Activities under IPA

Activities implemented under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) are funded by the European Union. These ECHA-driven projects provide capacity building for the European Union candidate and potential candidate countries to support their implementation of the EU chemicals legislation, and cooperation with ECHA.

ECHA has been active in capacity building projects in the Western Balkans and Turkey since 2009.

IPA 2020-2021 EU Events

EU events

Safer Chemicals Conference 2020

2 June 2020
Online

The Safer Chemicals conference, held online this year, included sessions on Safer Chemicals for a Greener Europe, Tracking substances of concern (SCiP) and Harmonised information for national Poison Centres.

  • Session 1: Safer chemicals for a greener Europe
  • Session 2: Tracking substances of concern
  • Session 3: Harmonised information for poison centres

ECHA Helpnet meeting

19-22 October 2020
Online

For observers only: Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey

The meeting programme focused on updating the current issues in the BPR, CLP and REACH implementation as well as on ECHA’s Guidance, Forum and communication activities. The meeting consisted also of in-depth workshops on BPR, CLP and REACH.

Helsinki Chemicals Forum

27-28 April 2021
Online

The event was exceptionally held online due to the covid pandemic and ongoing interational travel restrictions. Five panels and presentation on transparency and risk.

  • Panel 1 – Forthcoming ICCM 5: Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste Beyond 2020
  • Panel 2 – Green chemical policy. How ambitious is the new EU Chemicals Strategy?
  • Panel 3 – Transparency & risk communication
  • Panel 4 – Safer substitution
  • Panel 5 – Spotlight on textiles

Safer Chemicals Conference 2021

(formerly ECHA Conference/Stakeholder Day) 6 October 2021
Online event, registrations begins 06 August 2021.

Forum (open sessions not yet confirmed)

November 2021
Online

IPA 2020-2021 Studies

Studies

Two studies have been commissioned by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), on behalf of the European Commission (EC), and carried out by VVA Economics & Policy and RPA Europe Risk & Policy Analysts. The study work aimed to identify and assess gaps in the current national capacity and readiness to implement and enforce the EU chemical acquis in the (pre-)candidate countries.

The studies comprise three main elements - assessment of the state of harmonisation of the existing legislation with that of the EU acquis; clarifying the readiness of the countries’ institutional capacity to implement and enforce EU chemicals legislation post their accession to the EU; and outline of the findings in concrete action plans to enable the countries to enact their responsibility as EU Member States in the implementation of the chemicals regulations. These elements are covered in different work packages, the culmination of which are the concrete action plans published below. (The remaining work packages of the studies will be shared upon request to the Agency.)

The study findings represent the opinion of the contractor in charge of the study work.

2022: Assessment of the National Capacity and Readiness to Implement and Enforce REACH, CLP, BPR, POPs and PIC in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Turkey.

2021: Assessment of the national capacity and readiness to implement and enforce REACH, CLP, BPR and PIC in Montenegro and Serbia

IPA 2020-2021 Workshops

Workshops

CLP Workshop

25 May 2020
Online

The main focus of the workshop was to look into the European Commission’s views on two topics previously raised by the HelpNet, and preview ECHA’s presentations on poison centre notifications that would be webcast at the Safer Chemicals Conference.

REACH Workshop

26 May 2020
Online

The European Commission gave an update on the recent legislative modifications and other acts issued by the Commission, including developments on the REACH authorisation and restrictions processes, REACH Review actions addressed in the REACH Evaluation Joint Action Plan, and an overview of the topics discussed in the past REACH Committee. Also included are perspectives of the German helpdesk, Life AskREACH project, and tracking substances of concern.

HelpNET Workshop

8-9 June 2021
Online

REACH and CLP workshops open to Observers, including those IPA countries with an established national chemicals helpdesk.

HelpNET Workshop

November 2021. Some sessions open to Observers.
Online

IPA 2020-2021 trainings

Training

Chemistry for Non-Chemists

September 2021

Five-half-days course giving basics of phys-chem properties etc. for regulators and inspectors.

Introduction to CLP

October 2021

Five-half-days course taking a detailed look at the EU's implementation of the UN's Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).

Hazard Training

November 2021

IPA 2020-2021 Missions

Missions

Note: Following WHO and national health authority guidelines, missions were severely curtailed by COVID-19 travel restrictions throughout 2020 and 2021 and replaced wherever practical with online meetings and training.

Fact-finding Mission to Montenegro and Serbia

2-7 Feb 2020

ECHA and study contractor met with Competent Authorities and Inspectors for Chemicals and Biocides, with Chambers of Commerce and Industry, with NGOs and Academia, to gather information for study “Assessment of the national capacity and readiness to implement and enforce REACH, CLP, BPR and PIC in Montenegro and Serbia“. The study concluded in November 2020 with country-specific action plans presented to the responsible hierarchies in both countries.