An application to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for active constituent approval or product registration typically contains a number of distinct parts, including data for chemistry and manufacture, toxicology relating to public health and occupational health and safety (OHS), residues, environmental safety, and product efficacy. We perform risk assessments for the application, assessing both hazard (i.e. the intrinsic toxicity of the chemical) and the likely extent of exposure to the chemical.
These assessments determine how toxic a chemical or product is (to humans and to plants and animals in the environment) and the extent to which people, plants or animals are likely to be exposed to the chemical when it is used according to the proposed label.
We use these assessments to determine whether the risks associated with the proposed use(s) are acceptable and whether any identified risks can be appropriately managed or mitigated.
The potential risks involved in using a chemical product are communicated to relevant people, such as end users. One of the most important tools for risk communication is the product label that is attached to the product container.
The processes of risk assessment, risk management and risk communication are all part of the risk analysis process.