CETS becomes a regular observer at ECHA’s RAC and SEAC: a more visible voice for surface treatment
CETS has been welcomed as a regular stakeholder observer of the European Chemicals Agency’s Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC). This milestone gives Europe’s surface treatment sector a more visible presence within a small group of organisations participating regularly in the committees’ work.
The official September 2026 lists name CETS among 11 regular observer organisations at RAC and 10 at SEAC. The RAC list is dated 11 September 2026 and was agreed by RAC-77; the SEAC list is dated 15 September 2026 and was agreed by SEAC-72.
For CETS and its members, this is an important development in how the sector is represented in the European regulatory dialogue.
A clearly identified place in the discussion
CETS has already contributed to ECHA’s work as an accredited stakeholder organisation. Regular observer status builds on that foundation, giving our organisation a clearly identified place among a small group of stakeholders following the committees’ work.
These organisations bring different interests, experience and perspectives. What they share is an active interest in the regulatory process and its outcomes. CETS brings the scientific, technical and industrial knowledge of the European surface treatment community.
That visibility matters. It creates opportunities to build working relationships, explain the sector’s specific circumstances and contribute evidence as discussions develop.
Participation also means being there in person
CETS will also be able to participate in person in meetings at ECHA in Helsinki, in line with the committees’ participation arrangements.
Face-to-face participation offers opportunities for direct exchange, closer engagement and continuity between meetings. For a sector whose processes and applications often require detailed technical explanation, these exchanges can help make industrial realities better understood.
Our contribution will draw on practical experience: how surface treatment processes operate, how risks are managed, what alternatives can achieve and what companies need to implement change.
Turning visibility into useful contributions
The value of this new status will depend on what we bring to the discussion.
CETS will use this opportunity to strengthen the connection between its member associations, their technical experts and the regulatory process. Company evidence, documented examples and coordinated input will be essential to making that participation useful.
Our aim is to support informed assessments through clear explanations of technical feasibility, operating conditions and the implications of regulatory options for the surface treatment sector and its customers.
Regular observer status gives this work a more visible platform. It also reinforces the responsibility to contribute carefully, constructively and consistently.
Connect. Engage. Transform. Strengthen.
This milestone puts the four pillars of CETS into practice.
Connect through direct relationships with ECHA and fellow stakeholders.
Engage through regular participation, including attendance in person.
Transform members’ knowledge and experience into clear, coordinated contributions.
Strengthen the visibility and credibility of Europe’s surface treatment community.
We thank our members and experts for the work that supports this progress. We now have a more visible place in the discussion. Together, we can make that presence count.
Sources: ECHA list of regular RAC observers and ECHA list of regular SEAC observers.
