Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 31
31
We recommend that the Government fast-tracks the national materials datahub to track critical raw materials...
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government fast-tracks the national materials datahub to track critical raw materials in the UK. The aspects that focus on critical raw materials, E-waste and toxic chemicals should be operational by 2023. (Paragraph 128) 64 Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The Government recognises that a lack of reliable data on the availability of secondary materials is cited by industry as a barrier to their use. It is recognised that a National Materials Datahub may help address this issue by providing comprehensive data on the availability of raw and secondary materials, including chemicals, across the economy to industry and the public sector, and by modelling scenarios around material availability. The Office for National Statistics has worked with government, devolved administrations, academics and industry to understand the need for a “whole system view of the material economy in the UK”. From the comprehensive use cases, we have learnt that the lack of material data and standardisation are secondary challenges. The primary challenge is the inability to navigate the complex inter-relationships of policy, regulation and legislation across sectors to truly assess the impacts of unintended consequences from Government’s policies and regulations. While at present, the National Materials Datahub project is on hold, discussions are being had within government to establish the demand for the project going forward and future options for funding it.