Introduction to Prior Informed Consent (PIC) for chemicals

The Prior Informed Consent (PIC) regime in Great Britain (GB) regulates the export and import of certain hazardous chemicals.

You can find out more about the GB PIC Regulation[1].

GB PIC list

You can check which chemicals are subject to GB PIC on the GB PIC list[2]. If substances are not listed, then there are no PIC notification obligations.

How GB PIC may affect your business

If you are importing or exporting PIC-listed chemicals from or to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) you must comply with the GB PIC regime.

You must notify your intention to export PIC-listed chemicals to countries outside GB by completing a PIC export notification form.

For some chemicals the explicit consent of the importing country is required before export can take place, and HSE as the GB PIC Designated National Authority (DNA) seeks this consent on behalf of the exporter.

There is also a requirement for both exporters and importers of PIC-listed chemicals to report their annual quantities to HSE.

Read more on our annual reporting guidance[5].

Link URLs in this page

  1. GB PIC Regulationhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pic/pic-regulations.htm
  2. GB PIC listhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pic/pic-list.htm
  3. Read more on exporting GB PIC-listed chemicalshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pic/exporting/index.htm
  4. Read more on importing GB PIC-listed chemicalshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pic/importing.htm
  5. Read more on our annual reporting guidancehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pic/annual-reporting.htm

Glossary of abbreviations/acronyms on this page

PIC

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Updated:2023-03-16