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This Test Guideline describes an acute toxicity test to assess effects of chemicals towards daphnids (usually Daphnia magna Staus).
Young daphnids, aged less than 24 hours at the start of the test, are exposed to the test substance at a range of concentrations (at least five concentrations) for a period of 48 hours. Immobilisation is recorded at 24 hours and 48 hours and compared with control values. The results are analysed in order to calculate the EC50 at 48h. Determination of the EC50 at 24h is optional. At least 20 animals, preferably divided into four groups of five animals each, should be used at each test concentration and for the controls. At least 2 ml of test solution should be provided for each animal (i.e. a volume of 10 ml for five daphnids per test vessel). The limit test corresponds to one dose level of 100 mg/L. The study report should include the observation for immobilized daphnids at 24 and 48 hours after the beginning of the test and the measures of dissolved oxygen, pH, concentration of the test substance, at the beginning and end of the test.
Portugal’s progress towards economic convergence with the rest of Europe has diminished in recent years, and in this 2004 review of Portugal’s economy, OECD recommends stepping up growth through policies that raise human capital, encourage the mobility of the labour force, and facilitate innovation and the diffusion of technological advances. Competition needs to be stiffer and the climate for doing business needs to be further improved. This edition’s special feature covers reform of the health care system.
This book provides comments and illustrations to facilitate the common interpretation of the standard in force for grading avocados in international trade under the Scheme for the Application of International Standards for Fruit and Vegetables set up by the OECD in 1962. It is therefore a valuable tool for both the Inspection Authorities and professional bodies responsible for the application of standards or those interested in international trade of avocados.
The International Direct Investment Statistics Yearbook 1991-2002 gathers detailed statistics on international direct investment into and from OECD countries. Comparative tables and charts complement the information included for individual countries by geographical and sectoral breakdowns for direct investment flows and stocks.
Comparable tables are presented in US Dollars and OECD Country tables are presented in national currency values. The present edition of the Yearbook incorporates several improvements to address the requirements of analysts.
Also available on CD-ROM and on line at www.OECD-iLibrary.org
This report provides the first-ever comparative analysis of the role and performance of private health insurance (PHI) in OECD countries. It analyses PHI markets and identifies policy issues arising from their interdependence with publicly financed health coverage schemes. The report assesses the impact of PHI against health policy objectives, paying special attention to the challenges and benefits associated with different insurance mixes. The analysis identifies strengths as well as areas where private health insurance might pose challenges to health system performance. This report shows how governments can help ensure that PHI markets make a positive contribution to the performance of health systems. Examples of useful practices for developing more efficient and equitable health insurance markets are also presented.
Cette étude envisage les avantages du recours à des données micro économiques pour évaluer les taux moyens d’imposition des revenus du travail, du capital et de transfert. L’analyse souligne la nécessité de faire correspondre les informations obtenues au niveau du contribuable individuel avec les flux de revenus.
New forms of governance are emerging. Government, business and civil society are increasingly seeking ways to develop and pursue economic development strategies and solve socio-economic problems jointly. Regional strategic platforms, partnerships, open governments and other agents of change help release the potential of their area thanks to better co-ordination, and adaptation of public policies to local conditions. This book examines how the new forms of governance overcome administrative, political and financial obstacles and impact local prosperity and the quality of life. These new approaches are illustrated with the results of some of the ambitious initiatives taken by Belgium, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Norway, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
Dans ce rapport sur La réforme de la réglementation des chemins de fer en Russie, quelques-uns des plus éminents spécialistes mondiaux examinent la restructuration du secteur. Les chemins de fer, ayant souffert d’une sévère insuffisance d’investissements, sont engagés dans une réforme qui progresse rapidement.
Detailed, complete, timely and reliable statistics are essential to monitor the energy situation at a country level as well as at an international level. Energy statistics on supply, trade, stocks, transformation and demand are indeed the basis for any sound energy policy decision. This manual is designed to provide a basic understanding of energy statistics to the layman.
This comprehensive review of France's regulatory policies and institutions provides a detailed overview of how regulation has evolved in France along with an expert assessment of its performance. Specific issues including regulatory governance, competition policy, and market openness along with two specific sectors - civil aviation and telecommunications are addressed in separate chapters. Each chapter presents a list of policy options for consideration. The performance and appraisal chapter compares France with other OECD countries and an appendix shows in tabular form how regulation is evolving in France on a sector-by-sector basis.
