UK Launches Public Consultation on Reforms to BPR, CLP and PIC Rules

The UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched an eight-week public consultation on proposed legislative reforms for chemicals regulation in Great Britain. The consultation, which runs until 18 August 2025, invites stakeholders to share their views on planned changes to the GB Biocidal Products Regulation (GB BPR), Classification, Labelling and Packaging (GB CLP), and Prior Informed Consent (GB PIC) regimes.

Supporting Economic Growth Through Regulatory Reform

The proposed reforms aim to streamline regulatory processes, reduce costs for businesses, and maintain high standards of health and environmental protection. This initiative is part of the UK Government’s broader Regulatory Action Plan (RAP), which aims to foster innovation and economic growth by modernising regulatory frameworks.

Key Proposals Covering Biocides, CLP and PIC

The consultation sets out targeted reforms for three key chemical regulatory regimes:

• Biocides (GB BPR):

  • Recognising international approvals: The HSE is proposing that biocidal active substances and products approved in trusted foreign jurisdictions to be recognised in Great Britain without the need for a full domestic evaluation. This would significantly reduce the time and cost of bringing products to the GB market while maintaining safety standards.

  • Replacing fixed approval dates with risk-based reviews: Instead of requiring periodic renewals, biocidal active substances and potentially products would remain approved indefinitely, unless ‘called in’ for review based on new evidence of potential risks.

  • Expanding essential use derogations: The reforms would enable temporary authorisations for biocidal products or substances that are essential to society, ensuring the continued availability of critical products while alternatives are sought.

  • Introducing powers for future updates: The HSE is seeking the authority to make technical and procedural changes to the GB BPR through secondary legislation, which would allow for greater flexibility and faster regulatory adjustments.

• Classification, Labelling and Packaging (GB CLP):

  • Introducing a fast-track classification process: A new, streamlined evaluation route is proposed for substances classified in countries that apply the UN GHS, with transparent processes. This would enable quicker updates to mandatory classifications, reducing regulatory delays.

  • Ending the GB CLP notification requirement: Businesses would no longer be required to notify the HSE when placing new substances on the GB market, easing administrative burdens without compromising safety oversight.

  • Relocating technical notes online: Explanatory notes linked to mandatory classifications would be moved from legislation to the HSE website, allowing for faster updates and simpler access for businesses.

  • Granting powers for general updates: The HSE is proposing new powers to ensure that GB CLP remains aligned with international developments and evolving scientific knowledge.

• Prior Informed Consent (GB PIC):

  • Removing outdated procedures: The consultation proposes eliminating the Special Reference Identification Number (SRIN) process for small-quantity exports used for research, as this is now considered unnecessary.

  • Simplifying the waiver process: The requirement for explicit consent from importing countries could be streamlined to allow for a more consistent application of waivers for eligible chemicals.

  • Ensuring timely updates: The HSE is also seeking powers to make future amendments to GB PIC more efficiently, thereby ensuring the UK can meet its international obligations without delay.

Improving Flexibility

The proposals are designed to give the HSE greater flexibility in decision-making, while ensuring that the UK remains responsive to international scientific developments and avoids unnecessary divergence from global standards. The reforms are also intended to protect the integrity of the UK internal market, including Northern Ireland.

How to Participate

Stakeholders, including manufacturers, importers, distributors, NGOs, and members of the public, are invited to submit their views here on the HSE consultation portal by 18 August 2025.