Industry congratulates Dr Sharon McGuinness on ECHA appointment - BPCI

Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority, Dr. Sharon McGuinness, has been appointed as the new Executive Director of The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). ECHA is responsible for the implementation of regulations that govern the use of chemicals in the EU – normally referred to as REACH. BioPharmaChem Ireland (BPCI), the body that represents the biopharma and chemical sectors within Ibec, has welcomed this appointment wholeheartedly.

BPCI Director, Matt Moran said: “On behalf of the entire sector in Ireland, I would like to extend our congratulations to Sharon on this magnificent achievement. It is testimony to her own professional status and to the status of the Irish Health and Safety Authority as a world class regulator. Environment, Health and Safety remain number one priorities for the biopharmachem sector in Ireland and we look forward to continuing to work with Sharon in her new role."

He added: “The biopharmachem sector is of vital importance to the economy here, exporting over €100 billion worth of goods last year – over half to total exported from the country. Proper regulation of the industry is a vital component of our competitiveness. As sustainability moves to centre stage for all of society this will be even more important in the future. Bodies such as ECHA, now led by Sharon will play a key role in ensuring this goal of sustainability is met.”