatives from WHO and OECD). A series of reports have been produced.

Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations

Via delle Terme di Caracalla, 0100 Rome, Italy
Tel: (+39 6) 52 251, Fax: (+39 6) 52 25 31 52
WWW site: http://www.fao.org/default.htm

The FAO works to alleviate poverty and hunger by promoting agricultural development, improved nutrition and the pursuit of food security and safety. The organisation offers direct development assistance, collects, analyses and disseminates information, provides policy and planning advice to governments and acts as an international forum for debate on food and agriculture issues. Participates in international co-operative activities on food safety such as Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives and produces a vast number of publications which can be found on the web site.

Institution of Chemical Engineers

165-189 Railway Terrace, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 3HQ, UK
Tel: (+44 1788) 578214, Fax: (+44 1788) 560 833
WWW site: http://www.icheme.org/

An international body providing information on risk assessment in many forms: training resources; short courses; in-company training; subscription bulletins; books; and open meetings. The information is not exclusively applicable to the chemical and process industries but covers many sectors. Produces various publications.

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (WHO)

150 cours Albert Thomas, F-69372 Lyon cedex 08, France
Tel: (+33) 472 738 485, Fax: (+33) 472 738 575
WWW site: http://www.iarc.fr/

Independently financed organisation within the framework of the WHO. Conducts research principally on the epidemiology of cancer and the study of potential carcinogens in the human environment. Publications : monographs, technical reports.

International Commission for Protection Against Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens

Medical Bio Lab TNO, Lange Kleiewg 139 PB 45, NL-2280 AA Rijswijk, The Netherlands
Tel: (+31) 15138777

International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP)

Clifton Avenue, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PU, UK
Tel: (+44 181) 642 4680

Gives general guidance on the more widespread use of radiation sources caused by rapid developments in the field of nuclear energy.

International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS)

World Health Organization, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
Tel: (+41 22) 791 35 88, Fax: (+41 22) 791 48 48
E-mail: ipcs@who.ch
WWW site: http://www.who.ch/programmes/WHOProgrammes.html

The overall objectives of the IPCS are to establish the scientific basis for assessment of the risk to human health and the environment from exposure to chemicals, through international peer-review processes, as a prerequisite for the promotion of chemicals safety, and to provide technical assistance in strengthening national capacities for the sound management of chemicals. Many types of publications are produced, including the Environmental Health Criteria series. Full details of IPCS programmes and publications produced by the IPCS Central Unit are available on the IPCS web site.

International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA)

PO Box 662, NL-5600 AR Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Tel: (+31) 40 473355, Fax: (+31 40) 435020

Organisation for international communications and co-operation in radiation protection.

International Society for Environmental Toxicology and Cancer

PO Box 134, Park Forest, IL 60466, USA
Tel: (+1 312) 755 2080

International Society for Exposure Analysis

Integrated Environmental Services, University Tower, Suite 280, 4199 Campus Drive, Irvine CA 92715, USA
WWW site: http://www.isea.rutgers.edu/isea/isea.html

"The objective of the Society is to foster and advance the science of exposure analysis related to environmental contaminants, to human populations and activities, and to ecosystems. The membership promotes communication among all disciplines involved in exposure analysis, recommends exposure analysis approaches to address substantive or methodological concerns, and attempts to strengthen the impact of exposure assessment on environmental policy." The Society produces a journal - Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, and regular newsletters. Annual conference this year with Society of Risk Analysis - December 1996. The Internet site provides more information.

OECD Environment Directorate, Environmental Health and Safety Division

2 rue Andre Pascal, 75775 Paris Cedex 16, France
Tel: (+33 1) 45 24 82 00, Fax: (+33 1) 45 24 85 00
E-mail: ehscont@oecd.org
WWW site: http://www.oecd.org/ehs/

The OECD work on Environment, Health and Safety consists of four Programme areas: Chemicals Programme; Chemicals Accident Programme, Biotechnology Programme and Pesticides Programme. The Chemicals Programme includes work on Test Guidelines, Good Laboratory Practice, Hazard/Risk Assessment, Risk Management and the investigation of existing chemicals. Comprehensive information on all four programmes is available on the internet including lists of available publications provided at no charge.

