The ECETOC Conceptual Framework for Polymer Risk Assessment (CF4Polymers) - Technical Report No. 133-1

The TF is preparing case studies to further evaluate the comprehensiveness and appropriateness of the eight steps of the CF4Polymers, and specifically opportunities for the grouping of polymers (planned as ECETOC TR No. [...] As starting point for the development of the CF4Polymers, the TF reviewed: • Available definitions for (different forms of) polymers and information on the versatility and complexity of polymers; • The chemical legislation and related guidance, as relevant for polymer RA, adopted in the European Union (EU) in the context of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Auth. [...] The complexity and versatility of polymers necessitated a delineation of the scope of the TF work, and of the CF4Polymers. [...] The amount of polymer molecules presenting the same molecular weight must be less than 50 weight percent of the substance.” ECHA (2012a) explains that “a monomer unit means the reacted form of a monomer substance in a polymer (for the identification of the monomeric unit(s) in the chemical structure of the polymer the mechanism of polymer formation may, for instance, be taken into consideration)”. [...] the uses and life cycle stage(s) of the polymer that lie within the scope of the RA and those that are out of scope of the RA, the protection goal, and whether intrinsic and/or physical hazards are within the scope.