Chemicals industry regulation
Regulations
Use the links below to go to guidance on the regulations:
- Biocides – authorisation of biocidal substances and products
- CLP - classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures
- PIC- prior informed consent for the export and import of certain hazardous chemicals
- PPP – plant protection products (known as pesticides) authorisation
- REACH - registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals
HSE chemicals legislative reform
HSE has the policy lead for 3 areas of chemicals legislation in Great Britain (GB):
- classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (GB CLP)
- biocidal products regulations (GB BPR)
- the export and import of hazardous chemicals (GB PIC)
These regulations are examples of direct-acting European Union (EU) legislation retained (as amended) in GB law following EU Exit, now known as assimilated law.
The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 introduced powers to reform assimilated law. In line with the government’s programme of ‘Smarter Regulation’, HSE is exploring opportunities to use powers in the act to reform assimilated law for chemicals to make it more proportionate for GB as a country outside the EU. These powers expire in June 2026, so any changes need to be made by then.
GB inherited the EU chemicals regulatory framework at the time of EU exit.
Legislative reform gives HSE the opportunity to:
- optimise policies that benefit the British chemicals industry
- make a regulatory system that is more suited to GB needs
We will look to reduce the regulatory burden to both duty holders and HSE as the regulator. Reforming the regulatory framework in GB will make it more proportionate to the needs of the GB market, whilst maintaining existing levels of health and environmental protection.
We will be working with a network of stakeholders throughout 2024 to identify opportunities to reform HSE's chemicals supply regulations and assess the potential impact of those changes.
If you are a duty holder, or if you represent duty holders or other non-governmental organisations, and are interested in this work, email: [email protected].
Please give the name of your organisation and include any additional comments.
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