LONDON—Chemical makers have reacted with concern over proposals for a United Kingdom version of the REACH chemical-safety legislation in the event of a 'no-deal' Brexit.
The U.K. government issued guidance on how failure to agree exit terms with the EU would affect companies producing, registering, importing or exporting chemicals.
The proposals include the introduction of a U.K.-REACH, which said the Chemical Industries Association, would require companies to duplicate pre-existing EU registration duties.
A U.K.-REACH "will not only weaken our international competitiveness but more importantly, offers nothing more to strengthen health and safety," the Chemical Industries Association warned.
Businesses have already spent over $710.4 million investing in registrations under EU-REACH, according to the London-based industry association.
The process, it added, has involved sharing information and communicating safe-use in exchange for a license to market chemicals in European countries, including the U.K.
The Chemical Industries Association went on to urge "that a more efficient and less costly option to both businesses and the regulator is considered over re-registrations whereby all existing REACH registrations are recognized in the U.K."
The association said U.K. chemicals and pharmaceuticals industry supports 500,000 jobs and contributes £18 billion a year to the U.K. economy from a total annual turnover of $57.5 billion.