Appeal to the UK's Hazardous Chemicals Regulatory Agency

Appeal to the UK's Hazardous Chemicals Regulatory Agency

The UK is under threat from "uncontrolled chemicals", which could harm people and the environment, experts say.

The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) has called for the creation of a Chemicals Agency to be responsible for regulating chemicals in the UK.

It said the rise in the use of pollutants, often referred to as "forever chemicals", is an example of how regulation is "failing".

The RSC said they decided to make a public intervention after waiting more than four years for clarity on how chemicals should be regulated after the UK leaves the EU.

Post-Brexit chemical regulation delay

By 2020, the UK and the current 27 EU countries jointly researched and controlled chemicals and set regulations for their use.

After Brexit, the UK took sole responsibility for regulating chemicals domestically, but there have been delays in putting the new system in place.

"The current chemical regulatory regime in the UK is not fit for purpose as it does not support innovation or adequately protect our waterways, soil, air and the human environment," said Professor Gillian Reid, President of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Last month, the government announced it was consulting on a new chemicals registration process, which is set to become the key mechanism by which the UK will track which chemicals are imported into the country.

It was planned that the process would be implemented from the day Great Britain officially left the EU, four years ago, in 2020. The RSC said the delay is affecting dozens of industries operating in the UK and EU market - from cosmetics to food manufacturing to agriculture.

Impact on the chemical industry

The Chemical Industry Association (CIA), the trade body for chemicals businesses, agreed its members needed clarity but said it was "premature" to call for a Chemicals Agency, saying it would only delay the government's process.