Summary
The document elaborates on the current state of EU chemicals legislation, which comprises over forty pieces, including major ones like REACH and CLP. The paper underscores the complexity of these regulations, which have evolved in silos with different decision-making bodies. The Fitness Check reveals that while the regulatory framework is generally effective, there is room for simplification. The approach proposed includes consolidating regulations, assessing risks holistically, and ensuring more cooperation among EU agencies. Additionally, the paper advocates for regulations instead of directives to enhance consistency and suggests maintaining transparency and stakeholder involvement in the process.
Takeaways
- Holistic Regulatory Management: Implement a systematic Regulatory Management Option Analysis (RMOA) to optimise efficiency, predictability, and consistency across different legislations.
- Regulatory Convergence: Shift from directives to regulations for all legislations impacting chemical production, handling, and disposal to standardise measures and prevent uneven implementation.
- Stakeholder Inclusion: Ensure simplification processes maintain transparency and involve all stakeholders, avoiding automatic bans and generic risk assessments.