The role of the EU in shaping toll processing and the chemical industry as a whole is one of the many reasons key industry figures were opposed to Brexit, however, according to Chemical Watch, the Health and Safety Executive and UK REACH Competent Authority are not ‘winding down’ their relationship with EU chemical policy makers.
Andrew Smith, from these bodies, said that the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) are keen to work with the UK for as long as possible, and rather than trying to phase out the UK’s involvement in making policy, they’re making the most of the time they have left.
Smith, talking to the UK Chemicals Stakeholder Forum, said: “ No one is trying to kick us out the door. Our work is not winding down – quite the opposite, they are trying to squeeze us as much as they possibly can before we leave,” according to Chemical Watch.
Likewise, James Dancy, from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, maintained that they were not taking their eye off the ball, rather calling for the UK government to give assurances given the industry’s concerns over what will happen post-Brexit.
Dancy also said that continuing a relationship with ECHA post-Brexit was not off the table.
When it comes to Only Representatives in the industry, the question over where they should be registered continues to plague discussions. Dancy said that registering either in the UK or EU are both options, however, the Only Representatives Organisation said it continues to recommend that they move ORs from the UK to an EU member state after Brexit.