Invitation to transmit names

Saatja: Esindus EL juures üldaadress </O=ESTONIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=USERF5F556D8> Saaja: Tiiu Noobel Teema: FW: Invitation to transmit names of experts for a pool of experts supporting ECHA’s scientific committees From: ECHA Committees secretariat <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 2:39 PM Cc: ECHA EO <[email protected]> Subject: Invitation to transmit names of experts for a pool of experts supporting ECHA’s scientific committees Permanent Representation/Mission to the EU, Cc: Directors of MS Competent Authorities ECHA Management Board members Dear Madam, Dear Sir, The European Chemicals Agency is establishing a pool of experts to support, on a case-by-case basis, the work of its Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC), Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC), and their respective working groups. Through this communication, Member States are invited to transmit the names of experts with relevant expertise who may contribute to the work of RAC and SEAC, as soon as suitable candidates are identified, and preferably by 30 September 2026. The attached letter and annexes provide further information on the process, the required supporting documentation, and the expertise sought to support the work of RAC and SEAC. On behalf of ECHA’s Executive Director, we would like to express our sincere appreciation for the continued support provided by Member State Competent Authorities to the work of ECHA’s scientific committees. Given the steadily increasing workload of these bodies, the contribution of highly qualified experts remains essential to ensuring the effective delivery of their scientific and regulatory tasks. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by replying to this email. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and support. Yours faithfully, Committees secretariat Ekaterina Rodina Committees and Forum Coordination M3 Unit [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> P.O. Box 400, FI-00121 Helsinki, Finland EMAS Registered ISO 9001:2015 certified ISO 14001:2015 certified <https://twitter.com/EU_ECHA> <https://www.facebook.com/EUECHA/> <https://www.youtube.com/user/EUchemicals> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-chemicals-agency/> The above represents the opinion of the author and is not an official position of the European Chemicals Agency. This email, including any files attached to it, is intended for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed. If you have received this message in error, please notify the author as soon as possible and delete the message. 1 (4) D(2026)0493 Helsinki, 2 July 2026 SMG/gc Permanent Representations to the European Union of the EU Member States and EEA-EFTA Countries Sent by email only Subject: Invitation to transmit names of experts for a pool of experts supporting ECHA’s scientific committees Dear Sir or Madam, The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) supports the implementation of EU chemicals legislation by delivering transparent, independent and high-quality scientific opinions through its Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio‑Economic Analysis (SEAC). These Committees are established under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH), the EU’s main chemicals legislation and the founding regulation of ECHA. In recent years, the statutory scope of work of RAC and SEAC has expanded both in volume and technical complexity. While the Committees continue to carry out their responsibilities under REACH, they have also been assigned new tasks arising from other EU legislation, requiring specialised scientific and technical expertise that is not always available within the existing Committees. Against this background, and in line with Article 87(2) of the REACH Regulation, ECHA is establishing a pool of experts to support the work of RAC and SEAC and their working groups on a case‑by‑case basis. In December 2025, ECHA’s Management Board endorsed the Secretariat’s preparatory work for the establishment of this pool, which is expected to become operational in 2027. The modalities of the pool were approved by the Management Board in June 2026. Article 87(2) REACH provides that Member States shall transmit to the Agency the names of experts with proven experience in the tasks required of the Committees, together with an indication of their qualifications and specific areas of expertise. Accordingly, Member States are invited to transmit the name of experts to enable ECHA to set up and maintain an up‑to‑date list in accordance with the Regulation. Member States are encouraged to transmit the name of experts as soon as they become available, and preferably by 30 September 2026. Submissions received after this date will also be accepted. The transmission of experts should be done through the submission form in Annex III and accompanied by the required attachments, including the expertise grid in Annex II. Experts from the pool may be called upon to provide targeted