Safer Chemicals Podcast

The European Commission published its roadmap for phasing out animal testing on 1 June 2026, and the first meeting of ECHA’s Collaborative Platform on Alternatives to Animal Testing has now taken place.

In this episode, we explore what these developments mean for regulators, researchers and industry. Tomasz Sobanski from ECHA explains how new approach methodologies (NAMs) are moving from research into regulatory use, and why the transition requires more than replacing individual tests.

The discussion looks at how the EU roadmap is expected to drive implementation across legislation, and how ECHA contributes through scientific and regulatory expertise, international cooperation and the collaborative platform.

The episode features perspectives from the EPAA, PETA and HEAL on regulatory acceptance, confidence-building, animal welfare, and maintaining a high level of protection for human health and the environment.

Useful links
ECHA convenes first meeting of its collaborative platform on alternatives to animal testing

ECHA supports EU roadmap for alternatives to animal testing with new collaborative platform

Roadmap towards phasing out animal testing and related materials

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by interviewees do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Chemicals Agency. All content is up to date at the time of publication.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of the safer chemicals podcast, we take a more detailed look at the committees’ opinions on the proposed restriction of PFAS in Europe. Host Adam Elwan speaks with Roberto Scazzola, Chair of the Committee for Risk Assessment, about the committee’s adopted opinion on PFAS, what it concludes and why persistence remains such a central concern. He is also joined by Maria Ottati, Chair of the Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis, to discuss the committee’s draft opinion, including the key socio-economic considerations, the role of derogations and the questions that will now be explored further through consultation.

The discussion covers how the committees approached issues such as grouping, fluoropolymers, volatile PFAS and fluorinated gases, as well as what is known about emissions across sectors in Europe. It also explains where the biggest uncertainties remain, what information the committees are still seeking, and what happens next as the process moves forward.

The episode also briefly covers two additional topics discussed by the committees in March: the harmonised classification proposal for cannabidiol and the latest progress on the restriction proposal for chromium(VI) substances.

Useful links

ECHA supports PFAS restriction with targeted derogations - ECHA news, 26 March 2026

Consultation on SEAC PFAS draft opinion - guidance for respondents - ECHA webinar, 30 October 2025

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by interviewees do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Chemicals Agency. All content is up to date at the time of publication.

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This episode of our Safer Chemicals Podcast focuses on the Biocidal Product Committee’s (BPC) conclusion on the use of the active substance ethanol. The BPC supports its approval for use in hand and general disinfectants (product-types 1, 2 and 4) but does not take a position on whether ethanol should be considered a carcinogenic or reprotoxic substance.

Listen to the Committee Chair Joost van Galen telling what led to this opinion, what it means in practice and what will happen next.

ECHA’s Biocidal Products Committee meets to prepare scientific opinions for the European Commission on biocidal active substances and on EU-wide authorisations of biocidal products. The Commission takes final decisions based on these opinions.

Useful links:

ECHA’s Biocides Committee supports approval of ethanol in disinfectants - ECHA news, 24 February 2026

Highlights from February Biocidal Products Committee meeting - ECHA news, 4 March 2026

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In this episode, we deconstruct the outcomes of the December meetings of the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) and the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC).

Topics include:

Universal PFAS restriction proposal: The interviewees break down the latest discussions on the proposal, with a particular focus on PFAS manufacturing and the so-called “horizontal issues” that cut across all sectors. The SEAC's approaches to alternatives analysis, cost-benefit considerations, and proportionality are discussed, with special attention on the unique aspects of PFAS manufacturing.

Sector-specific insights: The episode reviews the committees’ conclusions on all 14 sectors, with a spotlight on SEAC's discussions on the complex electronics and semiconductor sector.

Next steps and stakeholder consultation: Listeners are guided through the upcoming consultation on SEAC's draft opinion, including how stakeholders can contribute, and the importance of providing targeted, relevant information to inform the final opinion.

Milestone in chemical classification: The episode also marks a milestone for the Risk Assessment Committee: the first classification opinion using new hazard classes under the revised CLP regulation.

Useful links
December highlights from RAC and SEAC

ECHA webinar: Consultation on PFAS draft opinion: Guidance for respondents

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by interviewees do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Chemicals Agency. All content is up to date at the time of publication.

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In this episode of the Safer Chemicals Podcast, host Päivi Jokiniemi is joined by Henrik Hedlund, Chair of ECHA's Enforcement Forum, and Maciej Baranski, Team Leader of ECHA's Harmonised Enforcement Team, to discuss the results of a recent EU-wide REACH enforcement project. Inspectors from 29 countries conducted targeted checks on over 2 600 imported products, focusing on compliance with EU chemical regulations.

The conversation explores the project's scope, objectives, and key findings, including persistent non-compliance in imported mixtures and consumer products such as jewellery, toys, textiles, and footwear. Notably, one in three substances in imported mixtures lacked REACH registration, and hazardous heavy metals were frequently found in jewellery. The episode highlights trends over time, the effectiveness of customs and enforcement collaboration, and the impact of enforcement actions in protecting consumers and the environment.

Listeners will gain insights into the challenges of regulating imported chemicals, the importance of pre-release checks, and recommendations for companies and authorities to improve compliance. The episode concludes with advice for importers and an invitation to follow up on the ongoing project through stakeholder workshops and the full report available on ECHA’s website.

Useful links
Enforcement Forum finds non-compliance in imported substances, mixtures and products - ECHA news, 10 December 2025

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Disclaimer: Views expressed by interviewees do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Chemicals Agency. All content is up to date at the time of publication.

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