ECHA Publishes Its Strategy Statement for 2024-2028: Focus on Chemical Safety Collaboration and Expertise

On 30 January 2024, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published its Strategy Statement for the years 2024-2028, emphasising its commitment to protecting human health and the environment through robust chemical safety measures. Aligned with the EU’s goals on chemical safety, the strategy outlines key objectives to address challenges related to climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, while contributing to the EU’s broader green, digital, and sustainable growth agenda.

Expanding Legal Mandate and Policy Landscape

ECHA acknowledges a broadening legal mandate, influenced by the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and EU Green Deal initiatives. Despite policy changes, the agency remains dedicated to ensuring the protection of health, promoting the free circulation of substances in the internal market, and fostering competitiveness and innovation. Proactively preparing for new tasks and responsibilities, ECHA maintains a strong focus on transparency, independence, and the quality of scientific opinions and decisions. Additionally, efforts are directed towards supporting industries, especially Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), in meeting their legal obligations.

Collaboration and Expertise

Dr. Sharon McGuinness, ECHA Executive Director, highlighted the importance of collaboration with the Commission, Member States, agencies, and stakeholders. The strategy underscores the Agency's role in advancing scientific knowledge and data to deliver chemical safety in the present and future. She stated, "I am happy to present our new Strategy Statement, which will drive ECHA’s direction and priorities for the next five years. Our new vision, chemical safety through science, collaboration and knowledge will guide us as we deliver our strategy and our values of integrity, transparency, collaboration and innovation will inform our actions. We look forward to working with our staff, partners and stakeholders in delivering our strategy.”

Paul Krajnik, Chair of ECHA’s Management Board, highlighted the significance of the updated strategy, stating, "The new ECHA Strategy reflects the broadening of our legal mandate in support of the European Union’s ambitious goals on chemical safety, and its commitment to the protection of health and the environment. This new strategy equips ECHA to continue its successful implementation of its agenda into the future."

Key Elements of ECHA's Strategy for 2024-2028:

1. Be a trusted chemicals agency: ECHA aims to strengthen its position as a reliable and trusted authority in the field of chemical safety, reinforcing confidence in its actions and decisions.

2. Respond to emerging challenges and changes in the legal landscape: The strategy underscores ECHA's commitment to addressing new challenges and adapting to changes in the legal landscape, ensuring a dynamic and effective response to evolving circumstances.

3. Communicate and engage: ECHA places a strong emphasis on transparent communication and active engagement with stakeholders, fostering a collaborative approach in its mission to protect health and the environment.

4. Lead on chemical knowledge and expertise: The agency aspires to take a leadership role in advancing chemical knowledge and expertise, contributing significantly to the scientific understanding of chemical safety.

5. Invest in people and organisational excellence: Recognizing the critical role of its workforce, ECHA plans to invest in the development of its personnel to ensure they are well-prepared for the challenges and tasks ahead, promoting organizational excellence.

With these strategic goals and priorities in place, ECHA is poised to make significant strides in chemical safety over the next five years, aligning its efforts with the broader objectives of the European Union. The agency looks forward to collaborative efforts with its staff, partners, and stakeholders to achieve its vision for a safer and more sustainable future.

The complete text of the Strategy Statement 2024-2028 can be found here.