What are your views on a post-EU Exit chemicals regime?

Defra has commissioned a study to assess the impacts of the UK’s exit from the EU on the operation of businesses in the chemicals value chain.

The UK Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has commissioned a study to assess the impacts of the UK’s exit from the European Union on the operation of a broad range of businesses in the chemicals value chain.

Current regulation of the UK chemicals industry is largely based on EU legislation, implemented by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Depending on the outcome of EU Exit negotiations, the UK might (or might not) remain in alignment with the EU system for the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). If not, a UK equivalent system for registering chemicals will be put in place, run by the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE). With this in mind, the overall objectives of this research are to:

• Assess the impact of the post-EU Exit chemicals regulatory regime on the operation of a broad range of businesses in the chemicals value chain; and
• Inform future strategy for implementation and communication of regulatory changes that are developed post EU Exit.

The research will consist of baseline data-collection and analysis relating to the operations of chemicals businesses before EU Exit (to be completed by the end of March 2019), and will involve the collection of information from key stakeholders across England through face-to-face or telephone interviews. Businesses participating in the interviews may also be asked to take part in follow-up interviews after EU Exit, to allow exploration of the changes that have actually taken place, their costs and benefits, and recommended actions for government to take in future.

A consortium led by Risk & Policy Analysts Ltd (RPA) and also comprising Ramboll and PTJH Consulting Ltd (PTJH) has been appointed to carry out the study. RPA has a long history of working in the field of chemicals policy both for UK, EU and other national authorities, and will be known to many of the relevant UK industry associations as well as to individual companies. Ramboll is a technical consultancy operating in the field of REACH and brings a detailed understanding of how REACH registration and authorisation requirements affect companies. PTJH has experience in working with complex supply chains on REACH related issues.

If you are interested in contributing to this research, you can find out more here.