As the chemical universe expands there is a need to continually improve our knowledge base and control of chemicals in the EU to limit their impacts on human health and the environment. Logika Group’s policy and economics practice are part of a consortium led by VVA who have been commissioned to assess a broader application of the generic approach to risk management of chemicals and possible options to reform the REACH authorisation and restriction provisions.
In 2019, the Commission adopted the European Green Deal as a flagship commitment to tackling climatic and environmental challenges faced by the current generation. From this ambitious agenda to reach zero pollution and a toxic free environment, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) was born. It seeks to better protect citizens and the environment against harmful chemicals and encourage safe and sustainable alternatives.
The CSS drew from shortcomings highlighted in the earlier REACH Review in 2018[1] and announced a targeted revision of the REACH regulation, including a reform of the REACH rules governing the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals in the EU.
Possible amendments to the process span aspects of simplification and reform such as revising registration requirements (e.g. for polymers), improving communication in supply chains, changes to the authorisation and restrictions processes, and changes in requirements for control and enforcement, but also ambitious approaches which aim to strengthen the protection of human health and the environment including the introduction of a Mixtures Assessment Factor, or the operation of an “essential use” concept in restrictions.
This raft of potential amendments are supported by several technical studies being undertaken on behalf of the European Commission. Logika Group’s policy and economics practice are part of a consortium led by VVA who have been commissioned to assess a broader application of the “generic approach to risk management” of chemicals as well as possible options to reform the REACH authorisation and restriction provisions. The outcomes of this critical work will feed into an overall impact assessment of possible amendments to the REACH regulation due to be finalised in 2023.
You can now have your say on the targeted revision of the REACH Regulation (Regulation (EC) 1907/2006) until the 15th April 2022 – the public consultation can be found here https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12959-Chemicals-legislation-revision-of-REACH-Regulation-to-help-achieve-a-toxic-free-environment/public-consultation_en
[1] The 2018 REACH Review concluded that REACH is effective, but that there are opportunities for further improvement, simplification, and burden reduction. In its conclusions, the review identified a number of actions to improve the implementation of REACH, including on authorisation and restriction.
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