SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure | SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production
Institutions: Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers
The OECD has released a Best Practice Guide on Chemical Data Sharing Between Companies, outlining models and principles for collaborative sharing of chemical safety and hazard data. The guide addresses issues of data ownership, confidentiality, liability, and cost-sharing in regulatory submissions, while providing templates for agreements and case studies on joint data generation.
The guidance highlights how structured data sharing can prevent duplicate testing, reduce animal use, lower compliance costs, and strengthen supply-chain transparency. It is designed to help firms meet national and international regulatory obligations, including chemical safety regimes like REACH (EU) and globally harmonised classification systems.
For India, where the government is finalising the Chemical (Management and Safety) Rules under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, the OECD framework offers an actionable reference for embedding data-sharing provisions into national regulation. Adoption of such practices could help Indian firms, particularly SMEs, comply with stricter disclosure norms, integrate into global supply chains, and reduce compliance costs. It also supports Indiaβs transition towards a circular, responsible chemicals economy.
Follow the full guide here: OECD Best Practice Guide on Chemical Data Sharing