Risk assessment policy

Referencing the methods specified in domestic and international chemicals regulations (e.g., CSCL, REACH) or SCCS*, risk assessment is carried out using the method based on scientific grounds with viewing the latest international trends in risk assessment.

*SCCS: European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety

There is a wide range of safety information used for risk assessment in addition to the Kao’s database, such as information from internationally credible risk assessment documents, academic papers, and any database held by public institutions, and such information is fully utilized in risk assessment conducted by Kao. If safety data required for risk assessment is insufficient, we obtain further necessary safety data. Safety information obtained by new methods such as in silicoassessment (e.g., quantitative structure-activity relationship, categorical approach) are proactively used in risk assessment within the range where the reliability is guaranteed.

The reliability of safety information used for risk assessment is comprehensively evaluated based on the compliance with the test guidelines accredited domestically or overseas （e.g., OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals*） , the test conditions adopted, physicochemical properties of the substance, reproducibility of the test results, and dose-response relationship. Kao adopts scientifically proven information only.
*http://www.oecd.org/chemicalsafety/testing/oecdguidelinesforthetestingofchemicals.htm

Risk assessment of multiple chemicals with a similar toxicity profile (e.g., a certain regularity identified in their physicochemical properties and toxicological properties) is carried out by putting them into one category. This method of risk assessment avoids acquisition and distribution of redundant data and therefore leads to more efficient and effective risk assessment.

Risk assessment is processed in stages depending on the quality and quantity of information available. If risk assessment using existing safety information identifies the risk acceptable, additional assessment by obtaining new data will not be carried out in principle.