EUROPEAN CHEMICALS AGENCY ( ECHA )

The Agency, located in Helsinki, Finland will manage the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction processes for chemical substances to ensure consistency across the European Union. These REACH processes are designed to provide additional information on chemicals, to ensure their safe use, and to ensure competitiveness of the European industry.

In its decision-making the Agency will take the best available scientific and technical data and socio-economic information into account. It will also provide information on chemicals and technical and scientific advice. By assessing and approving testing proposals, the Agency will minimize animal testing.

During the first 12 months the Agency is building up its organisation and recruiting personnel to be ready to accept registrations from 1 June 2008.