Work and Pensions

Stephen Timms Excerpts

Wednesday 13th May 2026 Written Corrections

The following extracts are from the debate in the Third Delegated Legislation Committee on the draft Chemicals (Health and Safety) (Amendment, Consequential and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 on 21 April 2026.

[Sir Stephen Timms]

Taking them one by one, the BRP extends the expiry date for the up to 173 approved active substances to 31 July 2031, provided that renewal applications are submitted. That will prevent them from lapsing through no fault of the suppliers and will avoid very severe disruption. It also reforms emergency provision so that essential biocidal products such as aviation fuel preservatives and drinking water disinfectants can remain available until an authorisation decision is made, where the need for use is long term. Of course, at some point it may be that a decision will be made that these products should not be available, but we do not want that to happen between now and June, because then they would become non-available.

[Official Report, Third Delegated Legislation Committee, 21 April 2026; c. 5.]

Written correction submitted by the Minister for Social Security and Disability, the right hon. Member for East Ham (Sir Stephen Timms):

[Sir Stephen Timms]

Of course, at some point it may be that a decision will be made that these products should not be available, but we do not want that to happen before then, because then they may become non-available.

[Daisy Cooper]

I had two separate questions. The first was whether any of the 173 active substances have faced sustained calls to be banned already. I recognise that none are banned, but have any of them faced calls to be banned because of potential damage to biodiversity or human health?

[Sir Stephen Timms]

I cannot say how many of the 173 have had such calls made in relation to them, but my guess is that some of them probably have because of the nature of the substances. As the hon. Lady says, they all have current approval. The statutory instrument just ensures that they carry on being approved beyond June.

[Official Report, Third Delegated Legislation Committee, 21 April 2026; c. 9.]

Written correction submitted by the Minister for Social Security and Disability:

[Sir Stephen Timms]

I cannot say how many of the 173 have had such calls made in relation to them, but my guess is that some of them probably have because of the nature of the substances. As the hon. Lady says, they all have current approval. The statutory instrument just ensures that they carry on being approved until 31 July 2031, provided renewal applications are submitted.