Regulatory update

UK Chemicals Strategy

Defra has started to hold initial consultations on the development of the UK’s new Chemicals Strategy. These have taken the form of very broad, thematic working groups focussing on issues like ‘general vision and principles’ and ‘innovation’. BCF’s regulatory team has been attending many of these sessions and we will continue to feed in views from our own sector’s perspective. As the strategy develops there will be more consultation on specific topics of interest to members and we will keep you updated on progress.

UKREACH

Conversations continue between Defra and HSE, and industry, NGOs and academia about developing a revised registration model for UK REACH. Defra’s own impact assessment, recently released, estimated the cost to businesses of the original plans at between £1.1 billion and £3 billion. Efforts are being made to find a less costly solution but also still enables effective regulation on health and safety. BCF is represented on two working groups dealing with this issue and we will continue to ask members for their views as the process continues.

Biocides

In July, BCF met again with senior HSE policy-makers to explore its future plans for regulating biocides, as we know this is an important issue due to the declining availability of many active substances. HSE is in the early days of determining its approach for the UK but we wanted to be proactive in making the case for our sector. We need to understand how closely the UK will follow developments in the EU in future, and how proportionate a regime that will operate now we have left the EU. As ever, we will update members on progress through our various committees and groups.

Our Printing Inks Council and Technical Committee supported BCF in leading efforts to bring together various other trade associations to set up the Food Contact Packaging Value Chain. The group’s aim is to engage with the various Government departments,especially the Food Standards Agencies across the UK. We have held two meetings so far and hope to establish a fruitful working relationship to enable good foreknowledge of impending legislation and a greater ability to influence its direction. We continue to engage with the Home Office about their plans for restricting the use of GBL and BDO under the Misuse of Drugs Act. The licensing of these products is being revised and there is ongoing consultation with industry as to how this will work. We are confident there will be exemptions for mixtures in future drafts of the legislation - which should exempt most members’ customers - although members using ‘neat’ GBL or BDO will likely still need to obtain a licence. We will be seeking input from members once the new draft legislation is published to ensure the Government comes up with a workable set of proposals.

GBL/BDO

Energy costs

The cost and supply of energy is a growing concern for everyone. BCF met recently with the CEO of Make UK, ahead of his meeting with the Chancellor, to share our own sector’s concerns. It increasingly looks as though there will have to be some sort of emergency intervention from the Government, and we will be pushing for just that ahead of the budget due later this year.

We also need to see more action on the issue of energy security, both short and long-term, and this is also something we will be engaging with decision-makers with over the coming months.