scientific or technical input, including in support of rapporteurs and working groups of the Committees. However, the experts concerned will not become members of RAC or SEAC and will not replace Committee members, who remain fully responsible for the preparation and adoption of scientific opinions. Further information on the types of tasks for which experts may be called upon, including examples from both current and future Committee work, as well as information on independence considerations, practical arrangements and financial details, is provided in Annex I. P.O. Box 400, FI-00121 Helsinki, Finland | Tel. +358 9 686180 | echa.europa.eu  2 (4) D(2026)0493 Helsinki, 2 July 2026 SMG/gc When identifying suitable experts, Permanent Representations are kindly invited to liaise with the national authorities responsible for REACH, as well as with other competent authorities responsible for the relevant sectoral legislation, as appropriate. For transparency and information, the REACH competent authorities and members of ECHA’s Management Board are copied on this letter. Thank you in advance for your collaboration in supporting the delivery of transparent, independent and high-quality scientific opinions under EU chemicals legislation. Yours sincerely, Digitally signed by: SHARON JANE MC GUINNESS Dr Sharon McGuinness Executive Director Date: 2026-07-02 07:12:27 UTC Annexes: I. Background: The ECHA pool of experts under REACH Article 87(2) (pages 3-4 of this letter) II. For submission to ECHA: Expertise grid (separate file) III. For submission to ECHA: Submission form (separate file), to be submitted together with Declaration of Interest and Commitment (link) of the expert(s) and a biography from the expert(s) (separate file) IV. Contacts of the member states competent authorities and designated national authorities - ECHA (link) V. Information material about ECHA and its scientific committees - ECHA’s Committees – information for Member State authorities) (link) Cc: REACH/CLP Competent Authorities ECHA Management Board members P.O. Box 400, FI-00121 Helsinki, Finland | Tel. +358 9 686180 | echa.europa.eu  3 (4) D(2026)0493 Helsinki, 2 July 2026 SMG/gc Annex I: Background: The ECHA pool of experts under REACH Article 87(2) 1. Context The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) delivers transparent, independent and high- quality scientific opinions through its Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio‑Economic Analysis (SEAC). The Committees’ opinions form the scientific basis for regulatory decision‑making under REACH and a growing number of other EU legislation. In recent years, the Committees’ workload has increased both in volume and complexity. In addition to their responsibilities under REACH, RAC and SEAC have been assigned new tasks under other EU legislation: • Drinking Water Directive (EU) 2020/2184; • Batteries Regulation (EU) 2023/1542; • Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40; • RoHS Directive (EU) 2025/2456; • POPs Regulation (POPs in Waste) (EU) 2025/2457; • Toy Safety Regulation (EU) 2025/2509; • Water Framework Directive (legislative procedure ongoing 2022/0344(COD)) and • End-of-life vehicles Regulation (legislative procedure ongoing 2023/0284(COD)) The expanding mandate requires specialised scientific and technical expertise in areas that are not always fully covered by the expertise currently available within the Committees. In December 2025, ECHA’s Management Board endorsed the Secretariat’s preparatory work to improve the workability of RAC and SEAC, including the establishment of a pool of experts, as foreseen in Article 87(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH). The modalities of the pool were approved by the Management Board in June 2026. 2. Legal basis Article 87(2) of the REACH Regulation provides that “Member States shall transmit to the Agency the names of experts with proven experience in the tasks required by Article 77, who would be available to serve on working groups of the Committees, together with an indication of their qualifications and specific areas of expertise. The Agency shall keep an up-to-date list of experts. The list shall include the experts referred to in the first subparagraph and other experts identified directly by the Secretariat.” 3. Purpose of the pool of experts The purpose of the expert pool is to make additional, targeted expertise available to support the work of RAC and SEAC, including at working group level. Experts from the pool may be called upon on a case‑by‑case basis, depending on the specific needs of individual dossiers or tasks. The pool is intended to complement, not replace, the expertise of Committee members. Experts from the pool will not have the status of RAC or SEAC members and therefore will not participate in the adoption of opinions. 