Surface World October 2019 Surface World October 2019 | Page 36

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BCF: BRITISH COATINGS FEDERATION
Coatings industry cautiously welcomes new
Brexit deal but fears border delays and UK REACH
The coatings industry
has cautiously welcomed
the new Brexit deal, but
expressed signifi cant
concerns about border
delays and separating
from European chemical
regulations in the event
of a “no deal” or harder
Brexit. The British
Coatings Federation
(BCF), the industry body,
recently ran a major
survey on its members’
Brexit concerns.
Tom Bowtell, Chief Executive of the British
Coatings Federation, said: “The new
Withdrawal Agreement and political
declaration go some way towards
providing the industry with certainty
regarding the UK’s future relationship
with the EU. However, our major
concerns regarding regulatory alignment
going forward are still there.
Brexit Survey
Summary of Responses
4 th – 10 th September 2019
The UK coatings industry has made
significant preparations ahead of a “no
deal” Brexit, with 88% of members
stating that they have already done some
planning in the event of a no deal Brexit.
These preparations have taken various
forms, with 79% building inventory of raw
materials and 60% of respondents
discussing contingency plans with
logistics suppliers. As the industry body,
we have been providing members with
updated information regarding UK
versions of regulations and plans for
procedures at the border. “
The new Brexit Withdrawal Agreement
Ellen Daniels, Head of Public Affairs and
www.coatings.org.uk
and political declaration provide some
Policy at the British Coatings Federation,
reassurances with its free trade
said: “Members are overwhelmingly
agreement, but BCF warns that
worried
about
a
“no
deal”
Brexit,
with 95% expressing varying levels
regulatory alignment is key for a thriving coatings industry. 82% of
of
concern.
However,
we
are
pleased
that the industry has been
BCF members have expressed concerns over new UK chemical
proactively preparing as much as possible for every eventuality, as
regulations, which will be needed in the event the UK does not have
61% say they are somewhat confident that their supply chains can
access to the European Chemicals Agency.
adapt to a no deal Brexit, and 15% are very confident. We will
Other major concerns included the cost and availability of raw
continue to work with members, government and the wider chemicals
materials, and tariff and non-tariff costs relating to additional
industry to ensure our members are as prepared as possible in the
bureaucracy and administrative costs related to a harder or No Deal
event of a “no deal” Brexit, which we hope can still be avoided.”
Brexit. When asked about longer term impacts, the number one issue
was being treated as a third country by ECHA, therefore requiring the
UK to have its own duplicate system to register chemicals. Other
additional impacts listed were the possibility of reduction of trade with
the EU, the UK being a less attractive manufacturing base, and
additional costs of doing business.
Over 90% of respondents want to see tariff-free access to the EU
market and free movement of goods. 88% of respondents want the
UK to stay within EU REACH and the EU regulatory framework, and
83% want to see regulatory equivalence between the UK and the EU
for chemicals.
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OCTOBER 2019
The BCF Brexit Survey Summary can be downloaded
via this link: https://www.coatings.org.uk/media/
download.aspx?MediaId=13630
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