Current regulation of the UK chemicals industry is largely based on EU legislation, implemented by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). EU regulations on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) focus on identifying risks and ensuring safe management of chemicals, requiring companies to register their chemicals with ECHA before placing them on the market.

EU regulations on classification, labelling and packaging, dangerous substances, prior informed consent, health and safety at work, emissions, and waste management also underpin the operations of chemicals enterprises in the UK. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the UK Competent Authority (CA) for the safety of chemicals, pesticides and biocides.

Depending on the outcome of EU Exit negotiations, the UK might or might not remain in alignment with REACH. If not, a UK equivalent system for registering chemicals will be put in place, run by the HSE. In this scenario, UK-based companies might need to procure the services of an Only Representative to take on their legal duties under REACH, or partner with an EU based importer who fulfils the REACH requirements.

This research will consist of baseline data-collection and analysis relating to the operations of chemicals businesses before EU Exit (to be completed by the end of March 2019), and follow-up data collection and analysis at various stages post EU Exit (subject to agreement on funding). The scope of the research will be England-only, in order to facilitate production of high quality outputs within a tight timescale.