Beyond Reach....
REACH, the EU’s chemical regulator is a classic example of the stupidity of re-inventing the wheel. It is world class, works very well and is used around the world; companies love it, as once registered anyone can check their chemicals are safe.
Post Brexit the logical thing would be to stay in but the Brexit ultras demanded the UK leave everything connected to the EU.
Now we have the farce of the UK’s version being put back two years, it is not ready and the Government announcing which ultra dangerous chemicals it would allow to be used for longer because of this new “freedom”.
So the UK has the expense of a new chemicals agency when it has already paid for one to be set up, it can’t set the new one up quickly enough, it will mainly copy the EU one line for line; except British companies will be allowed to pollute more and for longer.
Besides this being a giant step backwards it is economically suicidal, as unless British firms follow REACH standards they can’t sell in Europe or really anywhere else and they aren’t going to run two production lines. One safe and compliant, one dangerous and unsellable- for UK use only.
The regulatory capture of the biggest market in the world on their doorsteps makes this a no brainer, but not for the government apparently.
Economics, trade and Brexit, not necessarily in that order but the dog always comes first.