JACK DE BRUJIN
Director of Risk Management, European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), Finland

Abstract

By the last REACH registration deadline of 31 May 2018, all companies that are on the EU/EEA market need to provide information about the chemicals they manufacture or import in amounts more than one tonne per year. This collecting of information, which started already in 2008, has been a major effort for both industry and the authorities. After the deadline, ECHA will host the world’s biggest regulatory database on chemicals. How will this information be used efficiently to manage the risks of chemicals to the benefit of the European citizens, environment and companies?

Firstly, it is good to understand that registration is not the end, but rather the beginning of a journey. Companies should have a plan to keep their registration information up-to-date and to constantly improve the quality of the registration dossiers when new information becomes available, or in response to ECHA’s requests. This is particularly important when we talk about chemicals manufactured or imported in large volumes or those with severe hazard properties. Efforts are needed to improve the justifications why some of the required data were not provided or were covered by alternative methods such as read-across, and to generate more information on uses and exposures.

By using the vast amount of information that industry has provided in their REACH registrations, ECHA, the EU Member States and the European Commission aim to reduce the risks of chemicals and to gradually direct companies to replace the most hazardous ones with safer alternatives. This work of identifying and managing the risks of chemicals in Europe will intensify in the coming years. But, it also has its challenges.

It is essential for authorities that the risk management efforts are targ ...