ECHA
10 years of making chemicals safer
On 1 June 2017, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is 10 years old. During those 10 years, ECHA has been working to protect human health and the environment from the toxic effects of chemicals, promote their safe use, control the most dangerous ones and encourage innovation.
News alert
Survey results now online
A summary of the results from our news readership survey is now available on our website. Thank you for your feedback.
Summary of results
REACH
New Chesar version eases generation and updating of chemical safety reports
A new version of ECHA's Chemical Safety Assessment and Reporting tool (Chesar) lets you edit the chemical safety report directly in the preview of the report. This saves you time as the information can be modified on the spot and will automatically update in other sections of Chesar.
News item | Chesar
REACH tests need to comply with good laboratory practice
ECHA reminds registrants that all toxicological and ecotoxicological tests need to be carried out in compliance with good laboratory practice (GLP).
News item
Committees’ opinions on applications for authorisation available
The consolidated opinions of the Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) are available on our website for:
- Four uses of chromium trioxide (EC 215-607-8; CAS 1333-82-0) by REACHLaw Ltd as Only Representative on behalf of Joint Stock Company “Novotroitsk Plant of Chromium Compounds”; and
- One use of 1,2-Dichloroethane (EDC) (EC 203-458-1; CAS 107-06-2) by emp Biotech GmbH.
Adopted opinions
Commission authorises use of chromium trioxide
The European Commission has granted an authorisation for:
- One use of chromium trioxide (EC 215-607-8; CAS 1333-82-0) as an oxidising and hardening agent in the manufacture of colourless stainless steel.
The authorisation is valid until 21 September 2027. To date, the Commission has made 80 authorisation decisions in total.
Adopted decision | Official Journal
Training material for IUCLID
Are you a new user of IUCLID 6? A simple self-training package for beginners is now available for you to help you get familiar with the main functionalities of IUCLID 6, the steps to take when creating a dossier and how to run and use the Validation Assistant plug-in. The training package includes an annotated presentation which guides you through IUCLID 6, a hands-on exercise with technical advice on how to complete the exercise, as well as a training substance dataset file (needed for the exercise). Take advantage of this training material and explore IUCLID 6!
Training material
New Q&As for restrictions
In collaboration with the European Commission, ECHA has prepared several new Q&As on restrictions; general Q&As applicable to more than one restriction entry and Q&As on entries 20, 23, 43 and 51-52 of Annex XVII to REACH. The Q&As aim to inform stakeholders and help enforcement authorities implement these specific restriction provisions.
Q&As on restrictions
Downstream users
Presentation on safe use of mixtures information approach translated
Formulators have an important and challenging role under REACH in communicating information on the safe use of mixtures to their customers. The downstream users of chemicals co-ordination group (DUCC) has created a set of slides summarising the main principles behind their "bottom up" approach for deriving and communicating information on the safe use of mixtures by workers. These slides are available in eight EU languages.
The material is intended to support national associations when training their members.
Guidance and tools on DUCC website
Events
Get up-to-date on biocides
26-27 September 2017
Book your seat at our free Biocides Stakeholders' Day on 26 and 27 September. The event gives you the latest information on the Biocidal Products Regulation from ECHA and the European Commission and case studies from companies. You can also take part in training on biocides IT tools and book a one-to-one session.
Register
Stock-taking Conference on Applications for Authorisation - save the date
13-14 November 2017
ECHA will organise together with the European Commission a Stock-taking Conference on Applications for Authorisation on 13-14 November in Helsinki. The purpose of the conference is to assess the evolution and achievements of the authorisation process in terms of substitution, risk reduction and cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, it will provide a forum for all involved to discuss points for improving the process. Registration for the conference will start in August 2017.
Event page
Workshop on integrated regulatory strategy: proceedings published
From 28 February to 1 March 2016, a workshop on implementing ECHA's integrated regulatory strategy took place. The workshop discussed the mapping of the chemicals universe and grouping of substances for further action. The proceedings from the workshop are now available.
Proceedings
Calls for information
Call for evidence on PAHs in articles and toys
The European Commission has requested ECHA to investigate the most recent, state of the art, information related to the content of individual PAHs listed in entry 50 of Annex XVII to REACH. ECHA has launched a call for evidence to gather concrete information on:
- the content of individual PAHs listed in entry 50 and analytical methods used to establish this content; and
- current availability of suitable, alternative low-PAH raw materials, particularly carbon black and extender oils, used to manufacture rubber and plastic components.
The call ends on 31 July 2017.
Call for evidence | Background note
Have a look at the 21 currently open consultations on our home page.
All open consultations
