Hazard assessment is a process to determine the possible adverse effects of a chemical to which an organism, system, or (sub) population could be exposed. Hazard is the inherent property of a chemical that has the potential to cause adverse effects when an organism, system, or (sub) population is exposed to that chemical. Hazard assessment can be done at varying levels, ranging from an initial or “screening” assessment to a comprehensive/detailed assessment.
Obligations for industry: Implement the GHS and request industry to classify the hazardous chemicals they are producing and marketing or importing according to the GHS. Guidance on implementing the GHS can be found in the Classification and Labelling System Management Scheme component of the Toolbox.
Hazard assessment contains two sub elements
- Hazard identification
- Hazard characterisation
Hazard assessment could be done by a team of experts (experts for physical hazards, toxicologists and ecotoxicologists) in the ministry or agency responsible for the framework including experts from other relevant ministries or agencies.
The following options are suggested for limited, medium and high resource situations. For the selected chemicals relevant to each resource level see "Chemical selection related to resource level" in the More information pages.
Limited resources
Use hazard identification (classification) and hazard characterisation from other countries (e.g. main trading partner) as well as from international organisations.
Medium resources
Carry out your own hazard identification (classification) for priority chemicals. Use hazard characterisation from other countries or international organisations.
High resources
Carry out your own full hazard assessment. Consider using hazard assessments from other countries or international organisations.