Brexit

The UK left the European Union on January 31st 2020. A transition period now applies until at least December 31st 2020. Until that date, EU legislation will continue to apply in the UK and the UK will also remain part of the EU's Single Market and Customs Union. During the transition period, it will be ‘business as usual’ as regards EU legislation. Once EU Ministers have adopted the EU mandate for the EU-UK Future Relationship negotiations, negotiations with the UK will commence, most likely in early March. While we do not know the final outcome of those negotiations, potentially significant implications are anticipated for Irish companies. We therefore now urge businesses to plan for this and examine the impacts and opportunities for their business.

HSA preparations and support to stakeholders

The impacts of the UK withdrawal are anticipated on key policy and operational areas of the Authority and we are preparing for this. We have established an internal committee to ensure that we are prepared for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and that our stakeholders and businesses also have the relevant information to assist them with their preparations. We will provide information on this dedicated section of our website to keep stakeholders informed of developments.

Review the impact that the UK withdrawal may have on your business

If you use chemicals and haven’t already started considering potential impacts of the UK withdrawal for your business, we urge you to start immediately. As a company based in the EU-27, the obligations flowing from the EU chemicals legislation will continue to apply to Irish companies. However, interactions with UK-based business partners will be impacted by the UK withdrawal. Consequently, Irish chemical companies may face new and different UK rules on the export, import and use of chemical substances and they may also need to review their supply chains involving their UK-based business partners.

In addition, economic operators who source products for use or distribution from the UK and companies who rely on UK based product conformity assessment bodies should acquaint themselves with the potential implications for their business. Stakeholders should check these, and other relevant EU pages (see further information below), regularly for information and updates.

Advice for Irish companies sourcing chemicals in the UK

DBEI Brexit Preparedness Checklist

HSA Brexit Overview Information Sheet

Government’s booklet on the 9 key areas of business preparedness

March 2020 Commission notice to stakeholders on Brexit and EU rules in the field of chemicals under REACH

Contact us

Companies with particular concerns or questions as to the effect of the UK withdrawal from the EU on their business should contact us at 1890 289 389 (Monday to Friday 9.00 to 12.30) or by emailing wcu@hsa.ie