Safer Chemicals Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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 collaboration

• Generation of experimental data for industrial chemicals and its significance in identifying hazardous substances

• Identification of substances of very high concern, particularly those with endocrine-disrupting properties

• National perspectives on chemical safety priorities and how they influence committee decisions

• Importance of science and legal frameworks in resolving divergences and achieving consensus

• Future challenges, including emerging chemical concerns like nanomaterials, neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and the development of non-animal testing methods

Useful links

• Give us feedback

• Member State Committee - who we are

• Member State Committee - meeting agendas and minutes

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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.

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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 links

• More episodes on the committees for risk assessment and socio-economic analysis 

• Give us feedback 

More

• June RAC and SEAC meeting highlights  - ECHA news, 13 June 2024

• 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

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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 

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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 

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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

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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  

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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.

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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

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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. 

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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 

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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 

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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.

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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   

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