The presentation of the Specific Plans for implementation of the EU Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Limitation of Chemicals (REACH) and the EU Regulation on Biocide Products (BPR) drafted with the support of the European Union under the Project “EU for a Better Environment" was held in Belgrade on Friday, 17 December 2021.
The conference took place in the week when Cluster 4 was opened in Serbia's accession negotiations with the EU, which includes Chapter 27: Environment and Climate Change, to which the two EU Regulations belong.
The Republic of Serbia has made significant progress, thanks to whom the Cluster 4 was opened, and these two Specific Plans for Implementation of REACH and BPR Regulations are coming at the right moment, with the support we have received from this project. We need to work together, as a team, persistent, sustainable, to learn through practise and examples of good practice, with the support provided by the European Union, stressed Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Environmental Protection Aleksandra Imshiragic Djuric.
Serbia's policy in the field of chemicals and biocide products follows the policies and legislation of the EU where the work has been done to harmonise the legislative framework. In this area in the EU, there is an established and clearly recognizable policy framework within the set of regulations concerning the Single Market of the EU. In 2009, the Legal Framework of the Republic of Serbia was partially compliant with REACH and BPR Regulations and directives on biocide products, and the main legal instruments are the Law on Chemicals and the Law on Biocide Products. In 2021, a new Law on Biocide Products was also enacted, the conference noted.
Experts, Ministry and industry representatives worked together on implementations plans
During the two years of implementation of the project, experts from the EU and the Ministry of Environmental Protection worked together to interpret the requirements of both the Regulations, to make assessment of legislative, institutional and implementation gaps, as well as establishment of measures and activities to remove the gaps. The cost assessment for their implementation has also been completed. The working group included representatives of industrial associations who also made a valuable contribution in drafting the plans, so that Serbia would be fully prepared to implement EU legislation in the area of chemicals and biocide products after joining the EU in accordance with the Green transition.
Key elements of national policy are determined by objectives related to the compliance process with EU regulations and have their own established practice in the work of the state, as well as within the Ministry of Environmental Protection. "The Ministry is making great efforts to keep pace with the development of EU regulatory requirements and to ensure a gradual transition from applicable national laws to the full implementation of these Regulations,“ said Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Environmental Protection Aleksandra Imshiragic Djuric.
Public communication, professional training and education, raising the level of expertise knowledge, building capacity and allocation of resources by economy and industry are necessary in order to prepare for the implementation of these EU Regulations, and the Republic of Serbia has already announced adaptation measures to enable sustainability of Serbian companies in the Single Market of the EU, it was emphasized on the conference.
Project director of EAS3 Stevan Pechitch, thanked in particular the Chemicals Department of the Ministry of Environmental Protection for excellent co-operation in drafting Specific Plans for Implementation of REACH and BPR regulations, which has been significant due to first drafting of the Specific Plans for Implementation of the EU Regulations as such.
Changes don't happen in one day, citizens' demands are high, which is a process that happens in many countries of the world where environment is an important topic in society, and on the road to Green and digital transition, the European Union is with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, said Antoine Avignon, programme manager in charge of Environment and Climate Change at the EU Delegation to Serbia.
Antoine Avignon from the EU Delegation stressed how the opening of Cluster 4 - Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity, which includes Chapter 27 means even more work for the Chemicals Department dealing with REACH and BPR Regulations and directives on biocide products. Their commitment to work and responsibility is very important for the future negotiation process in this area, stressed Antoine Avignon from the EU Delegation to Serbia.