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This report makes use of a unique set of data on premiums and claims provided by global reinsurance companies to examine the contribution that reinsurance has made to enhancing the capacity of the primary insurance market to manage catastrophe risk and to reducing the economic and insurance market disruption that often follows catastrophic events.
Behavioural insights have the potential to enhance the effectiveness of financial literacy and investor education initiatives. This IOSCO/OECD report explores the extent to which they are being used, reviews the available literature and presents various approaches for policy makers and practitioners to consider when seeking to change financial behaviour.
Thailand’s power sector policy focuses on reducing dependence on natural gas to enhance energy security. With the dramatic reduction in the costs of variable renewable energy (VRE) – solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind power – Thailand is beginning to experience the transformation of its power sector. Conventional power generation is beginning to give way to new alternative sources and generation is moving from centralised to distributed forms.
Thailand has the highest share of VRE in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. Given the unique characteristics of VRE, which are variable and partly unpredictable, there are concerns over the potential operational, economic, and regulatory impacts when integrating VRE into the power sector. Thus, the dynamics shaping the energy policy landscape in Thailand must evolve to accommodate the growth of VRE.
Thailand Renewable Grid Integration Assessment undertakes a comprehensive analysis covering the technical, economic, and policy and regulatory frameworks. The analysis comprises the following important areas: 1) the existing VRE penetration context in Thailand, 2) grid integration of VRE in Thailand’s future power system, 3) the technical potential and economic impact of distributed solar PV on stakeholders, and 4) the power sector planning process and system costs. The study provides recommendations to guide decision making in power sector operation and planning, investment, and policy to support the uptake of VRE in a reliable and costeffective manner in order to achieve the objectives of Thailand’s power sector policies.
The objective of a combined chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity study is to identify carcinogenic and the majority of chronic effects, and to determine dose-response relationships following prolonged and repeated exposure.
The rat is typically used for this study. For rodents, each dose group and concurrent control group intended for the carcinogenicity phase of the study should contain at least 50 animals of each sex, while for the chronic toxicity phase of the study should contain at least 10 animals of each sex. At least three dose levels should be used, in addition to the concurrent control group for both the chronic toxicity phase and the carcinogenicity phase of the study. The three main routes of administration are oral, dermal, and inhalation. The Test Guideline focuses on the oral route of administration.
The period of dosing and duration of the study is normally 12 months for the chronic phase, and 24 months for the carcinogenicity phase. The study report should include: measurements (weighing) and regular detailed observations (haematological examination, urinalysis, clinical chemistry), as well as necropsy procedures and histopathology. All these observations permit the detection of neoplastic effects and a determination of carcinogenic potential as well as the general toxicity.
The objective of these chronic toxicity studies is to characterize the profile of a substance in a mammalian species (primarily rodents) following prolonged and repeated exposure.
The Test Guideline focuses on rodents and oral administration. Both sexes should be used. For rodents, at least 20 animals per sex per group should normally be used at each dose level, while for non-rodents a minimum of 4 per sex per group is recommended. At least three dose levels should be used in addition to the concurrent control group. Frequency of exposure normally is daily, but may vary according to the route chosen (oral, dermal or inhalation) and should be adjusted according to the toxicokinetic profile of the test substance. The duration of the exposure period should be 12 months. The study report should include: measurements (weighing) and regular detailed observations (haematological examination, urinalysis, clinical chemistry), as well as necropsy procedures and histopathology.
The objective of a long-term carcinogenicity study is to observe test animals for a major portion of their life span for the development of neoplastic lesions during or after exposure to various doses of a test substance by an appropriate route of administration.
This Test Guideline is intended primarily for use with rats and mice, and for oral administration. Both sexes should be used. Each dose group and concurrent control group should contain at least 50 animals of each sex. At least three dose levels and a concurrent control should be used. Animals are dosed with the test substance daily (oral, dermal or inhalation administration) and the mode of exposure should be adjusted according to the toxicokinetic profile of the test substance. The duration of the study will normally be 24 months for rodents. For specific strains of mice, duration of 18 months may be more appropriate. Termination of the study should be considered when the number of survivors in the lower dose groups or the control group falls below 25 per cent. The results of these studies include: measurements (weighing, food consumption), and, at least, daily and detailed observations, as well as gross necropsy and histopathology.
