Second REACH REFIT report – On the right track, but improvement needed

Included in the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation is the obligation for a review every five years to monitor the progress of the chemical legislation’s objectives. In the Commission’s second REACH review, it was found that while the regulation functions well, delivers results and addresses consumers concerns about chemical safety, more improvements can be made to make it more efficient.

The report considers that REACH has been able to collect a comprehensive set of chemical data, established a thorough system for assessing chemicals and promoted alternatives to animal testing.

In terms of further improvements, the Commission notes that in order to better protect consumers, workers and the environment, measures need to be introduced ‘to improve the quality of registration dossiers that are submitted by industry and to simplify the authorisation process and ensure a level playing field between the EU and non-EU companies’. Moreover, the report recognises the need for greater coherence between the REACH regulation and worker protection legislation, such as the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Directive, as well as with waste legislation.

In the follow-up to the REACH REFIT, the Commission will discuss the outcomes with the European Parliament, Member States and other stakeholders during a public conference planned for June 2018.

For 10 years AmCham EU’s Environment Committee has been active on these issues, and continues to work with policy-makers on EU chemical legislation. AmCham EU recognises the importance of the REACH REFIT report and is currently working on a series of REACH recommendation papers. Watch this space for more information.

By Florian Gleissner, Policy Adviser (FGL@amchameu.eu).