RSC joins call for urgent clarity on chemicals strategy

The Royal Society of Chemistry has joined environmental charities and organisations from across the chemical sciences to issue a statement calling for urgent updates from the UK government. Our joint public letter has been published today in the Times newspaper. 

Full statement and signatories

In 2018, the government’s 25-year Environment Plan promised a chemicals strategy, the first since 1999. The issue will once again be raised in Parliament today, six years on, with nothing published and no updated timeline in sight, we urgently need clarity on the government's intentions for vital regulation that has profound effects on our economy, health and environment.

Since 2020 there has been a 46% increase in the number of civil servants in chemicals regulation, but they are still overburdened with work. With a coherent and connected chemicals strategy, the UK can make better use of its existing scientific expertise and adapt to changing regulation more effectively.

The chemicals strategy must introduce forward-looking regulation and business incentives in order to protect the environment and public health; without it, we hamstring the UK's ability to tackle chemical pollution, grow a safe, circular economy, develop new skills in the next generation of employees, and become a true science superpower.

Catherine Gunby, Executive Director Fidra

Helen Pain, CEO Royal Society of Chemistry

Richard Benwell, CEO Wildlife & Countryside Link

Steve Elliott, CEO Chemical Industries Association

Tim Doggett, CEO Chemical Business Association