ECHA | Supporting Montenegro and Serbia to prepare for EU chemicals laws

ECHA supports the accession countries to build capacity ahead of joining the EU. A study has assessed the gaps and needs of aligning to and implementing EU chemicals legislation in Montenegro and Serbia and proposes national action plans on how to move forward. 

Helsinki, 16 March 2021 – For the past 10 years, Montenegro and Serbia have worked towards alignment between their legal chemicals management framework and that of the EU. ECHA has supported this work since 2011. According to a new study commissioned by ECHA, both countries need targeted support to help them implement the EU’s chemicals laws. 

The main challenges lie with the limited financial, human and IT resources currently available for the accession countries to implement and enforce the REACH, CLP, BPR and PIC regulations. The study recommends strengthening the administrative capacity of the national authorities, ensuring enough financial resources to implement and enforce the legislation, facilitating cooperation with academia as well as increasing communication activities and IT capacity.