Policy areas

Chemicals Management

CIA puts advocacy into action to ensure the UK policy environment is growth-sensitive, with decision-making based on risk instead of hazard.

The regulatory framework governing this policy area plays a significant role in the commercial viability of products and in turn the competitiveness of chemical businesses. CIA therefore ensures member representation at the highest level in UK Government and in Brussels.

From UK and EU implementation of REACH, CLP and BPR Regulations to a whole host of upcoming emerging issues whether national, European or international at UN level the chemicals management team puts advocacy into action. 

In line with CIA’s principles of engagement on substance specific issues, we also act on what matters the most to member companies, particularly where regulatory proposals may set up a precedent of consequence that could affect a broader range of chemicals and the wider CIA membership.

Good product stewardship is fundamental to successful chemicals management and is one of CIA’s key principles of Responsible Care®.  We help members deliver this. 

Responsibility & Stewardship Case Studies

  • Croda - Safety Leadership

  • Venator - Enhancing Biodiversity

  • Johnson Matthey - Biodiversity

  • James M. Brown - 1.5 acres of 12 acre site dedicated as a ‘Green zone’

  • Futamura - Site water demand reduced by 20% or 500m3 per day

  • Dow - Barry Site completes environmental project to cap site landfill

Our policy positions

  • plants in tube

    UK Chemicals Strategy: Building a healthier environment and society together

    Around 95% of all manufactured goods rely on some form of industrial chemical process, thus making chemistry essential to modern society and uniquely placed to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

  • Oil drums and plastic container on pallets in a warehouse on metal shelving.

    Essential Uses Concept – Is this viable for wider chemicals legislation?

    With the growing scientific debate around how to best manage persistent chemicals found in the environment, the concept of essential use has been put forward as a potential regulatory tool to manage large ‘families’ of chemicals.

  • green plants in test tubes

    CIA’s 13 Key Asks for the UK Chemicals Strategy

    As the UK Chemicals Strategy continues to progress towards release of a draft consultation towards the end of 2021, the Chemical Industries Association continues to offer support in assisting with its development. 

  • Warning symbol for chemical hazard on chemical container

    Grouping of Chemical Substances

    How to best group similar chemical substances is not a new topic. Both regulators and industry have been doing this as a matter of course for the purpose of managing them in the most effective way and also to protect animal welfare.

  • Drop on leaf

    Persistent Chemicals

    An important topic of focus within the current landscape of risk and hazard identification in chemicals is that of persistency.

  • Grouping of chemical substances 1

    UK REACH substance groups’ workability issues

    With the transitional arrangements coming to an end in autumn, companies have started considering how to best set up UK substance groups to prepare for the joint registration process ahead of the relevant UK registration deadlines.

Chemist

Guidance

Receiving Extended Safety Data Sheets

5 steps for assessing and extracting information

Documents

Guidance

Guidance for writing and receiving exposure scenarios

This document provides guidance on how to carry out an exposure assessment to determine the conditions of safe use for all the uses of a substance registered under REACH.

panorama small tree growing with sunrise

Guidance

Product Stewardship Guidance

The Responsible Care of products through all stages of their life cycle

 

Be part of it 

Members are invited to get involved with our Chemicals Management Strategy Group and explore out networks.

For further information, or to express an interest in joining, please contact Dr Roger Pullin at PullinR@cia.org.uk  

Find out more

 

Latest policy updates
Latest policy updates

DEFRA published a ministerial announcement, outlining the policy direction for the UK REACH alternative registration model (ATRm)

UK Government’s plans for an alternative transitional registration model (ATRm) for UK REACH.

Find out more