Safer Chemicals Podcast

In this episode of the Safer Chemicals Podcast, we dive into ECHA’s new initiatives in advancing non-animal testing methods through the New Approach Methodologies Framework Contract.Our guests, Sylvia Escher from the Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, and Tomasz Sobanski from ECHA’s Alternative Methods Team, discuss research projects aimed at transforming how chemicals are assessed for safety.Useful linksECHA to investigate new test method potentially replacing toxicity testing with fish - ECHA news 13 November 2024Animal testing under the REACH Regulation**************Subscribe to our YouTube channelSubscribe to our Safer Chemicals PodcastSubscribe to our newsFollow us on:TwitterFacebookLinkedInVisit our website 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.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of the Safer Chemicals Podcast, Adam Elwan is joined by Roberto Scazzola, Chair of the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC), and María Ottati, Chair of the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC). They talk about the September committee meetings, discussing the scientific evaluation of the proposal to restrict PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) across multiple industries, including petroleum, mining, textiles, and food packaging.  Additionally, they address the proposal to classify talc as a carcinogenic substance and companies' applications to use chromium VI in the aviation and defense sectors.Useful linksGive us feedbackSeptember RAC and SEAC meeting highlights - ECHA news, 26 September 2024RAC meeting agenda and minutesSEAC meeting agenda and minutesREACH restriction processHarmonised classification and labellingRisk Assessment CommitteeSocio-Economic Analysis Committee**************Subscribe to our YouTube channelSubscribe to our Safer Chemicals PodcastSubscribe to our newsFollow us on:TwitterFacebookLinkedInVisit our website 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.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of the Safer Chemicals Podcast, we explore the vital work carried out by the European Chemicals Agency’s Member State Committee. Host Päivi Jokiniemi is joined by Katinka van der Jagt, Chair of the Member State Committee, alongside two of the committee's national members, Katarzyna Malkiewicz from the Swedish Chemicals Agency KEMI, and Agnieszka Dudra from the Polish Bureau for Chemical Substances.The European Union, a partnership of 27 countries, is committed to building a safer and healthier future. ECHA’s Member State Committee exemplifies this commitment by bringing together representatives from all EU member states to reach consensus on key chemical safety decisions. Throughout the episode, our guests talk about the unique aspects of the Member State Committee, discussing its tasks, responsibilities, and the collaborative nature of its decision-making process. They highlight the importance of science-based decisions, transparency, and the committee’s role in promoting the substitution and minimisation of harmful substances.Key topics:Committee voting procedure and its impact on committee collaborationGeneration of experimental data for industrial chemicals and its significance in identifying hazardous substancesIdentification of substances of very high concern, particularly those with endocrine-disrupting propertiesNational perspectives on chemical safety priorities and how they influence committee decisionsImportance of science and legal frameworks in resolving divergences and achieving consensusFuture challenges, including emerging chemical concerns like nanomaterials, neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and the development of non-animal testing methodsUseful linksGive us feedbackMember State Committee - who we areMember State Committee - meeting agendas and minutes**************Subscribe to our YouTube channelSubscribe to our Safer Chemicals PodcastSubscribe to our newsFollow us on:TwitterFacebookLinkedInVisit our website 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.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of the Safer Chemicals Podcast, host Adam Elwan is joined by Roberto Scazzola, the Chair of ECHA's Risk Assessment Committee and Maria Ottati who chairs the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee to discuss the ongoing efforts and challenges in regulating harmful chemicals.The episode focuses on the universal PFAS restriction proposal, addressing its persistency and health impacts, and the committees' approach to evaluating different sectors in batches.They also explore the initial discussions on harmonising the classification and labelling of talc, and the steps towards recommending occupational exposure limits for bisphenol A (BPA).Tune in for the latest updates on the committees' work in protecting health and the environment, their socio-economic implications, and the vital role of stakeholder contributions in this complex process.Useful linksMore episodes on the committees for risk assessment and socio-economic analysis Give us feedback MoreJune RAC and SEAC meeting highlights  - ECHA news, 13 June 2024Agenda of RAC’s meeting   [PDF] [EN] Agenda of SEAC’s meeting  [PDF] [EN] REACH restriction process Harmonised classification and labelling Risk Assessment Committee Socio-Economic Analysis Committee**************Subscribe to our YouTube channelSubscribe to our Safer Chemicals PodcastSubscribe to our newsFollow us on:TwitterFacebookLinkedInVisit our website 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.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

