ECHA ready to help the EU achieve its ambitions for safe and sustainable chemicals

ECHA/NR/20/36

The European Commission has published its Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability as part of the European Green Deal. ECHA welcomes the strategy and looks forward to supporting its implementation.

Helsinki, 14 October 2020 – The chemicals strategy highlights that chemicals are fundamental for society and that a robust framework is needed to make the legislation stronger and more coherent.

It presents several actions for a toxic-free environment to protect people and the environment from hazardous chemicals. ECHA can play a key role in many of these areas with its scientific and technical competences.

Bjorn Hansen, ECHA’s Executive Director says: “European citizens are concerned about chemicals, and we need to make sure these concerns are addressed. At ECHA, we can play our part in making this strategy a success by supporting the Commission and EU Member States together with our stakeholders. We can particularly contribute in three areas: collecting, publishing and evaluating data on chemicals to stimulate innovation towards safer alternatives; ensuring that laws are implemented more efficiently and consistently; and speeding up chemicals risk management in the EU.”

ECHA’s vision is to be the centre of knowledge on the sustainable management of chemicals, serving a wide range of EU policies and global initiatives, for the benefit of citizens and the environment.