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UK REACH Panel: New Regulations for Chemicals
Webinar about UK REACH and how is it affecting businesses and trade in chemicals with the UK.

UK REACH Webinar - New Regulations for Chemicals

UK REACH Webinar - New Regulations for Chemicals

What is UK REACH?

From January 1, 2021, the EU REACH Regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals no longer applies in the United Kingdom (UK).  A separate UK REACH regime is now in place that applies to businesses that import, make, sell or distribute chemicals in Great Britain, whether as raw materials or in their finished state. 

Who is Being Affected and How?

REACH impacts many manufacturing sectors that rely on chemicals and is an example of EU legislation that is not straightforward to copy across into UK law. The role companies previously undertook within EU REACH may have changed significantly under UK REACH. Businesses need to take steps to ensure regulatory requirements are fulfilled in both the UK and EU.

The new regulatory regime has an impact on the UK chemical industry. It is a key manufacturing sector, accounting for 9% of total UK goods exports. And chemical products are used in many other manufacturing sectors. 

Event Summary

UK REACH Webinar Highlight

As of January 1, 2021, UK REACH is Britain’s own independent chemical management regulation. Post-Brexit, it provides the regulatory framework for chemicals in England, Wales and Scotland and covers businesses that export to Great Britain 1 ton or more each year of any given substance, components in mixtures, or substances in articles. The U.S. Commercial Service’s Advanced Manufacturing Team Leader Pam Plagens welcomed participants. The program was moderated by Rosemary Gallant, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs, U.S. Embassy London with Kristina Schaferova, Commercial Specialist, U.S. Embassy London, UK managing questions.  The expert panel featured:

  • Simon Johnson, EU Exit Team: Chemicals and Pesticides, from the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra); Gary Dougherty, Team leader in the UK REACH Agency, Health and Safety Executive (HSE);

  • Richard Ayton, Director of Government Affairs, India, Middle East, Africa and Turkey, United Kingdom and Ireland, Dow Inc.; and

  • Silvia Segna, Senior Chemicals Policy Executive, Chemical Industry Association.;

The 86 webinar participants benefited from a lively discussion blending planned questions and those generated from the Q&A chat.

Questions about UK REACH?

Kristina Schaferova
Kristina Schaferova
Commercial Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service | Embassy of the United States of America
Office: +44 2078 913459
Kristina.Schaferova@trade.gov
Email