Brexit and chemical regulation
- Sarah Owen
- Jan 23, 2018
- 1 min read
One of the areas where Brexit is having a big impact is UK manufacturing, and an example of how we're already representing members' interests in Parliament is around REACH - the regulation for the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restrictions of chemicals.
Mary Creagh MP, tabled an amendment to ensure that during the process of the EU, the UK will maintain participation in REACH.
Regardless of what model of Brexit is settled on, our members working in the supply chains, operating between UK manufacturing plants and across Europe require clarity that materials can be legally processed and sold during any transition process and after the UK has left the EU.
GMB is working hard on this specific issue to protect members' jobs, giving stability to the sector and ensuring that standards are maintained for consumers. Although the amendment was not voted on, the Bill will now go to the House of Lords, so the work will continue.
Mary Creagh will also be holding a parliamentary debate in the coming weeks specifically on this issue. GMB's European Officer has also appeared in front of the Customs Bill Committee to give evidence to MPs on how best to protect our members' jobs in manufacturing, during the Brexit process.
At every opportunity we will continue to work with colleagues to ensure that this remains firmly on the political agenda and protecting our manufacturing sector during Brexit is the priority for all MPs.
GMB is proud of our manufacturing members, proud of our heritage and ambitious for the future of manufacturing in the UK. For more on our campaign for UK manufacturing, please visit www.making-it.org.uk
