SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS FOR RESTRICTIONS BEGINS TO TAKE SHAPE

https://www.chemnet.com   Oct 27,2008

At its second meeting, the Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) prepared for its decision-making on future restriction proposals. To this end, the Committee reviewed the conclusions drawn from an international workshop on the challenges of the socio-economic analysis, organised by ECHA. The Committee also decided to invite regular observers from 16 stakeholder organisations and from the OECD Secretariat to its future meetings.

As a prelude to the SEAC meeting, ECHA organised on 21-22 October a workshop on the challenges related to the preparation of socio-economic analysis as a part of restriction proposals. The proceedings of the workshop will be published by the end of the year. Around 100 representatives from the EU Member States, the SEAC and the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC), United States Environment Agency, Health Canada, industry, NGO stakeholders and experts discussed how to analyse the socio-economic impact of possible restrictions in an appropriate manner.

SEAC and RAC play a key role in the socio-economic analysis, as they will give their opinions on the proposed restrictions. The final decision on a restriction is taken by the European Commission, following a procedure that involves the EU Member States, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.

At the SEAC meeting of 22-23 October, the Committee discussed its working procedures in relation to restrictions and noted the conclusions drawn from the international workshop. The Committee confirmed the need to work closely with RAC to ensure efficient handling of the proposals for restrictions.

The SEAC also agreed to invite six industry and trade organisations, nine other stakeholder organisations representing consumers, workers, environmental and health interests and a scientific association to take part in its work as observers on a regular basis. In addition, the OECD Secretariat will be invited as an observer. Moreover, the Committee decided that other eligible ECHA stakeholder organisations would be informed whenever restriction files are submitted to the Committee and they would be given an opportunity to participate in the discussion on those dossiers.

The total number of members of the Committee for Socio-economic Analysis is now 31 following the new appointments made by the Management Board in June and September. These include for the first time a member nominated by an EEA-EFTA country, Norway. The list of the Committee members is available on the ECHA website.

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