ECHA

The Security Officers' Network (SON) was established in 2007 as a sub-group of the former European Commission Working Group on the Practical Preparations for REACH.

The SON is a network of experts from Member State Competent Authorities (MSCAs), Mandated National Institutions, the European Commission and CEFIC. It provides advice to ECHA on security issues related to the secure exchange of information pertaining to the REACH and CLP Regulations, between ECHA, MSCAs, Mandated National Institutions and the European Commission.

The ECHA Management Board has given the SON a formal role in reviewing security requirements, agreeing on any deviations and in preparing security-related audit guidelines. Based on the expertise available in the SON, it also provides general advice on information exchange under REACH and CLP: in particular on security issues related to ICT tools such as REACH-IT, RIPE, and CIRCA. The SON also acts as a platform for the exchange of best practice and mutual learning.

The SON meets one to two times per year. ECHA provides its secretariat and coordinates the network. The Security Officers are responsible for informing their respective organisations of the discussions and decisions made during SON meetings.