Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the European Union on the implications for UK chemicals policy of Northern Ireland remaining part of the EU REACH regime after 31 December 2020.

For the duration of the Northern Ireland Protocol, Northern Ireland will remain part of the EU regulatory systems for chemicals to ensure frictionless movement of goods within the island of Ireland, whilst remaining within the UK customs territory.

The Government is committed to providing unfettered access for Northern Ireland businesses, as set out in the July Command Paper, and subsequent business guidance. The provisions we have made through the REACH etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 concerning chemicals moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain reflect this.

Chemicals that are, or are in, qualifying Northern Ireland goods being placed on the GB market will not be required to have a full REACH registration. Instead, there will be a light touch notification process to ensure the Health and Safety Executive knows what chemicals are being placed on the GB market. Information necessary to ensure safe use must also still be passed down the supply chain.

Substances of very high concern entering Great Britain from Northern Ireland will still need a UK REACH authorisation. This is needed to manage the risk from these hazardous chemicals to GB consumers, workers and the environment. This simply replicates the current approach to placing these substances on the EU market where the authorisation process makes sure account is taken of local environmental and other factors. We will ensure that this happens where these chemicals are being placed on the market and used within Great Britain.