Foreword ∙ Getting our Chemicals Legislation Working Better Across the Board

It is not an easy task to draw out the matrix of chemicals legislation that ECHA is part of. But let me offer you one representation of it. On one hand, there are many pieces of product legislation with an interface for chemicals – for example, those addressing toys, biocides, plant protection products, food additives and food contact materials. On the other hand, there are a number of pieces of legislation that protect certain populations – the most prominent for ECHA’s daily work being the legislation that protects workers. The European Commission’s environment policy contains various compartments, for example, the Water Framework Directive, which is closely related to ECHA’s work.