The new chair of a UK parliamentary committee has expressed his concerns over the government's post-Brexit chemicals strategy, after its development was suspended due to the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic.
In a letter to minister of state George Eustice, Environmental Audit Committee chair Philip Dunne said that given the delays already incurred, the decision to pause work on it in order to prioritise the government's response to the pandemic was "regrettable".
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has not said whether the strategy, currently due in 2022, would be delayed.
Mr Dunne's letter, dated 30 April, raises a number of questions over Defra's approach to chemicals regulation after Brexit, reiterating persistent anxiety among stakeholders about the UK's future relationship with Echa and access to chemicals data.
It requests clarity on how the government is using the Brexit transition period to prepare businesses for a new regulatory framework, and guidance on whether a two-year window for UK registrants to submit full data packages would be extended.
The committee is concerned, it says, that ongoing uncertainty for the sector could damage access to vital chemicals for business after the transition period. This will expire at the end of the year, unless an extension is agreed with the EU by the end of June.
While the government has made "top-line announcements" on UK REACH and its competent authority, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), that endeavour to mirror Echa, the committee adds it "remain[s] unclear how these will work in practice".
Mr Dunne was elected as chair of the committee at the end of January, replacing Mary Creagh.
Data woes
His letter outlines grievances aired by experts and business groups during two parliamentary inquiries – one in 2016-17 on post-Brexit chemicals regulation and another last year on the impact of toxic chemicals in everyday products.
Then in a parliamentary debate in February, Defra undersecretary of state Victoria Prentis caused further unease by signalling possible divergence from EU rules through an independent UK REACH – a shift from the government's previously stated objective to pursue associate membership of Echa.
The letter asks what relationship the government envisages with Echa that would provide sufficient access to data, flagging the need for businesses to have reassurance on future arrangements "now".
"If the full data package is necessary but impossible to gain, this could render the entire UK database unusable," it says.
Access to data has been a constant worry for UK industry. Last month, the Chemical Industries Association (CIA) repeated a call for Brexit negotiators to explore the option of permitting UK regulatory authority access to Echa’s database as part of a trade agreement.
Recommendations
Elsewhere, the letter says that the committee had previously recommended that the HSE should outline a formal role in the substance evaluation process for two UK committees – the Committee on Toxicity and the Hazardous Substances Advisory Committee.
It had also recommended that HSE establish a forum for engaging with stakeholders and suggests specialists feed into decision making for chemicals policy.
The letter asks for an update on progress and how the HSE model will ensure consistency to maintain environmental protection.
Mr Dunne has requested a response from Defra by 25 May.