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Regulated Chemical List-of-Lists FAQ's
- What makes the Regulated Chemical List of Lists Database
unique from other "list of lists"?
- Isn't this information available from other
sources?
- Couldn't anyone just obtain the computer
lists from different agencies and import the data into one regulatory database?
- How does LOGICAL input the information?
- How does LOGICAL assure the quality of the
Regulated Chemical List-of-Lists Database?
- If I have a question about something in
the Regulated Substance Database, how can I verify the information
for myself?
- Why is the "exact reference" an
issue? I may not have the same reference material.
- When the Regulated Substance Database staff
finds these inconsistencies, why don't they just include the
correct spelling in the regulatory database?
- What are your criteria for including a
list in the Regulated Substance Database?
- I'm not interested in all of the lists
provided in LOGICAL's Regulated Substance Database. Can I just license those lists
for which I am interested?
- Why are the updates to the Regulated Substance Database released
quarterly?
What makes the Regulated Chemical List-of-Lists Database unique from other "list of lists"?
HAZMIN's Regulated Substance Database is more than a "list
of lists". In addition to providing the regulatory and/or
advisory authority governing a hazardous material, the Regulated Substance Database
includes pertinent chemical-specific information from the source.
For example, the OSHA PEL's, the ACGIH and SARA Tier II TLV's,
RCRA Waste codes, DOT Labels, Hazard Class 313 Reportables, Heavy
Metals, VOC's, etc. are included.
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Isn't this information available from other sources?
This information is available from countless sources. However,
LOGICAL has compiled EPA, OSHA, DOT, state, advisory and international
information to form one cohesive regulatory database.
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Couldn't anyone just obtain the computer lists from different agencies and import the data into one regulatory database?
Certainly - that is, if it was possible. First, the information
is not available electronically from many of the sources. Second,
most of the regulating and advisory sources seem to have their
"pet" names for hazardous chemicals. The information
from regulatory and advisory sources would only be linked to
these "pet" names.
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How does LOGICAL input the information?
LOGICAL manually enters all of the information into the Regulated
Substance Database. This assures that for any one chemical, regulations
and advisory information are "tied" together regardless
of the "pet" names used in the original sources. This
is a tremendous task with obvious benefits to our customers.
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How does LOGICAL assure the quality of the Regulated Substance Database?
Quality is a multilevel process. LOGICAL dedicates a full-time
editor and support staff to maintaining the Regulated Substance
Database. The staff works directly with the regulating agency
or advisory group to ensure that we are providing the most current
information to our customers. When there is a question about
the presentation of the information in the original source, the
staff obtains confirmation, from the authoring body, that the
intended presentation in the Regulated Substance Database will be consistent with
the original source. Once the information is entered, a different
staff member proofreads this information. When the regulatory database is
transferred to the programming staff for inclusion in the software,
it is checked again to ensure that the data has not been altered.
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If I have a question about something in the Regulated Substance Database, how can I verify the information for myself?
The editor and staff of the Regulated Substance Database go to great lengths to
document each and every source. The bibliography, which is included
with the regulatory database, documents the exact reference that was used.
You are encouraged to use this bibliography to verify any and
all information. It is online for your review.
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Why is the "exact reference" an issue? I may not have the same reference material.
Unfortunately, regulating agencies and, sometimes, advisory
groups have difficulty being consistent. For example, we have
found, that a list sorted both alphabetically and by CAS# have
contained different spellings for the same chemical name.
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When the Regulated Substance Database staff finds these inconsistencies, why don't they just include the correct spelling in the regulatory database?
The customers who subscribe to the Regulated Substance Database,
do not pay LOGICAL to correct "mistakes" which have
been officially published, in some cases, as law. Our customers
want to know what the original source read, so that they may
make their own interpretation. When the editor finds a "mistake",
he contacts the agency or group in writing. Usually, we receive
a very warm thank you and an assurance that the mistake will
be corrected in a future publication. When the correction is
published, the editor includes the correction in the following
release of the regulatory database.
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What are your criteria for including a list in the Regulated Substance Database?
Our customers determine our priorities. Therefore, maintaining
the existing information is our first priority. If a source updates
a substance list, this information is included in our next release.
On a periodic basis, we will review the current publication of
a source against the Regulated Substance Database. Even though the source may not
have publicized any changes, we will verify that they have not
incorporated changes. Our second priority involves the addition
of new lists. These new lists will come at the direct request
of customers. Frequently a new customer has a specific state
or regional list that they want included in the Regulated Substance Database. We
enter the list and then make it available to all customers. Consequently,
the maintenance of that list becomes a part of first priority.
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I'm not interested in all of the lists provided in LOGICAL's Regulated Substance Database. Can I just license those lists for which I am interested?
No. The Regulated Substance Database is a valuable tool. Some
of its value would be lost in this type of licensing. For example,
having all of the sources and associated chemical names, results
in an incredible number of synonyms. Synonyms are extremely useful
when they are employed in searches for regulated substances.
Furthermore, repetition of a chemical across many lists may signify
a consensus on the hazardous nature of a chemical. Nonetheless,
a user can select only those lists they need included in their
report.
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Why are the updates to the Regulated Substance Database released quarterly?
The Regulated Substance Database is actually updated daily, but customers have
indicated that quarterly updates are sufficient. However, customers
are immediately notified of significant changes, affecting the
data contained within the Regulated Substance Database, through an email broadcast.
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