PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND ADVOCACY
Life outside the EU - key milestones in
the lead up to Brexit
Whilst it’s not known exactly what the UK’s regulatory landscape will look like after Brexit, there have been
several significant developments since this time last year. The BCF has been involved greatly in Brexit discussions
with government and feeding through case studies to different departments on how leaving the EU will impact
the coatings industry.
October 2017
The UK and the EU agreed the three core points: no hard
border, fair settlement to the British taxpayer, no customs
barrier in the Irish Sea. This potentially softer Brexit is good
news in theory, although it’s not clear what any of this means
for the chemical regulatory framework. It’s also not clear
what the “implementation period” will look like. These details
need to be agreed before government can start negotiating
trade deals with other countries, in March 2019.
January 2018
The Prime Minister announced the UK’s intention to apply for
associate membership of ECHA. This was a major milestone,
and a clear indication that government has been listening to
the BCF and other trade associations in the chemicals supply
chain.
October 2018
The UK leaves the EU, and the transition period starts. EU
law will continue to apply in the UK, and the UK will not have
a say in new regulations in this period.
December 2020
BCF ANNUAL HANDBOOK 2018/19
BCF’s Tom Bowtell was invited to a roundtable discussion
with Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Defra. It was a
small meeting with only 12 participants from industry, NGOs
and government departments, and an excellent opportunity
for the coatings industry to raise its profile and clarify its
messages.
December 2017
The BCF led a delegation of companies and trade associations
to meet with Defra Minister Therese Coffey MP as part of
the REACH Cross Sector Group, which the BCF now chairs.
The group consists of downstream chemical users from
industries including plastics, automotive and aerospace, and
met with the Minister to discuss the implications of Brexit on
the chemical regulatory framework, and the industry’s desire
to stay part of REACH.
March 2018
Final negotiations will take place. Once this is decided,
agreement has to be ratified by EU Parliament, EU 27 and
UK government.
29 March 2019
The transition period ends, and the UK can sign trade deals
with third countries, and adapt its laws as it sees fit.
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