ECHA Reassurances Following Brexit Decision

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has sought to reassure the British chemicals industry over concerns regarding chemical legislation from the European Union (EU). They have noted that whilst the British Industry remains an EU Member, European chemicals legislation will continue to apply.

Britain will remain an EU Member for at least the next two years, the timeline given for membership resignation and exit negotiations following the invocation of Article 50. ECHA sought to further highlight that as this timeline will include the latest REACH registration date (31^st May 2018), UK manufacturers/importers will still have to register with ECHA should they be supplying tonnages of chemicals/mixtures above the one tonne per annum threshold.

Furthermore, with regards to the UK’s future access to the European market, it has been noted that:

• Should the UK have access to the single market, UK ECHA employees will remain in place, UK companies will still be required to comply with EU chemical legislation and the UK will have its voting rights still in future legislative changes.
• Should the UK move to the European Economic Area (EEA), it will still have representation on ECHA’s board and scientific committees, will still be required to comply with EU chemical legislation, however they will not have voting rights.
• Should the UK withdraw from the EU and not enter the EEA, compliance with EU chemical legislation will only be required when exporting into the EU market.

Following Britain’s referendum result, ECHA have appointed a member of staff to help advise UK companies as to updates and to help the 31 UK ECHA staff currently employed.