INTRODUCTION
The Spanish Association of Toxicology (“Asociación Española de Toxicología”, AET ), like other national societies which have drawn up Toxicologists registers, have done so in accordance with the third article in their statutes, the objective being the development of good relations and cooperation among Spanish Toxicologists. The Spanish Toxicologists register will include specialised professionals in basic and applied toxicology in our country.
The AET has taken into account the example given by other European Associations and the recommendation of EUROTOX which has been encouraging national associations in their jurisdiction to register toxicologists.
As Toxicology covers such a wide spectrum, it would seem apparent the need for a clear definition of the Toxicologists and the requirements to practice the profession. A toxicologist is a person engaged in the study of the possible and real dangers of the harmful effects of chemical substances on living organisms and ecosystems, the relationship of these effects on exposure, and the study of the action mechanisms, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of intoxications.
The idea of the register is to keep a list of toxicologists who fulfil the stipulated requirements even though they do not belong to the AET. This list will be published once a year from which certificates will be obtained if applied for. The list will be included in the EUROTOX register. The registered toxicologists should possess a high level of professional competence and ethical conduct. Failure to do so will mean exclusion from the register.
COMMITTEES
The decisions of inclusion and maintenance of the register will be adopted by two committees:
1. The Register committee (RC): Made up of 7 members including the President of AET or a person chosen by the Board and at least one the member from each of the 4 most important toxicology institutions in Spain: Scientific Research Institutes, the National Toxicology Institute, State Hospital, the University and private Industry. The members attend as expert toxicologists and not as representatives of their institutions.
The committee is set up by the governing board of AET and elected from and by AET members at the General Assembly for a mandate of four years. The committee will hold at least one meeting every six months to study applications and their suitability will be examined and presented by three member sub-committees whose field of work is similar to that of the candidate who has stipulated beforehand in which field(s) of toxicology they work, three of which will be included in the Register list. In decision-taking, at least four committee members must be present. The committee can invite observers to meetings. The committee consists of a chair-person, secretary, treasurer and four other members and whose job is to take decisions on inclusion and maintenance of the register, update and publish the list of registered toxicologists once a year and reporter to the AET General Assembly.
2. Appeal Committee: Made up of three experts elected at the AET Assembly and to whom rejected applicants for the RC can appeal; they take decisions once the scientific sub-committee report has been heard.
REQUIREMENTS
1. The applicant most possess a degree in one of the following: Biology, Pharmacy, Environmental sciences, Chemical sciences, Chemical engineering, Medicine, Veterinary sciences or equivalents.
And
2. Have passed a written examination which is other internationally-recognised Toxicology Registers require for their own registers and possess at least three years of relevant toxicology experience.
Or at least five years of relevant toxicology experience with proven training in any field of toxicology.
In both cases the applicant should be currently involved in the area of toxicology.
And
3. A concise and suitable toxicology curriculum: Ph.d thesis advisers, risk evaluation reports, technical reports, published articles or equivalent activities.
The AET organise postgraduates training programmes in toxicology
which will constitute another means for the regirter in the future.
The applicant must submit a report from three expert toxicologists each from different body who can support their application and confirm their experience, competence, and current work situation.
MAINTENANCE IN THE REGISTER
Admission to the register is of five-year validity after which an application must be re-submitted with curriculum evidence that the applicant is still working in the field of toxicology and which will be evaluated by the RC.
REGISTER PAYMENT
On submitting an application to the register or for continuation, there is a payment of 42 Euros. for AET members and 60 Euros. for non-members. This payment covers costs (secretary, meetings,...), and the right to be included in the EUROTOX list.
