GSBL — Concept + Software Suite of an Information System for Chemical Substances

Abstract

The 'Gemeinsamer Stoffdatenpool Bund / Länder – GSBL’ (www.gsbl.de) is a joint data pool and information system for chemical (hazardous) substances. The GSBL is a ‘framework’ to collate and provide high quality data, based on an agreed concept and to encourage the data exchange between administrations. A general approach defines how to build a joint data pool and furthermore, a complete software suite to facilitate the use and maintenance of such a data pool. The GSBL software suite is a fully operational system of modules which enables the user to produce and handle complex chemical data and information. The technical data model comprises all available chemical information, including chemical structures, as well as classifications of legal regulations and therefore offers authorised information on present-day legislation. The flexibility and scalability of the software modules allows it to cover different requirements of various user levels. The GSBL offers an ‘eGovernment’ G2G2 application which supports communication and efficient co-operation between administrations. Furthermore, it provides important information for the general public. This would be very useful in the context of future Euro-pean chemical and environmental information systems.