Oil Companies European Organisation for Environmental Health Protection (CONCAWE)

Madouplein 1, B-1030 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: (+32 2) 220 3111, Fax: (+32 2) 219 4646

Assistance of a scientific nature to the crude oil refining industry in the study of environmental, health and safety issues relating to the refining, distribution and use of crude oil and petroleum products and improvement of the understanding of these issues by the industry, authorities and users. Funded by the oil industry. Publications.

Risk Assessment and Policy Association

Franklin Pierce Law Center, 2 White Street, Concord NH 03301, USA
Tel: (+1 603) 228 1541, Fax: (+1 603) 224 3342
WWW site: http://www.fplc.edu/tfield/rapa.htm

The objective of RAPA is to explore issues of assessment and management of health, safety and environmental risks and to further the education and professional development of individuals sharing this objective. Its goals are: to promote multidisciplinary research on the theory and practice of risk assessment and management; to foster intellectual exchange among researchers, risk assessors and policy makers; to encourage public involvement in risk assessment and management; to examine the use of risk assessment in legislative, regulatory and other policy deliberations in the US and elsewhere; to study the use of risk analysis in decision making. Produces a journal and newsletter.

Safety and Reliability Society

Clayton House, 59 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AQ, UK
Tel: (+44 161) 228 7824, Fax: (+44 161) 236 6977

The Society aims to provide an international forum for exchange of information on safety and reliability matters and to establish professional and educational standards for safety and reliability engineers.

SETAC Europe and SETAC

Tel: (+32 2) 772 7281 and (+1 904) 469 1500, Fax: (+32 2) 770 5386 and (+1 904) 469 9778
E-mail: 100725.3525@compuserve.com and setac@setac.org
WWW site: http://www.setac.org/

publications and a newsletter. 1,100 members (Europe) - scientists working in government, industry or academia - expertise includes hazard and risk assessment. A wealth of experience and expertise in risk assessment is also available from SETAC advisory groups such as on Ecological Risk Assessment

The Hazards Forum

1 Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA, UK
Tel: (+44 171) 839 9971, Fax: (+44 171) 233 1806

The Hazards Forum is an interdisciplinary forum for engineers concerned with the mitigation of both natural and man-made hazards.

The Royal Society of Chemistry

Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1V 0BN, UK
Tel: (+44 171) 4378656, Fax: (+44 171) 4378883
WWW site: http://chemistry.rsc.org/rsc/

The Royal Society of Chemistry is a learned and professional society with a world-wide membership of 46 000. It has as its main objectives; the advancement of the science of chemistry and its applications, and the maintenance of high standards of competence and integrity among practising chemists. The Society has been involved in the publishing of journals since 1841. It now produces a wide range of journals, books and databases and provides information services through its extensive library. Surplus generated from sales is used to fund the promotion of chemistry

The Society for Risk Analysis - Europe

PO Box 247, 4102 Binningen 1, Switzerland
Tel: (+41 61) 422 13 70, Fax: (+41 61) 422 13 70

"The Society for Risk Analysis is a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, scholarly, international society that provides an open forum for all those who are interested in risk analysis. Risk analysis is broadly defined to include risk assessment, risk characterisation, risk communication, risk management, and policy relating to risk, in the context of risks of concern to individuals, to public and private sector organisations, and to society at a local, regional, national, or global level. The SRA brings together individuals from diverse disciplines and from different countries and provides them with opportunities to exchange information, ideas, and methodologies for risk analysis and risk problem-solving; fosters understanding and professional collaboration among individuals and organisations for the purpose of contributing to risk analysis and risk problem-solving; facilitates the dissemination of knowledge about risk and risk analysis methods and their applications; encourages applications of risk analysis methods; promotes advancement of the state-of-the-art in research and education on risk analysis; and provides services to its members to assist them in developing their careers in risk analysis." (SRA Mission Statement). The SRA produces regular newsletters, holds regular conferences and produces the journal - Risk Analysis.

