The HSA’s Assistant Chief Executive, Dr Sharon McGuinness, becomes the first Irish person to have been appointed to the honorary role of Chair of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Management Board in Helsinki.
Dr McGuinness, who is the Irish representative to the ECHA Management Board since September 2014, took up this prestigious position at the heart of European chemicals oversight last October.
Speaking of her appointment, she said “the work of ECHA in implementing EU chemicals legislation is essential to a competitive and innovative European market, which is ultimately of benefit to industry, consumers, workers and the environment”.
ECHA is the driving force among regulatory authorities in implementing the EU’s chemicals legislation for the benefit of human health and the environment as well as for innovation and competitiveness. The agency helps companies to comply with the legislation, advances the safe use of chemicals, provides information on chemicals and addresses chemicals of concern.
HSA’s Assistant Chief Executive since 2006, Dr McGuinness heads up the Chemicals and Prevention Division, which serves as the National Competent and Enforcement Authority for REACH, CLP, Detergents and Export-Import Regulations as well as other chemical legislation such as Seveso.
Her division is responsible for a range of occupational hygiene and health and safety areas including chemical and biological agents, carcinogens in the workplace, asbestos, occupational illnesses, psychosocial hazards, healthcare, ADR Road transport, work related vehicle safety, as well as legislative and guidance development and small business support.
- Sharon McGuinness