UNIFORM SYSTEM FOR THE EVALUATION OF SUBSTANCES .3. EMISSION ESTIMATION

This third article on the Uniform System for the Evaluation of Substan ces (USES) describes the emission module. The emission scenarios used for this module are partly based on available Dutch use category docum ents and partly on expert judgement and general assumptions. Emission scenarios have been made for all relevant steps of the life cycle of a substance (production, formulation, processing, private use and recov ery) for 15 of the (at present 16) industrial categories of the EC. US ES will be adapted to the technical guidance document adopted by the E C within the framework of Directives on the risk assessment of new and existing chemicals (EC, 1993a & UBA, 1993). Emission data may be impr oved using studies carried out in several member states. The improveme nt of the emission scenarios will be a continuous process, leading to better estimations and reduced variation.