FOI-MSA EU Chemicals Policy Working Group

Following the publication of the FOI's official position on the proposed REACH system for the control of chemical substances within the European Union, the FOI and the Malta Standards Authority (MSA) established a joint working group to focus on these proposed changes to the EU chemicals policy.

The need to establish this joint working group arose mainly in view of the direct affects the REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) system may have on the operations of various manufacturing establishments based in Malta.

Given the nature of the proposal, the FOI-MSA working group is studying the main components of the REACH proposal over a series of meetings. In its first two meetings, this joint working group has discussed five sections of the proposal: Duty of Care (Title II), Information through the Supply Chain (Title III), Downstream Users (title VI), Registration of Substances (Title IV) and Substances in Articles (Title X).

It is planned that this working group will be holding further meetings in the coming weeks to discuss other aspects of this proposal, to enable the authority to take the views of industry fully into account when making its official recommendations to Government as to the Maltese position during the legislative process.

As the REACH proposal directly or indirectly effects most manufacturing firms' operations, the FOI is encouraging all its members to study the EU pro-posal and advise it of any issues of concern.

For further information about the EU proposal or this joint FOI-MSA working group contact Cecilia Vella at the FOI Secretariat on tel: 2122-2074 or 2123-4428.