F.A.Q.
Frequently asked questions
1What is the CONCERT REACH project?
The CONCERT REACH project is a network that integrates various freely available Non-Testing Methods (NTMs) for REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) evaluations.
2What is the purpose of this project?
The project's goal is to provide a "gateway" that guides users through four in silico platforms, namely VEGAHUB, OCHEM, the Danish (Q)SAR Database, and AMBIT. It helps users evaluate chemical substances by applying more than 300 different models and accessing over 450,000 chemical structures and REACH datasets of 14,570 substances.
3What kind of information does the "gateway" provide?
The "gateway" offers information about all predictive software available in the four platforms concerning REACH endpoints.
4Are the results guaranteed to be correct and usable for REACH legislation?
No, the project does not guarantee the correctness or usability of the results for compliance with REACH legislation. Users should exercise caution and verification when utilizing these results.
5Are there specific endpoints where models may not perfectly adhere to the endpoint?
Yes, the project acknowledges that for certain very specific endpoints, the models provided may have been developed using more general data and may not perfectly adhere to the specific endpoint.
6How many models and chemical structures are available for evaluation?
The project offers more than 300 different models and access to over 450,000 chemical structures and REACH datasets of 14,570 substances.
7Is there any cost associated with using the CONCERT REACH project's resources?
No, there aren't. The platforms and their tools are freely available.
8What is the purpose of the Gateway User Guide?
The Gateway User Guide is designed to help users navigate and understand the functionality of four in silico platforms: VEGAHUB, OCHEM, the Danish (Q)SAR Database, and AMBIT in the context of REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation.
9What are the main categories of REACH endpoints covered by the gateway?
The main categories of REACH endpoints covered by the gateway include:
- Physicochemical Properties
- Toxicological Information
- Ecotoxicological Information
Additionally, the gateway also reports models for Endocrine Activity.
10How can I select a suitable model for a specific endpoint?**
The gateway provides a list of available models for each endpoint, including essential information such as the model's name, whether it provides classification or continuous value predictions, dataset size, and links to model documentation. Users can either view the entire list or filter models by a specific platform.
11What is the process for predicting using the selected model?**
Once you've chosen a model of interest, click on the link in the "Model" column. This action will redirect you to the access page of the model. The process may vary depending on the platform:
- VEGA: You can freely download the standalone application from the VEGA website and use it with the help of an intuitive guide. The current version of VEGA offers 112 freely available (Q)SAR models.
- Danish (Q)SAR Database: You can explore estimates for over 600,000 chemical substances by clicking "Enter." You can also predict your molecule by selecting the "Danish (Q)SAR models" option.
- OCHEM: After logging in, you can access the OCHEM platform, which provides various (Q)SAR models and databases. You can even develop your own model.
- AMBIT: Access information about the tools available in AMBIT and the various access methods from the linked page.
12How can I interpret the results obtained from the selected models?
The gateway provides all the documentation necessary to interpret the result of the prediction such as the QMRF (QSAR Model Reporting Format), the guide or the paper explaining in details the model’s use.
13What is the purpose of the Gateway on the LIFE CONCERT REACH project website?
The Gateway is designed to provide information about predictive software available on four platforms related to REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) endpoints.
14Which platforms are covered in the Gateway?
The Gateway covers four in silico platforms: VEGAHUB, OCHEM, the Danish (Q)SAR Database, and AMBIT, offering information related to REACH endpoints.
15Can the information provided on the Gateway be guaranteed for correctness and usability in compliance with REACH legislation?
No, the Gateway cannot guarantee the correctness or usability of the information provided for compliance with REACH legislation. Users are advised to verify the legality and appropriateness of using the results from a certain model for their specific industry needs.
16Are there any specific considerations for very specific endpoints when using models on the Gateway?
Yes, for certain very specific endpoints, the Gateway reports models that may have been developed using more general data. These models may not perfectly adhere to the endpoint in question.
17What is the GATEWAY User Guide?
The GATEWAY User Guide is a resource that provides guidance on using the Gateway and the available models for various REACH endpoints.