Brussels, 19 May 2014 - In the context of HCWH Europe’s policy and advocacy work on hazardous chemicals in medical devices, HCWH Europe seeks offers to research information and data on safer alternative chemicals to phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA) contained in medical devices. HCWH Europe also seeks offers to write a report that collates the results of the research and illustrates best practices of EU hospitals in terms of purchasing medical devices free of phthalates and BPA. Finally the report will present an overview of the legislative framework around the authorisation and use of medical devices and propose policy recommendations to phase out hazardous chemicals contained in medical devices.

Content of the Consultancy Services

The Consultant will provide the following services to HCWH Europe:

1. To proceed with the research in collating information on safer alternatives to phthalates and BPA:

Carry out desk research on the substitution lists and databases available in regard to phthalates and BPA in medical devices. Carry out desk research on data available about the safety of the alternatives and enquire with EU laboratories about the test methods used to assess the safety of such alternatives, if any available. If possible, assess these methods and compare them. Write a questionnaire to enquire about hospitals using phthalates free, and ideally BPA free, medical devices.

2. To proceed with the writing of the report the consultant will carry out the following activities:

Draft a report according to the following outline:

-       Introduction: Introduce the hazard of exposure to Phthalates and BPA contained in Medical Devices for Human Health and the Environment (3 pages)

-       Chapter 1: Overview of substitution groups, lists and databases on chemicals and medical devices. (3 pages)

-       Chapter 2: Safer chemicals to phthalates in healthcare: which are they? Where are they used? Who produces them? How safe are they? Include a description of HCWH Europe’s safer medical devices database, how it works and what benefits it provides to healthcare procurers and manufacturers. (7-10 pages)

-       Chapter 3: Safer chemicals to BPA in healthcare: which are they? Where are they used? Who produces them? How safe are they? (7-10 pages)

-       Chapter 4: Best practices in European healthcare on substituting phthalates and BPA: what is the impact on cost, if possible to determine? (4-5 pages)

-       Chapter 5: The EU regulatory framework for phthalates and BPA contained in medical devices and HCWH Europe’s policy recommendations. (3 pages).

-       References.

Timeline:

-       26^th May 2014 - project starts

-       10^st June 2014 – presentation of first research results

-       26^th June 2014– presentation of complete research results.

-       7^th July 2014 – first draft of report

-       26^rd July 2014 – second draft of report

-       14^th August 2014 – final draft of report.

 Interested consultants should send their CV, including references of similar reports written by them and a quote for their work, to Grazia Cioci at: grazia.cioci@hcwh.org, by Friday 23rd May 2014. Please indicate as the subject of the email: “Consultancy offer for report on safer alternatives to phthalates and BPA in medical devices”.