About the European Nickel Industry Association
The European Nickel Industry Association (ENIA) was formed in April 2005 by the combination of
the European operations of Nickel Institute and the European Nickel Industry Group (ENiG) which previously
operated under the administrative wing of Eurometaux.
The new organisation, known as ENIA, works from a Brussels office:
ENIA
13 Avenue des Arts, B-1210 Brussels, Belgium.
Telephone 32 2 290 3200
ENIA works closely with the nickel industry's global organizations - NiPERA, for scientific research, and its parent Nickel Institute, for use-related information.
ENIA is committed to pursuing a risk assessment outcome based on sound science and supports the objective of identifying and managing any established risks to consumers, workers and the general population.
We are co-operating fully with the Danish Rapporteur to provide data and research upon which meaningful conclusions of risk or no risk can be made and scientifically supportable draft reports can be put before Members States' technical experts for discussion and eventual agreement.
There is also a global dimension to the burden of work associated with EU existing substances regulations. An agreement of co-operation exists between the EU and OECD to share information and resources regarding chemicals.
The fact that risk characterisation conclusions have implications for other downstream EU legislation, such as classification and labelling and other risk management measures, makes it imperative that all interested industry parties engage with the process and play their part in providing data as required.
It is also essential that EU administrative expediency is not allowed to compromise the application of science and appropriate methodologies to determine any potential environmental and human health risks from nickel.
This is particularly relevant given that the draft RAR is being prepared in accordance with the Technical Guidance Document (TGD) relating to Regulation 893/93. The TGD was developed for use with man-made organic chemicals and serious concerns exist over its methodologies and suitablility in relation to data interpretation.
These concerns have been highlighted during the course of the EU risk assessment for zinc. Zinc is the first of the metals to go through this process, and important lessons are being learnt which, it is hoped, will be applied to other metals.
In the case of nickel, the lessons are particularly important in relation to the environmental compartment, where few studies have been conducted.
In contrast, much is know about nickel and human health, and workplace practices and regulations have long since taken account of hazardous manufacturing processes to provide protection for workers.
Regarding users, nickel makes a valuable contribution to modern day living with many everyday products relying on nickel and its alloys for their performance.
Most of the thousands of different uses of nickel are very appropriate, but a small number may not be - the use of inappropriate alloys for jewellery, being a prime example.
The nickel industry has a history of responsible action. Our deployment of dedicated resources to the EU risk assessment is a further demonstration of responsible conduct, as is our policy of transparency and inclusion.
To this end, we have established this web site. We hope that it will provide a valuable resource for all our industry partners and all other parties interested in the process and outcomes of the EU Risk Assessment of Nickel.
