ECHA names new executive director

Helsinki – The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has selected Dr Sharon McGuinness as its next executive director, effective this month.

As part of the appointment procedure, McGuinness will make a statement before the European Parliament and answer questions from its members.

The exchange is tentatively scheduled for 4 July, said ECHA in a statement 29 June.

McGuinness is joining ECHA from the Republic of Ireland’s Health & Safety Authority (HAS), where she has been serving as CEO since 2018.

Prior to this, she was the assistant chief executive for the chemicals and prevention division within the authority.

She was responsible for division management, policy provision, advice and enforcement for surveillance legislation aimed at protecting workers and consumers.

McGuinness was a member of ECHA’s management board between 2014-2020 and chair of the board between 2016-2020.

She holds a BSc from the University College Dublin in pharmacology and chemistry, and a PhD in pharmacology, as well as diplomas in legal studies and company direction.

“We have selected an excellent candidate and look forward to hearing the European Parliament’s views,” said Paul Krajnik, chair of ECHA’s management board.

“The agency enters a crucial time in its work, marked by the EU’s ambitious objectives under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability,” he added.

The term of office of the executive director is five years. It may be prolonged by the management board once, for a further term of five years.