In recent EU-level discussions,it has been proposed to merge the Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limit Values (SCOEL) process, which sets European-wide occupational exposure limits, with the work of the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which manages the REACH process.

The social partners’ reflection on the interplay between REACH and OSH is of the opinion that SCOEL and RAC keep their current tasks and  compositions, as a full-scale merger would mean that the current focus, especially on health and safety at the workplace, could no longer be maintained, as the composition of both groups is different. ECEG and industriAll Europe nevertheless encourage both groups to build and strengthen their cooperation.

Furthermore, the social partners and the Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee expect to be involved and consulted on any further discussions and decisions on this topic.

In the presence of ECHA Executive Director, Geert Dancet, the joint position was signed by Sylvain Lefebvre, Deputy General Secretary of industriAll Europe, and Dr Jochen Wilkens, chair of the Industrial Relations Expert Group of the ECEG.

For more information contact: Sylvain Lefebvre and Emma Argutyan.

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IndustriAll European Trade Union represents the voice of 7 million working men and women across supply chains in manufacturing, mining and energy sectors across Europe. We aim to protect and advance the rights of the workers. Our federation has 177 trade union affiliates in 38 European countries. Our objective is to be a powerful player in the European political arena vis-à-vis European companies, European industries, employers’ associations and European institutions.

Press Officer: Alice Nguyen – press@industriall-europe.eu - Tel: +32 2226 0068

The European Chemical Employers Group (ECEG) represents the chemical, pharmaceutical, rubber and plastics industries in Europe. As a Brussels-based social affairs organisation it is a recognised social partner and a consultation body of the European Institutions and other stakeholders. With approximately 3.3 million direct employees in more than 94.000 enterprises, the sector is one of the biggest and most dynamic industries in the EU.