ECHA and Japanese government institutions start working together
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the Japanese Ministry for Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) are strengthening their relationship in the area of chemicals safety.
In line with the shared commitment to improve chemical safety, ECHA and the Japanese organisations have signed a Statement of Intent to enhance cooperation.
The aim is to strengthen the scientific dialogue between the European Union and Japan and to increase cooperation on technical matters and other issues of common interest including the hazards and emerging risks of chemical substances, risk management tools, scientific collaboration and information exchange.
One of the anticipated areas of collaboration will be exchange knowledge and experience on integrated approaches to testing and assessment, e.g. combining results from QSAR and other alternative methods. The Statement of Intent will also promote the exchange of non-confidential information on hazards, uses and substance identification between ECHA and the Japan regulatory authorities.
When signing the memorandum, Geert Dancet, Executive Director of ECHA said: “This Statement of Intent will lead the way to a closer cooperation between the involved regulatory authorities to the benefit of companies and citizens on both sides of the globe”.
Mr Komoto from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said; “I believe it will contribute to enhancing our chemical safety management technology and bring fruitful results from cooperative activities”.
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