Socio-Economic Approach to Health in the European Union Chemicals Regulation Policy
Socio-Economic Approach to Health in the European Union Chemicals Regulation Policy

Author(s): Izabela Rydlewska-Liszkowska
Subject(s): Business Economy / Management
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: EU chemicals regulation; socio-economic analysis; health impact
Summary/Abstract: Socio-economic analysis (SEA) of health safety is the approach to describing and analysing all relevant impacts – positive and negative – of restricting or non-restricting and granting or refusing authorisation for chemicals in the European Union (EU) market. SEA provides the evidence and documents on whether the socio-economic benefits of continued use or restricted use of chemicals outweigh or not the risk of chemicals for human health and the environment. The aim of SEA as a method of weighing up the arguments of action for society is to play the crucial role in restrictions and authorisations of the chemicals under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals Act (REACH) in the EU. Regarding the restrictions proposals, such regulations contain a description of the risks, health and environmental benefits, associated costs and other socio-economic impacts. An application for chemicals authorisation should answer the question if the socio-economic benefits outweigh the risks to human health and the environment arising from the use of the substance. The aim of the paper is to present the methods developed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in cooperation with its Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) in order to evaluate the impact of costs and effects of different alternative uses of chemicals on the EU population health. The paper will also show the main limitations of the analysis at the EU member countries level.

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