Safety, Health & Environment (SHE)

The Fecc SHE Committee functions as an expert-led forum that monitors, evaluates, and influences the European legislative landscape. We work in direct partnership with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the European Commission to ensure that safety and health regulations are practical, science-based, and effective for the distribution sector. Our primary focus remains the ongoing optimization of REACH and CLP frameworks, alongside emerging sustainability mandates. By leveraging the collective knowledge of our member experts, we provide the essential foresight needed to protect human health and the environment while fostering a resilient, competitive chemical supply chain.

Watch here the webinar “PFAS restriction: ECHA Committees’ opinions and next steps” on 07/05/2026 | 11:00 – 12:40.

Following the publication of the final opinion of the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and the draft opinion of the Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) on the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) restriction proposal on 26 March, we will host a webinar presenting the key elements of both opinions.

The webinar will explain the conclusions reached so far by the two committees, on the hazards, emissions and risks of PFAS, the risk reduction potential of the proposed restriction and the socio-economic impacts, including the availability of alternatives and possible derogations. It will also outline the next steps in the REACH restriction process.

The update to the CLP Regulation introduces new hazard classes—including endocrine disruptors (ED) and persistent, mobile, and toxic substances (PBT, vPvB, PMT, and vPvM)—that directly impact the daily operations of chemical distribution. For a distributor, these new criteria mean more than just updated labels; they trigger a ripple effect across inventory management, warehouse safety protocols, and the legal accuracy of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for imported or relabeled products.

Our key objective is to provide distributors with the tools to manage this massive reclassification process across diverse product ranges. We focus on clarifying the specific legal deadlines for mixtures and substances, helping members understand how these new classifications may lead to broader restrictions or changes in transport requirements. By simplifying these regulatory complexities, we ensure that distributors remain compliant while continuing to provide the high level of safety information and reliability that their customers depend on.

New hazard classes 2023 – ECHA

Watch here the webinar “Introduction to ECHA’s guidance on new CLP hazard classes”.

Are you impacted by the classification of substances under the CLP Regulation? This webinar gives an overview of the new ECHA guidance on the recently introduced hazard classes under the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation.

The updated guidance has been developed by experts from ECHA, EU Member States, EU level non-governmental organisations and associations as well as other nominated experts. The guidance outlines the new hazard classes for endocrine disruptors, Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic or Very Persistent, Very Bioaccumulative (PBT/vPvB), and Persistent, Mobile, and Toxic or Very Persistent, Very Mobile (PMT/vPvM) properties. These additions aim to better protect human health and the environment by addressing emerging concerns in chemical safety.

During the webinar, we will discuss the protection goals and the classification criteria for the new hazard classes, as well as the development of the associated CLP guidance. You will also learn about the regulatory timelines and how ECHA manages the related administrative process once proposals for harmonised classification and labelling are submitted.