European Chemicals Agency

Factsheet

ECHA-13-FS-02-EN

International Cooperation
The European Chemical Agency
works together with peer agencies
in different parts of the world
to harmonise the chemicalsmanagement. ECHA also supports
countries adopting chemicals safety
legislation akin to REACH, CLP,
Biocides and PIC Regulations.
OECD-related work

Multilateral work on chemical safety

The EU collaborates closely at the international
level on the sound management of chemicals. The
OECD is the main organisation steering this work.
The OECD Environment, Health and Safety (EHS)
Programme has played a major role in promoting
global harmonisation by providing commonly
accepted approaches, methods and IT tools available
for sound chemicals management.

The Agency’s international cooperation also
relates to the EU commitments for the soundmanagement of chemicals under multilateralagreements under the auspices of the United
Nations. These include the Stockholm Convention(POPs), Rotterdam Convention (PIC), International
Conference on Chemicals Management (SAICM),
Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)and WHO International Programme on Chemicals
Safety (IPCS) as well as the UN’s work on Globally
Harmonised System of classification and labelling.

ECHA's role is to provide scientific and technicalsupport to the European Commission in its
contributions to the OECD, especially in areas
linked to the activities of its Task Force on Hazard
Assessment. The Agency is further involved in theIUCLID Expert Group Panel and provides important
input to the development of the QSAR Toolbox
and eChemPortal. In addition, ECHA participatesin elaborating harmonised templates, as well as inpesticide and biocide activities.

Support to EU external relations policies
The European Union’s enlargement policy and theEuropean Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) include
dedicated measures to foster interaction between
specific groups of third countries and EU agencies.

annankatu 18 , p.o. box 400, fi - 00121 helsinki, finland | echa.europa.eu

ED - 03 - 13 - 126 - EN - N 		
doi:10.2823/86620

An ICCM-3 meeting participant studies the ECHA website at theAgency’s information stand in Nairobi.

The ECHA-Canada Memorandum of Understanding was signed in2010.

Whereas the first policy addresses the candidate
countries and potential candidates for EU accession,
ENP is directed towards engaging 16 countries at
the immediate external borders of the Union. ECHA
has contributed to both policy areas with regard tothe approximation, application and enforcement ofEU legislation.

Awareness raising outside the EU

Cooperation with peer agencies
The Agency has cooperation agreements withregulatory agencies in four countries: Australia,
Canada, Japan and the United States of America. The
agreements were concluded in 2010/11. Activities
are focused on exchanging information, bestpractice and scientific knowledge.
EU/EEAIPA

It is worth mentioning that most activities of ECHA
have international relevance. Around the globe,users can benefit from the extensive information
available on the ECHA website, especially from thedissemination of information on chemicals (C&L
Inventory and data on registered substances). The
fact that many of ECHA’s publications are available
in 23 languages makes the material easily accessible
to audiences far beyond the EU.
Further information:

ISBN 978 - 92 - 95035 - 99 - 7		

ENP

Non-EU audiences, both authorities and industry,
regularly request ECHA to host visits and to deliver
explanatory presentations on the EU regulations
and ECHA’s related work. The Agency is selective in
accepting visitor groups and even more selective
on invitations to speak in third countries. Priority
is given to the authorities in countries that arerevising their chemicals legislation and events
which can reach a large and relevant key audience.
Presentations take part at the Agency’s premises inHelsinki, at events in third countries or in some cases
via video link.

echa.europa.eu/international

annankatu 18 , p.o. box 400, fi - 00121 helsinki, finland | echa.europa.eu© ECHA 2013

The EU and European Economic Area (EEA) countries thathave implemented REACH & CLP and the beneficiaries of theInstrument of Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) and European
Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).