European Chemicals Agency and amending regulations
The European Parliament adopted by 526 votes to 56 and 69 abstentions, amendments to the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Chemicals Agency and amending Regulations (EC) No 1907/2006, (EU) No 528/2012, (EU) No 649/2012 and (EU) 2019/1021.
The matter was referred back for interinstitutional negotiations to the committee responsible.
Objectives and missions of the agency
The Agency will: (i) contribute to the implementation and enforcement of Union legislation and policies related to the hazards, risks, safe use and environmental sustainability of chemical substances, mixtures and articles, (ii) provide scientific opinions and advice and independent information on all matters within that field, (iii) monitor emerging chemical risks and (iv) collect or generate data on chemicals, and communicate on those matters.
The Agency will help ensure a high level of protection for human health and the environment, particularly for vulnerable groups. It will deliver consistent chemical assessments throughout the European Union to facilitate their free movement within the internal market. It will also support competitiveness and innovation, taking into account the needs of SMEs, while encouraging the substitution of harmful substances and the development, and use of non-animal approaches and emerging methodologies.
The Agency will:
- ensure that conflicts of interest are prevented or managed, to ensure its independence and credibility with stakeholders and the general public;
- upon request from the European Parliament or a Member State, provide scientific opinions and technical assistance in a field falling within its competences;
- provide annual training for staff and committee members and share knowledge with all stakeholders.
Administrative and management structure of the Agency
This will include an assembly of accredited stakeholders, which aims to strengthen relations between accredited stakeholders and the Agency, and to facilitate their contribution to the Agency's missions.
The assembly will include two independent persons appointed by the European Parliament, those persons will be independent in the performance of their duties and will neither seek nor take instructions from any Union institution, body, office or agency, any government or from any other public or private body.
Executive Director
The Executive Director should ensure an appropriate and timely coordination with other Union bodies, including in relation to potential divergence of scientific opinion; ensure appropriate and timely response to reports of attempts to exert pressure or attempts of undue influence and ensure a psychologically healthy workplace by giving due consideration to measures beneficial to mental health at work.
Committees
The Committees will:
- provide technical and scientific support for steps to improve cooperation among the Union, Member States, international organisations and third countries on scientific and technical issues relating to the safety of substances, as well as active participation in technical assistance and capacity building activities on the sound management of chemicals in developing countries;
- draw up an opinion on any other aspects concerning the safety of substances on their own, in mixtures or in articles.
The European Parliament or a Member State may submit a request to the Agency to issue a scientific opinion on matters falling within its competences.
Revision of the fees
No later than two years after the date of application of this Regulation and every three years thereafter, the Commission will evaluate the budgetary adequacy and adapt accordingly the fees payable to the Agency. It will report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the budgetary adequacy of the fees payable to the agency and on the coherence and consolidation of the fees.
Networking of national authorities, agencies and research institutes
The Agency will facilitate the networking of national authorities, agencies and research institutes operating in the areas of competence of the Agency. It will assist Member States and the Commission in promoting the substitution of the most harmful and other hazardous chemicals and groups thereof by safer and more sustainable alternative substances and technologies and in the development, regulatory acceptance, uptake and international validation of relevant scientific methodologies, including non-animal approaches.
A permanent task force will be established and will focus on cross-sectoral issues that can benefit from a One Health and exposome approach. The Agency will coordinate the work of the task force for 12 months after the task force is established.