PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
REACH Regulation, in 2006, set the benchmark requirements for the production, import and trading of chemical products in order to improve the protection of human health and the environment, while enhancing competitiveness and innovation of European companies. The CLP Regulation, in 2008, enhanced the above goals through the harmonization of the information communicated for the chemical products throughout the supply chain until the final consumer. In the framework of environmental risk management, SEVESO Directive, improved the requirements for prevention of major accidents in order to reduce the threat to humans and the environment throughout Europe.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE CHEREE project aimed at building community knowledge, authority capacity, efficiency and compliance culture for effective enforcement of REACH/CLP Regulations and SEVESO III Directive, achieving specially the development and implementation of common good-practices, guidance, training and supporting both inspectors and duty holders needs in Greece and Cyprus, towards higher compliance. Project’s main target stakeholders are the 2 National Enforcement Authorities (NEAs), the relevant duty holders, especially SMEs, and bodies involved in the control of dangerous chemicals. On environmental governance problem, the project targeted the relationships and interactions among government and non-government structures and procedures where power and responsibility are exercised in making environmental decisions. It concerns how informed decisions are made, with emphasis on the need for NEAs and duty holders, to participate and have their experiences taken on board.
The project identified the needs in both countries and developed innovative e-platforms and e-tools that systematized inspection methodologies, criteria and procedures, provided training, promoted collaboration of NEAs with duty holders and improved inspection capacity and culture. For duty holders, the project promoted guidance and e-tools through training, developed a digital environment for more effective self-auditing and enhanced compliance culture.
RESULTS
The LIFE CHEREE project built up knowledge of the REACH and CLP Regulations and the SEVESO III Directive, as well as developing the capacity of relevant authorities to promote and enforce greater compliance with EU legislation on chemicals. Project’s fundamental outcome is the development and implementation of the Good-Practice Structured Programme (GPSP) for REACH/CLP and SEVESO Inspections (https://www.reach-cheree.gr/download/gpsp/). The GPSP includes all essential requirements, criteria and procedures of an integrated Inspection Management System, providing the NEAs with the standards to train inspectors and a Training Manual (https://www.reach-cheree.gr/download/training-manual-for-inspectors/) how to organise and execute effective and efficient inspections.
The project developed two e-Platforms: the Inspectors e-Centre for inspectors (https://www.reach-cheree.gr/e-tools-guidance/inspectors-e-centre/) andthe Hazardous Chemical Info Centre for duty holders (https://www.reach-cheree.gr/e-tools-guidance/hazchem-info-centre/) with e-tools that improve the effectiveness of inspections and the compliance culture of duty holders. The main e-tools are:
- “REACH e-Inspection tool” (https://www.reach-cheree.gr/reach-e-inspection-tool/:provides the inspector with easy-to-follow, step-by-step checklists for inspections, specific guidelines how to implement the regulatory requirements and aweb gate with training material for inspectors, formally adopted by the NEAs as best national practice;
- “REACH e-Audit tool” (https://www.reach-cheree.gr/el/reach-e-audit-tool/): provides the duty holders (especially SMEs) with criteria for self-assessment of the Safety Data Sheets, measures for correct handling of chemicals and how to achieve provisions and compliance with requirements;
- “Report an incident e-tool”(https://incident.reach-cheree.gr/en): functions as a notification/reporting portal for chemical accidents and as a useful database with analysis of past events;
- ADR CONTROL 2.0 e-tool(https://www.reach-cheree.gr/e-tools-guidance/adr-tool/):provides support to authorities conducting roadside checks (inspections) on dangerous goods transport (European Agreement ADR).
- “Carcinogens Notification e-tool”(https://carcinochem.reach-cheree.gr/en): offers a secure registration and monitoring of the carcinogens in the national supply chain;
- A database of BATs and Industrial Practices for the safe handling, transport and loading/unloading of dangerous chemicals (https://www.reach-cheree.gr/e-tools-guidance/hazchem-info-centre/bats-and-industrial-practices-for-the-safe-handling-transport-and-loading-unloading-of-dangerous-chemicals/.
The project, using its innovative e-tools, carried out successfully 10 pilot inspections and 5 ‘common visits’ with inspectors from both countries to foster exchange of experience and training on e-platforms. Eight training courses were held for all national REACH/CLP inspectors and chief SEVESO inspectors (more than 100).
A long-term impact on the environment of both countries is expected, since the project contributed to the improvements in capacity of authorities, in conducting effective and efficient inspections that will constantly lead to increased compliance and control of dangerous chemicals.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan (see "Read more" section).