This Test Guideline is designed to provide an evaluation of reproductive and developmental effects that may occur as a result of pre- and postnatal chemical exposure as well as an evaluation of systemic toxicity in pregnant and lactating females and young and adult offspring. In the assay, sexually-mature males and females rodents (parental (P) generation) are exposed to graduated doses of the test substance starting 2 weeks before mating and continuously through mating, gestation and weaning of their pups (F1 generation). At weaning, pups are selected and assigned to cohorts of animals for reproductive/developmental toxicity testing (cohort 1), developmental neurotoxicity testing (cohort 2) and developmental immunotoxicity testing (cohort 3). The F1 offspring receive further treatment with the test substance from weaning to adulthood. Clinical observations and pathology examinations are performed on all animals for signs of toxicity, with special emphasis on the integrity and performance of the male and female reproductive systems and the health, growth, development and function of the offspring. Part of cohort 1 (cohort 1B) may be extended to include an F2 generation; in this case, procedures for F1 animals will be similar to those for the P animals.
This method provides information on health hazard likely to arise from short-term exposure to a test chemical by inhalation.
It is a principle of the method that only moderately toxic concentrations are used so that ‘evident toxicity’, rather than death/moribundity is used as an endpoint, and concentrations that are expected to be lethal are avoided.
Groups of animals of a single sex are exposed for a short period of time to the test chemical in a stepwise procedure using the appropriate fixed concentrations for vapours, dusts/mists (aerosols) or gases. Further groups of animals may be tested at higher concentrations in the absence of signs of evident toxicity or mortality at lower concentrations. This procedure continues until the concentration causing evident toxicity or no more than one death/ moribund animal is identified, or when no effects are seen at the highest concentration or when deaths/ moribundity occur at the lowest concentration. A total of five animals of one sex will normally be used for each concentration level investigated. The results of this study include: measurements (weighing at least weekly) and daily detailed observations, as well as gross necropsy. The method provides information on the hazardous properties and allows the substance to be classified for acute toxicity according to the Globally Harmonised System of classification and labelling of chemicals.
This Test Guideline for developmental toxicity testing is designed to provide general information concerning the effects of prenatal exposure on the pregnant test animal and on the developing organism. The test substance is normally administered to pregnant animals at least from implantation to one day prior to the day of scheduled kill, which should be as close as possible to the normal day of delivery. This Test Guideline is intended for use with rodent (rat preferably) and non-rodent (rabbit preferably). Each test and control group should contain a sufficient number of females to result in approximately 20 female animals with implantation sites at necropsy. Three concentrations, at least, should be used. The test substance or vehicle is usually administered orally by intubation. A limit test may be performed if no effects would be expected at a dose of 1000 mg/kg bw/d. The results of this study include measurements (weighing) and clinical daily observations, each day preferably at the same time. Shortly before caesarean section, the females are killed (one day prior to the expected day of delivery), the uterine contents are examined, and the foetuses are evaluated for soft tissue and skeletal changes. A number of endocrine-related measurements in the dams and in the fetuses have been added in 2018. In any study which demonstrates an absence of toxic effects, further investigation to establish absorption and bioavailability of the test substance should be considered.
This revised Test Guideline 413 (TG 413) has been designed to fully characterize test article toxicity by the inhalation route following repeated exposure for a period of 90 days, and to provide data for quantitative inhalation risk assessments. It was updated in 2017 to enable the testing and characterisation of effects of nanomaterials tested.
