The acronym WATCH now stands for the Working group on Action To control CHemicals (the full title of the pre-2004 “old” WATCH was slightly different).
Its positioning as an ACTS subcommittee defines the territory in which it offers science and technology (S&T) input, ie chemicals, their health hazards, exposure, risk and control in an occupational context, and chemical-induced occupational ill-health. Its business is aligned with the "chemicals" themes agreed by HSC in November 2002, a key element of which is now the HSE Disease Reduction Programme, aimed at securing measurable reductions in the risk and occurrence of chemical-induced occupational ill-health, both in the next few years up to 2010 and also beyond.
WATCH has a core composition of 12, one of which is the chair from HSE. Of the 11 core members, all are nominees, not representatives, ie they are asked to operate as individuals and to utilise their personal knowledge and expertise. 3 are nominated by CBI, 3 by TUC, and 5 by HSE. The constitution of WATCH also gives the option for any agenda item of calling in additional experts in a particular specialism to help where there is a perceived need to strengthen the expertise present for that item.
The sources of nomination give WATCH the feature of tripartism, in that the social partners have put on to WATCH experts in whom they have confidence. This supports social partner acceptance/agreement of S&T positions emerging from WATCH.