UNEP Industry and Environment - The APELL Programme

Tour Mirabeau, 39-43 quai André Citroën, 75739 Paris Cedex 15, France
Tel: (+33 1) 44 37 14 50, Fax: (+33 1) 44 37 14 74
E-mail: unepie@unep.fr
WWW site: http://www.unepie.org/home.html

The APELL (Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at Local Level) is a programme designed to create and/or increase public awareness of possible hazards within a community; stimulate the development of co-operative plans to respond to any emergencies that might occur; encourage prevention of accidents. Sponsored by UNEP in co-operation with the US Chemical Manufacturers' Association and the Conseil European des Federations de l'Industrie Chimique (CEFIC). General publications have been produced including an Annotated Bibliography on emergency preparedness, and a newsletter distributed as a supplement to Industry & Environment review. Details of other activities carried out by UNEP/IE can be found on the web page.

UNEP International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC)

Case Postale 356, 15 chemin des Anémones, Châtelaine CH-1219, Geneva, Switzerland
Tel: (+41 22) 979 9111, Fax: (+41 22) 797 34 60
E-mail: irptc@unep.ch
WWW sites: http://irptc.unep.ch/irptc/
http://irptc.unep.ch/pic/
http://irptc.unep.ch/prtr/
http://irptc.unep.ch/pops/

UNEP Chemicals (IRPTC) is the focus of all activities undertaken by UNEP to ensure the globally sound management of chemicals. It is built upon the solid technical foundations of the International Register of Potentoially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC). In its suite of responsibilities, UNEP chemicals catalyzes global actions to promote chemical safety and management, including facilitating the adoption of global legal instruments on hazardous chemicals; promotes the exchange of information on chemicals in order to help governments protect human health and the environment; assists Govermnents to establish and enhance their chemical safety programmes through the support of awareness raising, training and capacity building activities; and performs technical analysis in support of the above.

WHO Programme for the Promotion of Environmental Health

World Health Organization, Avenue Appia, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
Tel: (+41 22) 791 2111, Fax: (+41 22) 791 0746
WWW site: http://www.who.ch/ (links ? WHO Major Programmes ? Programme for the Promotion of Environmental Health)

The Programme addresses priority issues concerning the physical and social environment. The Programme carries out WHO responsibilities for co-ordinating international work in the area of health and environment, and assists member states with the development and implementation of national health and environment programmes. WHO's work in the field of chemical safety is undertaken by the Programme for the Promotion of Chemical Safety (PCS) largely in collaboration with ILO and UNEP in the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS - see separate entry). Work carried out by the PEH Programme includes the development of health risk assessment methodology, radiation safety, global hazards assessment, and water and air quality management. Comprehensive information is available from the WHO web site. Publications.

WHO Food Safety Unit

World Health Organization, Avenue Appia, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
Tel: (+41 22) 791 3588, Fax: (+41 22) 791 0746
E-mail: foodsafety@who.ch
WWW site: http://www.who.ch/programmes/WHOProgrammes.html

WHO's food safety programme aims to reduce the occurrence of foodborne diseases caused by microbiologically contaminated food, which are a major contributor to diarrhoea and malnutrition, especially in young children. The programme also seeks to prevent or control hazards posed by chemical substances in foods, including both natural and man-made environmental contaminants as well as those substances that become a component of food through production and processing. WHO collaborates with the FAO in serving as the Secretariat to the Codex Alimentarius Commission. With the importance given to Codex standards, guidelines and other recommendations, by their recognition by the World Trade Organisation, WHO and FAO have convened a series of consultation to promote the consistent and transparent application of risk assessment within the Codex system. WHO is also the executing agency for the Global Environment Monitoring System - Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment Programme (GEMS/Food) which provides data on the exposure of the human population to 19 priority contaminants in individual foods and the total diet. WHO is also playing an important role in assessing risks posed by microbiological and other biological agents to human health. A databank of foodborne diseases is maintained and assessments of emerging or recently recognised foodborne pathogens are prepared. The Food Safety Unit produces a wide range of publications on food safety including the WHO food safety documents and joint FAO/Codex Alimentarius reports.