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On 25 September 2025, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released its Best Practice Guide on Chemical Data Sharing Between Companies. The guide aims to help organisations share chemical information efficiently and responsibly, thereby supporting regulatory compliance, innovation, and safety across the supply chain.

Practical Recommendations for Industry

Developed as part of the OECD’s ongoing work on chemicals management, the guide provides practical recommendations for companies on how to exchange data while protecting confidential business information and respecting intellectual property rights. It outlines key principles to improve transparency, data quality, and trust between participating companies.

Promoting Efficiency and Collaboration

The publication highlights various data-sharing models, such as consortia, data intermediaries, and databanks, and describes governance structures and agreements that can facilitate collaboration. It also addresses challenges related to data format harmonisation, ownership, and the handling of sensitive information.

By promoting effective data sharing, the OECD aims to reduce the duplication of testing, lower industry costs, and accelerate chemical risk assessments. Improved cooperation is expected to benefit both large and small enterprises, helping them meet regulatory obligations, such as those under REACH and similar global frameworks.

The Best Practice Guide on Chemical Data Sharing Between Companies is available here.

Update: On 15 September 2025, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) published the twenty-fourth revised edition of the UN Model Regulations (UN Orange Book Rev. 24) i.e. Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods on the portal. The electronic version of UN Model Regulations Rev. 24 is available online for free consultation in two official UN languages (English and French). Both volume I and volume II of UN orange book are published on the portal.

Original Text:

On 16 July 2025, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) announced amendments to the Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. These amendments to the twenty-third revised edition of the Model Regulations were approved by the UN Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and on the GHS at its twelfth session on 6 December 2024, and will form the basis of the upcoming 24th revised edition.  

Earlier Update in August 2023  

Previously on 10 August 2023, the UNECE released the 23rd revised edition of the Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods on its official portal. More details can be found here.   

Key Updates from the UN Orange Book 2025 

• Revised provisions for hybrid batteries containing both lithium-ion and sodium-ion cells, with new entries for batteries in equipment and cargo transport units. 
• Updated references to the latest ISO standards. 
• New allowance for the use of recycled plastic materials in flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs). 
• Clarified packaging requirements for solids that may become liquid during transport. 
• Introduced provisions for the transport of liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs). 
• New rules for salvage pressure receptacles, based on maximum pressure-volume (pV) product. 
• Added provisions for the classification of energetic samples. 
• Exemptions for packaging small quantities of environmentally hazardous liquid substances. 
• Defined requirements for FRP service equipment used in portable tanks, covering design, construction, inspection, and testing. 

The electronic version of 24th revised edition of the Model Regulation will be available for free on the portal in September 2025.