Interview with Wim De Coen - Head of Evaluation Unit 1, ECHA

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An interview with Professor Wim de Coen, Head of Evaluation 1 at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), on 30 June 2010.  
 
With special thanks to Wim de Coen.
 
 

Related FAQ

What is ORCHESTRA?

ORCHESTRA is an EU project, funded to disseminate recent research on computer-based in silico methods for evaluating the toxicity of chemicals.

•• In silico methods make it possible to test large numbers of chemicals (as required by EU REACH legislation) while reducing the numbers of tests on animals.

The aim of the project is therefore to promote wider understanding, awareness and appropriate use of in silico methods.

Learn more here
 

How can this project/site help me?

If you are not familiar with in-silico methods, download the introductory leaflet;
for users of in silico / QSAR methods, there are resource links on this site;
to hear discussion of the issues and priorities, watch the documentary video;
if you want to know more, keep an eye on the posted events & activities
 

Are in silico methods / QSAR models accepted by REACH?

REACH explicitly encourages innovation in toxicity evaluation.  The development of alternative methods is one of the purposes of REACH. 

The legislation sets out conditions specifically for the use of QSAR models, and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) offers detailed guidance.  Even the introductory ‘Guidance in a nutshell’ on substance registration advises industry to ‘collect QSAR estimated results for the substance if suitable models are available’ as an initial step.

However, acceptability depends on both the model and on how it is used in practice.  See ‘What makes a good QSAR model?’

What's next

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