ECHA Helpdesk Support to National Helpdesks 48 th Biocides CA meeting 19-21 September 2012 Brussels Dr. Henna Piha ECHA Helpdesk Unit A1
ECHA Helpdesk - Support to National Helpdesks What ECHA offers to national REACH and CLP Helpdesks ECHA Helpdesk HelpNet - network of national REACH and CLP Helpdesks What ECHA intends to offer to national Biocides Helpdesks Biocides HelpNet Survey results of Member States intentions 2
What ECHA offers to national REACH and CLP Helpdesks 3
ECHA s responsibilities with regard to REACH and CLP ECHA provides advice and assistance to industry technical and scientific guidance on the operation of REACH and CLP for Member State competent authorities support to the helpdesks established by Member States We also specify formats and software packages and make them available on our website 4
ECHA Helpdesk
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Helpdesk Unit - What do we do? Reply to customer questions Input to guidance documents and manuals Organise training, webinars and One to One sessions Participate in workshops Hosts the HelpNet Secretariat, which coordinates HelpNet (Network of national REACH and CLP Helpdesks) 7
Origin of enquiries received from January to July 2012 8
HelpNet a network of national REACH and CLP Helpdesks
HelpNet - Objectives Establish common understanding on legislative requirements Harmonise answering approaches to industry Facilitate the exchange of information Propose and agree on questions and answers to be published as Frequently Asked Questions FAQs Submit difficult questions to the Commission for legal interpretation 10
HelpNet How do we work? Steering Group Web based discussion platform HelpEx Visiting programme 11
HelpNet Steering Group (SG) Governing body of HelpNet REACH and CLP helpdesks 27 Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway European Commission is an associated member Observers and experts Two formal meetings per year Training, webinars, workshops, events 12
HelpNet How do we work? Steering Group Web based discussion platform Visiting programme 13
Three types of national helpdesks identified REACH Helpdesks CLP Helpdesks NHD is a separate entity either within or from the MS Competent Authority NHD is an integral part of the MS Competent Authority. Its members perform tasks related to both activities. NHD is an integral part of the MS Competent Authority and uses a dedicated setting of the MSCA to receive questions (for example, call centre, mail registry) 14
What ECHA intends to offer to national Biocides Helpdesks 15
Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) 528/2012/EU Entry into force 17 July 2012, entry into operation 1 September 2013 Requirement for competent authorities to provide advice to applicants and other interested parties on their responsibilities Competent Authorities may establish a national helpdesk by 1 September 2013 National biocides helpdesks do not exist under the Biocidal Products Directive (98/8/EC) 16
Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) 528/2012/EU In accordance with Article 76 of the BPR, ECHA shall provide technical and scientific guidance and tools for the application of BPR by the Commission and Member States competent authorities Provide support to national helpdesks To design a Biocides HelpNet, it is important to know the characteristics, specific circumstances, types and needs of the various helpdesks. 17
Survey of preparatory activities regarding national biocides helpdesks
Survey Conducted by the HelpNet Secretariat during 4 July - 31 August 2012 Competent Authorities and other Contact Points in relation to BPD and REACH/CLP national helpdesks correspondents (in total 177 recipients) Main aims 1. Identify organisations/actors who will be responsible for the implementation of the BPR 2. Gain a preliminary understanding of their planned activities and how they envisage to provide assistance to companies 19
Survey Survey results will be presented at the ECHA Management Board meeting (27-28 September 2012) and the HelpNet 6 Steering Group meeting (16-18 October 2012) Representatives from national REACH and CLP helpdesks will be engaged in the initial discussions 20
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Will the current REACH/CLP national helpdesk be involved in activities under the BPR? 8 13 NO NOT AWARE 4 YES No Not aware Yes Not yet replied Cyprus, France, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Sweden, UK Bulgaria, Hungary, Ireland, Romania Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain Austria, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal 24
New players Within the countries where a Biocides national helpdesk will be established, will the current REACH/CLP national helpdesk be involved in activities under the BPR? No Not aware of France, Norway, Poland, Sweden, UK Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania 25
Conclusions National biocides helpdesks will be established in most countries In many countries but not all, REACH and CLP helpdesk will be involved in activities under the BPR The time period for preparing is limited (1 September 2013) ECHA will involve the national biocides helpdesks in the HelpNet by the time of entry into operation 26
Biocides HelpNet - Indicative Roadmap National Biocides Helpdesks established by 1.9.2013 2013 2014 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Decision for Biocides HelpNet to be taken at the HelpNet 8 Steering Group meeting Biocides integrated into HelpNet at the HelpNet 9 Steering Group meeting 27
Key messages The Biocides HelpNet will provide valuable support to national biocides helpdesks in Harmonising advice to industry Enhancing their ability to support industry Updating them on the operational implementation of the BPR 28
ECHA is getting ready! Henna Piha henna.piha@echa.europa.eu