SIN (Substitute It Now!) List

Council approves conclusions on the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Chemical safety, Articles, Organizations, SIN (Substitute It Now!) List, Sustainability, European Union, Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals, ChemSec

The Council today endorsed a new chemicals strategy setting a long-term vision for the EU chemicals policy.

Key Points: 
  • The Council today endorsed a new chemicals strategy setting a long-term vision for the EU chemicals policy.
  • In its conclusions, the Council asks the Commission to implement the actions laid down in the strategy, including targeted amendments to streamline EU chemicals legislation, substituting and minimising substances of concern, and phasing out the most harmful chemicals for non-essential societal uses.
  • Background

    On 14 October 2020, the European Commission presented the "EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability - Towards a toxic-free Environment".

  • With more than 40 pieces of legislation, the EU has a solid set of chemicals legislation in place.

Naturepedic Named a Front-Runner in New Chemical Footprint Project Report Just Released by Clean Production Action

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Chemical safety, Occupational safety and health, Dangerous goods, Environmental health, Safety, SIN (Substitute It Now!) List, Articles, Academic disciplines, Euthenics

CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio, Feb. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Naturepedic , maker of certified organic, nontoxic mattress and bedding products, is announced as a Front-runner in the new Chemical Footprint Project (CFP) Report.

Key Points: 
  • CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio, Feb. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Naturepedic , maker of certified organic, nontoxic mattress and bedding products, is announced as a Front-runner in the new Chemical Footprint Project (CFP) Report.
  • The CFP seeks to advance chemical footprinting to reduce business use of hazardous chemicals, which when exposed to, can cause a range of diseases.
  • Naturepedic was deemed a "top performer" in all aspects of proactive chemical management, as evidenced by demonstrating best practices in chemical management across the four pillars of the CFP 2020 Survey.
  • Led by independent, non-profit organization, Clean Production Action (CPA), the CFP 2020 Survey reveals, evaluates and benchmarks where the 33 participating companies are on their chemicals management journey beyond regulatory compliance.

NOVA Chemicals Appoints Mona Jasinski as SVP, HR & Communications

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Chemical safety, Nova Chemicals, SIN (Substitute It Now!) List

NOVA Chemicals Corporation (NOVA Chemicals) today announced Mona Jasinski will join the company as Senior Vice President, HR & Communications, effective January 1, 2021.

Key Points: 
  • NOVA Chemicals Corporation (NOVA Chemicals) today announced Mona Jasinski will join the company as Senior Vice President, HR & Communications, effective January 1, 2021.
  • In this role, Mona will be responsible for leading NOVA Chemicals HR and Communications functions, including talent management, leadership development, learning, compensation and benefits, along with overseeing the companys brand and reputation management.
  • NOVA Chemicals develops and manufactures chemicals and plastic resins that make everyday life healthier, easier and safer.
  • Before joining NOVA Chemicals, she spent eleven years with Vermilion Energy where she was responsible for HR, Sustainability, Communications and Community Investment.

Tracking chemicals of concern in products – SCIP database ready for use

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Chemical safety, Physical sciences, Natural sciences, Chemistry, European Chemicals Agency, SIN (Substitute It Now!) List, Substance of very high concern, Recycling, Chemical substance, Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals

Industry can now submit information on substances of very high concern in their articles to ECHAs SCIP database.The aim is to make recycling of products safer and improve information about dangerous chemicals in products.

Key Points: 
  • Industry can now submit information on substances of very high concern in their articles to ECHAs SCIP database.The aim is to make recycling of products safer and improve information about dangerous chemicals in products.
  • Helsinki, 28 October 2020 The SCIP database was launched today and companies can submit data on substances of very high concern (SVHCs) in their articles.
  • We need to know more about the hazardous chemicals in products so that they can be safely recycled.
  • The database has been developed in close cooperation with stakeholders and a dedicated IT user group of more than 60 members.

Press release - Parliament calls on EU Commission to step up action against dangerous chemicals

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, July 11, 2020
Articles, Environmental social science, Academic disciplines, Chemical safety, Environmental law, Precautionary principle, Public health, Risk management, Safety, SIN (Substitute It Now!) List, Sustainability, Polluter pays principle

It calls on the Commission to come up with a new chemicals strategy that effectively ensures that health and the environment are well protected, by minimising exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Key Points: 
  • It calls on the Commission to come up with a new chemicals strategy that effectively ensures that health and the environment are well protected, by minimising exposure to hazardous chemicals.
  • Further regulatory measures are needed to protect vulnerable groups in particular such as children, pregnant and breastfeeding women and the elderly.
  • According to MEPs, the new chemicals strategy must fully reflect the precautionary principle and the polluter-pays principle, and ensure more transparent approval processes.
  • Next steps

    The resolution is Parliaments input to a new EU chemicals strategy for sustainability to be presented by the Commission this autumn.

