Chemical Compliance

Veracord applies chemical knowledge and regulatory expertise to makes chemical use safer. Our consultancy services and training are provided to the highest possible standards in professionalism, accuracy, and comprehensibility.

• (M)SDS Authoring in compliance with the national and international regulations and standards, including REACH and the GHS.
• Industrial Labels, transportation, shipping and storage.
• GHS classifications.
• Long-term Compliance: (M)SDS Management, update and web distribution.
• Consulting and Training on chemical regulatory issues, on-site and on-line.

Chemical Management

• Procedure development
• Training
• Technical support to facilities
• Data administration for chemical tracking
• Chemical Information Tracking System (CITS)
• Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) database
• Secondary Labeling Requirements
• Identification and collection of performance metrics
• Inventory data accuracy
• Chemical usage
• Audits and assessments

Engineering

• Chemical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Environmental Engineering

Veracord PhD level experts provide instant advice on tackling core regulatory issues in chemical, cosmetic and biocide supply, and can research other issues, such as supply in other territories, or specific chemical use regulations (for example in food contact plastics). We take pride in our communication, giving clear advice in written or verbal form. We can also support industry by providing training in regulatory issues.

Our combination of chemical knowledge and regulatory issues mean we can offer quicker access to markets for your chemical products. Also, because we are independent we can place testing at a laboratory to most appropriate to your timing or cost requirements, and reduce the overall testing costs through use of literature and structure–activity relationship data.

Our client base is primarily North America.  All work is undertaken in the strictest confidence to maintain client confidential business information, usually under terms and conditions of non-disclosure agreements.

Risk Assessment Services

Veracord performs both human health and environmental risk assessment. Risk assessment are required for the notification of new chemicals, the registration of biocidal products, and is also part of the Chemical Safety Report in REACH. It is also the basis of the safety assessment for cosmetic products.

Veracord assists organizations assess occupational, consumer and environmental exposures using measured data, or default data from current guidance documents, and computer modelling (eg EASE, EUSES).

Further information

Chemical risk assessment – Human Health

Risk assessment is the pillar of chemical regulation that is concerned with the protection of man and the environment. It involves the evaluation of the substance by comparing its hazardous properties with the exposures of specified populations (industrial, professional, and consumer, and also those exposed via the environment), to estimate the likelihood that adverse effects will occur. Therefore, an assessor can conclude that an extremely hazardous substance can be used safely (ie has an acceptable risk), provided that there are no significantly exposed populations. The chemical industry is generally opposed to regulatory actions based solely on hazardous properties, while some environmental organisation would prefer this approach.

Chemical risk assessment covers the life cycle of a substance from manufacture through use and emissions to disposal, accounting for its properties, stability and effects at each stage. The risk assessment is used in regulatory schemes to determine further information requirements or risk reduction measures.

The aims and methods of chemical risk assessment for new (supplied after September 1981) and existing (supplied before that date) chemicals are given in a guidance document [Technical guidance Document in Support of Commission Directive 93/67/EEC on Risk Assessment for New Notified Substance and Commission Regulation (EC) no. 1488/94 on Risk Assessment for Existing Substances]. The guidance has been updated to incorporate biocide assessment. The guidance comprises four volumes:

1. Chemical risk assessment for human health
2. Environmental risk assessment
3. Use of (quantitative) structure-activity relationships and use categories
4. Emission scenario documents

The regulators aim is to protect people and the environment from adverse effects of the chemical. The risk assessment for new chemicals is based on a realistic worst-case scenario, and provides the basis for further testing, if necessary, either immediately after the notification or once a higher tonnage threshold is reached. Legislation relating to both new and existing chemicals seeks to ensure that the information requirements are proportional to risk.

For human health effects, we assess the risk to humans by comparing the calculated or measured exposure data for a specific human population with toxicological data extrapolated from animals. For non-systemic effects, such as irritation, the risk is controlled using risk management measures, such as personal protective equipment, or ventilation. The most important toxicological parameter for systemic effects is the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL). For new chemicals with base-set data, the NOAEL is derived from the 28-day repeat-dose study. The risk assessment is more complicated for effects where there is no identified threshold concentration, particularly some carcinogens and sensitising substances.

New Program and Product Development
Veracord's experience in the development of start up programs and products significantly reduces the amount of time it takes and risk involved in moving a concept into reality. Program development services provided include:

• Develop policies and procedures.
• Design program models.
• Develop program descriptions, work plans, and evaluations.
• Develop and complete a business plan.
• Develop marketing strategies.
• Write job descriptions.
• Conduct on-site staff training.

Process & Operations Workflow Analysis
Efficient, natural workflow is essential to cost effective operations while maintaining quality care and services. Veracord helps organizations reorganize around core processes. Work flow studies are conducted through interviews, document review, and observation to identify opportunities for improvement. A gap analysis is developed and reviewed with the organization's management team, then in collaboration with management and staff new processes are developed. Operational testing is completed around reorganized processes to prevent inefficient manual processes from becoming inefficient automated ones.

Regulatory Compliance
Veracord uses the expertise of a licensed health care risk manager to assist in the assessment of an organization's compliance with state and federal regulations. Regulatory compliance services provided include:

• Healthcare Regulatory Compliance Program Risk Assessment.
• Assist in survey/review preparation.
• Develope and monitor corrective action plans
• Preparation of case summaries for state/federal consumer complaint hearings/reviews.