ECHA

ECHA is committed to providing, with diligence, consistency and integrity, a service that meets the needs and expectations of its various stakeholders in a balanced and impartial way and in strict compliance with applicable legislation.

To this aim, the Agency is in the process of establishing a comprehensive quality management system as an integral part of its operation.

ECHA's integrative approach is a tailor-made model for a European Agency. The Agency developed its management standards based on the Commission's Internal Control Standards for effective management and the internationally recognised ISO 9001 standard for quality management systems. The ECHA Quality & Internal Control Standards (Q&ICS) have been adopted by the Management Board and constitute the basis for the Agency's Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS).

The Integrated Quality Management System is designed for good governance, for steering operations, and for leading ECHA to a high standard of performance and continual improvement, with the efficient use of resources, in order to obtain full stakeholder confidence and satisfaction.

Quality Policy

ECHA's Quality Policy outlines the Agency's obligations to various stakeholder groups whilst stating the Agency's commitment to continually improve the effectiveness of its Quality Management System and provide a framework for establishing and reviewing its quality objectives. Performing to excellent standards while meeting the requirements of our stakeholders and ensuring the consistent implementation of the REACH and CLP Regulations is at the core of ECHA's Quality Policy.

Quality organisation

The implementation of ECHA's Integrated Quality Management System is a corporate project and pertains to all of its activities.

The Agency's Quality Organisation is designed for enhanced cooperation and communication, and for achieving a harmonised approach on quality matters throughout the Agency.

The Quality Steering Committee advises the Executive Director and the Management Board on matters relevant to Quality Management. Its members include:

• a representative of the Management Board
• the Executive Director
• all Directors
• the Registrar of the Board of Appeal
• the Head of the Executive Office
• the Quality Manager.

A Quality Network acts as the interface between the Quality Manager and the Agency's Directorates. It assists the Directors and the Quality Manager with the harmonised implementation of the IQMS and its continual improvement, in order to ensure the system's consistency and integrity.

Quality Assurance Officers, located within individual Directorates, support the Quality Network with its activities and contribute to the realisation of quality assurance in their respective Directorates.