A tribute to Bjorn Hansen - Three decades of EU chemicals policy making and implementation
Channel: ChemCon Conferences
Date: 2022-03-29

In this “45 minutes with Bjorn Hansen” Tjeerd and Bjorn take a trip down memory lane while harvesting valuable lessons learned of three decades of EU chemicals policy making and implementation. And of course, Bjorn also shares his passionate and pragmatic vision for the current times and the future. Below you find an overview of the various eras in EU Chemicals Policy that Bjorn addresses:
[01.11-09.52] The 90’s; Bjorn’s time in Ispra, Italy at the European Chemicals Bureau. This part focuses on risk assessment approaches and challenges. As well as Bjorn’s contributions to the OECD’s chemicals assessment programme and the QSAR toolbox.
[09.52-17.24] The zero’s; Bjorn’s time in the Chemicals Unit of DG Environment in Brussels where he was involved in the development of REACH from its very early days. And his secondment to Helsinki as director of operations focusing on the initial implementation of REACH.
[17.25-30.28] The 10’s; Bjorn’s time as Head of the Chemicals Unit of DG Environment in Brussels and as of 2018 ECHA's second Executive Director in Helsinki. Including a “secret” recipe for steering policy towards the best technical solutions, both achievable and ambitious.
[30.28-45.32] The roaring 20’s; Bjorn reflects on the current times and the future. Among others Bjorn talks about key factors influencing policies, the interaction with stakeholders and Bjorn’s expectations for the coming decades.