Competences of the Agency as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH Regulation) and Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008

The legal base of ECHA’s founding regulation, the REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, is Article 95 of the EC Treaty.

Objectives The purpose of the REACH Regulation is to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment, including the promotion of alternative methods for the assessment of the hazards of substances, as well as the free circulation of substances on the internal market, while enhancing competitiveness and innovation. The Agency should be central to ensuring that the legislation on chemicals and the decision-making processes and scientific bases underlying it have credibility with all stakeholders and the public. The Agency should also play a pivotal role in coordinating communication around this Regulation and in its implementation. The confidence in the Agency on the part of the Community institutions, the Member States, the general public and interested parties is therefore essential. For this reason, it is vital to ensure its independence and high scientific, technical and regulatory capacities as well as its transparency and efficiency.

Tasks ECHA was established for the purpose of managing, and in some cases, carrying out the technical, scientific and administrative aspects of the REACH Regulation and in order to ensure consistency at Community level in relation to these aspects. The Agency must also provide the Member States and the Community institutions with the best possible scientific and technical advice on questions relating to the chemicals which fall within its remit and which are referred to it in accordance with the provisions of the REACH Regulation. ECHA also has tasks related to the classification and labelling of chemical substances. In particular, the Agency must provide the Member States and Community institutions with the best possible scientific advice and provide industry and Member State authorities with technical and scientific guidance.

1 - Management Board Composition One representative of each Member State appointed by the Council and a maximum of six representatives appointed by the Commission, including three individuals from interested parties without voting rights and, in addition, two independent persons appointed by the European Parliament. Task Mainly adopting the annual and multi-annual work programme, the final budget, a general report, internal rules of procedures and the appointment of a disciplinary authority over the Executive Director. Also, the appointment of a Board of Appeal and Committee members. 2 - Director Daily management of the Agency. 3 - Other organs: various Committees, the Forum for the Exchange of Information on Enforcement, Secretariat and Board of Appeal 4 - External audit Court of Auditors. 5 - Discharge authority Parliament acting on recommendation by the Council.

Budget 66,4 million euro: Community contribution 62,6 million euro. Fee income 3,8 million euro. Staff at 31 December 2008 220 posts in the establishment plan Number of posts occupied: 210 Other staff: 34 Contract agents, seconded national experts and Interims Total staff number: 244 Assigned to the following duties: — 164 operational tasks: — administrative and support tasks: 80