Function Categories

Functional Use Categories are harmonized identifiers describing the function a specific chemical serves (for example: fragrance, cleaning agent, filler, etc.). Functional uses reported by source documents are curated to harmonized function categories, In most cases, these are internationally recognized categories and definitions developed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). These standardized functional uses contain explicit definitions and exclusions, to reduce ambiguity in category assignment. New function categories will be added as needed to accommodate novel uses. These are indicated as internal to EPA through the use of (EPA) within the category name. Function Categories are harmonized identifiers describing the function a specific chemical serves (for example: fragrance, cleaning agent, filler, etc.). Chemical functions reported by source documents are curated to harmonized function categories, In most cases, these are internationally recognized categories and definitions developed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). These standardized functions contain explicit definitions and exclusions, to reduce ambiguity in category assignment. New function categories are added as needed to accommodate novel uses. These are indicated as internal to EPA through the use of (EPA) within the category name. Data on the functions of chemicals in consumer products were originally developed and released as ORD's Functional Use (FuSE) database and are now maintained within CPDat. These data form the basis for ORD's Quantitative Structure Use Relationship (QSUR) models (Phillips et al. (2016)). See User Guide Section 'Explore Chemical Functions' for more information.