UK Chemical Industry Association welcomes UK Brexit negotiation position

London – The Chemical Industries Association has welcomed the UK government's desire to 'facilitate trade in chemical substances' when the Brexit transition phase ends.

Steve Elliot, CIA's CEO, said: 'We welcome the clarity provided.' 

However, he warned that there is still a lot more to do. 'Although the proposal for a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will need further work/detail, it is encouraging,' he said.

He took heart from the UK Government's desire that data and information sharing mechanisms should be designed to ensure a high level of protection and to support UK and EU businesses.'

Elliot pledged: 'We will be working with Government on the detail across trade, energy and chemicals regulation to deliver the best possible outcome for the chemical sector and for the country.'

The UK government's position on chemicals is that:

This annex should facilitate trade in chemical substances and related products and ensure high levels of protection for the environment and human and animal health. 

't could provide for cooperation between UK and EU authorities, including on implementing the Global Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. 

The parties could agree data and information sharing mechanisms, in line with the relevant provisions set out in UK and EU regulation and existing third-country mechanisms.'

It should also include a commitment to develop a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance cooperation further. This could be similar to the MOUs that the European Chemicals Agency has agreed with Australia and Canada.