Chemistry’s crucial role in future chemicals regulation
Yesterday, we provided oral evidence to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee inquiry into the Future of Chemicals Regulation, which focuses on the future of REACH (the Registration, Evaluation Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation in the UK after it leaves the EU.
Building upon our written evidence, our Programme Manager for Environment and Regulation, Dr Camilla Alexander-White, answered MPs’ questions on what different options the UK has to regulate chemicals in the future and the scientific skills and expertise needed to run regulatory systems.
Dr Alexander-White said: "Chemical scientists are vital to the development and implementation of a range of regulations that aim to protect the environment and human health, including systems like REACH.
"Whatever regulatory system the UK follows, we need to make sure that we have a strong chemical sciences base that can deliver, analyse and interpret the high quality, robust scientific data that is needed to underpin regulation."
The committee also took evidence in the same session from witnesses across the chemical, pharmaceutical and tech industries to understand the possible impacts for businesses, including small and medium enterprises of changes to the UK’s future chemicals regulatory framework.
Dr Alexander-White added: "Key areas such as analytical chemistry, exposure sciences, toxicology and work at the chemistry-biology interface are crucial to the continuing development of chemical regulation that enables policy makers to strike the right balance between the needs of research, innovation and trade with protecting citizens, wildlife and the environment".
Further information
Watch the evidence session on parliament.tv.