ECHA’s Biocidal Products Committee met during the last week of May 2024 and adopted altogether 18 opinions.Join Päivi Jokiniemi and Joost van Galen, the Chair of the Biocidal Products Committee, in this episode of Safer Chemicals Podcast. They discuss, for example, what happens when the assessment of endocrine disrupting properties is lacking from applications. Joost also comes back to the topic of data gaps and missing information, and reminds companies of their responsibility of making sure that their applications are complete and meet the data requirements under the Biocidal Products Regulation.The Committee’s task is to prepare scientific opinions for the European Commission on biocidal active substances and on EU-wide authorisations of biocidal products. The Commission takes the final decisions based on these opinions.Useful linksMore episodes on the Biocidal Products Committee meetingsGive us feedbackMoreECHA raises concern over missing data in biocides applications - ECHA news, 5 June 2024Agenda of the May 2024 BPC meeting [PDF] [EN] Understanding the Biocidal Products RegulationBiocidal Products Regulation (528/2012)Guidance on biocides legislationBiocidal Products Committee (contains also working procedures)**************Subscribe to our YouTube channelSubscribe to our Safer Chemicals PodcastSubscribe to our newsFollow us on:TwitterFacebookLinkedInVisit our website 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.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation, also known as the CLP Regulation, requires companies to classify, label and package their hazardous chemicals appropriately before placing them on the EU market to protect health and the environment but also to ensure free movement of substances, mixtures and article. In this episode, the host Päivi Jokiniemi and the head of ECHA’s Hazard classification unit, Paul Ryan, talk about the amendment that introduced new hazard classes to the regulation – these entered into force in April 2023. They will also discuss the ongoing CLP revision that is one of the key deliverables of the European Commission’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. While it aims to update and optimise the regulation by ensuring that dangerous chemicals are properly identified, labelled and classified, it is also an important element in Europe’s move towards a toxic free environment.Useful linksGive us feedbackListen on YouTube MoreNew hazard classes 2023Existing guidance for CLPECHA-EFSA guidance on endocrine disruptionREACH guidance: Information Requirements and Chemical Safety Assessment – chapter R.11: PBT/vPvB assessment **************Subscribe to our YouTube channelSubscribe to our Safer Chemicals PodcastSubscribe to our news Follow us on:TwitterFacebookLinkedInVisit our website 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.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Welcome to this episode of the Safer Chemicals Podcast, where we look into the EU indicator framework for chemicals, focused on improving chemical safety across Europe.The transition towards safer and more sustainable chemicals is progressing in some areas, while in others, it is just beginning. This is the finding of a first, joint Europe-wide assessment of the drivers and impact of chemical pollution by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The benchmarking found that more work is still needed to reduce the impact of harmful substances on human health and the environment. We are joined by Leena Ylä-Mononen, the Executive Director of EEA and Sharon McGuinness, the Executive Director of ECHA. Together, they discuss the roles their agencies play in developing these indicators. This episode offers an in-depth look at how these agencies work together to support safer chemical management, highlighting the real-world impact of their work on environmental and public health.We'll explore the challenges faced during the project, the collaboration between various European institutions, and what future developments we might expect in the realm of chemical safety.BackgroundAccording to the joint EEA-ECHA synthesis report on the EU indicator framework for chemicals, the overall use of the most harmful chemicals (in particular those that are carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic) is still growing but more slowly than the overall chemicals market growth. Pressure is increasing to avoid the use of so-called substances of concern and to implement the principles of the safe and sustainable by design framework. There is a need to more effectively ensure that consumer products do not contain the most harmful substances, for example chemicals that are endocrine disrupting, that negatively affect the hormone system, or substances that are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic, which present a risk for years to come even after their use has ceased.More data and information are needed to better understand human and environmental exposure to those most harmful chemicals and their impacts. Still, the indicators show clearly that the shift to safe and sustainable chemicals must continue and should even be accelerated.Listen to our episode for a deep dive into what the main findings of this initial assessment were and check the online dashboard for more details.Useful linksEU Agencies: more work needed to make chemicals safe and sustainable  - ECHA news, 17 April 2024Joint EEA-ECHA synthesis reportOnline dashboardGive us feedback **************Subscribe to our YouTube channelSubscribe to our Safer Chemicals PodcastSubscribe to our newsFollow us on:TwitterFacebookLinkedInVisit our website 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. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This episode of the Safer Chemicals podcast, hosted by Adam Elwan from ECHA, dives into the work of the committees' work on the proposal to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Europe. Adam is joined by Roberto Scazzola and Maria Ottati, chairs of ECHA's Risk Assessment and Socio-Economic Analysis committees as they discuss the first steps of forming scientific opinions on the restriction proposal.The episode also touches on the committees' work on other areas, such as the harmonised classification of lithium salts and the use of chromium VI compounds in key industries.Listeners will come away with a clearer understanding of the importance of scientific and technical robustness in the committee's work, and the Agency's commitment to ensuring chemical safety in the EU.Useful linksEpisode transcript More episodes on the committees for risk assessment and socio-economic analysis Give us feedback MoreMarch RAC and SEAC meeting highlights  - ECHA news, 20 March 2024Agenda of RAC’s meeting   [PDF] [EN] Agenda of SEAC’s meeting  [PDF] [EN] REACH restriction process Harmonised classification and labelling Risk Assessment Committee Socio-Economic Analysis Committee**************Subscribe to our YouTube channelSubscribe to our Safer Chemicals PodcastSubscribe to our newsFollow us on:TwitterFacebookLinkedInVisit our website 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.