The European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) and the UK Chemical Industries Association (CIA) have released a joint statement urging for "significantly closer" cooperation agreements between EU and non-EU member countries, following the UK's withdrawal from the European Union.
Cefic
Photo: Cefic
The joint statement came just weeks before London and Brussels begin trade talks in earnest. Both associations stressed the "paramount importance" of such cooperation.
Cefic and the CIA said that the "highly interconnected nature" of chemical supply chains between the UK and mainland Europe.
The statement said: "With chemicals trade amounting to €43.7-billion, UK chemical industry representing more than 7% of total EU-28 sales and EU chemical industry 52.5% of UK sales, both sides are important markets to each other with highly integrated supply chains. Our preferred option is a strong future partnership comprising a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement. While noting the challenges ahead, including the timing of the negotiations, this agreement should secure, at the minimum, frictionless trade in chemicals and a high degree of regulatory alignment between the UK and the EU-27."
Both industry bodies agree that the only way to avoid total disruption is that the UK must remain in EU REACH, an EU regulation that applies to all chemical substances and seeks to "improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals, while enhancing the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry", according to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
The paper proposed that: "The UK would continue to be an active participant in ECHA, albeit without voting rights but making an appropriate financial contribution."
The statement also called for a shared REACH database that would avoid doubling registrations and ensure a level playing field as well as keeping the same health and safety and environmental standards.
The two bodies also highlighted the importance of a "good and plannable transition" with harmonised customs procedures and free movement of qualified personnel.
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