Modular design

The modular design distinguishes between three types of modules: primary entity modules, data modules, and calculation modules. For an overview see Modules.

  • The primary entity modules are data modules determining the scope of the assessments in MCRA. That is, in each assessment, the scope specifies the foods, substances, effects, populations, responses, and/or test systems that are of interest.

  • The data modules give summaries of the available data which depend on (some of) the primary entities. For example consumptions data.

  • The calculation modules perform calculations on input data to produce data on another type, as specified by the module name. E.g. the dietary-exposures calculation module calculates dietary exposures from consumption and occurrence data. Some calculation modules can also act as a data module, in which case the data are directly specified rather than calculated. Examples are, the relative potency factors module: relative potency factors can be supplied as such (Data) or computed based on hazard characterisations (Compute); the single value consumptions module: Large Portions can be supplied as such (Data) or computed based on consumption distribution data of a population (Compute).

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Figure 9 Relative potency factors supplied as data or computed based on hazard characterizations.