We can assist you in addressing questions like:

 

• How do we value risks to human health and the natural environment?

• How do we value the importance of a substance/product for society?

• What are the costs of compliance for a company or sector?

• What are the costs and benefits of continued use (or restricting the use) of a chemical substance?

• Is the option assessed the best regulatory action or can the same or better outcome be achieved at a lower cost?

 

In collaboration with technical experts and sector specialists, we guide industry and public sector clients through the complexities of chemicals regulation, including REACH Authorisation, the Carcinogens Directive, and the Biocides Regulation.

 

Our chemicals policy service draws upon our extensive experience in policy and investment appraisals, socio-economic analysis, and assessing impacts on companies, human health, and the environment.

 

In our toolkit for evaluating and implementing chemicals policy, you'll find:

 

• Market assessments

• Stakeholder consultation

• Supply chain mapping

• Material flow analysis (MFA)

• Value chains – which demonstrate the ‘value added’ along the supply chain

• Analysis of alternatives (AoA)

• Valuation of economic, social, human health and environmental impacts

 

We assist clients with REACH Advocacy, which entails evaluating the societal benefits of ongoing substance use (until a suitable alternative is available) compared to potential risks, along with examining alternative options. This assessment can be conducted at the sector level, allowing sector associations and companies/consortia to articulate their value to society before regulatory decisions are finalised (such as through a Risk Management Option Analysis - RMOA).

 

We also provide REACH scoping studies, acting as "mini-applications" or methods for "setting out the business case". These studies utilise readily accessible data to evaluate the company or consortium's position, identifying strengths and weaknesses in the business case to enable well-informed decisions based on robust analysis. Collaborating with partners, we conduct scoping studies to evaluate the magnitude of risks to human health and the environment, the value of continued substance use, and an initial screening of potential alternatives. These studies can vary from a brief 1-2 day workshop to a more comprehensive one-month investigation.

 

For REACH Socio-Economic Analysis (SEA), we offer customised half-day or full-day workshops designed to improve an organisation's understanding and capability in responding to SEA requirements. Our training equips clients with the necessary skills to gather the required data and make informed strategic decisions.

 

For REACH Authorisation, we collaborate with partners to support companies and consortia in their applications for authorisation. This includes the creation of a Chemical Safety Report (CSR), Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), and Socio-Economic Analysis (SEA).

 

For REACH Restrictions, we work with partners to support industry (and regulators) in assessing whether restrictions are the most suitable risk management option (RMO). If a restriction is deemed necessary, we assist in identifying specific uses that should be included or excluded (e.g., through a derogation).

 

We've successfully applied our expertise to other chemical regulations, such as evaluating the costs and benefits of proposed Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) under the Carcinogens Directive and conducting socioeconomic analyses and comparative assessments of possible alternatives under the Biocides Regulation.

 

Some of our clients for this service include:

 

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and chemicals agencies in two other European countries, Environment Agency (England), European Commission, European Chemicals Agency, Nickel Institute, Cadmium REACH Consortium, Vlisco, Cobalt REACH Consortium and OLON Spa.

 

Contact Person: Thea Sletten