Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Not Addressed
The Government should make use of existing EU-UK dialogue mechanisms to support UK alignment with...
Recommendation
The Government should make use of existing EU-UK dialogue mechanisms to support UK alignment with EU REACH to avoid unnecessary regulatory divergence. Whilst UK Government may choose a different approach in some areas, without such alignment, UK manufacturers risk accidentally being placed at a competitive disadvantage, and the UK public may face greater exposure to PFAS due to the absence of the more precautionary approach being pursued in the EU. (Recommendation, Paragraph 36) 43
Government response summary AI-generated
The government's response focuses on agreeing with the potential benefits of a group-based approach to PFAS regulation and how it draws on scientific expertise, but it does not address the recommendation to use EU-UK dialogue mechanisms to support alignment with EU REACH and avoid regulatory divergence.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government · verbatim extract
Not Addressed
We recognise that our supply chains, ecosystems and markets are deeply interconnected with those of the EU, and many of the challenges we face, including on issues such as PFAS are better tackled together. We are committed to cooperating with the EU on our shared environmental objectives, recognising those common and cross-border challenges we both face. We already have mechanisms in place to support this collaboration on chemicals, through the structures of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement including the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Specialised Committee as well as Article 395 under the Level Playing Field Trade Specialised Committee. Through these forums, the UK remains committed to technical cooperation and information sharing on environmental issues such as PFAS; learning lessons from our respective approaches, helping to reduce unnecessary friction and maintaining our mutual high environmental ambition in a way that works for citizens and businesses alike. Already this year we have had constructive conversations with the EU on chemicals at the annual Article 395 meeting which took place in February and are exploring further opportunities this year for technical exchanges on specific areas, including PFAS. We also welcome the engagement industry, and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are having with the EU and their constructive and supportive role in promoting cooperation between the EU and UK. In particular, we have been working with chemicals trade bodies, including the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Perfumeries Association (CTPA), to highlight the importance and benefits of closer EU-UK cooperation on chemicals.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