E
Exposure Scenario
Definition
An Exposure Scenario (ES) is the set of conditions, including operational conditions and risk management measures, that describe how a substance can be used safely. Exposure scenarios are developed by registrants as part of the Chemical Safety Assessment for substances manufactured or imported above 10 t/year that require a CSR. They are communicated to downstream users as annexes to the extended Safety Data Sheet (eSDS). If a downstream user’s use is not covered by any ES in the supplier’s eSDS, the DU must take action.
Source
REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex I, Section 5; Article 14; ECHA Guidance on Information Requirements and Chemical Safety Assessment.
Practical Explanation (Compliance Context)
Exposure scenarios define the conditions under which the risk characterisation ratio (RCR) is below 1.0 for each use. Downstream users must check that their actual operating conditions (quantities, temperatures, exposure durations, PPE) match the ES conditions. If conditions deviate, the use is either not covered or requires the DU to scale the ES or prepare a contributor use description (DU-to-ES).