Consequences of EU REACH authorisation of lead
Agenda for
21-23 June
2023
Lisa Allen
Senior Regulatory Affairs Manager, International Lead Association, United Kingdom
REACH Authorisation, an EU regulatory process originally intended to stimulate innovation and the substitution of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs), has far-reaching consequences – from direct impacts on companies supplying and using Authorisation-listed substances, through to ripple-effects on wider policy objectives.
Authorisation listing of lead metal would result in 1000’s of Applications for Authorisation being submitted by EU companies – applicants seeking approval from the EU Commission to continue already well-regulated uses of lead necessary for industrial strategy, supporting climate change goals, and for societal wellbeing. Given the many products and applications reliant on lead which underpin key EU’s policy objectives, REACH Authorisation listing would also bring into question the bloc’s ability to achieve the twin transitions and a strategically autonomous, sustainable future.
Lisa’s presentation will highlight a ‘worst-case’ timeline for lead metal in the REACH Authorisation process, detail Industry’s response to this challenge and provide insights into political factors influential to this crucial decision by EU policymakers.
Authorisation listing of lead metal would result in 1000’s of Applications for Authorisation being submitted by EU companies – applicants seeking approval from the EU Commission to continue already well-regulated uses of lead necessary for industrial strategy, supporting climate change goals, and for societal wellbeing. Given the many products and applications reliant on lead which underpin key EU’s policy objectives, REACH Authorisation listing would also bring into question the bloc’s ability to achieve the twin transitions and a strategically autonomous, sustainable future.
Lisa’s presentation will highlight a ‘worst-case’ timeline for lead metal in the REACH Authorisation process, detail Industry’s response to this challenge and provide insights into political factors influential to this crucial decision by EU policymakers.
Bio
Lisa Allen is Senior Regulatory Affairs Manager at the International Lead Association (ILA). Since 2016, Lisa has managed the Lead (Pb) REACH Consortium, acting on behalf of a membership of more than 90 legal entities involved in the mining, smelting, refining, use and recycling of lead metal, the manufacture of lead compounds, and the production of lead-based batteries.
Lisa leads ILA’s technical advocacy in defence against REACH Authorisation Listing, coordinating ILA’s cross-industry advocacy and communications taskforce (‘Pb MACTF’), established to support members, downstream users and other stakeholders impacted by the ECHA prioritisation of lead metal for REACH Authorisation.
