Angela Smith MP

In a debate on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals  regulations, commonly known as REACH, Angela Smith MP, who is the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Chemical industries,  spoke of the industry’s fear that when the country leaves the EU it will be put at a terrible disadvantage as a result of the Tory government’s plan to withdraw from the REACH scheme. 

The industry, which is worth some £15bn a year to the British economy, employs 500,000 people and invests almost £5bn on research and development, with the REACH regulations being key for the industry’s access to EU markets.

As things stand it is unclear to UK companies that REACH registrations made before the May 2018 deadline will remain valid post-Brexit. Given the long timescales for investment, this is extremely worrying to the industry.

Commenting, Angela said;

“The mess this government is making of the REACH regulations is systematic of the Tory approach to Brexit. The simple fact is our chemicals industry needs full access to the EU single market with 60% of our chemical exports going there and 75% of our imports coming from the bloc.

With only a year to go before we leave the government is in complete disarray as to how the future regulation of this important industry will take place.  Clear assurances that the industry will still be able to trade freely with our  European neighbours are required if we are to avoid serious economic damage to a key sector of the British economy.        

Of course the best way to avoid any of this is to stay a full member of the single market, something I think we need to do to make sure we have a Brexit that works for everyone.”

Ends

Notes;

Please see the full speech by Angela Smith. Check against delivery.

Westminster Hall debate – EAC Report: The Future of Chemicals Regulation after the EU Referendum

 https://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2018-02-01a.419.0&s=speaker:11814#g427.0