Product codes

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Product codes

• Improving risk communication
• Jaco Westra on behalf of
• The Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and
  Employment

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Why this presentation?

• Requesting all stakeholders to
• support the organization of a workshop on an
  expert level to
• discuss the state of the art in the development
  of product codes and
• to look for a common way forward.

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Product code what is it?

• Making complex information accessible
• Simple and easily understandable
• Specifically aimed at communication
• Main target End user, but also upstream
• Product aimed at use (products)
• Code condensed information

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The need for product codes (1)

• The end users perspective
• Growing amount of information (overkill?)
• Specialist oriented
• Legal obligations (REACH, Exposure Scenarios,
  CAD, Risk inventory and evaluation)

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The need for product codes (1)

• The end users perspective
• Information is complicated
• New instrument extended SDS
• Past experiences with SDS on user level
• Need for simple and tailor-made instrument

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EU Initiatives
OAR No rmms
new MAL Combined with rmms
Other?
AWARE rmms Stoffenmanager
I AWARE and GISbau Product code with rmms II
Adhesives manufacturers (FEICA) Critical
component analysis
No product code COSHH rmms
No product code Lara rmms
EU RIP 3.2/3.5

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AWARE The Dutch Initiative

• Adequate Warning and Air REquirement
• Two-digit code e.g. 450-II
• 450 volatile component air refreshment
• II Hazard based on R-phrase categories
• Scientific support and tested in practice

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Practical experiences

• Pilots 2005 - 2007
• Cooperation among industry (prof. users and
  suppliers), trade unions, Ministry of SZW)
• Objective practical experience
• Result
• It facilitates a better choice,
• Easily understandable
• Tool for product innovation critical components

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AWARE how to continue?

• Widening the scope
• Environment
• RRM
• Broadening the horizon
• European approach
• Extending practical experiences

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In summary

• More and more information
• but complicated (end user perspective)
• Need for better communication instruments
• Product codes may fit the bill
• Promising practical results
• Several are under development

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Why this presentation?

• Requesting all stakeholders to
• support the organization of a workshop on an
  expert level to
• discuss the state of the art in the development
  of product codes and
• to look for a common way forward.

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Further information contact

• Further information
• www.awaretool.eu
• www.vast.szw.nl (click AWARE in left menu, then
  find the British flag)
• Contact
• Mrs. L. van der Vliet
• LMvdVliet_at_MINSZW.NL