25th September 2026
Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail Alan Dillon this week met with officials from across the EU attending the 83rd Meeting of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Management Board in Kilkenny. Founded in 2007 through the Regulation for the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), ECHA has responsibility for assessing hazardous chemicals for harmful effects on human health and the environment and making recommendations on actions to the European Commission. ECHA’s Management Board is made up of members from every European Union Member State. ECHA’s current Executive Director is Dr Sharon McGuinness, former Chief Executive Officer of the Health and Safety Authority.
Minister Dillon said,
“The European Chemicals Agency has worked tirelessly for 20 years to ensure the protection of human health and the environment across the EU. It is a prime example of the strength of European cooperation, accomplishing more than any individual Member State could achieve alone.
“I am delighted to meet with members of ECHA’s Management Board who represent every state in the EU, as well as with Executive Director Dr Sharon McGuinness and the EU Commission officials who attended. It is a pleasure to meet with individuals so dedicated to their mission to protect people and the environment from the most harmful chemicals.”
The Health and Safety Authority hosted ECHA’s Management Board as part of the Irish Presidency, ahead of the adoption of a new Basic Regulation which will improve ECHA’s financing, governance and operation.
Minister Dillon added,
“ECHA’s duties have expanded greatly from those under the REACH Regulation to include Batteries, hazard classification, occupational safety and water, with further expansions expected in the future. The recently agreed Basic Regulation for the European Chemicals Agency will ensure that ECHA has the resources to meet their ever expanding remit, further protecting people and the environment across the EU from the most hazardous chemicals.”
Notes for editors
- ECHA was founded as part of the REACH Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006) in 2007 and is based in Helsinki. Since its founding, its remit has expanded into multiple pieces of legislation.
- The ECHA Management Board is comprised of technical experts from all 27 Member States.
- The current Executive Director of ECHA is Dr Sharon McGuinness, former Chief Executive Officer of the Health and Safety Authority.
- The proposal for a Basic Regulation for the European Chemicals Agency reach political agreement in June 2026 and is expected to be adopted by the end of 2026.
ENDS
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