Global Construction Chemicals Industry Report 2020 - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Chemicals, Plastics, Manufacturing, Chemical safety, SIN (Substitute It Now!) List

The "Construction Chemicals (GLOBAL) - Industry Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Key Points: 
  • The "Construction Chemicals (GLOBAL) - Industry Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
  • The Global Construction Chemicals Analysis provides a detailed overview of the global construction chemicals market and delivers a comprehensive individual analysis on the top 70 companies, including PPG Industries Inc, Alon USA Energy Inc. and EDW C Levy Co.
  • This report covers activities such as chemical, construction, chemicals, building, materials and includes a wealth of information on the financial trends over the past four years.
  • The Global Construction Chemicals Analysis is ideal for anyone wanting to:
    Using an exclusive methodology, a quick glance of this Global Construction Chemicals Analysis report will tell you that 17 companies have a declining financial rating, while 12 have shown good sales growth.

TUV Rheinland Cements Chemical Management Lead With Approval for ZDHC Level 3 MRSL 2.0 Conformance Testing and Certification

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Manufacturing, Fashion, Other Manufacturing, Retail, Chemicals, Plastics, Chemical safety, Tuv, Sustainability, SIN (Substitute It Now!) List, Articles, Nature, Natural environment

TUV Rheinland has cemented its lead as a global provider of chemical management solutions for the textiles, apparel and footwear industry after winning approval to provide Level 3 testing and conformance certification for the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals ( ZDHC ) Foundations Manufacturing Restricted Substances List 2.0 ( MRSL 2.0 ).

Key Points: 
  • TUV Rheinland has cemented its lead as a global provider of chemical management solutions for the textiles, apparel and footwear industry after winning approval to provide Level 3 testing and conformance certification for the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals ( ZDHC ) Foundations Manufacturing Restricted Substances List 2.0 ( MRSL 2.0 ).
  • Once certified by TUV Rheinland, the chemical formulation can be registered and listed on the ZDHC GATEWAY: CHEMICAL MODULE.
  • To analyze a chemical formulation for harmful substances, TUV Rheinland assesses the chemical composition, evaluates associated documents, and reviews the production process.
  • Since 2006, TUV Rheinland has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact to promote sustainability and combat corruption.

TUV Rheinland Deepens Cooperation with TATC and ADC to Promote Green Growth and Sustainable Development of Auto Industry

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Environment, Other Technology, General Automotive, Technology, Automotive, Chemical safety, Tuv, SIN (Substitute It Now!) List, Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals, Articles, Health, Natural sciences

View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200414005594/en/

Key Points: 
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200414005594/en/
    TUV Rheinland Deepens Cooperation with TATC and ADC to Promote Green Growth and Sustainable Development of Auto Industry (Photo: Business Wire)
    The Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation, which came into force on June 1, 2007, regulates all chemicals and articles (including automotive products) entering the EU market.
  • TUV Rheinland inspects technical equipment, products and services, oversees projects, and helps to shape processes and information security for companies.
  • To this end, TUV Rheinland employs a global network of approved labs, testing and education centers.
  • Since 2006, TUV Rheinland has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact to promote sustainability and combat corruption.

REPORT on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Chemicals Agency for the financial year 2018 - A9-0063/2020

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Chemical safety, Organizations, European Union, Articles, Agencies of the European Union, European Atomic Energy Community, Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals, SIN (Substitute It Now!) List, European Chemicals Agency, European Economic Community, European Court of Auditors, Brexit and arrangements for science and technology

on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Chemicals Agency for the financial year 2018 The European Parliament, having regard to the final annual accounts of the European Chemicals Agency for the financial year 2018, having regard to the Court of Auditors annual report on EU agencies for the financial year 2018, together with the agencies replies[1], having regard to the statement of assurance[2] as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2018, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, having regard to the Councils recommendation of 18 February 2020 on discharge to be given to the Agency in respect of the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2018 (05761/2020 C90053/2020), having regard to Article 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002[3], and in particular Article 208 thereof, having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012[4], and in particular Article 70 thereof, having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency, amending Directive 1999/45/EC and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 as well as Council Directive 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC, 93/67/EEC, 93/105/EC and 2000/21/EC[5], and in particular Article 97 thereof, having regard to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1271/2013 of 30September 2013 on the framework financial regulation for the bodies referred to in Article 208 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council[6], and in particular Article 108 thereof, having regard to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU)2019/715 of 18December2018 on the framework financial regulation for the bodies set up under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the Euratom Treaty and referred to in Article70 of Regulation (EU, Euratom)2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council[7], and in particular Article105 thereof, having regard to Rule 100 of and Annex V to its Rules of Procedure, having regard to the opinion of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control (A9-0063/2020), 1.Grants the Executive Director of the European Chemicals Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agencys budget for the financial year 2018; 2.Sets out its observations in the resolution below; 3.Instructs its President to forward this decision, and the resolution forming an integral part of it, to the Executive Director of the European Chemicals Agency, the Council, the Commission and the Court of Auditors, and to arrange for their publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (L series).

