Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 04/2013

European Chemicals Agency and Good Governance

BJÖRN ÞÓR RÖGNVALDSSON, Konstantinos G. Margaritis

October 2012

Human Rights & Human Welfare (University of Denver)

Abstract

Today, the European Union deals with complex issues other than political, demanding issues call for a more technocratic approach. One major problem clearly affecting human health and the environment is the use of chemical substances. For that reason, Regulation No. 1907/2006 (REACH Regulation) was adopted and the European Chemicals Agency was established. The aim of this paper is to make an overview of the REACH Regulation, a really complex piece of legislation and make its major parts clear. Plus, the contribution of the Agency to the ultimate EU target of Good Governance is briefly examined.