Member

First, the amendment says that these regulations mean that hazard classifications in GB will be adopted selectively from foreign jurisdictions, with limited accountability for the HSE as our regulator. This is not the case. I suspect this concern relates to provisions which permit hazard classifications made in a foreign jurisdiction to be adopted more quickly in GB, provided that that jurisdiction meets the defined criteria. Only the EU is currently known to meet those criteria, which effectively limits the use of the fast-track procedure to EU classification proposals. However, for the purposes of future-proofing, it must be right that our legislation is drafted in a way that recognises that every jurisdiction has the opportunity to match those high standards. I believe that the World Trade Organization and other adoptees of the UN GHS, including countries with which the UK has existing trade agreements, would agree. Nevertheless, the Government will consult before determining whether a non-EU jurisdiction meets the fast-track criteria before any changes are made.