Framework for Chemical Risk Management under REACH

"Efficient and effective implementation of REACH continues to depend on the interaction of Member State regulators during EU decision making. This is the result of past political debates surrounding the legislation being narrowly focused on mechanisms for conducting hazard assessments. To facilitate EU decision making, this study presents a possible framework for risk management under REACH. As a first step, the regulatory approaches of France, Germany, Sweden and the UK are analysed and compared. On the basis of 36 interviews conducted with regulators and stakeholder representatives, the study examines how these Member States influence EU chemical regulation, and vice versa. From these findings, the research concludes that a framework for EU decision making must incorporate hazard, technical and risk-benefit approaches to risk management. As a final step, the potential operability of the proposed framework is tested using risk assessment data for 33 chemicals subject to regulatory review. This study will be essential reading for anyone wishing to asses the implementations of REACH and develop solutions for their chemical risk management."