Health and Safety Executive

Co-operation and information sharing across the European Union

The Forum for Exchange of Information on Enforcement

REACH recognises the need for high levels of co-operation and exchange of information between the Member States, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the European Commission regarding enforcement. It sets up a Forum for Exchange of Information on Enforcement (“the Forum”), which is the principle mechanism for ensuring adequate co-operation, co-ordination, communication and information exchange across the European Union.

The Forum’s aim is to contribute to more effective and harmonised enforcement in Member States. REACH states that the Forum shall co-ordinate the “network of Member State authorities responsible for enforcement” of REACH, and allocates to the Forum the following specific tasks:

  • spreading good practice and highlighting problems at Community level;
  • proposing, co-ordinating and evaluating harmonised enforcement projects and joint inspections;
  • co-ordinating exchange of inspectors;
  • identifying enforcement strategies, as well as best practice in enforcement;
  • developing working methods and tools of use to local inspectors;
  • developing an electronic information exchange procedure;
  • liaising with industry and other stakeholders, including relevant international organisations; and
  • examining proposed chemical restrictions to advise on enforceability.

The Forum’s composition and activities

The Forum is composed of representatives from all EU Member States and also the EEA-EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). Meetings occur typically 2-3 times a year at ECHA’s premises in Helsinki, Finland. Stakeholders may be invited to observe meetings as appropriate, at the request of the Forum members.

You will find more information about the Forum and its work on ECHA’s website, such as:

Directgov - Business Link

Updated 30.03.11