EU Chemicals Agency Head Says Income From REACH Fees Is Lower Than Expected

摘要

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) faces a funding shortfall, the agency's head said July 14. In addition, technical problems that have dogged the substance preregistration process required under the European Union's registration, evaluation, and authorization of chemicals (REACH) regime will persist until September, ECHA Director Geert Dancet said. Speaking to a hearing of the European Parliament's Environment Committee, Dancet said income from fees mandated by REACH has been lower than expected because "the high fees make companies creative." In particular, he said, it is difficult for ECHA to check whether companies identifying themselves as small and medium-sized enterprises, which are subject to lower fees, were making "legitimate" claims. Dancet has headed ECHA since October 2007.