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our wellbeing depends on the health of animals, plants and our environment. What affects one affects all the others, and increasingly so. A One Health perspective is about joining forces to find integrated solutions to common challenges such as climate change and antibiotic resistance.Join us to hear from experts at five EU scientific agencies about how we can put One Health into practice. Whether it's safeguarding access to life-saving medicines or combating the next pandemics, a One Health approach will be essential to how our society navigates the future. This is the second of our two part episode with speakers from five EU agencies. Listen to the first episode here. HostJames Ramsay, Head of Communications - European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)GuestsCarlos das Neves, Chief Scientist - European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)Wim De Coen, Head of Hazard Assessment at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)Mike Catchpole, Chief Scientist at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)Dario Piselli, Expert in environment and health at the European Environment Agency (EEA)Steffen Thirstrup, Chief Medical Officer at the European Medicines Agency (EMA)Check our website and stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter.Useful links EFSA, Science on the Menu podcastECDC On Air podcastEpisode transcript Give us feedback **************Subscribe to our YouTube channelSubscribe to our Safer Chemicals PodcastSubscribe to our newsFollow us on:TwitterFacebookLinkedInVisit our website 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.  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our wellbeing depends on the health of animals, plants and our environment. What affects one affects all the others, and increasingly so. A One Health perspective is about joining forces to find integrated solutions to common challenges such as climate change and antibiotic resistance.Join us to hear from experts at five EU scientific agencies about how we can put One Health into practice. Whether it's safeguarding access to life-saving medicines or combating the next pandemics, a One Health approach will be essential to how our society navigates the future. This is the first of our two part episode with speakers from five EU agencies. HostJames Ramsay, Head of Communications - European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)GuestsCarlos das Neves, Chief Scientist - European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)Wim De Coen, Head of Hazard Assessment at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)Mike Catchpole, Chief Scientist at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)Dario Piselli, Expert in environment and health at the European Environment Agency (EEA)Steffen Thirstrup, Chief Medical Officer at the European Medicines Agency (EMA)Check our website and stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter.Useful links EFSA, Science on the Menu podcastECDC On Air podcastEpisode transcript Give us feedback **************Subscribe to our YouTube channelSubscribe to our Safer Chemicals PodcastSubscribe to our newsFollow us on:TwitterFacebookLinkedInVisit our website 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.  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Welcome to the Safer Chemicals Podcast. In this episode, we explore an EU enforcement project that revealed concerning levels of banned chemicals in everyday consumer goods across Europe. The findings? A significant 18% non-compliance rate in various items like electrical devices, sports gear, toys, and fashion products. Join us as we discuss the project's key discoveries and recommendations with experts Karin Rumar and Maciej Baranski. They shed light on the presence of harmful substances like phthalates, lead, and cadmium in these items, and how enforcement measures were taken to address non-compliant products. The project's recommendations for industry emphasise the responsibility of companies in ensuring product safety. They advocate for heightened awareness, risk-based compliance checks, and stringent assessments to prevent hazardous chemicals in consumer goods. Check our website for the full report and stay updated on future initiatives by subscribing to our newsletter. Useful links Hazardous chemicals found in consumer products - ECHA news, 13 December 2023   Safety Gate: EU rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products  Episode transcript  More episodes on the Enforcement Forum  Give us feedback  ************** Subscribe to our YouTube channel Subscribe to our Safer Chemicals Podcast Subscribe to our news Follow us on: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Visit our website  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.  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Welcome to the Safer Chemicals Podcast. Join host Adam Elwan as he delves into the work of the European Chemicals Agency's scientific committees. In this episode, we talk about the record number of comments received for the proposed restriction of PFAS and the harmonised classification of tea tree oil. Discover the unprecedented public engagement as we explore the analysis of over 5 600 comments received on the proposed PFAS restriction. Our experts, Roberto Scazzola and Maria Ottati, shed light on the extensive input from various sectors, offering insights into the diverse perspectives and key concerns highlighted by industry experts and individuals alike. From electronic and semiconductor industries to discussions on cosmetics and textiles, we dig deeper into the breadth of feedback received and its potential impact on regulatory decisions. Stay tuned as the Risk Assessment Committee addresses the evaluation of tea tree oil, discussing its potential impact on various sectors including fragrances, cosmetics, and plant protection products. Join us for a deep dive into the world of chemical oversight, scientific opinions, and the profound impact of public input on shaping regulatory decisions. Subscribe to stay updated on our upcoming episodes covering crucial findings and insights on chemical regulations and safety. 