This comprehensive review of Mexican regulatory policy outlines progress made by Mexico since the 1999 review conducted by the OECD, and makes recommendations for further reforms aimed at promoting investment and boosting productivity and competitiveness. In particular, the review examines the government's capacity to assure high quality regulation, the extent of market openness, and the performance of regulatory agencies for energy, water, financial services, and telecommunications. A special chapter looks at electricity, for which OECD recommends important changes.
Striking the right balance between the conservation/sustainable use and the loss of biodiversity requires accounting for all the impacts of its destruction. Weighing the loss against any potential benefits will ensure that the social, as well as economic, well-being of everyone are at the best levels possible. Market-based economic systems have the potential to ensure that such a balancing occurs, but require that all the impacts of its loss, or use, have been fully internalised into market transactions.
This book shows how public policy in the form of market creation can be used to internalise the loss of biodiversity. It promotes the use of markets to ensure that our collective preferences for conservation and sustainable use are reflected in economic outcomes.
L’un des principaux obstacles rencontrés a souvent été le manque de coordination entre les autorités locales et les opérateurs de transports publics. La Conférence européenne des Ministres des transports (CEMT) et l’Union internationale des transports publics (UITP) se sont associées pour examiner comment les pouvoirs publics et les opérateurs de transports pourraient collaborer plus efficacement. Il s’agit d’améliorer les véhicules et les systèmes de transports publics urbains, ainsi que les infrastructures connexes.
Ce rapport est le fruit du travail d’un groupe de réflexion conjoint de la CEMT et de l’UITP. Il montre combien la coopération entre les prestataires de services des transports publics et les autorités locales est importante. En effet, une telle coopération peut contribuer à rendre les transports publics plus accessibles. Et elle sera d’autant plus efficace qu’elle s’accompagnera d’un dialogue suivi avec la communauté des personnes handicapées. Ce rapport s’appuie sur l’expérience de quatre villes : Göteborg (Suède), Grenoble (France), Prague (République tchèque) et Liverpool (Royaume-Uni). Il identifie les éléments essentiels des partenariats entre les diverses collectivités publiques et les opérateurs de transports publics.
The results of PISA 2000, OECD's groundbreaking comparison of the educational outcomes of 15-year-olds, shook the belief of Danes that theirs was the best education system in the world. In this report, a team of examiners determines why Denmark did worse than expected and recommends a series of steps to better evaluate performance, to overcome the effects of family backgrounds on student outcomes, to better equip school leaders and teachers, and to enhance the flexibility of the agreement governing tasks and hours of school staff.
One of the key barriers to improving urban public transport access has been a lack of co-ordination between local authorities and public transport operators. The European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) and the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) have joined forces to examine how public authorities and transport operators can better work together to improve urban public transport vehicles, systems, and associate infrastructure.
This report is the fruit of a joint ECMT-UITP task force. It explores how improved co-operation between transport operators and local authorities — along with a close sustained dialogue with members of the disabled community — can ensure better accessibility to public transport. With a focus on four cities: Gothenburg, Grenoble, Prague and Liverpool, the report identifies the critical elements of partnerships between public authorities at different levels of government and public transport operators.
This book identifies important economic barriers to expanded investment in lifelong learning, describes outlines financial strategies for addressing them, and reviews recent experience with various co-financing schemes. It includes country-by-country reports on innovative co-financing arrangements for lifelong learning.
Cette étude a été effectuée selon une approche expérimentale consistant à associer l’analyse des données de PISA et le processus d’examen par les pairs mis en œuvre à l’OCDE, afin de dégager des travaux de PISA des enseignements utiles à l’action gouvernementale, tout en renforçant l’analyse comparative à travers l’examen par les pairs.
This book focuses on the role of exchange rate regimes, market imperfections and trade policy to support the strengthening and diversification of the tradable sector in Argentina, Brazil and Chile. Moreover, it analyses the agro-food sector, one of the pillars of the tradable sector in the region, and the role of foreign direct investment and competition policy. Overall it provides an integrated and original policy perspective on the factors underlying international competitiveness.
This paper presents internationally harmonised generic and technical terms used in chemical hazard/risk assessment which will help facilitate the mutual use and acceptance of the assessment of chemicals between countries, saving resources for both governments and industry.