BJORN HANSEN
Executive Director, European Chemicals Agency, (ECHA), Finland

Abstract

In the next five years, we can expect to see a lot happening around the chemicals legislation both in the EU and around the world. I am personally privileged to be leading the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) into this new phase. In ECHA, our main task is to ensure that the legislation we have been entrusted with can be successfully implemented, but there are also lots of opportunities for the Agency to play an important role both in Europe and internationally.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE ON 31 MAY

There are only a couple of months left before the deadline on 31 May. This date is the final deadline for existing substances that are manufactured or imported in the EU and EEA in quantities of more than one tonne per year. By 1 June, we expect to have more than 20 000 chemicals registered.

Alongside Member States and the chemicals industry, we have a come a long way since 2008 in gathering information on chemicals on the European market and the deadline marks the completion of this task. For the first time, we will have one system in place that covers all of the substances – whether they are new or existing chemicals – on the market. This will create a single market with a level playing field regarding the safety aspects of chemicals. This is good news for the environment and human health, but also for the internal market and innovation and it will also contribute to sustainability.

The last deadline is essential for European businesses. Even if your company is not directly affected, it almost certainly will be indirectly. Take, for example, the case of a distributor who fails to re ...