High Production Volume (HPV) Chemicals

Chemicals produced and/or imported in high volumes are called high production volume (HPV) chemicals. HPV chemicals have been identified by governments, industry, and environmental organizations. These chemicals are generally produced in quantities of more than 454 000 kg (1 million pounds) per year (United States) or 100 000 kg (2.2 million pounds) per year (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and European Union) and are thought to have a higher potential for human or environmental exposure due to their HPVs. The OECD has developed a voluntary program to accelerate the collection of a standard base set of toxicological and environmental information for these HPV chemicals. The United States has developed national programs to collect, assess, and publish relevant information on the hazards and risks of HPV chemicals. The European Union has chosen a different approach for HPVs in its Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals regulation.