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
Brexit
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
Scary stuff: UK highly dependent on other EU countries for assurance that toys are safe
Every day people across the UK and Europe buy millions of products, taking for granted that these goods are safe, free from illegal levels of hazardous chemicals. Authorities across the EU test products like toys, to check if laws are being broken, and if they are then they notify an EU-wide safety service, RAPEX. For example, the halloween mask above, packed full of the banned … [Read more...] about Scary stuff: UK highly dependent on other EU countries for assurance that toys are safe
Conservative Party Conference: What does it mean for chemical policy and Brexit?
The UK Conservative Party Conference this week was dominated by the major hurdles of Brexit, chiefly the Irish border, immigration policy and trade. However, chemicals continued to feature in discussions across the conference, from small fringe events on environment and trade up to the main stage address from Environment Minister Michael Gove. The deep divisions … [Read more...] about Conservative Party Conference: What does it mean for chemical policy and Brexit?
UK Government publishes preparations for chemical regulation in event of ‘no-deal’ Brexit
Today, Monday 24th of September, the UK Government published papers on how the UK plans to transfer EU chemicals law REACH into UK law in the event of a no-deal exit from the EU. In line with other policy areas, on REACH the UK Government plans to copy across the EU law and only modify it to ensure workability. At first glance this might be assumed to ensure that such an … [Read more...] about UK Government publishes preparations for chemical regulation in event of ‘no-deal’ Brexit
UK Government White Paper on Brexit includes a wish to stay in EU chemicals law, but are its commitments enough?
The UK Government today published a White Paper spelling out its Brexit strategy and CHEM Trust welcomes its reaffirmation that the UK will be seeking ‘active’ participation in the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the linked REACH chemicals regulatory system. The UK Government's proposals address two of the three preconditions that we believe will be necessary for the UK … [Read more...] about UK Government White Paper on Brexit includes a wish to stay in EU chemicals law, but are its commitments enough?
Should the UK stay in the EU Chemical Agency Post-Brexit? Latest from UK Parliament, Cefic and Article 50 Taskforce
In CHEM Trust's view the UK should aim to remain in the EU's world-leading chemicals regulatory system REACH and the EU Chemicals Agency ECHA, whatever the final outcome of Brexit. The UK Prime Minister has spoken of 'Associate Membership' of ECHA, but it's not yet clear what this means. The UK Parliament has just finished a complex set of votes on a range of Brexit-related … [Read more...] about Should the UK stay in the EU Chemical Agency Post-Brexit? Latest from UK Parliament, Cefic and Article 50 Taskforce
UK confirms it would like to remain in EU chemicals law REACH, but will it meet the EU’s conditions?
In a speech on Friday March 2nd the UK Prime Minister Theresa May stated that the UK wished to discuss the possibility of remaining part of the EU chemicals agency ECHA after Brexit. CHEM Trust welcomes this announcement, but it is important to realise that the other EU governments (the EU27) will inevitably set specific conditions for such participation, and that the risk … [Read more...] about UK confirms it would like to remain in EU chemicals law REACH, but will it meet the EU’s conditions?