ECHA's committees in focus: Tim Bowmer reflects on 11 years as Chair, PFAS restrictions, and future outlook

Safer Chemicals Podcast

Welcome to the Safer Chemicals Podcast, where we delve into the world of chemical risk management. In this episode, we speak with Tim Bowmer and Maria Ottati, Chairs of ECHA's Risk Assessment and Socio-Economic Analysis Committees.

They update us on the universal PFAS restriction proposal, an ambitious initiative to minimise the release of persistent chemicals. Tim Bowmer also reflects on his impressive 11 years as Chair and sheds light on the evolving regulatory landscape.

Join us as we explore the latest developments and discuss the future challenges faced by ECHA's committees.

What the committees do

The two committees prepare scientific opinions that are used by the European Commission and EU Member States when deciding how chemical risks need to be controlled. They are made up of scientists from EU Member States and have observers from EU organisations that represent different sectors and interests.

Useful links

• Episode transcript
• More episodes on the committees for risk assessment and socio-economic analysis
• Give us feedback

More

• ECHA’s committees: EU-wide PFAS ban in firefighting foams warranted - ECHA news, 21 June 2023
• Agenda of RAC’s meeting [PDF] [EN]
• Agenda of SEAC’s meeting [PDF] [EN]
• REACH restriction process
• Applications for authorisation
• Harmonised classification and labelling
• Occupational exposure limits
• Risk Assessment Committee
• Socio-Economic Analysis Committee

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by interviewees do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Chemicals Agency. All content is up to date at the time of publication.

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Chapters

1. Update on universal PFAS restriction from the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (00:01:36)

2. Update on opinion of Socio-Economic Analysis Committee on restriction of PFAS in firefighting foams (00:04:47)

3. Drinking Water Directive and its impact on the Risk Assessment Committee (00:07:28)

4. Socio-Economic Analysis Committee's approach to assessing persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic (PBT) and very persistent VPVB substances (00:13:51)

5. European Commission's Advisory Committee for Safety and Health at Work opinion on limit value setting for non threshold carcinogens (00:18:42)

6. New Risk Assessment Committee Chair (00:23:22)

7. Outgoing Chair Tim Bowmer's reflections on most memorable cases (Microplastics, glyphosate, OELs and authorisation process) (00:24:39)

8. Future outlook of the committees in the changing regulatory landscape (00:32:39)