6. Frequently asked questions
Are there OELs for each substance?
No, only substances that are particularly hazardous and/or produced in large volumes are subject to OELs. Official bodies are unable to work on the approximately 100,000 substances on the market. This is why, under REACH, producers are required to define DNELs and DMELs, which can be used pending official OELs.
Are OELs harmonized at the European or international level?
It should be remembered that OELs are part of the risk management measures implemented in each country, and that these OELs are defined according to toxicological and epidemiological criteria, but also socio-economic criteria. This means that the concept of acceptable risk for a substance may vary from country to country for a variety of reasons.
What is the difference between OELs and DNELs?...
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Bibliography
Also in our database
Bibliography
ECETOC: Guidance on Assessment Factors to Derive a DNEL. Technical Report No. 110 (2010).
ECHA: Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment. Chapter R.8: Characterization of dose [concentration]-response for human health, version 2.1 (2012).
INRS: Occupational Exposure Limits (2024).
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Websites
ECHA publishes, among other things, a guide for characterizing concentrations with a view to protecting the health of exposed individuals and a guide for determining exposure to chemicals. These guides are published by ECHA, the European Chemicals Agency.
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