From the Sector

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has launched an updated SME hub on its website to support smaller companies with their duties under European chemicals legislation. Helping SMEs is one of the Agency’s core tasks.

The SME hub contains online tools and materials from Member States and ECHA, including an AI-powered virtual assistant pilot. These online resources were presented today at the SME Assembly in Copenhagen, Denmark, held as part of the EU’s SME Week. 

Mercedes Viñas, ECHA’s Director for Submissions and Interaction said:
“ECHA’s strategy underlines the importance of providing tools, advice and support, particularly to smaller companies to help them fulfil their duties under the EU chemical legislation.

“We have met with SMEs and industry representatives to better understand the specific needs that smaller companies have. As a result, we can better address their concerns. We plan to continue engaging with SMEs and their representatives to make sure that we can address their needs in our current and future activities, for example, when designing new tools for industry. The competitiveness of European small and medium-sized enterprises is pivotal to our economy’s success and a priority on our agenda.”

ECHA is piloting uses of artificial intelligence (AI) in its work, in this case, we want to learn if AI can support SMEs in meeting their obligations under the EU chemicals legislation. This includes, for example, a webinar for SMEs from 22 October featuring AI-generated translations, and a pilot of an AI-powered virtual assistant. Available 24/7 in all EU languages, the assistant helps companies find reliable information about their duties by providing answers based on publicly available resources, including Q&As and other content from ECHA’s websites. During the pilot, ECHA will analyse the submitted questions and provided answers, as well as consider user feedback to continuously improve the assistant.