Registration dossier gaps to be addressed by 2020 under this new relationship. ECHA and trade body Eurometaux have agreed on a framework to identify shortcomings in REACH and CLP information for metal compounds and inorganic substances by the end of 2020.

The Metals and Inorganics Sectorial approach (MISA), a two-year voluntary agreement, will also address outstanding technical and scientific issues that the sector faces.

The MISA general rolling action plan comprises a gradual and planned improvement of the compliance, quality and understanding of the metals/inorganics REACH registration dossiers.

There is an abundance of data on metals and metal compounds and many have been under "substantial" regulatory scrutiny, a joint press release says. However, there is also a large group for which data needs improvement. 

The MISA will also seek resolutions for outstanding technical and methodological issues – including those under the CLP Regulation – that will make hazard, risk assessment and risk management of metals and inorganics more relevant.

"By addressing issues such as environmental classification and the use of read across, we can work towards updated registration dossiers and additional data generation," Guy Thiran, director general of Eurometaux, said.

 ECHA and the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) also signed a joint statement agreeing to work together on the effective implementation of REACH.

While the Mn consortium believes and supports effective dossier updates, it goes without saying that such collaboration frameworks will increase the work associated to dossier updates, testing, risk assessment, classifcation and labelling (to name but a few), which will inturn increase cost/expenses associated to each lead dossier. More information on this framework can be obtained from the ECHA and Eurometaux website - Links below:

https://www.eurometaux.eu/media/1917/press-release-echa-eurometaux-cooperation-2962018.pdf

https://echa.europa.eu/-/echa-and-eurometaux-agree-on-framework-for-cooperation