Dec. 20 EU: Consultation opens on streamlining chemical regulations

This press release is brought to you by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has today (20 December 2012) launched a six week consultation on changes to chemicals legislation.

The consultation sets out how HSE proposes to simplify the regulations without adding new responsibilities or reducing important protection for workers, the public or the environment from hazardous substances. Views are also being sought on suggested changes to how HSE enforces regulations governing the import and export of chemicals to make enforcement more proportionate.

The proposed changes will deliver the recommendation to consolidate biocides sector legislation set out in the Löfstedt report published in November 2011.

“Simplifying and consolidating the regulatory requirements concerning biocides, CLP and PIC will make it more straightforward for businesses in the chemical industry to understand and comply with their responsibilities.

The consultation is open until 31 January 2013. The HSE Board will make recommendations to ministers after consideration of the consultation responses.

For more information and the full press release please refer to the link above.