Groups of at least 10 male and 10 female rodents are exposed 6 hours per day for 90 days to a) the test chemical at three or more concentration levels, b) filtered air (negative control), and/or c) the vehicle (vehicle control). Animals are generally exposed 5 days per week but exposure for 7 days per week is also allowed. Males and females are always tested, but they may be exposed at different concentration levels if it is known that one sex is more susceptible to a given test chemical. The results of the study include measurement and daily and detailed observations (haematology and clinical chemistry), as well as ophthalmology, gross pathology, organ weights, and histopathology. This Test Guideline allows the flexibility to include satellite (reversibility) groups, interim sacrifices, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), lung burden (LB) for particles, neurologic tests, and additional clinical pathology and histopathological evaluations in order to better characterize the toxicity of a test chemical.
This revised Test Guideline 412 (TG 412) has been designed to fully characterize test article toxicity by the inhalation route following repeated exposure for a limited period of time (28 days), and to provide data for quantitative inhalation risk assessments. It was updated in 2017 to enable the testing and characterisation of effects of nanomaterials tested.
Groups of at least 5 male and 5 female rodents are exposed 6 hours per day for 28 days to a) the test chemical at three or more concentration levels, b) filtered air (negative control), and/or c) the vehicle (vehicle control). Animals are generally exposed 5 days per week but exposure for 7 days per week is also allowed. Males and females are always tested, but they may be exposed at different concentration levels if it is known that one sex is more susceptible to a given test article. This guideline allows the study director the flexibility to include satellite (reversibility) groups, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), lung burden (LB) for particles, neurologic tests, and additional clinical pathology and histopathological evaluations in order to better characterize the toxicity of a test chemical.
This method provides information on health hazard likely to arise from exposure to test substance via oral administration. The determination of sub-chronic oral toxicity using repeated doses may be carried out after initial information on toxicity has been obtained from acute or repeated dose 28-day toxicity tests. The method is based on the repeated oral administration of the substance of interest over a prolonged period (one dose level daily during 90 days). This Test Guideline is intended primarily for use with rodents (rat preferably). At least 20 animals (10 female and 10 male) should be used for each test group. Three concentrations, at least, should be used. The test compound is administered by gavage or via the diet or drinking water. A limit test may be performed if no effects would be expected at a dose of 1000 mg/kg bw/d. The results of this study include: measurements (weighing at least once a week, food and water consumption) and daily and detailed observations (ophtalmological examination, haematology, clinical biochemistry and urinalysis), each day preferably at the same time; as well as gross necropsy and histopathology. A number of endocrine-related measurements, particularly relevant to thyoid function have been added in 2018. A properly conducted 90-day subchronic test should provide a satisfactory estimation of a no-effect level.
The Test Guideline (TG) describes the use of liver S9 sub-cellular fraction (RT-S9) of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) as a metabolising system to determine the clearance (CL, IN VITRO, INT ) of a test chemical using a substrate depletion approach. Introduction of the test chemical to the RT-S9 incubation medium initiates the reaction. In order to collect samples at various time points, the reaction is terminated by transferring an aliquot of the medium to a stopping solution. The decrease of the test chemical concentration from the incubation vial is measured with a validated analytical method and used to determine the CL, IN VITRO, INT. The value obtained can then be used to improve in silico predictions of the test chemical bioaccumulation in fish.
The Test Guideline (TG) describes the use of cryopreserved rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) hepatocytes (RT-HEP) as a metabolising system to determine the clearance (CL, IN VITRO, INT) of a test chemical using a substrate depletion approach. Introduction of the test chemical to the RT-HEP suspension initiates the reaction. In order to collect samples at various time points, the reaction is terminated by transferring an aliquot of the suspension to a stopping solution. The decrease of the test chemical concentration from the incubation vial is measured with a validated analytical method and used to determine the CL, IN VITRO, INT. The value obtained can then be used to improve in silico predictions of the test chemical bioaccumulation in fish.
Teachers are the most important school-related factor influencing student learning. Teachers can help level the playing field and provide opportunities for success to all their students. They can inspire students to innovate; to think and reflect and to work in collaboration with others. Good teachers can also stimulate and guide students' development so that their achievements go beyond their own expectations. Therefore, how teachers achieve this in the classroom is important to understand. Teaching for the Future: Effective Classroom Practices To Transform Education links research and data on key issues facing teachers today with teachers’ own experiences to overcome challenges and create an effective classroom. This report builds on the discussions and stories shared at the Qudwa Global Teachers’ Forum, organised by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi on 7-8 October 2017. It captures the efforts made by teachers, from across the world, to facilitate student learning and transform education to build a fairer, humane and inclusive world. The report provides an in-depth analysis of issues that teachers encounter in their day-to-day professional life, particularly those around equity and reducing personal and social disadvantage, building academic, social and emotional well-being of students through parental engagement and integrating information and communication technology in classrooms.
