Regular ArticleA Systematic Approach for Evaluating the Quality of Experimental Toxicological and Ecotoxicological Data☆
Abstract
The evaluation of the quality of data and their use in hazard and risk assessment as a systematic approach is described. Definitions are proposed for reliability, relevance, and adequancy of data. Reliability is differentiated into four categories. Criteria relating to international testing standards for categorizing reliability are developed. A systematic documentation of evaluating reliability especially for use in the IUCLID database is proposed. This approach is intended to harmonize data evaluation processes worldwide. It may help the expert in subsequent assessments and should increase the clarity of evaluation.
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This paper is published on behalf of BUA (GDCH Advisory Committee on Existing Chemicals of Environmental Relevance, Federal Republic of Germany).
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To whom reprint requests should be addressed at Department of Toxicology.