Pure and Applied Chemistry

Abstract: This paper describes the establishment of a number of expert groups in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to manage the work related to the development and validation of test methods to identify and characterize the human health and aquatic environmental hazards of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. In addition, the concept of testing and assessment, using the most adequate testing tools without being prescriptive, is explained, and a coordinated approach for international work sharing under the OECD umbrella is described.