Greater enforcement protection needed for EU industry – Echa unit head

Strengthening controls on harmful chemicals in imported articles and securing a level playing field for EU players is "extremely important", the head of Echa’s new support and enforcement unit says. In a special Chemical Watch feature to be published next week, Erwin Annys, formerly REACH director at Cefic, names this as one of his key priorities for the role he took on in June. The unit, which is a rehash of the former Support, Forum and HelpNet secretariat unit, "puts enforcement more in the spotlight", he says. "It is extremely important that we ensure a level playing field is respected. Everyone is aware that REACH is not an easy legislation. It requires a lot of effort from industry, not only manufacturing industry, but also the entire supply chain." It is vital, he adds, that those who "respect rules as much as possible should be protected by the enforcement activity – especially if we find out this is not the case with imported products". In a post-REACH registration world, authorities are now tightening their grip on substances of high concern in imported goods. Echa’s unit, with Mr Annys at the helm, will provide support to authorities and industry to ensure compliance with EU legislation.