BASA (the Adhesives & Sealants Association for the UK and Ireland) welcomes the UK Government’s current consultation on chemical regulation, which offers a chance to modernise UK REACH without compromising safety. Contrary to claims of deregulation, the proposed reforms are not about lowering standards, they’re about making the system more focused, efficient, and responsive.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which leads UK REACH, is prioritising a smarter, risk-based approach. Rather than monitoring every substance equally, HSE aims to focus regulation on chemicals that pose the greatest threat to health and the environment. This strategy ensures resources are targeted where they matter most, allowing for quicker responses to new scientific evidence. It’s a recalibration, not a retreat, from existing protections.
BASA strongly supports this shift. The UK is maintaining core principles from the EU REACH framework, including the precautionary principle and rigorous safety assessments. The goal is to preserve high standards while reducing duplication, particularly for SMEs that face significant costs complying with both UK and EU regulations. Recognising trusted international chemical approvals, while retaining the right to override them in UK-specific risk cases, could streamline compliance, reduce costs, and foster innovation.
Critics have raised valid concerns around consultation timelines and foreign data use. BASA believes these are opportunities to refine, not reject, the approach. The association supports full transparency, meaningful stakeholder engagement, and robust oversight mechanisms that maintain public confidence.
Importantly, UK REACH allows the UK to tailor its responses to local priorities and act faster than the EU when needed. The UK has previously led on issues such as neonicotinoid restrictions, proving it can exceed EU standards when driven by science. A flexible, national system also positions the UK to respond swiftly to emerging challenges like PFAS (“forever chemicals”).
Ultimately, BASA sees this consultation as a positive step towards a balanced regulatory environment, one that protects people and the planet, while also encouraging sustainable growth and innovation. The UK is not inviting toxic imports; it is building a more agile, science-led system that’s fit for the future.
BASA encourages all stakeholders to engage constructively to shape a modern regulatory framework that is protective, practical, and globally competitive.
