17 October 2007
Executive Director of Chemicals Agency elected amid severe criticism from environmental groups
Geert Dancet, the serving interim executive director of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), has been elected by a two-thirds majority of its management board to take on the role for the next five years. In spite of severe criticism from environmental groups on the appropriateness of his candidature and questions from the European Parliament’s Environment Committee on the selection-procedure leading up to the final vote, the European Commission official emerged as the preferred candidate of the European Chemicals Agency’s Management Board.
Mr. Dancet was elected in a vote with only two official candidates, the result of an internal European Commission short-listing procedure excluding all other applicants for the post. Mr. Dancet’s only opponent was Mrs. Anne Lambert, deputy head of the UK permanent representation to the European Union. A third alternative, Ethel Forsberg, was disregarded by the Commission despite her excellent track-record as director-general of the Swedish Chemicals Agency.
Before taking on the job as the Agency’s interim director, Mr. Dancet, with a 20 year career in the European Commission’s industry directorate-general, lead the directorate-general’s REACH unit. Environmental groups such as the EEB and Friends of the Earth Europe have objected to the lack of transparency of the process as well as questioned his independency from the Commission, expressing concern about his close links to the Executive branch of the European Union.
In addition, the short-listing procedure leading up to the vote has raised some eyebrows, by excluding relevant and competent candidates while leaving the options for the members of the Management Board limited.
Mr Dancet will in accordance with the provisions in REACH appear before the European Parliament Environment Committee on 21/22 November. Members of the Committee will hereby have an opportunity to ask questions and express their opinion on the matter. However this hearing will have no legal bearing on the final appointment of the Executive Director.
Final appointment is expected to be made by the Management Board on 17 December.