English Abstract The aim of the Substance-Information-System (SIS)
project within the RIVM is to reach conformity in the domain of
substance-oriented information systems and to gain a clear insight into the
status of RIVM with regard to providing substance-oriented information to a
third party. In this feasibility study an investigation into the internal
situation at the RIVM and the wishes of the clients has been carried out. A
growing need for evaluated and reliable information seems to exist with
clients. Within this framework the quality of information obtained from the
RIVM is highly estimated. In the short term the need for assessment data
will increase and integrated risk evaluation will become vital. Clients
will want to be able to quickly consult information, preferably on-line and
through an intermediary. Within the RIVM no central information system is
available. However, a number of laboratories are developing systems
locally, that do link up-the task setting of the concerning laboratories as
to functionality, though within this framework only partly meet the clients,
wishes. Usually clients have free disposal of additional sources of
information, however, these sources often do not offer evaluated
information. It is recommended to stimulate the development of local data
banks with a specific functionality, but at the same time to promote a
greater conformity between these data banks. To this end a conceptual data
model has to be built. Furthermore, it is recommended to build a central
RIVM substance information system, into which selections of data from local
RIVM data banks could be recorded and from which data could be made
centrally available through an intermediary. Such a system should be
managed centrally and a distinct market strategy should be developed. The
International Substance-Information-System (SIS) could be chosen as the
initial nucleus of such a system. Eventually, a decision has to be made on
the mode of handling "confidential" data and how the delineation of the RIVM
task setting in providing information to a third party has to be drawn up.
In a sequel to the SIS-project recommendations could be further developed
and proposals to realise this could be made.
