Strengthening chemical safety: FitforREACH-2 and ECHA exchange insights on substitution efforts

On 13 May 2025, the LIFE FitforREACH-2 project team met with experts from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) for an exchange meeting focused on promoting the substitution of hazardous substances.

Project manager Kai Klein introduced the main goals, activities, and expected results of the FitforREACH-2 project, with particular emphasis on work with pilot companies in the Baltic states to replace hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives.

ECHA representatives shared their priorities in the area of hazardous substance substitution and highlighted the wide range of resources available on the ECHA website. These include online training courses, reading materials for self-study, and case studies showcasing successful substitution projects in companies across Europe.

The meeting concluded with an open discussion on companies’ practical experiences with substitution and explored opportunities for further collaboration between ECHA and project experts. Participants also stressed the importance of providing clear, easily accessible information in local languages to better support companies in the Baltic states in managing chemical substances safely and sustainably.