Key Points: 
  • on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Chemicals Agency for the financial year 2018 The European Parliament, having regard to the final annual accounts of the European Chemicals Agency for the financial year 2018, having regard to the Court of Auditors annual report on EU agencies for the financial year 2018, together with the agencies replies[1], having regard to the statement of assurance[2] as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2018, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, having regard to the Councils recommendation of 18 February 2020 on discharge to be given to the Agency in respect of the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2018 (05761/2020 C90053/2020), having regard to Article 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002[3], and in particular Article 208 thereof, having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012[4], and in particular Article 70 thereof, having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency, amending Directive 1999/45/EC and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 as well as Council Directive 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC, 93/67/EEC, 93/105/EC and 2000/21/EC[5], and in particular Article 97 thereof, having regard to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1271/2013 of 30September 2013 on the framework financial regulation for the bodies referred to in Article 208 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council[6], and in particular Article 108 thereof, having regard to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU)2019/715 of 18December2018 on the framework financial regulation for the bodies set up under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the Euratom Treaty and referred to in Article70 of Regulation (EU, Euratom)2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council[7], and in particular Article105 thereof, having regard to Rule 100 of and Annex V to its Rules of Procedure, having regard to the opinion of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control (A9-0063/2020), 1.Grants the Executive Director of the European Chemicals Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agencys budget for the financial year 2018; 2.Sets out its observations in the resolution below; 3.Instructs its President to forward this decision, and the resolution forming an integral part of it, to the Executive Director of the European Chemicals Agency, the Council, the Commission and the Court of Auditors, and to arrange for their publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (L series).
  • on the closure of the accounts of the European Chemicals Agency for the financial year 2018 The European Parliament, having regard to the final annual accounts of the European Chemicals Agency for the financial year 2018, having regard to the Court of Auditors annual report on EU agencies for the financial year 2018, together with the agencies replies[8], having regard to the statement of assurance[9] as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2018, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, having regard to the Councils recommendation of 18 February 2020 on discharge to be given to the Agency in respect of the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2018 (05761/2020 C90053/2020), having regard to Article 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002[10], and in particular Article 208 thereof, having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012[11], and in particular Article 70 thereof, having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency, amending Directive 1999/45/EC and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 as well as Council Directive 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC, 93/67/EEC, 93/105/EC and 2000/21/EC[12], and in particular Article 97 thereof, having regard to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1271/2013 of 30September 2013 on the framework financial regulation for the bodies referred to in Article 208 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council[13], and in particular Article 108 thereof, having regard to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU)2019/715 of 18 December 2018 on the framework financial regulation for the bodies set up under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the Euratom Treaty and referred to in Article70 of Regulation (EU, Euratom)2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council[14], and in particular Article105 thereof, having regard to Rule 100 of and Annex V to its Rules of Procedure, having regard to the opinion of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control (A9-0063/2020), 1.Approves the closure of the accounts of the European Chemicals Agency for the financial year 2018; 2.Instructs its President to forward this decision to the Executive Director of the European Chemicals Agency, the Council, the Commission and the Court of Auditors, and to arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (L series).
  • with observations forming an integral part of the decision on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Chemicals Agency for the financial year 2018 (2019/2086(DEC)) The European Parliament, having regard to its decision on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Chemicals Agency for the financial year 2018, having regard to Rule 100 of and Annex V to its Rules of Procedure, having regard to the opinion of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control (A9-0063/2020), A.whereas, according to its statement of revenue and expenditure[15], the final budget of the European Chemicals Agency (the Agency) for the financial year 2018 was EUR118760709, representing an increase of 7,45% compared to 2017; whereas approximately 72,47% of the Agencys budget derives from fees and charges and 26,18% from the Union and third countries[16]; B.whereas the Court of Auditors (the Court), in its report on the annual accounts of the Agency for the financial year 2018 (the Court's report), states that it has obtained reasonable assurances that the Agencys annual accounts are reliable and that the underlying transactions are legal and regular; Budget and financial management 1.Calls forfunding to be granted to the Agency, as one of the Union agencies responsible for assessing regulated products, that is sufficientto allow it to carryout its tasks; 2.Notes with satisfaction that budget monitoring efforts during the financial year 2018 resulted in a budget implementation rate of 99,92%, representing an increase of 1,25% compared to 2017; notes moreover that the payment appropriations execution rate was 87,04%, representing a decrease of 0,59% in comparison to 2017; 3.Emphasises that the Agency is partly financed from the fees it receives from companies that request the registration of chemicals as required under Regulation (EC) No1907/2006[17]; notes that the fees applicable depend on the size of the companies and the volume of chemicals registered; notes that the Agency has identified that some 52 % of the companies had incorrectly declared their size, resulting in lower fees; stresses that this finding demonstrates the limitations of a system that relies excessively on self-declarations made by applicants; notes that the Agency has, over the years, invoiced fee corrections and administrative charges amounting to EUR 17,9 million and that the Agency has made considerable progress in recovering undue fee reductions and collecting overdue administrative charges; notes, however, that there is still a considerable verification workload ahead and that the remaining amount of necessary fee corrections was unknown at the end of 2018; urges the Agency to put in placesimilarly thorough ex-ante verifications to minimize the risk of fraudulent self-declarations; furthermore, urges the national enforcement authorities to enhance the verification systems used to check and publish the volumes of chemicals declared by the companies; calls on the Agency to report to the discharge authority on its efforts, and on the results achieved, to continue to reduce the considerable verification backlog and to implement the fee corrections and the recovery of unpaid fees; 4.Notes that the fees paid by industry vary substantially year by year, and that it is therefore not possible for the Agency to make a reasonable estimate of the need for a balancing subsidy from the Union budget, which complicates budgetary planning; calls for a dialogue on how to reform the financing mechanism of the Agency, with the aim of putting it on a sustainable basis; 5.Notes that the Agency has revenues coming from both fees and charges payable by industry and a balancing subsidy from the Union budget; notes with concern that, according to the Courts report, as the third registration deadline under Regulation (EC) No1907/2006 expired in May 2018, income from fees and charges is expected to drop significantly from 2019 onwards; points out that there is a risk that relatively stable expenditure and much less predictable revenue may have a negative effect on the Agencys operations and budget implementation; stresses the necessity of putting in place a new, viable and thorough financing model, in relation to which, according to the Agency's reply, the Agency has initiated discussions with the Commission; calls on the Agency to keep the discharge authority updated on developments in this regard; Performance 6.Observes, in light of comments and observations from the discharge authority related to the need to develop more outcome- and impact-focused key performance indicators that assess the added value provided by the Agencys activities in the revision of the overall performance management system, that the Agency reworked its performance management model during 2018 for the Work Programme 2019, with a view to indicating the impact and outcome of its work better; notes that the Work Programme 2019 now indicates the type of indicator (impact, outcome, output, input) and no longer uses the same type of indicators for different types of work but contains key performance indicators that suit the business process concerned; 7.Notes that, despite the risks and constraints in some areas, the Agency reached 58 out of 69 of its key performance indicator targets; urges the Agency tostrive to achieve100 % fulfilment of its key performance indicators targets; 8.Notes that the Agency completed the registration phase under Regulation (EC) No1907/2006 without causing market disruption and thatit provided support to companies inthepreparation and registration of 28357 dossiers; 9.Notes that the Agency continues to share its internal audit capability with the European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency and closely collaborates with other agencies, including by way of sharing services in the context of an inter-agency network and by way of sharing resources through memoranda of understanding; commends this cooperation as an example for other Agencies worth following; encourages the Agency to seek further and broader cooperation with the Union agencies; encourages the Agency to initiate discussions on the topic of resources-sharing on overlapping tasks among other agencies with similar activities; 10.Observes from the Courts report that in a procurement procedure for a framework contract for the provision of IT infrastructure service, five companies presented tenders in a range from EUR10 to 38,2 million and that the Agency awarded the framework contract for a value of EUR30 million to the tenderer who had submitted a EUR12 million offer; notes, however, that the significant difference between the value of the contract and the actual offer raises concerns in terms of sound financial management; notes, according to the Agencys reply, that it initially estimated the value in accordance with the Commissions Vade-mecum on Public Procurement; notes that the Agency selected