This new publication sets forward the PISA framework for global competence developed by the OECD, which aligns closely with the definition developed by the Center for Global Education at Asia Society. Based on the Center’s extensive experience supporting educators in integrating global competence into their teaching, the publication also provides practical guidance and examples of how educators can embed global competence into their existing curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
Pedagogy is at the heart of teaching and learning. Preparing young people to become lifelong learners with a deep knowledge of subject matter and a broad set of social skills requires a better understanding of how pedagogy influences learning. Focusing on pedagogies shifts the perception of teachers from technicians who strive to attain the education goals set by the curriculum to experts in the art and science of teaching. Seen through this lens, innovation in teaching becomes a problem-solving process rooted in teachers’ professionalism, rather than an add-on applied by only some teachers in some schools.
Teachers as Designers of Learning Environments: The Importance of Innovative Pedagogies provides a snapshot of innovative pedagogies used in classrooms around the world. It sets the stage for educators and policy makers to innovate teaching by looking at what is currently taking place in schools as potential seeds for change. At the heart of all of these approaches is a sensitivity to the natural inclinations of learners towards play, creativity, collaboration and inquiry. To illustrate how teachers use these innovative practices, the publication presents examples from 27 national and international networks of schools.
It is now generally acknowledged that the quality of an education system cannot exceed the quality of its teachers. This volume goes a step further to argue that a teacher cannot help students meet new educational challenges by continuing to draw on a limited and perhaps even inherited set of pedagogies. And here lies the genuine importance of innovative pedagogies.
This annual flagship publication provides details of taxes paid on wages in OECD countries. It covers personal income taxes and social security contributions paid by employees, social security contributions and payroll taxes paid by employers, and cash benefits received by in-work families. It illustrates how these taxes and benefits are calculated in each member country and examines how they impact household incomes. The results also enable quantitative cross-country comparisons of labour cost levels and the overall tax and benefit position of single persons and families on different levels of earnings. The publication shows average and marginal effective tax rates on labour costs for eight different household types, which vary by income level and household composition (single persons, single parents, one or two earner couples with or without children). The average tax rates measure the part of gross wage earnings or labour costs taken in tax and social security contributions, both before and after cash benefits, and the marginal tax rates the part of a small increase of gross earnings or labour costs that is paid in these levies.
Taxing Wages 2018 includes a special feature entitled: “Differences in the Disposable Incomes of Households with and without Children”.
Emissions from energy use cause environmental and health damages and they also contribute to climate change. By charging for these damages, taxes on energy use can reduce excessive emissions, while raising revenue that can be used to fund vital government services.
This report assesses the magnitude and coverage of taxes on energy use - carbon taxes and other specific taxes on energy use - in 2015, across different countries and selected country groups, six sectors and five main fuel groups. It also considers change in effective tax rates on energy use between 2012 and 2015. The analysis is based on the OECD’s Taxing Energy Use database, a unique dataset to compare coverage and magnitude of specific taxes on energy use across 42 OECD and G20 economies, which together represent approximately 80% of global energy use and CO2-emissions associated with energy use.
This report provides a detailed review of the taxation of household savings in 40 OECD and partner countries. It examines the different approaches that countries take to taxing household savings, and calculates marginal effective tax rates on a wide range of savings vehicles (including bank accounts, bonds, shares, private pensions and housing) to assess the impact of these approaches on savings behaviour. It examines asset holdings across income and wealth distributions to help assess the distributional impact of savings taxation, and discusses recent changes in the exchange of information for tax purposes between tax administrations. It also draws out a range of implications from this analysis for savings tax policy as part of an inclusive growth tax agenda.