Join Päivi Jokiniemi and Joost van Galen in this episode of the Safer Chemicals Podcast.

The episode focuses on the most important outcomes of the November meeting of our Biocidal Products Committee. Joost tells, for example, about the adopted Union authorisation opinions and explains why the Committee will continue discussing its opinion on an active substance application for bronopol in an additional virtual meeting in December 2023. He also raises the issue of data gaps and gives tips to companies on how to avoid them.

What the Biocidal Products Committee does:

The Committee prepares scientific opinions for the European Commission on biocidal active substances and on EU-wide authorisations of biocidal products.

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by interviewees do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Chemicals Agency. All content is up to date at the time of publication.  

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In this episode of the Safer Chemicals Podcast, we take you on a deep dive into the world of chemical safety with a spotlight on scientific research needs for the regulatory risk assessment of chemicals.

Päivi Jokiniemi speaks with ECHA's experts, Wim De Coen and Fleur van Broekhuizen, who give insights into the significance of scientific research in chemical regulation. Together, they explore the fundamental questions: Why is scientific research crucial for EU chemicals regulation, and what is ECHA doing to address the ever-evolving challenges in this field?

Learn why scientific research is the cornerstone of ECHA's efforts, enabling the identification of chemical hazards, assessment of risks, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Get an inside look at ECHA's collaborative approach, where engagement with the scientific community is paramount. Understand how ECHA actively cooperates with researchers, fostering dialogue and knowledge exchange to drive chemical safety.

Explore the Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC), an initiative that allocates substantial funding to research projects aimed at enhancing regulatory practices and improving chemical safety.

Discover the key areas of regulatory challenge highlighted in ECHA's recent report and gain insights into how increased scientific research can provide better protection against harmful chemicals, address chemical pollution in the natural environment, shift away from animal testing, and improve the availability of chemical data.

Wim works as a head of unit in our Hazard Assessment Directorate and Fleur in the team coordinating ECHA's activities under PARC. 

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by interviewees do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Chemicals Agency. All content is up to date at the time of publication. 

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Join Adam Elwan in the latest episode of the Safer Chemicals Podcast as he welcomes the new Chair of the Risk Assessment Committee, Roberto Scazzola, and Maria Ottati, Chair of the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee. 

They talk about the ongoing evaluation of the universal PFAS restriction proposal, France's proposal to restrict creosote-treated wood, the impact of new CLP hazard classes, and more. 

Get the latest updates on chemical risk assessment and regulation in Europe.

What the committees do

The two committees prepare scientific opinions that are used by the European Commission and EU Member States when deciding how chemical risks need to be controlled. They are made up of scientists from EU Member States and have observers from EU organisations that represent different sectors and interests.

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After the summer break, the Biocidal Products Committee is back in business discussing the latest active substance and Union authorisation cases. 

In this episode, we will introduce Joost van Galen, the new Chair of the committee, who tells about his background and how it has prepared him for this new role. He also shares his thoughts about the main challenges that the committee will be facing in the coming years. In addition, we cover the most important opinions that the committee concluded on during the

What the Biocidal Products Committee does

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Highlights from September Biocidal Products Commitee meeting  - ECHA news update, 20 September 2023

Biocidal Products Committee  

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Welcome to the Safer Chemicals Podcast, where we delve into the world of chemical risk management. In this episode, we speak with Tim Bowmer and Maria Ottati, Chairs of ECHA's Risk Assessment and Socio-Economic Analysis Committees. 

They update us on the universal PFAS restriction proposal, an ambitious initiative to minimise the release of persistent chemicals. Tim Bowmer also reflects on his impressive 11 years as Chair and sheds light on the evolving regulatory landscape. 

Join us as we explore the latest developments and discuss the future challenges faced by ECHA's committees.

What the committees do

The two committees prepare scientific opinions that are used by the European Commission and EU Member States when deciding how chemical risks need to be controlled. They are made up of scientists from EU Member States and have observers from EU organisations that represent different sectors and interests.

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by interviewees do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Chemicals Agency. All content is up to date at the time of publication. 

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Join us in this episode of the Safer Chemicals Podcast as we explore the latest developments from the Enforcement Forum of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). 