4. Role and tasks of experts Experts from the pool may be invited to support RAC or SEAC rapporteurs in carrying out specific technical tasks, for example by: • contributing specialised scientific or technical input in their area of expertise; • supporting the preparation of draft sections of opinions; • participating in working group discussions; P.O. Box 400, FI-00121 Helsinki, Finland | Tel. +358 9 686180 | echa.europa.eu  4 (4) D(2026)0493 Helsinki, 2 July 2026 SMG/gc • contributing to the assessment of complex or emerging technical issues. Experts may be invited to participate in meetings of RAC or SEAC and/or their working groups, either remotely or in person, as appropriate. They will act in an advisory capacity and will not act as rapporteurs, co‑rapporteurs or Committee members. RAC and SEAC members, and in particular the rapporteurs appointed by the Committees, will remain fully responsible for the content of draft opinions and for the opinions adopted by the Committees. 5. Independence and integrity Experts contributing to the work of RAC and SEAC are expected to provide their advice independently, based on their scientific and technical expertise. In line with REACH Art 85(7), Member States shall refrain from giving experts any instruction that would be incompatible with their individual tasks or with the independence of the Committees’ opinions. Before being called upon for a specific task, experts will be subject to conflict‑of‑interest checks in accordance with ECHA’s Policy1 and Procedure2 for the Prevention and Management of potential Conflicts of Interest (actual, potential and perceived) for members of ECHA bodies. Experts will also be bound by the applicable rules on confidentiality and professional secrecy. 6. Practical arrangements Experts from the pool will be engaged on a case‑by‑case basis, depending on the needs of the Committees’ work. Participation may involve remote work, participation in meetings, or a combination of both. When experts are invited to participate in meetings, travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with the applicable ECHA rules3, as adopted by the Agency’s Management Board. Where applicable, remuneration for expert work may be made in line with the rules and decisions adopted by ECHA’s Management Board 4, subject to the conditions set out therein, including the prohibition of remuneration for experts who are employed in the public service of a Member State (public servants). 7. Timing and next steps In 2026, ECHA will complete the preparatory work required to establish the pool of experts. This will include collecting names of experts from Member States, as well as identifying additional experts directly by the Secretariat. The pool of experts is expected to become operational in 2027. 1 https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/17207/pol- 0027_prevention_and_management_of_potential_conflicts_of_interest_en.pdf/6fe1f1a0-d962- ed0d-6de7-fb56b93b7fb9?t=1726484001433 2 https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/17208/pro_0067_coi_management_en.pdf/c4082b12- 5830-4647-abf7-47c4a0879c86?t=1726484600670 3 https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/118060548/final_mb_28_2025_echa_guide_for_reimbu rsements_mb79_en.pdf/e82cde5f-ea5a-de8d-17dd-03b408a6c2d8?t=1760967955227 4 https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/66703223/final_mb_35_2023_decision_remuneration_c o_opted_member_en.pdf/ba5cef20-930a-4c5b-fc9d-f5746868aa9f?t=1707139976485 P.O. Box 400, FI-00121 Helsinki, Finland | Tel. +358 9 686180 | echa.europa.eu Saatja: "Webdesktop" <[email protected]> Saaja: "Info - SOM" <[email protected]>, [email protected], "Enda Veskimäe" <[email protected]> Teema: [Webdesktop: Incoming document] Invitation to transmit names of experts for a pool of experts supporting ECHA’s scientific committees Kuupäev: 2026-07-03 08:15 Tere! Edastan Euroopa Kemikaaliameti kirja. EV AEEL juures reg. number: 14-4/584 Reg. kuupäev: 03.07.2026 Sisu: Invitation to transmit names of experts for a pool of experts supporting ECHA’s scientific committees / Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC), Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) -- Heade soovidega Tiiu Noobel sekretär, EV alaline esindus EL juures +32 2227 4337 SUBMISSION FORM For the pool of e xperts for ECHA ’s Scientific Committees The following M ember S tate or EEA/EFTA country : COMMENTS \* FirstCap \* MERGEFORMAT wishes to submit the following expert ( s ) for the Committee for Risk Assesment ( RAC ) and/or the Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis ( SEAC ) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) . Expert submitted for: FORMCHECKBOX RAC FORMCHECKBOX SEAC FORMCHECKBOX Both Full name of the expert ( LAST NAME First name) : C ontact details of the expert ( Address, e-mail, Phone/mobile) : Additional information: Attachments to be completed by the experts : Filled Declaration of Interest and Commitment of the expert Biography of the expert Expertise grid for the expert Place: Da te: Sign ed by : The name of the experts, together with their biography and Declaration of Interest and Commitment , will be published on ECHA’s website. The personal data of the expert(s) will be processed in accordance with ECHA’s privacy rules and privacy statement .