Minister Dillon hosts EU chemicals agency in Kilkenny
Minister Alan Dillon welcomed EU officials to Kilkenny for a pivotal meeting on chemical safety. The gathering marked progress on a new regulation to strengthen the European Chemicals Agency’s role across the continent.
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Gov.ie / MerrionStreet
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⏱️ 2 min read
Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail Alan Dillon this week hosted a landmark meeting in Kilkenny as part of the Irish Presidency of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The 83rd Meeting of the ECHA Management Board brought together officials from all 27 EU Member States to discuss the agency’s evolving responsibilities, including the imminent adoption of a new Basic Regulation designed to enhance its financing, governance and operational capacity.
The gathering provided an opportunity for Minister Dillon to engage directly with ECHA’s Executive Director, Dr Sharon McGuinness, and EU Commission officials. Reflecting on ECHA’s two-decade legacy, Dillon praised the agency’s commitment to protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals, emphasising the critical role of European cooperation in achieving outcomes that no single country could deliver alone.
ECHA’s remit has expanded significantly since its establishment under the REACH Regulation in 2007, now encompassing areas such as batteries, hazard classification, occupational safety and water management. The newly agreed Basic Regulation, which reached political consensus in June 2026, will ensure the agency is equipped to meet these growing demands. The regulation is expected to be formally adopted by the end of 2026, further strengthening ECHA’s ability to mitigate risks posed by the most harmful substances across the EU.
The gathering provided an opportunity for Minister Dillon to engage directly with ECHA’s Executive Director, Dr Sharon McGuinness, and EU Commission officials. Reflecting on ECHA’s two-decade legacy, Dillon praised the agency’s commitment to protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals, emphasising the critical role of European cooperation in achieving outcomes that no single country could deliver alone.
ECHA’s remit has expanded significantly since its establishment under the REACH Regulation in 2007, now encompassing areas such as batteries, hazard classification, occupational safety and water management. The newly agreed Basic Regulation, which reached political consensus in June 2026, will ensure the agency is equipped to meet these growing demands. The regulation is expected to be formally adopted by the end of 2026, further strengthening ECHA’s ability to mitigate risks posed by the most harmful substances across the EU.
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