the competitive procedure with negotiation to encourage the widest possible competition in order to obtain best value for money; calls on the Agency to apply a rigorous system of financial management of IT contracts; 11.Encourages the Agency to pursue the digitalisation of its services; 12.Recalls that the Agency is the driving force among regulatory authorities in implementing the Unions chemicals legislation for the benefit of human health and the environment as well as for innovation and competitiveness; notes that the Agency helps companies to comply with the Unions chemicals legislation, promotes the safe use of chemicals and provides information on chemicals and addresses chemicals of concern; 13.Calls for the Agency, as one of the Union agencies responsible for assessing regulated products, to receive sufficient funding to carry out its tasks; 14.Recalls that 2018 was the year of the final registration deadline under Regulation (EC) No1907/2006; stresses that the Agency received 37 400 dossiers in that year, which represents an increase of 135% compared to 2017; notes with satisfaction the way in which the Agency has coped with the dramatic increase in registrations over the past year; 15.Welcomes the efforts that were made to streamline the organisational structure in 2018, which is aimed at achieving further efficiencies through better linking and coordination across tasks; notes that the Agency has managed to meet the vast majority of its objectives; 16.Calls on the Agency to report to the discharge authority on the measures taken to respond to the recommendations from the second review of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and to ensure that registration dossiers are compliant; 17.Calls for information to be provided on the state of preparations for a prototype database under the Waste Framework Directive, which is to be presented in early 2020; 18.Calls for details of the steps the Agency has taken in response to the Commission's Synthesis Report on the implementation of REACH, and the actions proposed to be taken by the Agency in that report; Staff policy 19.Notes that, on 31 December 2018, the establishment plan was 96,29% executed, with 441 temporary agents appointed out of 458 temporary agents authorised under the Union budget (compared with 460 authorised posts in 2017); notes that, in addition, 122 contract agents and 14 seconded national experts worked for the Agency in 2018; 20.Notes that the Agency has an anti-harassment policy and related guidelines in place that were updated in 2018; acknowledges that it organised training sessions and made confidential counselling available; 21.Notes the publication of the Agencys vacancy notices on its website, on social media and on the EU Agencies Networks dedicated website, in order to publicise further such notices; calls on the Agency to publish vacancy notices on the website of the European Personnel Selection Office; 22.Welcomes the fact that the Agency publishes on its website the CVs of all members of the Management Board and its Committees, including those of its chairs who are ECHA members of staff, the Executive Director and all members of the Board of Appeal; 23.Notes with satisfaction that a good gender balance was achieved in 2018 with regard to the senior management positions (4 men and 3 women), notes, however, that balance was not achieved to the same extent with regard to the Management Board (15 men and 21 women); Prevention and management of conflicts of interests and transparency 24.According to the Agency, its budgeted fee income for 2018 represents circa 73% of its total income; notes the Agencys exemplary system for monitoring and preventing any conflicts of interest, and its view that there is no danger of such conflicts arising, due to the cost-covering purpose of the fees and the regular assessment of the Agency staff involved in opinion-making to ensure that there is independence; notes that the Agency would welcome a solution whereby the Commission would collect the fees on behalf of the Agency, thereby facilitating the Agencys financial management and helping to mitigate the risk of shortfalls; 25.Welcomes the factthat the Agency collects annually-updated declarations of interest from all staff and external experts, each of which is published on the website of the Agency; 26.Notes the further steps taken in order to enhance transparency and whistleblower protection; according to the Agency, all meetings of its senior management with stakeholders are registered and published on its website to ensure full transparency; Internal audit 27.Notes that the Agency adopted and started implementing a policy on sensitive functions in September 2019, which would identify sensitive functions, keep them up to date and define appropriate measures to mitigate the risk of vested interests; 28.Notes that in 2018, the Commissions Internal Audit Service issued an audit report on Conflict of Interest and Ethics in ECHA and that, in September 2018, the Agency prepared and discussed an action plan to address some potential areas for improvement, and that as of mid-2019 all actions were implemented; Other comments 29.Notes that, having selected the new building and having signed a lease contract in 2017 due to the expiry of the previous lease contract on 31 December 2019, the Agency had planned to move to new premises in Helsinki in January 2020; notes that the move to the new premises was completed on 7 January 2020; 30.Encourages the Agency to continue measuring the possible future decrease of part of its revenues resulting from the United Kingdoms decision to withdraw from the European Union; observes that the impact appears to remain limited, due to the fact that the registration requirement provided for in Regulation (EC) No1907/2006 and which generated significant fee income has ended; 31.Calls on the Agency to focus on disseminating the results of its research to the public, and to reach out to the public via social media and other media outlets; o o o