Consultation on UK Chemical Regulations 

Post-Brexit, chemical regulations were transposed directly into UK law. Over the last few years noticeable challenges and delays have been observed by anyone trying to comply with the current regulations. The HSE are now looking to address the issues in the Biocidal Product Regulations (BPR) and Classification, Labelling and Packaging regulation (CLP) to be more relevant for the UK market.

 

Four areas of the BPR have been identified for review:

  1. Recognition of international biocide approvals
  2. Rework of the active substance renewal programme by removing the 10 year compulsory review and move to a rolling action plan based on hazard and need.
  3. Expand the essential use provision ensuring authorisations can be made quickly when needed
  4. Greater powers for GB BPR to be amended to support GB needs to improve procedural efficiency and effectiveness.

Opinions are being requested on 3 areas of the CLP regulations:

  1. To remove the requirement for the HSE to consider RAC opinions when making labelling and safety decisions for the UK
  2. Moving the explanatory notes in the GB Mandatory Classification and Labelling (GB MCL) list to the HSE website instead of being in legislation
  3. Removing the need to set up a CLP notification database and the requirement for suppliers to submit self classifications

All these changes are designed to reduce the administrative and regulatory burden of complying with legislation whilst maintain the current levels of environmental and human health protection.

Full details of the changes are available on the HSE website, and we would encourage anyone in the UK chemicals industry to get involved in the consultation which ends on 18 August 2025.