PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Public Affairs update
By Ellen Daniels , BCF ’ s Head of Public Affairs & Policy
Since the last issue of Covered , a lot has been happening in the political sphere for the BCF . I ’ m delighted to announce I have taken over as Chair of the REACH Cross Sector Group for 2018 . The BCF has been a member of the REACH Cross Sector Group for several years , thanks to an introduction from BCF member Indestructible Paint , who were already a member of the group . Other members include Jaguar Land Rover , Intel , Rolls Royce , West and Senior ( also a BCF member ) and trade associations such as EEF , CBA , the Surface Engineering Association and the Aerospace , Defence , Security and Space Association to name a few , with over 20 groups / sectors represented overall . It was originally formed to make REACH work better for UK industry . Since Brexit , government officials have regularly attended the meetings , and the group has an additional focus to ensure that industry will not face tariff and non-tariff barriers in the wake of Brexit . The group is very active , meeting three times a year and collaborating on consultation responses and joint letters .
Given the diverse membership of the group and some of the excellent work that has been going on over the past year , the group really does have the ear of government so it is great for the profile of the coatings industry that the BCF will be taking over to chair the group .
On 20 January , I met with Defra Minister Dr Therese Coffey MP as part of a delegation of the REACH Cross Sector Group . The group consisted 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 .
The meeting came about following a letter from the group drafted last year to the Secretary of State Michael Gove , outlining concerns around what will happen to REACH following Brexit . The meeting was positive and government are keen to talk to industry and have an open dialogue .
Dr Therese Coffey MP
Defra made it clear they are keen to reassure companies that there is no reason Ellen Daniels for the UK to take a different regulatory approach compared to the rest of the EU and are supportive of the precautionary principle . UK government is focused on getting a good outcome from the negotiations but has been clear it has a responsibility to plan for all possible outcomes , including a no-deal scenario .
There is a lot of work going on with the UK government planning for legislation post-Brexit . Defra also announced the development of a new IT system , much like REACH IT , which will allow companies to register chemicals . We hope this is a fallback option , in a no-deal situation , and we still press government to remain within REACH if possible which is a view shared across the Cross Sector Group .
Moreover , last year the BCF ’ s Chief Executive Tom Bowtell was invited to a round table discussion with Michael Gove . It was a small meeting with only 12 participants from industry , NGOs and government departments , so it was another excellent opportunity for the coatings industry to raise its profile . The discussion was about the long term environmental goals the UK should be setting , and there was a common view that Brexit shouldn ’ t lead to reduced environmental ambition , which was also the view of the Secretary of State . Looking for Brexit wins and mitigating against risks didn ’ t take long to get on the agenda , and there was support from others around the table to reinforce the importance of EU trade to our sector ; including the fact that we are a net exporter of paints , coatings , printing inks and wallcoverings and we want it to remain that way , so staying part of REACH is critical .
Whilst negotiations are ongoing , the BCF will be working with government both directly and through organisations such as the REACH Cross Sector Group to ensure we get the best deal for the coatings industry .
6 Covered Spring 2018