Written Question·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·UIN 90875

European Chemicals Agency

Tabled: 13 November 2025
Answered: 20 November 2025

Question

Dr Al Pinkerton

Liberal Democrat — Surrey Heath

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of negotiating regulatory alignment with the European Chemicals Agency on economic growth.

Answer

Emma Hardy

We have reset our relations with our European partners, and we now need to use our strengthened relations to deliver a long-term UK-EU strategic partnership. We are committed to continue ongoing dialogue.

As set out in our Rationale for UK REACH Priorities statement, we aim for new protections from chemicals risks to be applied more quickly, more efficiently, and in a way which is more aligned with our closest trading partners. In doing so we can reduce business complexity and trade barriers and provide industry with the certainty they need to grow and invest, whilst continuing to protect people and the environment in the right way.