The UK Government has claimed that it would not weaken EU environmental laws when transferring them into UK law in the event of a no-deal Brexit, with Secretary of State Michael Gove stating that "We will deliver a Green Brexit, where environmental standards are not only maintained but enhanced". However, CHEM Trust's analysis is that this pledge has been broken, and instead … [Read more...] about CHEM Trust challenges UK Government on Brexit pesticides plans
Brexit
UK MPs hear evidence from scientists and CHEM Trust about our exposure to chemicals
On Tuesday this week CHEM Trust gave oral evidence to the UK House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) inquiry into “Toxic chemicals in everyday life”. We very much welcome this inquiry, as the main chemical exposures for humans and wildlife come from emissions from everyday products, such as furniture and food packaging. Some of these exposures come from chemicals … [Read more...] about UK MPs hear evidence from scientists and CHEM Trust about our exposure to chemicals
MPs debate and narrowly approve the UK Government’s no-deal plans for REACH
Yesterday evening the UK House of Commons debated and narrowly approved the REACH Statutory Instrument (SI) which attempts to copy the EU's REACH chemicals regulation into domestic UK law and create a new UK Chemicals Agency in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Heavy criticisms of the SI were made from a cross-party group of MPs, though the debate culminated in approval of the SI … [Read more...] about MPs debate and narrowly approve the UK Government’s no-deal plans for REACH
Survey of councils finds that UK shoppers aren’t properly protected from illegal levels of hazardous chemicals in the products they buy
Resources to protect the UK public from hidden chemicals in consumer products are shockingly low, according to new data obtained through Freedom of Information requests. Campaigners at environmental charity CHEM Trust asked 164 councils across the UK [1] how much they spent on monitoring consumer products for hazardous chemicals in the past five years, how many products were … [Read more...] about Survey of councils finds that UK shoppers aren’t properly protected from illegal levels of hazardous chemicals in the products they buy
Brexit progress? Draft Political Declaration mentions EU chemicals agency ECHA
Today saw the publication of a draft Political Declaration, setting out the framework for a future relationship between the EU and the UK. The declaration, which will guide negotiations following the UK's departure from the EU, includes a commitment to 'explore the possibility of co-operation of the UK with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)', and states that the UK 'will … [Read more...] about Brexit progress? Draft Political Declaration mentions EU chemicals agency ECHA