Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how the Environmental Principles Policy Statement was considered by the Health and Safety Executive in developing legislative proposals for changing GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging and GB Biocidal Product Regulation and GB Prior Informed Consent.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has considered the Environmental Principles Policy Statement throughout the development of its legislative proposals for amendments to its three chemicals regimes: Great Britain Biocidal Products Regulation (GB BPR), Great Britain Classification, Labelling and Packaging (GB CLP), and GB Prior Informed Consent for the export and import of hazardous chemicals (GB PIC). Additionally, one of the fundamental principles underpinning this work is that protections for human health, animal health and the environment should be maintained.

This also supports HSE’s strategic objective to ensure people feel safe where they live, where they work, and in their environment, as set out in ‘Protecting People and Places’ – the HSE Strategy 2022 to 2032.

HSE will publish a response to its formal consultation on Chemicals Legislative Reform Proposals, which took place from 23 June 2025 to 18 August 2025, in early 2026 subject to Ministerial approval. The response will include plans on how HSE intends to legislate to implement any changes.