In conversation with Katja vom Hofe, the outgoing Chair of the Forum, we reflect on the achievements and challenges faced in promoting chemical safety and enforcement.

Discover how the Forum's collaborative efforts have shaped the future of chemical regulation in Europe and learn about the upcoming REACH enforcement project, REF-13. 

We dive into the topic of enforcing chemical products sold online, exploring the scope, impact, and potential changes in legislation.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from Katja, an expert with a unique perspective from leading the Forum for many years and discover how enforcement authorities are working together to ensure compliance and protect consumers in the digital age.

What the Forum does

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This episode gives you the highlights from the June meeting of our Biocidal Products Committee. Our guest is the Chair of the committee, Erik van de Plassche. 

In this episode we cover, for example, topical active substance and Union authorisation cases. We also discuss some procedural topics related to data that is generated after an active substance has been approved as well as minor and major change applications in the context of Union authorisations.

We also take a broader look at the work of the committee and hear Erik’s reflections on how it has developed during the past ten years, as this was his last meeting as the chair of the committee.

What the Biocidal Products Committee does 

The Committee prepares scientific opinions for the European Commission on biocidal active substances and on EU-wide authorisations of biocidal products.

Full episode transcript 

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by interviewees do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Chemicals Agency. All content is up to date at the time of publication.

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Tim Bowmer and María Ottati, Chairs of our committees for risk assessment and socio-economic analysis join us to share the highlights from their March 2023 meetings.

On the agenda:

• Restricting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) 

The universal restriction proposal  prepared by the authorities of Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden was discussed for the first time in the committees. Both committees confirmed that the proposal conforms with the legal requirements of REACH. A six-month consultation starts on 22 March. An online info session  to all stakeholders takes place on 5 April.

• Restricting PFAS in firefighting foams

This proposal  would ban the placing on the market, use and formulation of all PFAS in firefighting foams after specific transition periods. RAC adopted its opinion supporting the proposed restriction. SEAC agreed its draft opinion, which is subject to consultation until 15 May 2023.

• Restricting DMAC/NEP

This proposal  would harmonise the occupational exposure limit on these two dipolar aprotic solvents to protect workers. RAC adopted its opinion supporting the initiative. SEAC agreed its draft opinion, which is subject to consultation until 15 May 2023. Both substances are harmful to reproduction and may harm the unborn child.

Tim and María walk us through the committees' opinions and how they reached their conclusions.

What the committees do

The two committees prepare scientific opinions that are used by the European Commission and EU Member States when deciding how chemical risks need to be controlled. They are made up of scientists from EU Member States and have observers from EU organisations that represent different sectors and interests.

More

• ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee backs PFAS ban in firefighting foams - ECHA news, 21 March 2023

• Risk Assessment Committee - official webpage 

• Socio-Economic Analysis Committee - official webpage   

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This episode gives you the highlights from the March meeting of our Biocidal Products Committee. Our guest is the Chair of the Committee, Erik van de Plassche.

Background

The Committee prepares scientific opinions for the European Commission on biocidal active substances and on EU-wide authorisations of biocidal products. 

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Highlights from March BPC meeting 

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The Forum on Enforcement’s EU wide project on assessing REACH authorisation duties found that the majority of users of substances of very high concern (SVHC), mainly SMEs, already comply with the authorisation requirement to control risks. 

Inspectors from 28 European countries checked compliance with REACH authorisation requirements in the Forum REF-9 project. Authorisation applies to substances of very high concern (e.g. substances that cause cancer or are toxic to reproduction or mutagenic), which are included in the authorisation list (Annex XIV) of REACH. These substances may only be used or marketed if companies receive an authorisation from the European Commission for their specific uses.  Authorisation is meant to protect workers and the environment while phasing out these highly hazardous substances from the market. 

We are joined by Eugen Anwander, the Chair of the working group for the project who also represent the enforcement authorities and Maciej Baranski who works in the Harmonised Enforcement Team at the European Chemicals Agency. They share their insights into the results and explain the main recommendations and follow-up actions. 

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Authorities and ECHA push for compliance with authorisation duties - news, 8 March 2023 

REF-9 project report on enforcement of compliance with REACH authorisation obligations - PDF document 

Forum enforcement projects - official webpage

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