Have your say – revisions to the Categorisation Guidelines in 2027

Adding new entries

In total, we will add 286 entries to the list in 2027.

How will this impact introducers?
Based on information from pre-introduction reports (PIRs) and post-introduction declarations (PIDs) that we received, we expect that adding these chemicals to the list will only impact a relatively small number of importers or manufacturers. We’ll contact these introducers directly before adding the chemicals.

Updating existing entries

There will be 548 updates to existing entries on the list in 2027. An entry on the list needs updating because it has been either: 

• identified on another source of information
• given an additional hazard by the same source.

Correction of entries

We will correct the CAS numbers on the list for these 4 entries:

We will correct the CAS number for the following entry that was incorrectly duplicated on the list. We will also correct the formatting of the name and include all associated names:

How will this impact introducers?
They can use more accurate and up-to-date entries on the list.

Download

See the spreadsheet for the full list of chemicals to come into effect on 1 September 2027:

Chemicals on the list we will add, update or remove in 2027 [XLSX 8.4 MB]

To improve consistency of the Guidelines and make them clearer, our revisions will include fixes of spelling or grammatical errors, formatting and inconsistencies. We explain the details below for information only because they do not change the function or meaning of any aspect of the Guidelines.

Improve naming of test guidelines

To improve how we present the names of test guidelines in appendix 8.4, we will:

• Order and name test guidelines consistently.
• Clarify the previous name in parentheses, as shown:
  • OPPT 798.1100 (previously OPPT 798.110)
  • OCSPP 870.5450 (previously OPPT 870.5450)
  • OCSPP 870.5460 (previously OPPT 870.5460)
  • OCSPP 830.7840 (previously OPPTS 830.7840)

Simplify tables that show the acceptable test guidelines

We propose to simplify the tables in appendices 8.4.1, 8.4.2 and 8.4.3 of the Guidelines by merging the test guidelines listed in the second and third columns into one column. This will become a single list of acceptable test guidelines for each hazard or property tested, rather than the current list of acceptable OECD test guidelines followed by their equivalent test guidelines. For example:

How will this impact introducers?
Simpler tables will be easier for introducers to understand whether the information they have about their introduction can be used to demonstrate the presence or absence of a hazard characteristic during the categorisation process. A single list of acceptable test guidelines for each hazard tested also allows us to write the name of each test guideline in full, which makes searching easier for introducers.

Clarify when data from deleted or superseded test guidelines can be used

We propose to improve the text at the beginning of appendix 8.4 by removing the word ‘OECD’. This will clarify that this dot point applies to all types of test guidelines, not just OECD test guidelines. This means that studies which were performed according to a deleted or superseded method – but were completed before the method was deleted or superseded – are considered to be acceptable test guidelines.

Clarify the route of exposure

We will amend the wording of the final bullet point of part 6.22.2 (information required to demonstrate the absence of hazard characteristic ‘Acute toxicity – harmful’) to emphasise that the study is conducted via the oral route. This aligns with the option for demonstrating the absence of ‘Acute toxicity – fatal or toxic’ in part 6.15.2. 

How would this impact introducers?
Although it is already implied by the type of test required (‘subacute oral toxicity’), introducers will benefit from consistent wording across similar study options. This will also emphasise the route of exposure for conducting this study.

Clarify that the list is a point-in-time compilation of chemicals from the information sources

We propose to amend the text at the beginning of appendix 8.1 to clarify that the list is a point-in-time compilation of chemicals identified from the specified sources of information as highly hazardous to human health or the environment. This will make it clearer that, depending on the timing of any updates to the information sources for the list, the list itself may not reflect the chemicals that are present on the information source at any given point in time.

How would this impact introducers?
Amending this text reduces potential confusion. It does not change the function of any aspect of the Guidelines or how the list is to be used to categorise introductions of industrial chemicals.

Update links to external sites

The following editorial changes are intended to make the Guidelines clearer and more consistent for introducers. 

Italicisation of certain words

Certain terms such as definitions will be italicised, where they are not already.

Use of bold for emphasis

Where not already used, the updated version will bold:

• terms such as the names of hazard characteristics in part 6
• the words ‘not’ or ‘no’ to demonstrate the absence of hazard characteristics to add emphasis.

Symbols

Where appropriate or needed, the updates will:

• replace letter ‘x’ with the × symbol
• insert the missing ‘]’ symbol from footnote in Part 6.5.2
• add missing full stops
• remove full stops from tables
• correct ‘read across’ to ‘read-across’
• add commas to numbers greater than 1,000 where not already present
• superscript the number 2 in ‘mm²/s’
• replace ‘EC₁₀’ with ‘EC10’
• represent blank cells in tables with a dash for consistency.

Spacing

We will standardise spacing in tables and the spaces around hyphens and dashes.

Wording

Our updates to wording will:

• replace ‘information to demonstrate’ with ‘information that demonstrates’ 
• merge paragraphs that have been incorrectly separated, and vice versa
• apply correct use of capital letters
• show optional plurals using ‘(s)’
• use the correct naming conventions for schedules to the Rules (rather than ‘of’ the Rules).

Linking other documents

We will link the list of chemicals with high hazards for categorisation in appendix 8.1 to our website for users to access it.