NGI researcher elected to the Board of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
Hans Peter Arp, researcher at NGI – the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, is one of the world’s leading experts on chemical pollution. Now, the environmental chemist will play a role in shaping European chemicals policy.
Hans Peter Arp has been elected to the Board of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). As one of two independent members, he will help shape a safer and more sustainable chemicals policy in Europe. ( Photo: NGI)
“It is very rare for an environmental chemist to have such influence on chemicals policy and regulation in Europe. On the ECHA Board, I will be one of only two members who do not represent the chemical policy position of an EU member state or the European Commission, but serve as independent representatives,” says Arp.
As an environmental chemist, Arp has expert knowledge on chemicals that accumulate and persist in nature, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), and plastic pollution.
Recommended by the EU Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety
Each EU member state has one representative on the ECHA Board. As Norway is not an EU member, it only holds observer status. Arp becomes one of two independent members appointed by the European Parliament. His appointment by the Presidents of the European Parliament in October was based on the recommendation from the Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI).
“I am grateful for this opportunity to use my experience as an environmental chemist and supporter of the European Commission’s Chemical Strategy for Sustainability – Towards a Non-Toxic Environment – to help enable and support the mandates of ENVI, the European Parliament, and ECHA, to ensure that the chemicals used in Europe are safe for both people and the environment,” says Arp.
Advising the European Commission and EU member states
ECHA was established by the EU in 2007 and is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland. Its mandate is to ensure that chemicals used in Europe are safe for human health and the environment. The agency’s main task is to implement and manage the EU’s chemicals legislation, including health and environmental risk assessments and proposing restrictions in the form of bans or limitations.
ECHA also manages the EU system for classifying, labelling, and packaging chemical substances and mixtures, assesses biocidal products such as insecticides and disinfectants, and monitors the export and import of hazardous chemicals. The agency operates one of the world’s largest open databases on chemical substances.
Last but not least, ECHA supports the European Commission and EU member states on scientific matters related to, for example, chemicals, microplastics, PFAS, and nanomaterials.
“Throughout my career as an environmental scientist, I have seen the importance of using science to contribute to more effective environmental policies. I will continue working in this way in my new role. Here, I aim to be a bridge between research and policy to help develop safer and more sustainable chemicals so that we can have a toxic-free environment in the future.