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Committee for Risk Assessment
The Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) prepares the opinions of ECHA related to the risks of substances to human health and the environment in the following REACH and CLP processes. The final decisions are taken by the European Commission.
Harmonised Classification and Labelling
RAC examines the proposals for harmonised classification and labelling and gives an opinion on the proposed harmonised classification of substances as carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic for reproduction or as a respiratory sensitiser, as well as other effects on a case-by-case basis.
Restriction
The Committee evaluates whether the proposed restriction on manufacture, placing on the market or use of a substance is appropriate in reducing the risk to human health and the environment. This includes the assessment of comments submitted by third parties.
Authorisation
RAC assesses the risk of a substance arising from the uses of a substance when an application for authorisation is submitted. This includes an assessment of the appropriateness and effectiveness of the risk management measures as described in the authorisation application, and if relevant, of the risks of possible alternatives. Third party contributions linked to the application will also be assessed.
Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs)
The Committee supports the European Commission by giving scientific opinions on occupational exposure limits. It has taken over this responsibility from the Commission’s Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limits (SCOEL).
ECHA's Executive Director's requests
RAC gives an opinion on request from the Executive Director of ECHA relating to risks to human health and the environment on any other aspects concerning the safety of substances on their own, in preparations or in articles.
The Committee also provides scientific support to improve the cooperation between the Community, its Member States, international organisations and third countries relating to the safety of substances, as well as active participation in technical assistance and capacity building activities on the sound management of chemicals in developing countries.
Composition
The members of RAC are appointed by ECHA's Management Board based on candidates nominated by the Members States for a renewable term of three years.
Latest news
- ECHA’s committees back restricting over 1 000 skin sensitising chemicals used in clothing and other articles
22 September 2020 - News release - ECHA’s committees recommend restricting a subgroup of PFAS
17 June 2020 - News release - RAC backs restricting intentional uses of microplastics
10 June 2020 - News release - RAC adopts harmonised classification and labelling opinions for four insecticides
6 May 2020 - Weekly bulletin- Details of opinions [PDF] [EN]
- ECHA's committees conclude on five restrictions
16 March 2020 - News release
Categories Display
Chair of the RAC is Tim Bowmer.
- CV [PDF]
- Declaration of Interests [PDF]
Deputy Chair of the RAC is Johanna Peltola-Thies
- CV [PDF]
- Declaration of Interests [PDF]
Committee's activities
- List of nominees for membership in RAC [PDF]
- Meetings (dates, agendas and minutes)
- List of RAC members with their CVs and Declarations of interest
- RAC work plan, December 2020
Harmonised Classification and Labelling
Restrictions
Applications for Authorisation
- Process
- Procedure for seeking agreement
- AfA A-listing criteria [PDF]
- Mandate for a working group of RAC
- Current public consultations
- RAC opinions
- Evaluating applications (including DNELs and dose-responses)
Occupational Exposure Limits
ECHA's Executive Director's requests
Committee's procedures
- Rules of procedure of RAC [PDF]
- Rules for accessing S-CIRCABC interest groups [PDF]
- Working procedure for the appointment of rapporteurs [PDF]
- Agreement on the RAC Working Groups (RAC-47) [PDF]
Harmonised Classification and Labelling
- Framework for RAC accordance check[PDF]
- Framework for RAC opinion development [PDF]
- Procedure for agreement seeking (fast-track agreement) [PDF]
Restrictions
- RAC working procedure on the conformity check [PDF]
- RAC working procedure on opinion development [PDF]
- Framework for conformity check and opinion development
- Templates:
- Working procedure on conformity check
Applications for Authorisation
Occupational Exposure Limits
ECHA's Executive Director's requests
- Framework for Article 77(3)(c) requests [PDF]
- RAC: Working Procedure on setting of risk estimates such as DNELs and dose response functions [PDF]
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