In this episode, I speak with Dr. Watze de Wolf.
Watze has had a long and accomplished career working as a scientist and manager in both industry and regulatory settings, including 15 years working at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
We have a wide-ranging discussion about his experiences and observations of how chemicals management has evolved over recent decades, and attempt to provide a diagnosis for the current situation and outlook for the years ahead.
This includes:
- Watze’s background, career journey and people he worked with
- The tension between the uncertainty and complexity of science vs the need for clear and predictable regulation
- The importance of communication and meeting your audience where they are
- Contrasting sensitivities and drivers of behaviour in different industries
- The shift away from risk-based approaches, and the rise of persistence
- The importance of dialogue and the value of organisations like the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)
- Understanding EU regulations as complex systems
- Experiences with REACH dossiers, from both industry and regulator perspectives
- What it’s like for early career scientists at ECHA
- Discussions and experiences from the ECHA Member State Committee
- Thoughts on the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR)
- What a new harmonised classification of ethanol means for its ongoing use as a disinfectant
- The essential use concept and how it could re-define chemicals management in Europe
- Importance of EU Member State participation, and the impact of Brexit on regulatory discussions
- Regrettable restrictions and thoughts on the ongoing group-wide restriction of PFAS
- Thoughts on the overall direction of travel, broader technological and societal shifts, and the impact on science
Watze's website: rMSC.fi – rMSC
Member State Committee - ECHA
Trifluoroacetic Acid in the Environment: Consensus, Gaps, and Next Steps | Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry | Oxford Academic
Persistence Science Interest Group Pushes Forward with Global Collaboration and New Initiatives
Literature review on micro‐ and nanoplastic release from food contact materials during their use | EFSA
Reflecting on 40 years of regulatory developments in Europe – Peter Fisk — Embark Chemical Consulting
Visit my website for more content and insights www.embarkchemical.com
