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On 1 May, the House of Commons Library published a briefing paper on Brexit and the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals Regulation (REACH). After offering a general explanation of the scope of the REACH Regulation and an overview of the chemicals industry in the UK, the document provides useful insights into the negotiations for a future relationship with the EU with regards to chemicals; the report also explains in detail how the UK REACH plan might have been implemented for a ‘no deal’ Brexit, which was still a possibility as of the end of last year.
Whilst it is certain that the UK will have its own chemicals legislation (UK REACH), “the exact nature of the UK’s chemicals regulation regime, and the extent of any cooperation with the ECHA, after the end of the transition period will ultimately depend on the outcome of the ongoing future relationship negotiations between the UK and the EU”, as quoted in the report. The ‘no deal’ UK REACH is likely to form the basis of any future UK chemicals legislation, meaning that there will be a UK regulatory framework for chemicals based on EU retained law; however, the practicalities and duplication of requirements will depend on the outcome of the negotiations.
Advice on how to prepare for Brexit can be found on the CTPA Brexit Public Advice.
CTPA continues to work closely with the UK Government and sister associations in the chemicals sector to push for cooperation between UK authorities and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in respect of chemicals. Companies are encouraged to use the CTPA position paper on UK REACH and chemicals negotiations and share it with EU counterparts to strengthen the message, and ensure that the key asks of the cosmetics industry are addressed.