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. Useful links Episode transcript  More episodes on the committees for risk assessment and socio-economic analysis  Give us feedback  More Highlights from November RAC and SEAC meetings  - ECHA news, 7 December 2023 Agenda of RAC’s meeting   [PDF] [EN]  Agenda of SEAC’s meeting  [PDF] [EN]  REACH restriction process  Harmonised classification and labelling  Risk Assessment Committee  Socio-Economic Analysis Committee ************** Subscribe to our YouTube channel Subscribe to our Safer Chemicals Podcast Subscribe to our news Follow us on: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Visit our website  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. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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. Full episode transcript  More  Highlights from November BPC meeting  Biocidal Products Committee & Working procedures  Biocides guidance   Guiding principles on handling information provided by the applicant during union authorisation process  Give us feedback  ************** Subscribe to our YouTube channel Subscribe to our Safer Chemicals Podcast Subscribe to our news Follow us on: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Visit our website  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.  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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.  Useful links Episode transcript  Give us feedback Listen on YouTube  More ECHA report: Key Areas of Regulatory Challenge  ECHA identifies research needs for regulating hazardous chemicals - ECHA News 15 November 2023  More on this topic  ************** Subscribe to our YouTube channel Subscribe to our Safer Chemicals Podcast Subscribe to our news Follow us on: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Visit our website  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. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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. Useful links Episode transcript   More episodes on the committees for risk assessment and socio-economic analysis  Give us feedback Listen on YouTube  More ECHA's Risk Assessment Committee: banning secondary uses of creosote-treated wood necessary - ECHA news, 20 September 2023  Agenda of RAC’s meeting   [PDF] [EN] Agenda of SEAC’s meeting   [PDF] [EN] REACH restriction process  Applications for authorisation  Harmonised classification and labelling  Risk Assessment Committee  Socio-Economic Analysis Committee ************** Subscribe to our YouTube channel Subscribe to our Safer Chemicals Podcast Subscribe to our news Follow us on: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Visit our website  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.  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 September meeting.   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. Give us feedback Episode transcript  More episodes on the Biocidal Products Committee  Listen on YouTube  More Highlights from September Biocidal Products Commitee meeting  - ECHA news update, 20 September 2023 Biocidal Products Committee   ************** Subscribe to our YouTube channel Subscribe to our Safer Chemicals Podcast Subscribe to our news Follow us on: *Twitter *Facebook *LinkedIn Visit our website 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.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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. Useful links Episode transcript  More episodes on the committees for risk assessment and socio-economic analysis  Give us feedback  More ECHA’s committees: EU-wide PFAS ban in firefighting foams warranted - ECHA news, 21 June 2023 Agenda of RAC’s meeting  [PDF] [EN] Agenda of SEAC’s meeting  [PDF] [EN] REACH restriction process  Applications for authorisation  Harmonised classification and labelling  Occupational exposure limits  Risk Assessment Committee  Socio-Economic Analysis Committee ************** Subscribe to our YouTube channel Subscribe to our Safer Chemicals Podcast Subscribe to our news Follow us on: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Visit our website  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. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 The Forum and the BPRS are a network of enforcement authorities from the EU and EEA. They are responsible for coordinating the enforcement of REACH, CLP, PIC, POPs and BPR chemicals legislation. Their aim is to protect peoples’ health and the environment while ensuring a level playing field for companies on the EU market. New EU chemicals enforcement project to focus on products sold online - ECHA news, 20 June 2023 Episode transcript   More episodes on the Forum Give us feedback  Useful links Enforcement Forum - who we are  Meetings of the Forum  Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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  Give us feedback More Biocidal Products Committee  Highlights from June BPC meeting - ECHA news 13 June 2023  ************** Subscribe to our YouTube channel Subscribe to our Safer Chemicals Podcast Subscribe to our news Follow us on: *Twitter *Facebook *LinkedIn Visit our website 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.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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   Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.