ECHA and Eurometaux agree on Framework for Cooperation

ECHA/NR/18/42

ECHA’s Executive Director Bjorn Hansen and Eurometaux’s Guy Thiran have signed the Metals and Inorganics Sectorial Approach (MISA) agreement providing a cooperation framework for improving the data in the registration dossiers for these substances and advancing technical and scientific issues related to metal compounds and inorganic substances.

Helsinki, 29 June 2018 – By the end of 2020, ECHA and Eurometaux, the European non-ferrous metals association, aim to identify the shortcomings in REACH and CLP information for metal compounds and inorganic substances. The MISA agreement aims to generate further information on as many metal compounds and inorganics as possible, as well as to improve supply chain communication and identify new risk management needs.

Guy Thiran, Director General of Eurometaux stated: “Europe’s metals sector is committed to continually improve its standards of chemicals management. With today’s partnership agreement, we welcome the opportunity to work with ECHA to resolve several critical scientific and technical issues. This will help us to better understand the hazard and risks posed by metals and inorganic substances, including their use in a Circular Economy. By addressing issues such as environmental classification and the use of read across, we can work towards updated registration dossiers and additional data generation”.

Bjorn Hansen, Executive Director of ECHA says: “Eurometaux is the second European industry association committing to improve their implementation of REACH. I am pleased with this proactive approach, from a sector with a long-standing record of constructive involvement in chemicals management. It shows the willingness to cooperate with ECHA to increase efficiencies in implementing REACH for the good of the EU citizen and the single EU market.”

The MISA framework has been signed by ECHA and Eurometaux and will be followed by bilateral signatures with the participating consortia. By signing up to this framework and related action plan, the participating industry sectors recognise the importance of providing accurate and clear information on hazards, risks and conditions of safe use throughout the supply chain.

The MISA agreement is in line with ECHA’s Integrated Regulatory Strategy, and the cooperation will contribute to achieving the objectives of the 2020 Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM).

Background

ECHA’s Integrated Regulatory Strategy aims to efficiently identify substances of potential concern and ensure appropriate intervention, providing confidence that registrants meet the REACH registration requirements and communicate on safe use in the supply chain.

While there is a lot of data available on a number of metals and metal compounds and many have been under substantial regulatory scrutiny, there is also a large group for which data needs improvement. A provisional analysis looking at the data available on about 700 registered metal compounds shows some data gaps and extensive use of adaptations. Furthermore, in line with what is seen for other substances, a large percentage REACH registration dossiers for metals and inorganic substances have never been updated.

ECHA is committed to openness and transparency with its stakeholders. ECHA currently has 114 accredited stakeholder organisations, representing industry, NGOs, trade unions, consumers and academia. These stakeholders are involved in many of the Agency’s activities and decision-making processes, and a regular dialogue with them is an important part of our daily work. All organisations at EU and international level affected by the EU’s chemicals regulations are considered ECHA’s stakeholders and are welcome to participate in our work.




Inge Maes (representing the Chair of Eurometaux's Board, Dirk Vandenberghe), ECHA's Executive Director Bjorn Hansen, Director General of Eurometaux Guy Thiran and ECHA's Director of Risk Management Jack de Bruijn sign the Metals and Inorganics Sectorial Approach (MISA) - a framework for cooperation between ECHA and the metals/inorganics sector