ESA 5th REACH Workshop 19/06/24

Location: ESA ESTEC Noordwijk, the Netherlands

The workshop was a comprehensive event focused on EU chemicals regulations, particularly REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) and CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging). 

Duration and Format:
The workshop was a full-day event, lasting approximately 8.5 hours from around 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. It was designed to be interactive, encouraging participation and discussion among attendees.

Purpose:
The main objective of this interactive full-day event was to raise once again awareness and discuss the current state of play, challenges, and risks with regards to EU chemicals regulations (mainly REACH/CLP) with experts from competent authorities, agencies and industry (including SMEs). The workshop came soon after the 2024 European elections (6-9 June 2024), which will also pave the way forward for actions related to the European Green Deal and the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, including the EU REACH Revision. Around 90 participants from 12 European countries were registered for the workshop

 

Link to the page of the event

 

Participants:
The event brought together a diverse group of experts and stakeholders, including:

  • Representatives from competent authorities responsible for implementing and enforcing chemical regulations
  • Agency officials, likely from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Industry representatives, including both large companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
  • Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) focused on environmental and health issues

 

Topics Covered:
The workshop covered various aspects of REACH and CLP regulations and their impact , including:

  • European Commission update on the status of CSS actions, REACH revision, and key regulatory developments (focus on PFAS and Cr6+)
  • Authorisation and Restriction – Updates from ECHA
  • REACH and Defence: Update from the European Defence Agency
  • Priority actions on EU REACH and issues of concern for the European Space Sector
  • Regulatory challenges for SMEs
  • Lead-free Transition for the European Space Sector – LETTERSS project
  • Substitution efforts in CNES

 

Discussion Points:
Participants discussed during the Round Table:

  • Challenges faced by companies in complying with REACH and CLP requirements
  • Supply chain challenges for European space sector -wider context,
  • Specific threats to Space industry (European capability vs. internal European regulatory constrains),
  • Specific REACH/Regulatory challenges.

 

By bringing together diverse perspectives, the workshop aimed to foster a comprehensive understanding of the current regulatory landscape for chemicals in the EU and to identify its impact for the European Space Sector.

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